Winter Driving Tips from Gentilini Motors

As one of the top auto dealers in South Jersey, Gentilini Motors not only wants to help the members of its community  save money on their next vehicle purchase, the family-owned and operated dealership also wants to do its part in creating a safer environment on the road.

Driving safety is particularly important in the winter when inclement weather can make the roads snowy and icy. The harsh winter weather can also cause large potholes that can cause damage to you and your vehicle.

But to help combat these potential hazards on the road, Gentilini Motors offers the following winter driving tips.

•        Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
•        Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent your gas line from freezing
•        Try to avoid using your parking break during cold, rainy or snowy weather
•         Monitor weather reports to better understand the weather you will be traveling in
•        Have an emergency kit that includes a mobile phone, blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any medication you may need in case you become trapped in your vehicle during a snow storm
•        If you do become trapped in a snow storm, stay with your vehicle because it provides some shelter and can make it easier for rescuers to find you
•         Accelerate and decelerate slowly when driving in the snow
•         Drive slowly and cautiously in the snow, giving yourself plenty of time to maneuver around turns and bends in the road
•         The typical following distance while driving on dry pavement of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving in the snow
•         Don’t try to power up hills in the snow because applying extra gas will cause your tires to spin, which could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
•        Be smart and don’t go out driving if the weather conditions are too bad because you might think you’re a  good driver in the snow but not everyone else is

What You Should Know Before Going to Used Car Dealers

So it’s about to be a new year and maybe you’re thinking about hopping into a new ride—well, sort of. Purchasing a brand new vehicle might not be in the budget, but buying a used car that is new to you, can be just as satisfying and save you a ton of money.

But there’s more to purchasing a used vehicle than just doing an internet search for “used car dealers near me.” There are several things you should be aware of and know to look for in a used vehicle before you even step foot on a dealership. Keep in mind that buying a used car from a used car dealer is typically a safer bet than purchasing through a private seller, but it’s still best to be as informed and knowledgeable as you possibly can.

Research prices: Before going to the lot, see what the vehicle you’re looking at is going for on the used market. Sticker prices on used cars can vary drastically from lot to lot, but by doing enough research you should be able to get a ballpark price that’s fair for the vehicle you want in the condition you desire.

Consider your financing options: When buying a used car you can finance it just like buying a new vehicle. There are several financing options available to drivers and wise to look into them all to find the best interest rate. Having this all figured out before going to the dealer can go a long way in your negotiations.

Keep added fees in mind: Don’t forget that buying a car, even a used one, comes with fees and other charges that go beyond the sticker price. Taxes, registration, and documentation fees can all add up, so make sure you budget for these expenses.

Have insurance: Most dealers require you to show proof of your car insurance before they’ll let you purchase a vehicle. Make sure your car insurance is up to date and that you bring your insurance card with you to the dealership.

Run a vehicle history report: If you find a specific used vehicle that you like, get its vehicle identification number (VPN) and run a vehicle history report on it. Companies like CARFAX and AutoCheck allow you to perform these searches online and they will let you know if the vehicle has been involved in any serious accidents.

Last-Minute Summer Road Trip Ideas from Gentilini Motors

Summer is winding down quickly, and if you haven’t had a chance to take a quick road trip yet, now’s your chance. Make the most out of your last few weeks of summer by taking a last-minute journey that you’ll rave about with your friends and family throughout the fall and winter.

Gentilini Motors wants to help guide you on your end-of-summer excursion by offering some local road trip suggestions.

Here are some of New Jersey’s top attractions during the summer:

The Jersey Shore

New Jersey is known for its many shore points, many of which also feature fun-filled boardwalks and an exciting nightlife for further entertainment. Take the family to the beach or spend some adult time at the casinos in Atlantic City.

Six Flags

Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park is located in Jackson, N.J., and is one of the country’s top amusement parks. Six Flags also features Hurricane Harbor, which is a conjoined water park for guests to enjoy.

Thomas Edison National Historic Park

One of New Jersey’s most famous sons is American inventor Thomas Edison. Edison’s estate is now preserved as a national historic park because it where breakthrough technologies such as movie cameras, sound recordings, and batteries were developed.

Adventure Aquarium

Camden, N.J., is home to one of the country’s best aquariums. Located right on the Delaware River, the Adventure Aquarium is a popular family attraction that is home to more than 8,500 marine animals. You can see sharks, penguins, sea turtles, stingrays and more at the Adventure Aquarium.

Cape May County Park & Zoo

Save the Aquarium for a rainy day and spend some time in the sun at the Cape May County Park & Zoo. Located in Middle Township, N.J., this zoo is free, clean and fun. This is a great place for animal lovers of all ages.

Now, before taking part in your road trip, it’s important to have Gentilini Motors make sure your vehicle is road-ready by bringing your car into our dealership to have a full service checkup. Gentilini Motors will check your alignments, brakes, wiper blades, fluids (oil, coolant and lube) and more, as well as conduct filter checks and battery tests.

Also, if you’re looking into buying a new Ford or Chevy to drive on your trip, this is the best time of year to buy and Gentilini Motors has you covered!

Four Best Vehicles for Tailgating

Football season is upon us and that means tailgating is about to be in full effect on Saturdays and Sundays at college and professional stadiums across the country.

South Jersey is filled with passionate Eagles fans and they’re gearing up to cheer on the Birds and have a pre-game party in the parking lot of Lincoln Financial Field with friends. Gentilini Motors already offers great deals on new Ford and Chevrolet models, as well as the best used cars for sale in South Jersey, and now we want to help you optimize your game day experience by revealing the best Ford and Chevy vehicles of the year for tailgating.

Take your tailgate to the next level with these well-equipped vehicles:

2017 Ford F-150

Pickup trucks are the original tailgating vehicles. Ford’s top-seller fits the bill perfectly with plenty of storage space and enough room to seat six passengers. There’s an optional Sony 700-watt audio system feature that includes a CD player, 10 speakers and a subwoofer. Ford’s Sync-3 connectivity also allows for smart phone integration. You can also power up televisions, radios and other electronic devices with an inverter that offers up to 400 watts at 110 volts.

2017 Ford Flex

This large wagon from Ford can hold up to seven tailgaters, however, folding down the third row of seats will double your space for transporting tailgate gear. This vehicle can supply power through a standard 12-volt outlet in the rear cargo area, and a 110-volt inverter can be purchased as an add-on. There is also an optional second-row refrigerated console that can hold up to seven cans.

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevy Silverado 1500 offers luxury on the inside while maintaining the ruggedness and dependability of a truck on the outside. This truck has several features that make it ideal for any tailgating party. The Silverado’s MyLink Radio audio system features a touch screen that allows drivers to select between AM/FM stations or various apps like Pandora, iHeartRadio, The Weather Channel and more. Bluetooth connectivity also allows for phones and other mobile devices to be connected to the vehicle’s sound system. The Silverado’s built-WiFi hotspot is also an excellent tailgating feature, as it will allow fans to set their fantasy football lineups last minute.

2017 Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevy Suburban has all the room you’ll need for tailgaters and tailgate supplies. This Chevy model combines the utility of a truck with the versatility and comfort of an SUV. WiFi, LTE and 4G are all available through the Suburban’s OnStar service and there are up to 14 charge points in this SUV. Its max cargo volume of 121.7 cubic feet is also hard to match when looking at the best vehicles for tailgating. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility are also very useful features for connecting the Suburban’s audio system to mobile devices.

Things to do in New Jersey with the Money Gentilini Motors Can Save You

Not all New Jersey Ford dealers are the same. Some just want to sell you a car, truck or SVU and get you on your way so that they can move on to the next customer—not here at Gentilini Motors. As a family owned and operated business for more than 60 years, we care about our community and are committed to saving you as much money as possible, so that you can enjoy all that New Jersey has to offer.

Thanks to our Summer Sales Event at our Ford and Chevrolet dealerships off of John S. Penn Boulevard, you can save thousands of dollars on your next vehicle purchase and use that money to explore the great Garden State.

After experiencing the amazing savings at our Summer Sales Event, here are some of the top ways to spend your time—and extra money—in New Jersey.

The Jersey Shore

First up is perhaps the most obvious thing to do in New Jersey during the summer—hit the beach. Whether you’re going to Ocean City, Wildwood, Sea Isle, Long Beach Island, or one of the many other Jersey Shore Points, your family is sure to have a great time relaxing in the sun. Each shore point has much to offer and makes for a great getaway.

Six Flags

Sixs Flags Great Adventure theme park is located in Jackson, N.J., and is home to some of the world’s best roller coasters and amusement park rides. El Toro, Nitro and Kingda Ka are great roller coasters for those seeking thrills, while Congo Rapids, Safari Off Road Adventure, and Saw Mill Log Flume provide great ride options for the whole family. Not to mention, Six Flags’ numerous events, concerts, shows and dining venues give you plenty of fun things to do during your visit.

Downtown Jersey City

Catch a beautiful view of the New York City skyline while remaining on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. You can sit on benches along the Jersey City waterfront and see all of Manhattan. You can also take a train or ferry over to NYC if you’d like. Downtown Jersey City also has a great night life with a multitude of bars and restaurants to choose from.

Atlantic City Boardwalk

While Atlantic City is also one of the Jersey Shore Points, it has more to offer visitors than just the beach. The AC boardwalk is world renowned because of its attractions and casinos. Choose from a variety of dining, gambling and entertainment options while on the boardwalk in AC.

Guide to Buying a Used Car

Gentilini Motors offers a wide variety of high-quality used cars in South Jersey. When considering purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, there are certain steps you’ll want to follow so that you can find the right car for your needs.

We decided to shed some light on these steps with our used-car buyer’s guide.

1. Figure out what kind of car you can afford: A good rule of thumb to follow when figuring out how much to spend on a car is to make sure your monthly payment is no more than 20 percent of your take-home pay. If you’re trying to stick to a tight budget, you might want to consider spending even less. Keep in mind that pre-owned cars generally need a little extra work from time to time than new cars. Other ownership costs to account for are fuel and insurance. If the used car you’re purchasing is out of warranty, you might want to set aside an “emergency repair” fund to cover any unexpected maintenance.
2. Build a target list of used cars: Consider more than one brand or model when making a target list of used cars. A list of about three cars that meet your needs and fit into your budget should do. If you’re looking at cars that are less than five years old, you might want one that’s certified pre-owned. CPO vehicles have long-term warranties that are backed by the car’s manufacturer, not just the dealership. Gentilini Motors offers a variety of certified pre-owned Fords and Chevys.  
3. Check vehicle history report: Gentilini Motors backs the quality of all its pre-owned vehicles but checking a used cars vehicle history report is never a bad idea just so you know exactly what you’re getting. AutoCheck and Carfax are two popular sources for finding vehicle history reports, which can reveal important information about the car. You’ll use the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) to look up this information, and in some cases, you’ll need the license plate number.
4.  Test drive the car: Perhaps the best way to know if a used car is the right fit for you is with a test drive. Test drives are also a good way to assess the car’s condition, so be sure to tune out any distractions and focus on the car. Some things to check are: Ease of getting in and out; headroom, hiproom and legroom; comfort of driving position; comfort of seats; check engine and other dashboard lights; visibility; tread on tires; brakes; air conditioning. After the test drive, ask your salesman if you can see the car’s service records. This will show you if the car has had its scheduled maintenance performed on time.
5.  Complete paperwork: Once you have negotiated a deal for the used car you’ve picked out, it is time to head to the finance and insurance office to sign the contract and complete other paperwork. You will likely be offered addition items during this step, such as warranties, anti-theft devices, prepaid service plans, and fabric protection. If you want the peace of mind that comes with a warranty, this could be an important step for you. If you’re buying a CPO vehicle, a manufacturer’s warranty should already be included. Once you’ve completed the proper paperwork, it’s time to celebrate the purchase of your new, pre-owned vehicle.

Spruce up Your Corvette for the Summer

With the weather improving around the Northeast, more and more car shows are popping up on weekends. This means that it’s time to pull your Corvette out of the garage and spruce it up for the summer months. It’s time to ride with the top down and the music blaring, so be sure your Corvette is ready for the warm weather by visiting your local Chevrolet dealer in NJ.

Engine Tune-Up

Take your Corvette for a much-needed engine tune-up prior to going on a long trip this summer. If the car has been sitting in the garage all winter, a tune-up is a great idea. You can make sure the engine is running smoothly and all of the fluids are at their proper levels. This should also include an oil change. Even if you recently took the car for an oil change, it didn’t run much over the winter, so be sure the oil is in good condition.

Car Wash

Take the Corvette for a nice wash after the tune-up. Even though the car might have been sitting in the garage all winter, it can still get dirty. Dust and other particles are probably all over the sports car. Be sure to take it for a nice clean, inside and out, before entering it in any car shows or taking it on a road trip.

New Tires

If your Corvette is a couple of years old and has some mileage on it, maybe it’s time to put new tires on your prized possession. New tires will make any road trip an enjoyable one, no matter where you are headed. Our Chevrolet dealer in NJ can perform all the service you require on your Corvette.

Call your local Chevrolet dealer in NJ, Gentilini Motors, today to schedule a service appointment for your Corvette.