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Buying a used hybrid turns out to be a wise move as used hybrids actually have fewer problems than their counterparts. According to Renee Stephens, vice president of Automotive Quality Research at J.D. Power and Associates, “On average, a hybrid sees about 99 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to gas vehicles, which have a rating of 133 problems per 100 vehicles.” In addition, since a new car loses about 27% of its value the first year, the biggest depreciation happens after two or three years. Since hybrids generally cost more than their counterparts, it’s not a bad idea to let someone else take this hit. So, which hybrids are the best? Toyota hybrids come out on top, partly because of Toyota’s commitment to hybrids, with 69% of the US market share. The Toyota Prius 2010-2013 is one of the most reliable hybrids. It uses Toyota’s “Hybrid Synergy Drive” full hybrid powertrain, that merges electric motor power with a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle engine to get 50 mpg.The vehicle also gets high marks for reliability from Consumer Reports. The 2014 and 2015 models are good too, if you don’t mind taking a little hit for depreciation. The 2012-2013 #HondaCivicHybrid is another highly recommended hybrid. Upgraded with a lithium-ion battery, the 44 mpg Civic Hybrid looks nearly identical to the regular Civic sedan except for some hybrid-specific design cues and badging. its Integrated Motor Assist is not as advanced as the Toyota’s full hybrid architecture, but it is an effective system and was introduced in the original 2000 Insight released slightly before Toyota’s Prius. This vehicle is a premium trim level with lots of bells and whistles. Again, 2014 and 2015 models are good too but still will be depreciating. Third on the list is the 2012-2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It’s interesting to note that the 2015 model retained the 2012’s powertrain with its 40/41 mpg combined rating. The Camry’s reliability has made it a best-seller for the past several years. It has 200 horsepower, 0-60 in the mid 7s, so is quite a peppy car. As with the Honda and Prius, the 2014 and 2015 models are also highly recommended, save the depreciation. Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales has a large inventory of used cars and trucks. Come visit our showroom in Epsom, NH and let our sales team help you find your perfect vehicle, whether hybrid or standard. Set up a test drive now. Visit us at www.timstruckcapital.com #TimsTruckCapital #TruckCapitalEpsom #TimsTruckCapitalandAutoSales Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com

The term GVWR that stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating might sound like something only professional truck drivers need to know. However, it’s an important number that every driver of a pickup truck, SUV or crossover needs to be aware of to stay safe while carrying cargo and/or passengers. How do you find out the GVWR? It’s located on a label that’s on the inside of the driver’s door jamb. It tells you the combined weight of passengers, personal effects and cargo, along with the weight of the vehicle itself, as well as the tongue weight of the trailer (See last week’s blog on the importance of proper tongue weight in safe hauling.) Why abide by the GVWR? Overloading your vehicle can cause damage to your vehicle, as well as create unsafe driving conditions. You could experience broken springs and suspension components, unsafe braking, overheating and damage to the transmission and other driveline components, difficulty controlling the vehicle due to strain on the suspension and danger of tire blowout due to an increase in tire temperature. How do you determine how much the vehicle can carry? Here’s an example: the #2016GMCSierra1500 4WD double cab with the EcoTec3 4.3L V6 has a GVWR of 7,100 pounds. The weight of the Sierra is 5,216. By subtracting the weight of the truck from the GVWR you know you can carry 1,884 pounds without exceeding the GVWR. Make sure you take into account the weight of your passengers, as well as cargo. If you have two 150-pound passengers, your available hauling capacity is 11,584 pounds. It’s important to always stay within the GVWR limit set for your particular truck, SUV or crossover to avoid damage to your vehicle and to keep your passengers and your belongings safe. The Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales’ team cares about your safety. We’re always happy to answer any questions you might have. Our family-owned business has been serving customers in the Epsom, NH area since 1983. We look forward to helping you purchase your ultimate vehicle and drive it safely. Visit our website at www.timstruckcapital.com Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com/?ibp-adgroup=SE_Target

Why Tongue Weight is Key to Safe Towing Without proper tongue weight, you could find yourself in a wobbly, out-of-control vehicle somewhat like driving on egg-shaped tires. Proper tongue weight will ensure you have a safe trailer-towing experience and a dangerous one. The tongue weight is that static force the trailer tongue exerts on the hitch ball. It’s important to have the right amount of tongue weight - too little and the trailer could sway from side to side; too much weight and the force could overload the rear tires of the tow vehicle and push the rear end of the vehicle out of control. Tongue weight also affects how safely you can go around corners and curves as well as how quickly you can brake. Proper tongue weight is about 10 to 15% of the total loaded trailer weight. For example, if you’re hauling a 2,000-pound trailer loaded with 1,000 pounds of cargo (total weight = 3,000), the proper tongue weight of the loaded trailer should be between 300 and 450 pounds or 10-15% of the total of the two - or 3,000 pounds. It’s also important to consider the design of the hitch and placement of the load. If you have a Sierra 1500 #Sierra1500 pickup truck model and are towing trailers with tongue weights over 700-800 pounds, you need to make sure to have a weight-distributing hitch rather than a weight-carrying hitch. The load must be properly placed to ensure safe towing, which means 60% of the load should be centered evenly over the front half of the trailer. For example, if the 2,000 pound trailer is carrying 1,000, about 600 pounds should be in the front half of the trailer. You can check that your trailer is properly balanced by visiting a public scale and weighing your vehicle and trailer a few times. And of course, the team at Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales is happy to advise you on how to have a safe trailing experience. Family-owned since 1983, Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales has built a reputation of customer-service excellence. We want to make sure you have a safe towing experience. Visit our website at www.Timstruckcapital.com. #TimsTruckCapital #TruckCapitalEpsom #TimsTruckCapitalandAutoSales Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com/?ibp-adgroup=SE_Target

The Cadillac SRX has been the best-selling compact luxury crossover SUV from GM and the 2013 model is one of the best used models It has a sophisticated safety package including Driver Assist and Driver Awareness packages with automatic-braking technologies to help reduce the odds of having a low-speed collision. A unique vibrating Safety Alert Seat system gives a warning that the car's sensors have detected a potentially dangerous situation. The 2013 Cadillac SRX is satisfying to drive with its responsive steering and cornering capability. The all-wheel-drive provides quicker steering for back-road driving with a comfortable blend of sport-oriented cornering capability and acceptable ride comfort. SRX features include front and rear parking sensors, a cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, panoramic sunroof, keyless ignition/entry and a power lift-gate with adjustable opening height. Inside the cabin you’ll find heated front seats and steering wheel, leather driver’s seat. A voice-activated navigation system and 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system are optional. An optional Driver Awareness package includes forward-collision alert, a warning system to help with lane changes and the safety alert driver seat. A Driver Assist package includes collision preparation, as well as automatic braking. The 2013 Cadillac SRX has a 3.6-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 308 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive comes standard with an option for all-wheel drive. Acceleration is average for compact luxury crossovers and goes from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. The fuel efficiency is 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway or 19 mpg combined for front-drive models. A switchable Eco driving mode can improve fuel economy by up to 1 mpg. Come check out the 2013 Cadillac SRX at Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales, where we have a large inventory of luxury and standard crossovers, trucks and compacts. We serve the historic Epsom, New Hampshire area and want to be your dealership! #TimsTruckCapital #TruckCapitalEpsom #TimsTruckCapitalandAutoSales Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com

Looking for a good used upscale family sedan? Bring the kids over to Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales in historic Epsom to test drive the 2014 Malibu mid-size sedan that will give you a smooth quiet ride with plenty of room to stretch out in the rear seats. The power driver seat has a wide range of adjustability for taller drivers. The touch screen interface lets you use your smartphone with voice control, stream music and is compatible with internet radio. The center console has plenty of room for storage. You’ll appreciate Chevrolet’s effort in creating a quiet cabin. On the outside, you’ll like the sleek look of the front-end styling. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine has a combined fuel economy rating similar to the Eco powertrain, thanks to its unique stop-start system that increases its combined fuel economy rating (25 mpg city/36 mpg highway) to match that of the mild-hybrid 2.4-liter Eco powertrain. The engine has the power to keep up with the flow of traffic, in both suburban driving and on the highway. The stop-start system is hardly noticeable, except when you fill-up at the gas pump. The Malibu smooths out the bumps on the road and the steering is responsive. Safety features include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front knee, front side, rear side and side curtain airbags. You’ll get automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and stolen vehicle assistance with the OnStar telematics system. A rearview camera is optional and you can also get forward collision and lane departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems. The Malibu got five stars out of five for overall crash protection. It also got the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest possible rating. You’ll be able to stow your family’s gear in the 16.3-cubic-foot trunk, which is above average for a midsize sedan. Come give this car a spin at Tim’s Truck Capital of Epsom, NH. If it turns out not to be the car for you, our sales team is sure to find just the perfect vehicle to suit your needs. #TimsTruckCapital #TruckCapitalEpsom #TimsTruckCapitalandAutoSales Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com

Is a new car beyond your budget? A Certified pre-owned cars ( CPO) is great way to buy a car that feels almost new even if it has some miles on its odometer. Lexus launched its program in 1993 and was the first carmaker to use the term "certified pre-owned." Mercedes-Benz was first to offer a factory-backed warranty for pre-owned cars. Soon, other manufacturers started their own certified pre-owned programs and now nearly all brands offer them. How does the program work? When someone returns a leased vehicle or trades in a car, the dealership evaluates the vehicle's condition to determine if it meets the criteria set by each manufacturer. VW’s CPR program, for example, requires the vehicle to be no more than five years old with fewer than 75,000 miles. In addition, the vehicle must have been driven by the previous owner for at least 12 months. The vehicle is then inspected by factory-trained mechanic who makes any needed repairs with the goal of bringing the vehicle as close to "as new" condition as possible. The dealership then sells the car with a limited warranty. Honda’s CPO program, for example, includes a 182-point inspection and a limited seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain and a one-year, 12,000-mile warranty on non-powertrain components, plus any unused new-car warranty coverage. At Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales you’ll find many CPO vehicles. Our experienced sales team can help you find a vehicle that meets your needs. Our finance team can get financing for you so you can drive your dream vehicle out of the lot the day you buy it. Finally, our service department has inspected and made repairs on all CPO vehicles and will continue to keep your vehicle running at peak performance. Tim’s Truck Capital serves the historic Epsom, New Hampshire area and is a family owned dealership. Come test drive one of our CPO vehicles and experience for yourself the high-quality and lower price of these vehicles. #TimsTruckCapital #TruckCapitalEpsom #TimsTruckCapitalandAutoSales Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com

Millions of people buy sedans each year. For one thing, they have a practical design with comfort in mind for the driver and passengers. Best-sellers from 2012 reflect the trend toward stylish cars packed with features normally found in more expensive models. Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sates has a wide choice of sedans in this lower price range. The Ford Fiesta is a popular model with its front-wheel-drive package that is small on the outside and roomy on the inside. The 120-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine with manual transmission is peppy, as well as fuel efficient, getting 28 city and 37 highway mpg. You can get nearly the same mpg with the high-tech automated transmission. Other high-tech options include an impressive array of electronic features, such as keyless ignition/entry and voice-command Sync system for MP3 players and cell phones. The Chevrolet Sonic, with its front wheel drive, is smooth on the road and gives you a lot of car for the money. You can choose from two engines, one a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 with 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque that gets an impressive 29 city/40 highway mpg with a manual transmission. The Sonic is one of Chevy’s best small cars. The Hyundai Accent is another great buy. This stylish car drives like a downsized version of the Hyundai Sonata, and performs well in commuter mode with its front-wheel-drive,138-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 30 city/40 highway mpg when using the manual transmission. Let Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales’ team help you find your perfect sedan. With over 33 years of experience, we know all the ins and outs of the car buying process and look forward to working with you. Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com

Looking for a used car? With nearly 40 million used car sales per year, you’re in good company. With so many choices on the market, Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales has created this list of steps to help you find your perfect car. Reach out to our experienced and knowledgeable team for more personalized help. Step 1: Determine Your Car Budget If you're taking out a loan to pay for your car, aim for a payment of less than 20 percent of your take-home pay. Used cars sometimes need a little extra attention for new tires and maintenance and the like. Step 2: Create a Target List of Used Cars Make a list of three cars that meet your needs and fit your budget. For example, the Ford Fusion or Kia Optima cost a few thousand less than the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Step 3: Research Online One easy place to create your target list is at timstruckcapital.com where you can filter your search by many factors including mileage on the car's odometer, price and other features. Step 4: Check the Vehicle History Report AutoCheck and Carfax are reputable sources for vehicle history reports. All you need is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Step 5: Test-Drive the Car Test driving a used car is the best way to know if this car has the feel and features for you. Step 6: Have the Car Inspected If you are serious about buying the car, have it inspected by a mechanic. Our dedicated sales team at Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales in Epsom, NH, looks forward to helping you find your perfect used car. We’re a family owned business serving the greater Concord, NH area for over 33 years. #TimsTC #TruckCapitalNewEngland #TruckCapitalNewHampshire Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com/?ibp-adgroup=SE_Target

Check out these benefits of buying a used pickup over buying a high-priced new model. Here are some bonuses you can see when you buy a used truck: Avoid rapid depreciation: If you make a low down payment on a new truck, you could end up owing more than the truck is worth, since new models can lose half their value in the first two to three years. More choice: There are more than three times as many used trucks on the market, providing you with a lot to choose from. At Tim’s Truck Capital and Auto Sales, you can choose from our extensive inventory of used trucks. And if you don’t find what you are looking for—tell us! We’ll find it for you. What to look for: A good bet is to find a pickup truck that’s only a few years old. It will have a lot of life left and will already have taken a big hit in terms of depreciation. You can expect a well-maintained modern pickup truck, to be on the road for 200,000 miles or longer, especially if it has a diesel engine. Focus on reliability: Look for a pickup truck with good reliability scores. But remember, every used truck is unique. Be sure to have a pre-purchase inspection, and even get an inspection by a professional mechanic. Tim's Truck Capital in Epsom, NH carries a wide variety of used trucks, as well as cars. You’ll find used trucks for sale from all of the major manufacturers, so you’re sure to find the truck you need at an affordable price. Our inventory is updated daily for the best selection. At Tim's Truck Capital, you’ll enjoy personal service not often found in larger dealerships in the Epsom and Concord areas. #TimsTruckCapital #TruckCapitalEpsom #TimsTruckCapitalandAutoSales Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com

So you just got your new pre-owned car from the New Jersey State Auto Auction and you want to keep it as good as new. There are several ways you can take care of your new investment. Below we will look at a few steps you can take to keep it in top shape. 1. Clean Your Car It may seem like common sense, because it is. Keeping your car clean is an easy way to keep it looking like new. Washing the exterior and cleaning out the interior once a month is easier than putting it off for months. It will save you from dirt and grime that can potentially damage your car. You can clean it yourself, or have it cleaned. Either way it will improve your driving experience. 2. Check Your Tires If your tires don’t have the correct pressure, it can cause problems. Some of these problems include poor braking, less gas mileage, instability and a flat tire. Checking your tire pressure is easy and most gas stations have air pumps where you can fill your tires. Lots of cars have sensors that will tell you your tire pressure, but you can always check the pressure with a gauge. 3. Change Your Headlights Whenever your headlight or tail light goes out, driving in the dark can be a nightmare. If they aren’t working properly it can also lead to dangerous driving conditions. If your headlights are dim or aren’t working correctly, change them. It’s not worth risking driving at night without them. Keeping up with your pre-owned car is easy, if you know what to do. You just saved a lot of money buying your car at Tim’s Truck Capital, so don’t blow it on costly repairs that could be avoided. If you’re interested in purchasing a pre-owned car, visit us at Tim’s Truck Capital. If you want to keep your current ride running great, come see us. For more information about our current inventory, check our website. #TimsTC #TruckCapitalNewEngland #TruckCapitalNewHampshire Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com

These days, most of our news comes from social media sites like Facebook. Whether it be updates about your friends and family or breaking news, you can usually find out what is going on in the world just by logging on to your Facebook account. At Tim’s Truck Capital, we love keeping up with you, our valuable customers, by updating you on our latest dealership news and helpful information like the importance of checking your tires. Our trucks are tough, but buying one shouldn’t have to be. At Tim’s Truck Capital, you are our biggest priority. We want the car buying process to be easy and for you to get the vehicle you’ve had your eye on. We have a knowledgeable sales team ready to answer any questions you have about the cars we sell. Purchasing a used car shouldn’t be a guessing game. Our website also has loads of information about each of the vehicles in our inventory. You can find out the car’s unique history, as well as all of the ins and outs. If you have questions about mileage, how the car ranks to other similar vehicles or information about the unique features on the car, our website has a detailed CarStory waiting for you. If you are ready to purchase your new used car or just want to take a look at your options, come see us at Tim’s Truck Capital. For more information about our current inventory, visit our website. If you’d like to keep up with us on Facebook, all you have to do is like our page! https://www.facebook.com/TimsTruckCapitalandAutoSalesInc Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com

Buying a pre-owned vehicle has several benefits, like saving you a lot of money. Doing your research and making a plan before you rush into a decision is always the best choice. Below are a few tips to have the best buying experience. 1. What can you afford? Figuring out your finances before you buy a new car is crucial. If you plan on taking out a loan, your payments should not be more than 20 percent of your take-home pay. If you are on a tight budget, it should probably be less. Making sure you stick to what you can afford is important because cars aren’t cheap. Knowing the cost of insurance and upkeep on the cars you are interested in can save you from questioning your purchase. 2. What do you want? Find out what you want in your new vehicle. If you can’t live without leather seats, put that on your list. If you have your eye on a truck with an extended cabin, write it down. Find out what vehicles have what you are looking for and check out a dealership with a lot of options, like Tim’s Truck Capital. You can search for a car with what you want and can afford. 3. How much does it cost? Research prices of what you want after you make your list and figure out what you can afford. You can usually find great cars that are one or two years older than you were looking for, but they end up being significantly less expensive. Being flexible is one of the benefits of buying a used car. If you search for prices and cars you are interested in, you can end up finding a gem. You just need to be patient. These are just a few of the things you should consider when purchasing a new car. We would love to help you find the car or truck of your dreams. Visit us at Tim’s Truck Capital to find your next vehicle. For more information about our inventory, check out our website. #TimsTruckCapital #TruckCapitalEpsom #TimsTruckCapitalandAutoSales Tim’s Truck Capital 904 Suncook Valley Hwy Epsom, NH 03234 Phone: 888.659.1537 Website: http://www.timstruckcapital.com