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Salt isn’t the only threat to cars in the Midwest. The summer heat can also take a toll on a vehicle’s exterior, aging it and leaving debris that should be removed regularly. Making a habit of giving your set of wheels a thorough scrubbing – whether at home or through a car wash service – is a small step that can improve the appearance and value of your vehicle over time.

If you are among the many drivers who put off cleaning their vehicles, below are a few tips to help get you back on track. Not only is a clean vehicle safer to drive, but it also helps drivers feel proud to be behind the wheel.

First Things First: How to Remove Tags and Stickers from Your Car

A small razer blade can be helpful in removing stickers from a vehicle, either from the inside of the windshield or from the license plate. The windshield in particular needs to be clean when you’re done to provide good visibility when driving. That’s why it helps to use a paper towel or microfiber material as well as glass cleaner.

Start by dousing the edges of the sticker with glass cleaner. That way, when you begin to scrape at the edges of the sticker it will come off more easily, leaving less residue behind. After it is removed, clean the rest of the area to remove any remaining glue or residue and leave your windshield sparkling clean.

3 Important Tips:

1. Exert a high level of caution when using a blade for any reason. Be sure you are working slowly and carefully so as to prevent an injury.
2. Something less sharp, like a plastic spatula, may be better for removing a sticker from a painted surface of your car, as you don’t want to damage the exterior by leaving scratch marks.
3. Not sure whether you need a city vehicle sticker? Find out here.

Regular Car Washes Can Protect Vehicle Exterior and Improve Visibility in Summer

Cars gather a lot of dust and debris on their exterior during all those long, summer drives. Large side mirrors, extended rear visors on SUVs, recessed license plate spaces, and other newer features and designs can also be difficult to clean. And if you drive a lot, the elements gathering on your car’s body can even leave small marks that dull its shine, aging its appearance and lowering its value over time.

Fortunately, even a basic automated car wash can give vehicles a lasting shine, as well as a clear coat protectant if the driver chooses.

Best Way to Clean Your License Plate (and Why You Should)

There are a couple reasons one or both license plates may need to be cleaned separately from the rest of the vehicle. One is if a plate becomes discolored and difficult to read. A plate should never be obstructed in any way in case you are pulled over. It is also possible that a car cleaning doesn’t entirely reach the plates as well as it should. In this case, here’s what you can do:

• Use a cloth or sponge
• Wet the cleaning material with water and detergent
• Use gentle, circular motions
• Pass the cloth or sponge over the plate, back and forth

It only takes a minute, and your plates will sparkle. In addition, consider cleaning the portion where your tag will go before replacing it.

Should You Get a Hot Wax Treatment for Your Vehicle?

The answer is up to the owner, of course, but an occasional wax treatment may benefit cars that are on the road a lot or are kept outdoors. This process creates an extra layer of protection from the elements and can potentially shield the car’s finished surface from minor scrapes caused by grit from the road and other damaging particulates.

Take care of routine car needs at CFSC Auto Services.

CFSC Auto Services throughout the Midwest are here to help you replace lost or stolen plates or stickers, handle your title and registration needs, and offer other auto-related services.

Stop by your nearest CFSC location to get help with these and convenient financial services – all in one location!

Late payments on auto loans have been creeping up lately. If that sentence puts knots in your stomach, you may be in need of some relief and practical solutions. Two questions that may come to mind:

Should you extend the term of your car loan? What about giving your car back to the lender?

That second one should be a last resort. Keep in mind, there are many thousands of people out there in a similar boat. According to Lendingtree, auto debt outstanding by ninety days or more recently increased by nearly 12%. But there’s more to the picture, and it’s not all bad:

1. It’s common to take five to six years or more to pay off a vehicle.
2. Some car loans are being paid off quicker than in recent years.
3. The spike in new and used car prices has cooled off.

You deserve to be free of your auto anxiety. Most of all, it’s important to take a closer look at your situation and get help if you need it.

Determine Whether Larger Than Normal Car Loans Is Causing Your Car Stress

Not all car ownership stress is the same, as each driver’s financial situation is unique. But it can be a big relief to face up to it, no matter the cause. Maybe you were part of the crowd that took on oversized loans due to inflated prices a few years ago. If so, consumers shouldn’t blame themselves. In honor of the Fourth of July, find out what your options are so you can start feeling more financially independent.

Finding a Way to Make Your Auto Payments Reduces Car Ownership Problems

You may be one of the many drivers looking forward to the day the vehicle you drive is officially yours. Generally, folks who are able to should take steps to avoid repossession of their vehicles should they stop paying off their loans. There are risks to discarding a vehicle that is not yet fully paid for. Ending a car financing deal prematurely could even increase the interest owed on those monthly payments. Doing so can also lead to legal repercussions, which most drivers would prefer to avoid.

Refinancing Your Auto Loan May Be Easier Than You Think – But Make Sure It’s the Right Choice

Refinancing your auto loan is one way to reduce stress for someone who can no longer afford their car or is disadvantaged by unfavorable loan terms. The steps are fairly simple:

1. Contact your lender to find out if you qualify for auto loan refinancing.
2. Find out your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and how much time remains on the loan.
3. Discover how much your vehicle is currently worth.
4. What is your credit score? A higher score may make it easier to get a better deal.
5. Ask for an application – and be sure you have all the information and documentation necessary for completing it.
6. If necessary, find a lender that will offer a financing agreement with lower interest and better terms.

However, while refinancing gives you more time, it may end up adding more interest in the long haul. Take your time to do the math and be sure you understand all the implications of a new loan before agreeing to one.

CFSC Auto Services Can Help Drivers in Illinois Reduce Their Car Ownership Stress This Month

There are other ways to address car ownership blues. Finding another source of income, selling your car, or voluntarily turning it in to the lender are some of them. Once you’re informed about the repercussions of each option, the smartest path forward will become clear.

As for car needs such as title and registration, local CFSC Auto Services throughout the Midwest are happy to help. Check out CFSC Auto Services online for a whole host of up-to-date tips on creating a financially independent future.

There are a number of steps drivers must take to operate a vehicle legally, whether you live in Illinois or any other state in the U.S. The need for a city sticker is one of those rules that can be easy to overlook. But it’s important to know if and when you need one – along with a number of auto-related tasks – to avoid the risk of penalties while out on the road.

Items that drivers may need assistance processing include:

1. Auto Titles
2. Vehicle Registration
3. License Plate Transfers
4. Lost or Stolen Plates
5. Parking Permits

But not every city or town requires a city sticker, which can cause confusion for folks who are just trying to follow the rules. Here are a few things to know about city stickers.

What Is a City Vehicle Sticker in the Midwest?

Many cities like Chicago issue vehicle city stickers to local drivers. The purpose of requiring these decals is to help fund local road work and conduct other necessary infrastructure projects. To sort through your requirements and be sure you have everything you need to operate a vehicle in the Midwest, visiting CFSC Auto Services online is a good place to start.

Do All Drivers Need to Have a City Sticker?

Not all cities require it, but if yours does you’ll need to buy it regardless of where you park. For instance, some Chicago suburbs have begun revoking city sticker requirements. Des Plaines is one of the towns that has taken such measures in recent years. Stay in touch with your local government if you want to know about changing laws in your area.

Can You Be Fined for Not Having a Sticker?

Check with your local municipality for information on fines, penalties, and any rules regarding city stickers. Not only do the rules change from place to place, but they can get updated periodically, and it’s important to know what the most current regulations are where you live and drive. For instance, Chicago may issue fines and late fees up to a maximum fine of $250, depending on the violation. However, amounts may be lower for seniors, drivers of alternative vehicles, and other groups.

Is There a Grace Period in Illinois?

Stickers expire after the last day of the month indicated on them, but there is typically a grace period for laws requiring vehicle stickers. In some places, they must be obtained within 30 days of moving to the city if you also drive there, and you could be charged a late fee if you purchase the sticker after the deadline. There may also be a grace period if you are caught driving with an expired sticker.

So, the answer is that there are grace periods if someone is late in obtaining a vehicle sticker, but it pays to be on time and get the sticker as soon as possible to avoid the stress of complications and possible penalties.

Can You Contest Tickets for Sticker Violations?

Not long ago, an Illinois Court ruled that the city of Chicago had improperly fined motorists for years, unfairly penalizing them for incorrect uses of city stickers. A class action lawsuit is pending, and it could result in tens of thousands of people being owed money. In any case, read the fine print on any ticket you receive and collect evidence if you suspect you have been ticketed or fined unfairly. Typically, improper tickets can be contested in writing or in court.

Take Care of Auto and Financial Services at Your Local CFSC

Driving can be stressful enough. Staying on top of your auto-related needs should not be. With dozens of storefronts throughout the Midwest, CFSC Auto Services can assist you with your vehicle title, registration and transfer needs. Our helpful assistants can answer any other questions you have about maintaining the proper documentation required by Illinois or the specific town where you live.

Call first, or stop by your nearest CFSC Auto Services location to take care of your auto documentation needs today!

Staying on top of everything you need to drive safely and legally already takes time and effort. Which is why the last thing any driver wants to deal with is a stolen license plate.

It may not be as significant a problem as a stolen vehicle, but license plates get nicked, as well. In fact, the Chicago Police Department recently cautioned local drivers about a spate of incidents of stolen plates that had occurred in communities throughout the city so that people can be aware of the problem and take quick and appropriate action.

There are several key things to know that help ensure your plates are right where you need them.

More License Plates Have Been Stolen in Towns Throughout Illinois

As drivers, we’ve been taught to lock the doors and keep an eye out for risks to our vehicles. We take many steps to avoid everything from red light tickets to parking violations. But many people would be surprised to discover that they should also check their vehicle to be sure their license plates are both still securely attached to it.

There have been hundreds of reports of different types of license plate theft, including ones that are not attached to any vehicle. In total, this type of theft has doubled in just a short amount of time, and the numbers are on the rise in some cities in Illinois.

Be Careful Removing and Storing License Plates for Any Reason

One driver who removed his plates after selling his car faced an unexpected challenge. He began receiving tickets in the mail from the city of Chicago for fines he supposedly owed. Except for one thing: he wasn’t the driver. Now he faced stiff financial penalties due to actions taken by someone else.

As it turned out, the plates he removed had been stolen from his garage and were now on a different vehicle far away. Ten different violations added up to over $1,000, and the fines were being sent to his home since he was perceived as the registered owner from a legal standpoint.

Why Would Someone Steal Your License Plate?

Disputed tickets based on stolen license plates or stolen vehicles are not uncommon. A plate under someone else’s name is handy for someone who doesn’t have a license and wants to fly under the radar. That way these criminals can appear to be legitimate, since a plate is on their vehicle, but they don’t have to go through the process of registering it under their own name.

Fortunately, this type of fraud is easy to avoid as long as you properly handle your plates from your old vehicle – something that can be done quickly at any CFSC Auto Services location.

Do You Need License Plates to Drive Legally in Illinois?

Every driver in Illinois, as with most states, must be in possession of up-to-date license plates as well as a valid driver’s license. Plate stickers to replace the old ones can be purchased each year at CFSC Auto Services, as well.

So, What Should You Do If Your License Plate Is Stolen?

If one or both of your license plates are stolen, file a police report immediately in the town where you live. In addition, visit a CFSC Auto Services location near you to get your plates replaced as quickly as possible. You can stop by or phone in advance to ask about:

1. CFSC hours of operation
2. ID and other documentation you may need
3. Possible replacement fees
4. Anything else you want to know about replacing lost or stolen plates

Ask About Vehicle Title, Registration, License Plates & Stickers at CFSC Auto Services

To lower your chances of losing your plates, take actions to protect them. These may include:

• Inspecting them to be sure they’re well-secured
• Installing surveillance cameras in your vehicle
• Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity nearby

CFSC Auto Services throughout the Midwest are there for you if plates are lost or stolen. We will make sure your title and registration are handled properly and registered online. We also manage sticker renewals on the spot and license plate transfers when you sell your vehicle.

Visit any CFSC Auto Service location to access quick and convenient services for your car. Check us out online to find out what else we can take care of – all under one roof!