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Car ownership is a beautiful thing – unless you are struggling with the expenses of having one. Whether you’re not sure you can continue to afford your car, or you’re simply looking to save a few dollars on car ownership, there is probably a way to make that happen.

Avoid Fines Due to Expired Illinois Licence and Tags

The first way to avoid overpaying is to stay legal, as in make sure your plates and license do not expire to avoid fees due to expired tags or an expired city sticker. It may seem like a no brainer, but Illinois drivers unnecessarily spend thousands of dollars on fines each year due to expired tags. It’s been more and more common since the state stopped sending out those reminders to save money.

Driving with an expired driver’s license can be even more costly. If your car gets towed, you may be on the hook for hundreds of dollars in tickets and tow fees on top of that pricey ticket you’re going to find on the windshield. Better to simply stay on top of your auto insurance and everything else you need to drive legally and safely.

Drive a Smaller Car

Drivers of Kias and Honda Fits spend hundreds of dollars less a year on gas than those with SUVs. If you’re thinking of trading in your car for a new (or used) one, make the miles per gallon of your new car the highest priority.

Consider a Hybrid Vehicle

Many Americans have ditched their gas guzzlers for hybrid vehicles. Some do it for environmental reasons, but you can expect to get twenty to thirty-five percent better gas mileage than driving your regular car, according to GreenAmerica.org. Those dollars not spent on gas will add up fast!

Lower Your Car Insurance

Perhaps you could be spending less on car insurance. You don’t want to cut out any essentials, but a call to your insurer might reveal an unexpected shortcut to lower bills. Raising your deductible and bundling with home insurance are two ways that drivers make this happen.

Refinance Your Auto Loan

Are your loan terms as favorable as they could be? If your car is in good condition, you should be able to refinance your loan. Call banks and other lending institutions to get a few quotes and compare them with your existing one. If you can get one with a lower interest rate, you might have less trouble making those monthly loan payments.

Drive Fewer Miles – or at Different Times of the Day

Have you ever discovered a new shortcut by accident? We all get into our driving routines, so much so that there might be a better route right under your nose. Look up alternate routes to work, including how long they take at different times of the day. Taking a different road a half hour earlier or later could translate to less time sitting in rush hour traffic.

Filing Your Tires & Other Ways to Maximize Your Gas Efficiency

A lot of little habits contribute to the relative efficiency of our driving. We may not notice it at the pump immediately, or we might notice a difference over time and not know why we’re gradually paying more or less.

Things such as filling your tires to the recommended tire pressure are correlated with better gas mileage. Taking care of that routine maintenance you’ve been putting off is another one. Car repairs will always end up costing more. Even slow-coasting – going a bit slower so you’re not forced to hit the brakes unnecessarily – has been shown to maximize one’s gas efficiency.

Use Your Car to Make More Money

Car ownership may be expensive, but cars also give us the power to make money. If you can’t make your car payments but really want to hold onto your vehicle, it may be time to consider a side hustle or other way to make more dough. A better-paying job is another possibility, now that you have the wheels to get there.

Visit CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin for Helpful Auto Services

Visit your nearest CFSC Auto Services next time you need to update your stickers, replace a stolen plate, or register a new vehicle. We’ve got a lot more in the way of financial and auto-related services, as well. Just ask!

Skip the DMV lines and visit CFSC Auto Services today!

Heading out on the semi-frozen road? When temperatures dip below freezing, there are more risks than simply running out of gas. Definitely fill up the tank and take care of routine maintenance. You don’t want to be stranded roadside in the bitter cold. But first, check your vehicle and replenish it with items that may prove helpful, if not essential, in case of an unexpected event – particularly if you find yourself without heat while you and your passengers wait for assistance.

Your owner’s manual and a warm beverage is a good place to start on chilly days. For longer drivers in less familiar locations, consider what else you might need if everything doesn’t go to plan.

Staying Safe and Warm on the Road in the Midwest

When was the last time you peeked inside your roadside emergency kit? If it’s been a year or more, find out what it contains so you know you are prepared and can add or update anything based on your current circumstances. There are several necessities that won’t fit in a kit but you’ll still want to bring. A cell phone charger to keep your phone juiced up. Pet food if you’re bringing a furry friend. Diapers if needed. And in case cell service is dropped or GPS malfunctions, a paper map is not a bad idea.

What else should you keep in your car?

• Sleeping bags or warm blankets for everyone
• Extra water
• Aspirin or ibuprofen
• Bandages
• Flashlight – check the batteries
• Tire chains, depending on your vehicle (for snowy, hilly regions)
• Towels

The most important items should enable everyone in the vehicle to stay warm and hydrated, as well as allow you to get in touch with help if you need it. But there are other items to consider, depending on where you are headed. For example, sturdy shoes if you are going off-road. Extra gloves for harsh conditions. Snacks and possibly medications for those relying on them. Think about the most vulnerable person in the car and be sure their needs will be met in case of engine trouble on the road.

Are You Prepared for a Flat Tire?

Changing a tire in snowy and icy conditions is even more challenging than in temperate weather. Be sure you have roadside assistance through AAA, your insurance provider or another service. Most folks would probably prefer to await professional assistance, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for just such a scenario. Have you checked the quality of your spare tire lately? Fewer new cars come with spare tires nowadays. Whether a spare or a tire kit is normally secured in back, drivers should be familiar with these items in case of a flat or punctured tire.

Do You Have All the Documents You Need to Drive in Illinois?

Finally, no matter how short the drive, be sure all of the necessary documentation is proper and up to date.

1. Proof of Auto Registration

Drivers typically keep a document showing their proof of registration in their glove compartment. This document has vital information such as your name, the registration number of your vehicle, and the make and model. However, in the digital era, more drivers are keeping a digital copy in their phone, as well. If you are stopped by a law enforcement official, you may need to prove your vehicle is registered to show you are legally allowed to operate it on public roads.

2. Your Driver’s license

A lapsed drivers license may not seem like a big deal, but if you are stopped by a police officer you could be facing a fine or worse. Not to mention, you won’t be allowed back in your vehicle until you update your license, a task that requires making time in your busy schedule. It will be easier, and also cheaper, to go through the steps to update it before it lapses.

3. Insurance Card

Keep your most current auto insurance card either in the glove compartment or in your wallet when you drive. The state of Illinois requires a minimum of coverage of certain types of liability insurance. This covers you financially in case you are involved in an accident that results in someone’s death or in damage to property.

However, it may not ensure you are entirely covered, and you may want to be insured for higher amounts. Visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s office online for the most current updates to the law, and contact your insurance provider if you are unsure whether you are adequately covered by your plan.

Visit CFSC Auto Services for Your Auto Needs in Illinois & Wisconsin

At CFSC Auto Services, our team can get your stickers, replace lost or stolen plates, transfer ownership, and assist with vehicle registration when you buy a new car. While you’re here, you can also take advantage of a range of useful financial services we provide.

Visit the CFSC Auto Services near you so you will be ready for winter driving in the new year!

Nearly every household in Illinois and Wisconsin has access to a car or light truck. But that doesn’t make every adult a car owner. About a quarter of U.S. drivers lease instead of buy, a figure that has gone up a few points over the last year alone.

As for whether to lease or own, the choice is entirely up to you. Making the right decision requires exploring the long-term costs – and potential financial risks – to determine what it would mean for your wallet, as well as your personal driving needs.

Auto Leasing is Growing – But Less Popular in the Midwest

Some people prefer taking on less of a permanent commitment when it comes to their vehicle. After all, car ownership is a big responsibility. A new vehicle will set you back on average $48,000, according to MoneyGeek, and who has that kind of cash lying around? Still, leasing is slightly less common here in the Midwest, maybe due to our long winters and rough terrain – or just our appetite for long, scenic drives.

When Is Car Ownership Necessary?

The main distinction between owning and leasing a car is that once you buy one, it is entirely yours. This gives you a certain kind of freedom that you might not otherwise have:

1. What auto insurance to get
2. Where to take it
3. How many miles to put on the odometer
4. Whether to sell it, and to whom
5. How to soup it up

Leasing only gives you temporary ownership, and with some strings attached in terms of destinations and distances. While ownership is not usually necessary, it is usually the preferred option for people with a long-term vision of having a vehicle that they can afford.

Leasing Agreements Have Terms You May Not Like

If you are considering leasing a vehicle, take a close look at the terms and conditions in your lease agreement. Someone else will be calling shots such as who will be responsible for repairs and maintenance. What kind of wear and tear clause does it contain? When the lease is up, the dealer could charge you for the cost of upgrading the brake pads or replacing the tires if that’s what your agreement dictates.

Have someone you trust comb through the contract with you to ensure you understand every detail before signing anything. That will give you time to ask questions and more leeway for negotiating better terms if anything appears unfair or simply unfavorable to you.

Cost Considerations Before Buying a Car

Car shoppers tend to look first and foremost at the monthly payments they will need to make to access a set of wheels. Instead of going with whatever is cheaper, take a longer-term look at the costs and financial responsibility you will have in the coming months or years. Considerations that might inform your decision:

1. The full cost of the vehicle, including auto registration fees and taxes. Car payments today can average well over $700/month – less for used and leased vehicles.
2. The amortization factor. How much of your initial monthly payments will go toward the interest on your loan? Find out if any additional payments you make can go toward the principal on the loan instead. Since interest is typically based on the principal, doing so could lower the dollar amount you pay over time.
3. Are any terms subject to change? You will want to discern whether they could become less favorable in the future.
4. What will the cost of insurance be – and how much would it go up?

Do your research so that whatever decision you make is an informed one!

Leasing as a Short-Term Solution

There are a few reasons you or your family might prefer the temporary status of a leased car. If your spouse’s job requires driving for just a few months at a time in a different state, leasing might be a much more pragmatic solution. Other factors that might make leasing appealing:

• Vehicles tend to be newer and therefore more reliable.
• Lower monthly payments could make driving a more expensive car possible.
• Maintenance on newer cars might be less overall.
• There won’t be pressure to sell it.

Let CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin Handle Your Car Needs

Whatever you drive, be sure to have CFSC help you register it properly so you can get your new plates! There will be other routine auto-related tasks, and our CFSC Auto Services in Illinois and Wisconsin are happy to help! We can even replace a lost or stolen license plate or sticker if you need one.

Visit your nearby CFSC Auto Services for more information on our financial and auto services!

It is very disconcerting to come back to your parking spot only to find it empty – or occupied by a different vehicle. It can take a few minutes for the realization to set in that your car was stolen. And if you’ve never experienced this particular misfortune, you might not know exactly what to do.

Ideally, you will never need to use the tips below. However, over a million vehicles were stolen in 2023, according to MarketWatch, and the number has only gone up in recent years. Knowing what to do in this kind of situation will help you remain calm as you follow the proper steps, and possibly save you time, as well.

Make Sure Your Vehicle Was Stolen

No one wants to admit it, but many of us have returned to a spot where we could have sworn we left our car, only to find it one street over or on a different parking level. It never hurts to double check that your car is indeed missing, especially at night where visibility might be limited. You might be pleasantly surprised when you discover you parked somewhere else.

Contact the Police and Report Your Vehicle Missing

Generally, 311 is appropriate to call unless violence was involved or you are in physical danger. If you call the police, they will record your personal information and enter your license plate along with the make and model into a scanner system, where that information will be shared with a network of officers. That makes it easier for law enforcement to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and track down a vehicle that was recently stolen. Your auto information will be included with a list of other stolen vehicles in case it turns up later on.

Consider Filing a Police Report Online

Don’t want to deal with phone calls? You can probably file a police report online. It shouldn’t take long. Here’s what the process is like in the city of Chicago:

1. Log onto your local police department’s crime reporting website to get started.
2. You will be directed to a list of crimes from which you will select auto theft.
3. On a different page, you will need to enter all of the pertinent information related to your case.
4. In addition to a vehicle description, you will be asked to provide details including the time, location, and anything else you think might help police locate your vehicle.
5. Double check everything before submitting the report, as it may be difficult to enter the system and make changes after the fact.
6. You should get a confirmation via email or text for future reference. Keep this for insurance purposes.

If Helpful, Take a Pic or Record Any Details That May Be Important to Your Case

It may be helpful to take a photo of the location in case you get home and forget precisely where your car was parked. If there are any other details that may be relevant to your case, take notes or photos that you can hold on to for future reference.

File an Insurance Claim

Vehicles must be insured to be driven legally, and you should file an insurance claim as soon as possible if your car has been stolen. What happens next will depend on the details of your insurance plan. Comprehensive coverage will generally reimburse you for the value of the missing vehicle in cases of theft. As long as you have filed an official report and meet the proper criteria, it is common to get reimbursed from the insurance company after 45 days or so.

However, if the vehicle is then found what happens next might vary, particularly if you have already surrendered your title. Ask your provider what happens in this scenario. If your car is found, you may need to notify the insurance company, at which point the vehicle may be your insurer’s legal property.

Visit Your CFSC Currency Exchange for License Plates & Other Auto Services

If your car has been stolen, hope is not lost! The odds are decent that it might eventually be found.

If you have to replace a lost or stolen license plate or plate sticker, swing by one of the many CFSC Auto Services in Illinois and Wisconsin only, so you can have it done quickly and easily. An assistant will be able to answer any questions you have about what to expect. Always call first to double check store hours, fees, and to make sure you are bringing the proper documentation.

Want a fast and convenient way to take care of numerous vehicle and financial services under one roof? At your nearest CFSC Auto location* you can do just that.

*Auto services available only in Illinois and Wisconsin.