J.D. Byrider

If you live in a region burdened by winter’s wrath or plan to travel through one during the holidays,  it’s important to prepare your car, truck, van or SUV. Follow these 6 simple steps to winterize your vehicle:

The tire tread covers the top of Lincoln's head and are good for snow travel.

Tires:
Having good tread on your tires is necessary for operating your vehicle in the snow. A good test for proper tire tread is to slide a penny in the tread (with the top of Lincoln’s head  toward the tread). If you can see the top of Lincon’s head, it’s time to replace your tires. Air pressure is another key factor for navigating in the snow and ice. Like your oil, your tire pressure changes with the temperature. Your owner’s manual will have the proper tire pressure information depending on the tempurature.

Gas:
Keep your gas tank full to prevent your gas lines from freezing. A good plan of action is to top off your tank after work or anytime before nightfall when temperatures are at their lowest.

Safety Kit:
Always have a winter safety kit handy if you plan to drive long distances or through rural areas. Here are a few items you’ll want at your disposal:
  - Extra pair of boots, gloves and coats      – Shovel
  - Bottled water and food                        - Flares
  - Jumper Cables                                     – Tire changing tools and a spare tire
  - Ice scraper

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Michelle Herbert, J.D. Byrider Sales Consultant in Traverse City, MI shares her story with us about The Michigan Youth Opportunity Initiative taking place in partnership with her J.D. Byrider Dealership.

The Michigan Youth Opportunity Initiative is a non-profit organization that assist young people who are aging out of the foster care system by providing them with mentoring, support, education and introducing them to resources in their community that can help them to be successful in their new independent lives.

Every 6 months a group of these young people and their advisers meet in our showroom , have pop and pizza, and then listen to our presentation on the ins and outs of purchasing a used vehicle.  My General Manager, Tom Holt, does a presentation about what to look for when purchasing a used vehicle from a dealership or a private owner. He advises them to have it looked at by a certified mechanic prior to purchase and reminds them that after they purchase a vehicle, the out pour of money does not stop there.  We discuss the cost of gas, insurance, repairs and maintenance and the importance of keeping their car in good working condition.  I’m up next with the introduction to J.D. Byrider and how our program can help them not only purchase a reliable, affordable first vehicle, but how it can help them to take that ever important first step into the world of credit and the positive effect that it can have on the rest of their lives.

We scheduled 2 hours for our first meeting.  I have got to tell you, we did not plan a good turnout, and weren’t really sure if anyone would ask a question, so filling the full 2 hours seemed as if it would be impossible!  However, once we got the kids involved, they asked a lot of good questions, told some great stories and really walked away with a lot of information that they felt they could use.  The meeting ended up lasting 3 hours and everyone was happy that they attended.

As an added bonus, we extend to the youth the ability to call us at anytime with any questions that they may have, call us with a vin number and we can run an Auto Check for them on the vehicle at no charge, or if they need to have a car inspected we are open to helping them with that also.

Meeting with these young people has been a very rewarding experience.  They are interested and interesting.  They have had experience in their young lives that most of us would not wish on our worst enemy, yet they come to the meetings smiling, and ready to learn.  Sure the pizza and pop are free, but after the munching is done, the information that we provide them will serve them well for a life time.  I am proud to be a part of their transition to independence.

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In many parts of the country the temperatures are beginning to get a little cooler. For car owners that means it’s time to check the air pressure in your tires. Cooler temperatures can result lower air pressure and that can lead to early or excessive tire wear. While you’re checking the air pressure, you might as well take a look at the tire tread. Now may be the time for you to invest in new tires so that you have maximum tread for the upcoming winter months.

Just pay close attention to your vehicle so it can serve your needs in the upcoming months. Keep the fluids changed regularly and keep your windows clean so you can stay on the road. When it’s time for your next vehicle, consider buying a used car. It can save you money and, if you have bad credit or credit problems, a vehicle that offers good cars with a warranty and an affordable payment plan can put you on the road to improving your credit.

If you’re looking for financing for a vehicle, but you have bad credit, look at J.D. Byrider. Apply on line at GoJDB.com or call 1-800-976-CALL.

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In much of the United States, winter weather conditions can have an impact on your car’s performance, and on the way it should be driven. If you live in a part of the country that’s impacted by winter weather, or if you plan to travel there, start with preparing your vehicle properly.

Make sure your heating and cooling system is working properly. Have your radiator drained, flushed and topped off with fresh coolant/antifreeze. Have your oil and oil filter changed. Have your air filter changed. Have your battery tested and replace it if necessary. Have your alternator and all belts checked.

Make sure your tires have plenty of tread and are properly inflated. Also, check to make sure your wheels are properly balanced and aligned. While you’re checking your tires, locate your spare, as well as your jack. You should also make sure you have roadside emergency kit.

It’s always a good idea to carry a special winter travel safety kit that includes a cell phone, an ice scraper and brush, cat litter (for use as a traction aid), blankets, a good flashlight, a candle, matches, a good book, a portable weather radio and a can of lock de-icer – don’t use hot water on glass or locks as it can refreeze and create a bigger problem.

When driving in snowy conditions, slow down. A good rule of thumb is to reduce speed by 50 percent. But, don’t slow down too much – your vehicle needs momentum to carry it through snow on grades. Keep a light touch on the controls. Smooth operation is the key to keeping control in slippery situations. Nervousness can lead to a hard clench of the steering wheel, which can result in loss of control. Consciously loosen your grasp or stretch out your fingers from time to time to help prevent that white-knuckled grip.

Know how to recover from skids. When braking on a slippery road, it’s all too easy to “lock up” your wheels by stepping on the brakes a little too hard. If you start to skid, steer the vehicle gently in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your brakes. This used to be called “turning into the skid,” but tests have shown that drivers often misinterpret these words in real-life situations.

If you get stuck, stay in your vehicle. Stay warm and wait for assistance. Make sure that your exhaust pipe is clear of any obstructions, including snow and ice; if you don’t, carbon monoxide gas can build up inside the vehicle.

If you’re planning a longer trip, make sure you know your route and keep abreast of the weather conditions. Also, eat enough food and drink plenty of water. Take extra food and water along.

J.D. Byrider is the nation’s largest used car franchise company, with dealerships across the country. The company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and attributes much of its success to focusing on customer satisfaction. In fact, according to JDBFacts, Byrider’s Sales Satisfaction Rating is 96%, and its Service Satisfaction Rating is 90%.

J.D. Byrider provides quality service, performed by skilled technicians, to its customers only. J.D. Byrider recommends that all of its customers take care of their vehicles by having them serviced regularly, and encourages them to prepare their cars for the upcoming winter.

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No one likes getting stuck in the cold weather with a car problem.  That’s why now is the time to get your car into the proper condition to get you through the winter. We found a great article on MSN that shares some tips for keeping your car in great condition during the winter season.

Some of these tips include:

• Replacing wiper blades
• Refilling wiper fluid
• Checking your battery
• Always keeping an emergency kit on hand

Visit MSN to read the rest of the tips.

For the last 20 years, J.D. Byrider has provided good used cars for over 800,000 customers who needed help with financing.  They offer a wide selection of better used vehicles and can also provide financing for those with not-so-perfect credit.

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With summer coming to a close, there’s no better time to get your used car ready for fall and winter. Remember that keeping up with maintenance can save you money in the long run.

1. Have your vehicle checked by a qualified technician to find any problems before they get worse.

* Have your brakes inspected.
* Check your tires for proper inflation, alignment, and wear.
* Check the battery.

2. Have your oil, oil filter, and air filter changed regularly.

3. Keep your vehicle clean, inside and out, for safety and better gas mileage.

4. Replace wiper blades.

5. Check to make sure all mirrors are operating properly.

6. Keep an emergency kit in the car.

For the last 20 years, J.D. Byrider has provided good used cars for over 800,000 customers who needed help with financing.  They offer a wide selection of better used vehicles and can also provide financing for those with not-so-perfect credit.  J.D. Byrider provides service to its customers in Service Departments staffed by skilled, trained technicians. Visit one of their 127 used car dealerships across the U.S., or log on to GoJDB.com to apply for financing fast and easy.

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Purchasing a used car, especially from a buy here pay here dealership, can sometimes be tricky.  There are so many questions that you may have about each car you consider.  Where has the car been?  Will I be covered if something breaks?  Was this car ever in an accident?

J.D. Byrider is one of the largest used car dealerships in the U.S. that provides good cars for people who need credit, and we are here to help prepare you for purchasing a quality used car. We focus on matching our customers with better cars, affordable payments and a better car care program.

Tip 1.  Always Get an Inspection
There are many issues that arise with used cars that cannot be identified without an evaluation from a trained professional.  A thorough inspection can help you avoid a used car that may give you problems and cost more money than you expected.  At J.D. Byrider used car dealerships, we put each vehicle through a demanding, comprehensive inspection process.  On average, we spend about $1300 in reconditioning so that every used vehicle on our lot meets our Comprehensive Inspection standards, so you can be reassured that you are driving away in a quality used car.

Tip 2.  Look for Vehicles Backed by Warranties or Dealers Who Offer Extended Service Agreements
Even if you are confident that the used car is in great working condition, it’s still recommended to obtain a warranty that protects your investment.  Typical warranties will cover some of the major items on a used car, such as the engine and transmission, and many used car dealerships don’t offer a warranty at all.  When you purchase a used car from J.D. Byrider, every one of our cars is sold with a limited warranty and backed by our expert service departments, which are available exclusively to our customers.  Our technicians are highly skilled – most are ASE Certified – and we offer the lowest prices on parts and labor in the neighborhood.  We want to keep you satisfied and on the road with a reliable and quality used car.

Tip 3.  Check the Vehicle’s History
You want to be sure that the car you are buying doesn’t have costly hidden problems, such as flood damage, being in a severe accident, odometer fraud, and much more.  One of the easiest ways to do this is through a Carfax® or Experian® branded title check.  These reports can give you detailed information on the vehicle’s history that may impact your decision on whether or not to purchase a particular used car.  One of these reports can give you title information, flood damage history, accident history, odometer readings, number of owners, vehicle use (i.e. rental, taxi, etc.) and much more.  Every J.D. Byrider vehicle comes with a branded title check from Carfax ® or Experian AutoCheck®.

To learn more about purchasing a quality used car, please visit www.JDByrider.com, where we offer better cars than you’ll find at most buy here pay here dealerships.  We use our exclusive Byrider AutoTech Advantage database with detailed information about used car models and years to identify the most reliable used cars.  You can feel confident that you are getting a reliable used car with a company that has a great reputation and exclusive service to keep you on the road. After 20 years in business we’ve sold over 800,000 vehicles and now have a Customer Satisfaction Ratings of 95%* in Sales and 90%* in Service.

* Results of J.D. Byrider Dealer Services Customer Satisfaction Indexing Study, August 2008 – July 2009, rated sales satisfaction at 95% and service satisfaction at 90%. When we ask our customers how they were treated, at least 95% of them tell us their sales experience was positive and at least 90% of them said their service experience was positive.

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April was designated as National Car Care month. Many Americans took advantage of that information to perform spring “clean-ups” on their used vehicles. Performing services such as oil and filter changes, tire rotations, wheel balances, radiator drain & flushes, battery checks and more can extend the life of your used car. And, today’s good news is that, if you didn’t do it in April, you now have the month of May!

Take the time to service your vehicle…or have it serviced by a trained technician. If you happen to be a J.D. Byrider customer, you have the added benefit of a better car care program that includes a variety of warranties and/or extended service agreements — be sure to check with your Byrider dealer on which benefit you have with your vehicle. Byrider Service Departments are dedicated to serving our customers only, and the work is performed by trained, skilled technicians. For work performed outside the parameters of your service agreement, our labor rates are among the lowest in the neighborhood. We offer fair prices on quality parts and service to help save you money.

If you currently own a used car into which you’re unwilling to put more money, now may be the perfect time to see a J.D. Byrider dealer. We specialize in good cars for people who need credit. And, in celebration of our 20th anniversary, we’ve got over $20 Million of financing available.

Put J.D. Byrider on your shopping list. You could end up with a better car, an affordable payment and a better car care program…and the chance to improve your credit.

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Proper maintenance helps you keep your used car running strong. It’s also important for safety reasons. Here are some tips to help you keep used cars and trucks in great shape:

•    Change wiper blades regularly. Clear, unobstructed vision is a must when you’re on the road. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about their wiper blades until they’re needed, which usually isn’t the best time to change them. Take a look at the blades on your used car to make sure they’re not cracked or peeling. If they show signs of wear, changing them is simple and affordable.

•    Change your anti-freeze periodically. Anti-freeze not only helps keep the fluid in your cooling system from freezing or overheating, it also prevents corrosion. Specifications for how often you should change your anti-freeze vary, with some manufacturers recommending a change every 30,000 miles and others claiming their fluid lasts for 100,000 miles. However, it’s probably a good idea to change it at least once a year as part of a maintenance routine.

•    Check your used car’s tire alignment occasionally. Proper tire alignment helps ensure used cars and trucks handle well and that tires have maximum traction on the road. Tires that are aligned are less likely to wear unevenly, and since tires can be expensive, it may be worth getting your alignment checked when you replace your tires to maximize their utility.

•    Make sure tires are properly inflated. Keeping tires on used cars and trucks properly inflated is one of the easiest — and most important — safety and maintenance tasks. If your tire pressure is too low, too much tire surface contacts the road, which can lead to premature wear or overheating and tread separation — and a blow out. Overinflated tires don’t provide the right amount of traction, so you’ll notice reduced handling performance. Tire gauges for used cars and trucks are inexpensive and widely available. It pays to get one and check your tire pressure frequently.

Don’t have a car to maintain? Consider a quality used car purchase from J.D. Byrider, the company that is committed to providing good cars to people who need credit. You can visit us online to find the dealer nearest you.

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Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and strokes rank third on the list. Studies prove that regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes. That’s why the American Heart Association promotes an active lifestyle via the Start! Heart Walk program.

Since 2007, J.D. Byrider has been involved as a Cause Sponsor of the Indianapolis Start! Heart Walk for the American Heart Association, with the goal of becoming a national sponsor of the American Heart Association.

In 2009, The American Heart Association Start! Program has created a new online community of “Sole-Mates” looking to walk their way towards better health. It’s called “MyStart! Community,” and it’s an online hub for people to find “virtual” or real walking buddies, teams, clubs, etc. They can share success stories, encouragement, tips, even photos.

To promote the launch of this new social media site, the American Heart Association conducted a media event in New York City’s Grand Central Station on Tuesday, January 6. The event featured two treadmills, placed side by side and “walking buddies” who exercised on the treadmills in 30 minute intervals, the amount of time the American Heart Association recommends for daily physical activity.

Jim DeVoe, Jr., J.D. Byrider CEO, and Jim England, president of The J.D. Byrider Advertising Group, walked on the treadmills as sole-mates representing the Indianapolis community and J.D. Byrider dealers across the country. Both men also became members of the MyStart! Community, and encourage all of their associates, franchise partners, families and friends to do so as well.

“This is a great day for J.D. Byrider and the American Heart Association,“ said Jim DeVoe, Jr. “I’m ecstatic that my first trip to New York could be for such an exciting and worthwhile cause. On behalf of our management team and our board of directors I just want to encourage everyone to think hard about being more heart-healthy. We’re a great family and we owe it to one another to take care of ourselves.” DeVoe also added, “I also want to thank my dad for getting us started (no pun intended) with the heart association. He was always a generous, caring man, and I plan to continue that tradition.”

“I’ve had the privilege of working with some great people during my career,” said England, who also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association/Indianapolis as well as a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the Indianapolis Start! Heart Walk. “I joined Byrider 10 years ago because of the people I met there. Every day I get to work with some of the smartest, most caring people I’ve ever known. It’s been an honor for me to have taken over Jim DeVoe, Sr.’s vision of working with the American Heart Association. I care a great deal about our brand, our associates, our franchisees and our customers. The Start! program is one of the most perfect ways for me to help each of those groups. We need healthy customers, associates and families!”

J.D. Byrider has a history of giving back to the community. In fact, the J.D. Byrider business model is based on providing services to an underserved market. That helping attitude has expanded outside the confines of the business environment. From Make-A-Wish to the Salvation Army to the Sunshine Kids to Habitat for Humanity to the American Cancer Society to the Leukemia Society to the Tony Stewart Foundation and many more, J.D. Byrider, its franchisees and associates have been involved with helping in communities all across the country.

J.D. Byrider participated in the Heart Walk in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2007, when the Start! movement was launched, Byrider got on board as a Cause Sponsor, and is signed up in the same capacity for 2009. We look forward to continuing our relationship with this incredible organization for many years to come.

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