10026 York Rd
Cockeysville, MD 21030410-656-8787
5616 Urbana Pike
Frederick, MD 21704 301-663-4456
1427 W. Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21702240-439-6910
8594 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043410-401-4040
2020 Blog Vault
As we all now live in the new COVID-19 world, you may have considered purchasing your next used car online. You have seen the ads for both Carvana and Vroom. On TV, the process looks easy and fast. Lurking under the surface are a few negatives, especially if you purchase a used car in Maryland. (keep reading to find out why…)
Online browsing for used vehicles has been available for years. You may have browsed TrueCar, AutoTrader, or CarFax already.
Although you can use those sites to browse a collection of available cars, you still need to visit a local dealership to complete the transaction. Even today, there are positives to the in-person experience at a dealership.
When visiting a HiLo Auto Sales in Frederick, Ellicott City, or Cockeysville, Maryland, you will note that our team is dedicated to adhering to current COVID-19 guidelines and standards. If you consider purchasing a used car from an online service due to COVID-19, call us to discuss how we can serve your needs.
If you are still considering purchasing a used car from an online service, here are a few additional things to consider.
After reading these eight points, you have probably already guessed what’s next...
When you visit HiLo Auto Sales in Maryland, we will ensure that you test drive the used cars that fit your needs. Our team will review finance and warranty options with you, as we try to make the process easy and fast.
Rest assured, the used cars on our lots will also pass the Maryland emission standards test.
Our professional team is here to serve the Maryland community with in-person customer service. We hope to see you soon.
Snow, freezing rain, and mud... We have seen it across Maryland in the past few weeks. Travel has been difficult, but what is all this wet weather doing to our autos? And how do we weather-proof our cars?
In past months, we have written blogs about maintaining your car. If you have not read those blogs, scroll down. In this blog, we provide updates and tips to maintain your vehicle through the Winter season.
Get prepared! Additional Winter weather is on the way…
Tip #1: Tire Pressure. It is essential year-round, but as temperatures dip, it is crucial to closely monitor your tire pressure. Cold temperatures may cause your tire pressure to become too low. Under-inflated tires, especially on slick roads, is a real driving hazard.
Tip #2: All-Weather Floor Mats. Protect the interior of your car with all-weather floor mats. Floor mats not only protect the interior of your vehicle, but they help maintain the value of your auto.
Tip #3: Fluid Levels are Important. Check your fluid levels often. A way to professionally manage your fluid levels is to add a fluid check to your next oil change. During the Winter, be sure to top off your antifreeze—windshield wiper fluid often. While checking your fluid levels, also check your battery and lights.
Tip #4: Car Wax. It may be too cold to wax your car yourself but consider using a local car wash or detailing service to add a layer of wax. Protect your auto from road salt and wash often.
Tip #5: Pack Your Emergency Kit. Add a Winter Emergency Kit to your car, including a warm blanket, water, and non-perishable snacks. Add a snow shovel, a mobile phone, and a charger. Top off your fuel before a storm. It is possible to become stuck in your car during a Winter storm in Maryland. Be prepared with a Winter Emergency Kit that is easy to access.
In Maryland, you can expect a mixed bag of winter precipitation. What may start as a rainy day can quickly change to snow. If you cannot stay at home, here are a few tips for driving in Maryland in the Winter.
Tip #1: Slow Down. Be sure to slow acceleration and deceleration. Strive for gradual change.
Tip #2: Increase your following time to five or six seconds, meaning you count five to six full seconds as you clock the distance between you and the vehicle you’re following.
Tip #3: Know your brakes and know when to use them. Give yourself plenty of room to stop. If you need new brakes, now is the time to schedule that appointment.
Tip #4: Beware of Hills. Try not to power up hills and try not to stop on hills. If possible, keep a gradual pace.
Tip #5: Plan Your Route. Listen to the news and pre-plan your route.
If you are looking for a used car, visit one of the HiLo Auto Sales locations in Maryland. You can find us in Frederick, Cockeysville, and Ellicott City, Maryland. Need financing options? We can help with that too.
Drive Safe!
The HiLo Auto Gift Guide
If you have been reading our 2020 blogs (we hope you have), then you know that we have provided many tips for maintaining your vehicle. In this blog, we have turned those tips into a shopping guide.
We are posting this blog in December, so, of course, each item would make an excellent holiday gift. But, these items are gift-worthy at any time of the year.
If you need to catch up on our weekly blogs, scroll down. In the past year, we have provided tips on test driving, purchasing, and maintaining a used car.
If you need a gift for a car lover, this list is for you. As a bonus, you can find many of these products at either a retail store or an on-line retailer. You can find most at a local shop, including an auto parts store. Shopping made easy…
This gift is excellent for any car owner. And the kits come in different price points to fit your budget. The best way to keep a car looking new is to include regular washings in a routine. Make it easy with a Car Wash Kit. Here are three choices:
Everyone should have a roadside emergency kit. You can assemble a kit yourself while visiting a local car parts retail store or purchase a pre-assembled kit. Here are two choices:
HiLo Auto has a First Time Car Buyer's Program; so, we suggest a top-selling book to new drivers. You can find the book on-line for an average price of $12. "The Driving Book: Everything New Drivers Need to Know but Don't Know to Ask" makes the perfect gift for any new driver or a first-time car buyer.
If you would like information about the HiLo Auto First Time Car Buyer's Program, you can find it here. HiLo Auto has worked with lenders to bring you a unique program, only for first-time car buyers.
Is your son or daughter always using your car? Well, here is a gift for you too! We have a program that can get them into a used car…without your co-signature on the loan. You get your car back, and they can begin building their credit. It is a win-win.
The HiLo Auto Team looks forward to helping you find your perfect next used car.
As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it depreciates (goes down in book value). If you are looking for a dependable vehicle that fits your needs, consider driving a used auto. Sure, it may take extra time to find the used car on your "want list," but the value is worth your time.
Due to many factors, including COVID-19, the automobile market is tight in Maryland. Inventory has been low in the past six months, but there are solutions to fit your needs. Here, we will outline a few steps to take to find the automobile that fits your budget.
First, browse our recent blogs and establish your budget. How much car can you afford? What is your credit score? Once you have your budget range, and know your credit score, follow the below steps.
As you read this blog, you may be wondering why you should purchase from a dealership instead of an auto found on a community sales board. Well, here are a few reasons.
Although the auto industry has taken a hit in 2020, there are used car options available in Maryland. HiLo Auto employs trained professionals that can guide you through the process of finding the perfect used car. If you are a first-time car buyer, ask about our unique program. HiLo Auto is the Used Car solution in Maryland.
You may be weighing the options purchasing a used car vs. leasing a new vehicle. Many who need a vehicle compare the two options. Well, here is the blog that outlines the Pros and Cons of choosing to lease a vehicle.
Before looking at the Pros and Cons of each choice, ask yourself two key questions.
Question 1: How will you use the car? Will you use the vehicle for commuting across the region or as a mobile business office? Or are you only going to use the car to drive around town and run a few errands? Perhaps it is a "weekend drive" car.
Question 2: How long do you want to keep the car? Do you enjoy driving a new car every three to four years?
When leasing a new auto, your out-of-pocket expense is lower than purchasing a used or even a new car. Often, you can find a “no money down” lease.
The secondary benefit of leasing an auto is driving a new car every three to four years. If you need an “image car” for your job, a lease may be your best choice.
But there are negatives to choosing an automobile lease for your transportation needs. Here are a few of the negatives to consider before signing on that dotted line and driving a leased car off the lot:
If you’re weighing your options between a new car and a used car, browse the weekly HiLo Auto blogs. HiLo Auto is Maryland's choice for used vehicles. We often help customers compare the purchase of a new car vs. a used car.
Maybe you are considering an auto lease because your real desire is to drive a new car. There are late model used cars available in Maryland that offer many benefits. Here are a few benefits of a used car.
As you compare your choices and create a Pro and Con list, answer the questions in this blog. Then, review our benefit and negative list. The HiLo Auto Team is here to answer your questions. How can we help you?
Those of us who live in the Maryland region, and work in DC or Northern Virginia, know "The Commute." Many of us left home at dawn, and our commute included the MARC rail, the Metro, or a carpool. Or maybe a combination of public transportation.
More than 40% of us have been working at home over the past six months. The commute has been a walk down the hall of our home. Have you started thinking about your return to company office? You know that could happen over the coming months.
Right now, train stations, metro stops, and regional buses are relatively empty. And it may stay that way far into the future. Ask locals about their thoughts on returning to public transportation post-COVID, and you do not get a favorable response. Many do not even like the idea of carpooling with friends in their neighborhood. Ride-sharing apps get a hard "no."
One trend emerging from the virus pandemic is a return to the commute in a personal car. Even as employers consider a more flexible office-home balance, many will return to the office, at least a few days a week. Most will drive to work.
Attitudes about commuting have changed. A personal car has become the transportation of choice for the new commute. It is your private space, and social distancing is a given. So are sanitizing choices. There are few unknowns as you drive your personal car—or share your ride with a small group…The car is your COVID bubble.
If you live near public transportation options, you may have started 2020 either without a personal car or sharing a car in your household. You may be forward-looking into 2021 and considering a personal auto solution for your commute.
This year, we have written blogs about the actual cost of car ownership and "How Much Car Can I Afford?" We think that a used car is the perfect future commuting solution. (For ideas, be sure to browse our recent blogs.)
How much does a new car depreciate in the first year? The answer is 20-30%!
In the past 20 years, the DMV urban sprawl has creeped out 40+ miles. The average office worker can commute those 40 miles each way. Do you really want to add those miles to your new car and increase the rate of depreciation? No, you do not.
A used vehicle is the perfect personal car solution as you resume commuting to the office.
A used car is a great commuting solution, but you may be wondering about the cost.
One way to cover the cost of a used auto for "The Commute" is to use funds you once spent on public transportation. Or perhaps your employer once provided metro cards, train tickets, or ride-share funds as an employment perk. If you are asked to return to the office environment, can those funds be shifted to a car allowance?
As you calculate the cost of used car ownership, also consider fuel and maintenance. You will also want to discuss the purchase with your insurance agent. Be sure that you can afford not only the auto but the real cost of ownership. (Another reason to browse our weekly blogs—we provide the math and the stats on auto ownership)
HiLo Auto stocks used cars in a multitude of price points. We are also a team of sales and service professionals that can introduce you to trusted lenders. We even have a First Time Auto Buyers Program.
Look to the future…are you ready to resume “The Commute”? What is your plan?