EXPRESS LANE BLOG

Credit building is an important part of your financial wellness journey. When you’re trying to secure financing to purchase a car or home, lenders and other finance companies will typically check your credit reports to review your payment history and other credit attributes. Since you essentially need credit to build credit, here are some ways you can establish and manage your credit after school: Start paying your student loans. If you have student loans, making timely payments every...

Life can come with its fair share of adversity, especially pertaining to your finances. While some situations — such as car repossession, foreclosure, and bankruptcy — can cause your credit score to take a hit, there are effective ways you can rebuild your credit. But rebuilding your credit doesn’t happen overnight — it takes time, consistency, and patience. There are no shortcuts or secrets, just dedication and determination. Before we get into how to rebuild your credit, let’s briefly...

Anyone who owns a car and lives in colder climates has, at one point or another, experienced the nuisance of walking to their car on a brisk, icy day to find their windshield frozen solid. While most people in this scenario may opt to scrape the ice off their windshield and/or run the car with the heat blasting to melt the ice (which isn’t the most environmentally friendly method), there are ways you can prevent your car windshield from freezing over. Effective Methods to Prevent Icy Car...

Learning how to properly parallel park is like a badge of honor for many drivers. While the thought of squeezing your car between two vehicles may seem intimidating at first, it’s smooth sailing – or parking – once you get the hang of it. If you’re a new driver learning the ropes, here’s a quick crash course (no pun) on how to parallel park your car: Find a parking spot with the right amount of space for your vehicle. As you approach a parking spot, be sure to check your mirrors, turn...

For many folks, getting from Point A to Point B is a daily task — one that requires a quality, reliable vehicle. Between commuting to and from work, chauffeuring the little ones between school and extracurricular activities, taking trips to the grocery store, and running weekend errands, the amount of time we spend in our cars adds up. So, how much time is that, exactly? According to a recent article, Americans spend an average of one hour per day in the car and approximately six percent...

As you’re probably aware, owning a car costs money to not only purchase, but maintain. It’s an investment that requires time, care, and attention to detail – that’s if you want your car to last a while. And with the winter season upon us, it’s especially important to ensure you’re intentional about your car maintenance. Here are some car maintenance tips to prevent vehicle wear and tear and keep your car running properly. Reduce start-and-stop driving Constantly starting and stopping...

When purchasing a vehicle, most car buyers are focused on getting approved for a car loan or auto financing. With auto lenders and finance companies making credit to buy a car more accessible to borrowers, it’s possible for car financing terms to stretch out for years. Here’s how you can pay off your current car financing faster: Determine your current balance When planning to pay off your car faster, the first step is to look at the details of your auto loan or financing. Generally,...

With your vehicle most likely being one of your most valued, used possessions, it’s natural to want to keep it looking and feeling fresh and clean. In addition to getting your car washed consistently, having it detailed is an effective way to keep your car sparkling clean while using it for daily commutes, road trips, etc. What is car detailing? Car detailing involves two components: interior detailing and exterior detailing. Interior detailing involves cleaning (i.e., vacuuming, steam...

If you’re a first-time car buyer or someone who recently purchased another new or used vehicle, your car maintenance routine is something you should establish early on, and getting your oil changed is a must. So, how often should you get an oil change? The frequency of changing your car engine oil can depend on various factors such as your car’s year, make and model. For this reason, your safest bet would be to check your car owner’s manual, which should give you the full rundown on your...

While it may not be as frequent as getting your car washed or oil changed, tire rotations are a necessary part of your car maintenance routine. How often should you get your tires rotated?

Washing your car is a necessary part of your car maintenance routine. With your vehicle being such a major investment, it’s important that you take the proper steps to keep your car looking and running in tip-top shape, like getting your oil changed, tires rotated, interior detailed, and your car washed consistently. How often should you get a car wash? Experts say the general rule of thumb is to get your car washed every two weeks, but the frequency can increase or decrease depending on...

When purchasing or leasing a vehicle, you’ll most likely be faced with the choice of all-wheel or front-wheel drive. While front-wheel drive — when all the power from the engine goes to your front wheels — is typically the standard option for most vehicles, all-wheel drive is an option that can be added to a wide variety of vehicles, usually for an additional cost. As you’re navigating the car buying process and weighing your options, here are some factors to consider regarding front-wheel...

If you plan on buying a car and are currently shopping for vehicles, one of the main qualities you may be looking for in your future ride is longevity — the ability to stand the test of time. A recent study by online research and car shopping website iSeeCars.com found the top long-lasting vehicles of 2021. Top 10 Vehicles Lasting 200,000+ Miles Toyota Land Cruiser Toyota Sequoia Chevrolet Suburban Ford Expedition Toyota 4Runner Toyota Avalon Chevrolet Tahoe Toyota Highlander...

Whether you purchase a new or used vehicle, every car should come with an owner’s manual to help you operate and/or troubleshoot your vehicle correctly. This instructional guide is filled with a ton of information, which can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated a list of key information you’ll find in your car owner’s manual. How to set up your vehicle Cars with certain technological features (i.e. keyless entry, delayed lighting, sound system, etc.) may require some additional...

A well-kept car is the secret to a happy, long car life. When your car is fresh, shiny and clean from the inside-out, it may almost feel like it’s brand new. But if you really want to step up your car maintenance, cleaning your engine might be a worth a try. If you’ve never given your car engine a good cleaning, here’s a step-by-step process to help you get started: Make sure the engine is turned off and cool Car and Driver's website recommends turning off the car, flipping the hood,...

Whether it’s new or used, your vehicle needs to have the proper vehicle registration for you to drive it. Registering your vehicle with your state gives you legal right to drive the vehicle without violating the law. Your registration is typically a piece of paper containing your information along with your registered vehicle’s. If you happen to get pulled over, the officer will usually ask for your license and registration to show proof that you own the vehicle. It’s wise to keep your...

You’ve done hours of research online and narrowed down your car options. Now, you just need to find a car dealership that can help get you across the finish line and into a reliable car that meets your needs and budget. Here are some ideas to help you find a dealership during your car buying journey: Compare vehicles and pricing. The right dealership will work with you to find the car that meets your needs and the budget you want. If you’re looking at a specific model, it’s wise to...

Getting a flat tire is common for drivers. When you’re out on the road, your tires are constantly rolling over a combination of dirt, gravel, potholes and sharper objects like nails and broken glass. These things wear on your tires, which can eventually cause a flat. For this reason alone, knowing how to change your tires is a must. If you find yourself on the road with a flat tire, here’s what Bridgestone Tire advises: Find a safe location Turn on your hazard lights Find your...

When used properly, credit can be a powerful tool that can help put you ahead financially. Many credit-savvy consumers use low-interest debt to purchase major assets that are likely to gain value over time, such as a home or investment property. Ultimately, the key to using credit is having the right mindset and level of discipline to manage your debt. Unfortunately, many consumers get caught up in a cycle of bad credit habits that stems from overspending and poor financial planning. Here...

You’re in the market to purchase a new or used vehicle but, for some reason, you’ve been denied for a car loan or auto financing. Chances are you’re wondering two things: 1) Why wasn’t I approved?; and 2) How do I get approved to purchase a car? Let’s walk through the basics. Why You’ve Been Denied for Auto Financing There are several reasons why a bank, lender or finance company may deny your credit application for financing to purchase a vehicle, such as: Errors on your application ...