American Car Center Official Blog
Winterize Your Vehicle Majestically
By digital | Posted in Uncategorized on Monday, November 26th, 2018 at 4:46 PMLate-model cars and SUVs don’t require extensive winterization routines, still, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your vehicle runs well this winter.
Check the battery. Cold weather is tough on your vehicle’s battery. Check and clean up areas of corrosion on connections and posts. Consider running a battery load test on batteries more than five years old.
Change the windshield wiper blades and refill your wiper fluid. Working windshield wipers and a solid supply of wiper fluid help ensure clear sightlines. Replace frayed or worn wipers and top up your wiper fluid tank with a lower-freezing temperature fluid.
Check the tire pressure. Cold weather causes air pressure in your tires to drop. A properly inflated tire ensures the best traction essential for driving in wintry conditions.
Examine the four-wheel drive. Working correctly, Four-wheel drive can provide better traction when driving on snowy and icy roads. Have it examined by a mechanic before winter weather sets in to ensure the system engages smoothly and that transmission and gear fluids are at their correct level.
Verify the anti-freeze mixture. The ratio of antifreeze to water in your radiator should be about 1:1 to prevent the coolant in your radiator from freezing. To check the composition of your radiator fluid, pick-up an inexpensive anti-freeze tester at an auto parts store.
Stock emergency supplies. You never know when you’ll need them, so be prepared by having your vehicle ready with emergency supplies, such as a blanket, new flashlight batteries and booster cables.
Adjust engine oil viscosity. In the winter, your engine will run more effectively with a thinner engine oil. Check your owner’s manual for information on proper viscosity levels for colder temperatures.
Check belts and hoses. Cold temperatures can weaken the belts and hoses that help make your engine run; examine them for cracks and wear and replace worn parts.
Visit American Car Center today for a vehicle to exceed your expectations this winter. American Car Center has a vast network of locations across the Southeast; one is sure to be conveniently near you! A terrific selection of previously owned late-model SUVs and cars, with up to a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty, await you. At American Car Center, the King of Credit wants to approve you today!
Treat Your VIPs to a WINNING ride from American Car Center!
By Product Expert | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Monday, October 29th, 2018 at 6:06 PMAmerican Car Center Makes Life Easier with Recurring Payments and CheckFreePay
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Monday, September 24th, 2018 at 1:57 PMAmerican Car Center is not only your best destination for a great late-model, low-mileage vehicle, but the King of Credit makes your payments simple and fast saving you with time and money with recurring card and ACH payments. Now with our brand new CheckFreePay, your payment options are even better!
Recurring card or ACH payments are the simplest way to pay. Card payments require only a Card Authorization Form. ACH payments require only an ACH Authorization Form. These forms are easily available at all American Car Center locations – just ask a representative – or at AmFinancial.com for printing. The best part of using recurring payments is all the money you’ll save on cashier’s check or money order fees, convenience fees, gas or even stamps, without dealing with large sums of cash.
For residents across the Southeast, our new CheckFreePay has a huge network of walk-in bill payment agents at supermarkets and major retailers. In-person bill payment at CheckFreePay is a simple 4 steps: locating the nearest CheckFreePay agent of your choice, bringing your payment and account number to the CheckFreePay to that agent, paying your payment in cash (or debit, at available agent locations) and receiving a receipt as proof of payment. A $3.50 convenience fee is applied to each payment.
One-time card payments can be made quickly and easily by WebPay at American Financial with a $4.95 convenience fee charge. Other single payment options by telephone, drop-off, overnight drop-box and mail remain available to you.
Visit American Car Center today to have The King of Credit approve you for an outstanding, low-mileage car or truck, simply and conveniently. Our focus is exceptional service and saving you time and money – that includes the payment option best suited to you, such as, recurring payments or CheckFreePay. At American Car Center find the right car or SUV for you with a limited warranty of up to 36,000 miles and oil changes, both for three years. American Car Center’s 30-plus modern and friendly locations are easily situated near you so that we can serve you best!
Visit AmFinancial.com, because the King of Credit wants to make your payments easy today!
Why Choose American Car Center?
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Monday, August 6th, 2018 at 1:59 PM
You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a pre-owned vehicle. If you want your YES on the right vehicle for you, you need to come see the King of Credit at American Car Center!
We Don’t Care About Your Credit
There’s a reason we’re the King of Credit! We want to approve EVERYONE! Partnering with good people with credit problems is our focus and passion. We think you deserve to drive a great, dependable vehicle, so if you want your YES, you need to come see us!
Low-Mileage, Late-Model Vehicles
You won’t be approved for just any vehicle; you’ll be approved for a GREAT vehicle! We have a HUGE selection of low-mileage, late-model used cars to choose from. From sporty sedans to roomy SUVs, you’ll find the vehicle you need NOW!
Up to 3 Year, 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty
You’re more than a customer to us, so we make sure you’ll be safe and satisfied in your vehicle for years to come with up to a 3 Year, 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty with EVERY vehicle!
Oil Changes for Three Years
When you choose American Car Center, you don’t have to worry about your credit OR oil changes! We’ll take care of your basic maintenance with complimentary oil changes for up to three years.
Over 30 Locations Across the Southeast
We have over 30 locations to shop across the Southeast, with more opening all the time! Wherever you are, there’s a local American Car Center waiting to approve you!
Multiple Convenient Payment Options
We make it easy to pay YOUR way. Pay cash at any CheckFreePay location, never worry about your payment again with recurring payments, pay over the phone or by mail: whatever works best for you works best for us!
The choice is clear! The best place for you is American Car Center. Come find your perfect pre-owned vehicle, because the King of Credit wants to approve YOU today!
How to Properly Install a Car Seat
By digital | Posted in Car Safety, King of Credit Posts on Wednesday, July 11th, 2018 at 10:16 PM
To install your rear-facing child car seat:
Install away from active airbags. For most vehicles the safest place is the back seat or the second or third row of a mini-van.
Install the base at the correct angle. The angle range will be written on the car seat itself or in its manual. Some infant car seat models feature a built-in level indicator.
Use your body weight to tighten and fasten the seatbelt or Universal Anchorage System (UAS) strap through the base. The child car seat should move no more than 1 inch in any direction where the seatbelt or Universal Anchorage System (UAS) strap is routed through the child car seat.
If needed, use a locking clip. This clip helps secure the child car seat into your vehicle, if your vehicle’s seat belts do not lock. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you need one. If so, install the locking clip on the seatbelt within one-half inch of the latch plate.
Use the harness slots to position the straps correctly. Your harness straps must pass through the correct slots. Check your child car seat manual for the correct height.
To use your rear-facing car seat:
Make sure the harness straps do not twist or fold. Harness straps need to be straightened out each time you secure your baby in the seat.
Adjust the chest clip on the harness. It should lie flat against your baby’s chest at armpit level.
Secure the harness straps at or below your baby’s shoulders. You should not be able to fit more than one finger underneath the harness straps at your baby’s collarbone.
Make sure the carrier latches into the child car seat base every time.
Give it a tug to ensure it is still secure each time you place your child in the child car seat.
Remove bulky clothing from your baby, such as, thick sweaters or heavy jackets to ensure that the straps fit snugly.
It is best to keep your child in a rear-facing child car seat until they reach the manufacturer’s recommended maximum weight and height limits, since the rear-facing position is the safest. When your child outgrows the maximum weight or height limits of an infant rear-facing car seat, they may move to a larger convertible infant/child car seat and stay rear-facing until the child is ready to face forward. Rear-facing car seats should never be placed in the front seat of a vehicle. Do not use a car seat past its expiration date or if it is involved in a collision.
Visit a conveniently located American Car Center today for your family’s unique vehicle requirements. With an inventory of thousands of top-notch late-model, low mileage SUVs and cars backed by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, you’re sure to find the right one for you. American Car Center makes it simple and easy, no matter your credit history.
The Great American Car Center Summer Road Trip
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts, Locations on Monday, June 4th, 2018 at 8:38 PM
American Car Center is your summer destination for an outstanding late-model, low-mileage vehicle with a limited warranty of up to 36,000 miles and oil changes, both for three years. Visit one of our convenient locations – where no credit is no problem – today to find the right car or truck for you. Then, visit all our other great locations across 6 states as part of the American Car Center Summer Road Trip!
This summer, better discover your own country and see the America you have never seen before. At every American Car Center location you visit during your trip, share your photos and stories with us and check-in with your fellow road trips on Facebook, too. Before you head off, plan your route, ensure your tires are properly inflated and have a safety kit in your trunk. Bring music you love and items to occupy the kids to increase your pleasure on the open road.
A road trip is mostly about dreaming, imagining yourself in the beautiful landscapes or bustling cities which dot this land as you navigate the great highways and friendly roads unrolled before you. It is in our adventurous nature as Americans to see everything and be everywhere. Discover the warm friendliness and generosity of America and take thrill in watching the landscape change before you very eyes. Witness the Mississippi River, monumental in size and slowness, journeying down the middle of America, as a symbol of life and history. Be enthralled on historic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, a quarter-mile stretch billed Home of the Blues and Birthplace of Rock and Roll. Be wowed by the enormous Saturn V rockets and interactive exhibits at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Or simply feel the serenity of the rolling hills, soft green fields or glistening waters of the Atlantic as the miles by.
Come to American Car Center today and let The King of Credit make it simple and convenient to approve you for a quality, recent and low-mileage car or truck this summer. Our focus is exceptional service and saving you time and money. Then, take part in the American Car Center Summer Road Trip by visiting as many American Car Center locations as you can, using Facebook to check-in at every location you as go. As you encounter the magnificent scenes of America, record your journey on YouTube and Instagram to share your photographs, videos and stories with us and your fellow summer road trippers! #ACCRoadTrip
Keep Your Car Cool in Hot Weather: Inspect Your Hoses & Belts
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts, Maintenance on Monday, May 7th, 2018 at 9:28 PM
In summer, car and trucks are a lot like people – they are happiest when kept cool. A belt or hose failure can cause an overheated engine, the loss of power steering and loss of the electrical charging system, potentially requiring expensive repairs. Thankfully, easy preventive maintenance of hoses and belts can help keep your vehicle’s engine cool under the sun and your summer driving vacation plans on track.
Made of flexible rubber compounds which absorb vibration, hoses are the cooling system’s weakest structural component. Manufactured to hold coolant under pressure, hoses are subjected to the extremes of hot and cold, dirt, oils, acids and sludge. Hoses slowly deteriorate from the inside; a weakened hose may rupture from pressure, heat, or constant flexing. The most susceptible areas of the hose are nearest to clamps where it connects to the engine or radiator.
Simple and minor maintenance can help prevent coolant hose failure:
- Check the white coolant-recovery tank’s markings to confirm correct the fluid level. Also check for white, pink, blue or light green, blue, or pink coolant residue in the engine bay – a sign of leakage.
- When the engine is cool, give the hoses a squeeze near the clamps, feeling for soft spots. A good hose will be firm yet pliable.
- Inspect for visible cracks, nicks, depressions or bulges.
- Look for oil contamination or fraying near the connection points.
- Inspect for parallel cracks in bends, a hardened glossy surface or abrasive damage.
- Flush & replace the coolant according to the owner’s manual as clean coolant will lessen deterioration.
Many of the same things – heat, ozone, oil and abrasion – that damage hoses also harm a vehicle’s belts. Most cars and trucks have one multi-grooved serpentine belt to drive the alternator, water pump, power-steering pump, and air-conditioning compressor. A belt should be changed when it shows signs of excessive wear.
You can help prevent costly repairs from a worn-out belt:
- Inspect the serpentine belt for cracks, fraying, or splits on the top cover.
- Look for signs of excessive glazing on the belt’s sides. Glazed or slick belts can slip, overheat or crack.
- Twist the belt to check for separating layers, cracks, or missing chunks of the grooves on the underside.
- Listen for the sounds of a belt-tension problem: high-pitched whining, chirping and vibration.
Speak to a qualified technician about any cooling issues and always consult your owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures.
It’s that simple. A quick under-the-hood inspection of your vehicle’s hoses and belts, lends peace-of-mind that your summer driving will be smooth and carefree!
Visit a conveniently located American Car Center today for exceptional service and let us find for you a great vehicle from our vast inventory of late-model, low-mileage cars, trucks and SUVs. We make it easy for hard-working people across the Southeast to drive a high-quality vehicle no matter their credit history.
American Car Center is Thrilled to Offer Twelve Great Locations in The Sunshine State
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts, Locations on Monday, April 9th, 2018 at 6:50 PM
Florida, the Land of Sunshine
American Car Center – where no credit is no problem – is the leading pre-owned car dealership network across the Southeast with more than 30 convenient locations in six states, now including 12 in Florida! We are delighted to bring The King of Credit experience – a smooth and easy way of finding top notch late-model and low-mileage cars and trucks for hard-working people – to the Sunshine State.
Florida is a vast and vibrant place of thriving communities. American Car Center is eager to put our experience, passion and huge inventory to work on behalf of Floridians who want a great vehicle – one with a limited warranty of up to three years and 36,000 miles – and outstanding service – with oil changes for three years and multiple, convenient payment options, including telephone and online payment. We are committed to providing professional and understanding service in locations right where you live or work.
All twelve American Car Center locations in Florida are modern and full of great vehicles you would be thrilled to drive home to show your family and friends. Let’s learn more about the exciting communities where we are located!
The state capital of Florida is Tallahassee. The Capitol Complex includes the restored Historic Capitol, now a museum with displays on political history. The Capitol tower, built in the 1970s, offers appealing vistas from its observation deck twenty-two stories high. Nearby, exhibits at the Museum of Florida History cover European discovery, the Civil War and World War II. American Car Center is located nicely situated on West Tennessee Street.
Florida Map
Pensacola is a waterfront city in the northern Florida, separated from the Gulf of Mexico by Santa Rosa Island; its protected beaches make it a popular holiday destination. The city was one of the earliest European settlements in the United States and Historic Pensacola Village is a museum complex containing original 19th-century buildings. American Car Center is well located on Pensacola Boulevard.
Jacksonville is an expansive city and important commercial center in northeastern Florida on the Atlantic Ocean which claims museums and universities. Surfing, swimming and beach-going are popular at nearby barrier island beaches, including Neptune Beach. The city is home of the famous NFL Jaguars. American Car Center has three convenient locations in Jacksonville: on Cassat Avenue, in Lakeshore South; on Blanding Boulevard, in Argyle Forest; and in Arlington, on Atlantic Boulevard.
Dotted with hundreds of lakes, Orlando, best known for the Walt Disney World theme parks, such as the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, is one of the top tourist destinations of the planet. Universal Orlando is another major attraction offering the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In Orlando, American Car Center is nicely located in West Colonial on West Colonial Drive.w
Visit our Newest Locations!
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts, Locations on Monday, March 19th, 2018 at 9:50 PM
American Car Center Store
American Car Center is a fast-growing network of used vehicle dealerships across the Southeast. From Nashville to Tampa, Little Rock to Savannah, and points between, we have you covered. With 30 locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, and more on the way, there’s a convenient location for everyone!
Our knowledgeable and helpful sales representatives have a passion for finding the right used car or SUV for every one of our clients. Our extensive selection of late-model, low-mileage vehicles come with limited warranties and oil changes for up to 3 years. And don’t worry about credit – American Car Center is the King of Credit. We are committed to matching great cars to great people. And of speaking added convenience, we have multiple payment options, including telephone and online. Let us help find the right vehicle for you today!
For nearly 20 years, American Car Center has made it easier for hard-working Americans across the Southeast to find the car or truck best suited just to them. We work hard to make the experience of finding a used vehicle smooth and rewarding, knowing that for our clients, the convenience of a nearby location matters. Start the approval processes now! The King of Credit wants to approve you today! It’s our pleasure to make it as simple as 1, 2, 3.
American Car Center is quickly adding more and more convenient locations to serve you even better. Recently, we opened locations in Florida, Georgia and Arkansas. Stores in Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi will open soon. Find the American Car Center closest to you, because the King of Credit wants to approve you today!
Regally Rotate Your Tires!
By digital | Posted in King of Credit Posts on Monday, February 26th, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Tires can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to get the most out of them that you can. Rotating your tires every 5,000 miles or so ensures that the tread wears evenly, giving your tires (and your wallet) extra life! Follow these steps to rotate your tires evenly and keep them on the road longer.
Oh, and please be extremely careful when performing any maintenance on your vehicle. Operate all equipment according to the manufacturer’s safety standards, and if you’re in doubt – go to the mechanic!
- Acquire new tires. You’ll also need a car jack and jack stands so that you can put your entire car up at once. Make sure that the jack stands you buy are rated for your vehicle’s weight.
- Make sure you’re on a level surface and set the parking brake. Also ensure that you’re not on soil, wet ground, or hot asphalt, as these can all put the jack stands at risk of falling over.
- Jack up the rear of the vehicle. Use a floor jack, not the jack that comes with your vehicle, as this is generally for emergency use only.
- Set the jack stands in a solid part of the frame. The owner’s manual should guide you on this, but make sure the stand is NOT under the floorboards or suspension, as these won’tsupport the weight of your vehicle.
- Repeat for the front of the vehicle. Don’t rush! Taking some extra time to set the jack stands properly can save you a lot of trouble (and possible injury) later.
- Undo the lug nuts on each tire. Keep them to the side where you won’t lose them. Tip: Loosening the lug nuts slightly before you begin can make it easier to remove them when the car is on jack stands, but its not mandatory.
- Install the tires after rotating. Your Left Rear and Right Rear tires move directly forward. Your Left Front and Right Front tires move to the back, but switch sides.
- Reinstall lug nuts. It’s helpful to screw them in by hand first, attaching them diagonally (kind of like a star pattern). This makes sure they’re tightened evenly and avoids putting pressure on the brake rotor.
- Lower the car from jack stands. It’s just like before, but in reverse – set up the floor jack under the front of the vehicle, put the weight of the car on the jack, and remove the front stands. Repeat for the rear. Again, please exercise caution!
- Enjoy those regally rotated tires! Mark down your mileage so you can repeat in 5,000 miles, and then take a test drive – you’ve earned it! It’s also a good idea to check in on recently mounted tires after a couple dozen miles to make doubly sure that you’ve tightened the lug nuts firmly.
Now that you’ve got those tires rotated, come down to American Car Center and check out a huge selection of recent model, low-mileage vehicles! We approve everyone, so visit the King of Credit today!
