Category Archives: Auto

If you’ve ever sold your car or given up driving – for example, when moving out of state – you might have wondered what to do with those old license plates. It’s a good question, since throwing them out isn’t the best idea. Drivers should know and follow recommended practices for car tasks like these.

Since used plates can be stolen and cause problems for the original owner, it’s advisable to dispose of them properly instead of holding on to plates you don’t need, unless you have a valid reason to do otherwise.

When Should You Get Rid of Your Plates?

As a rule, plates belong with the owner, so no longer being the legal owner of a vehicle signals you no longer need them. Both plates are usually disposed of together unless one is lost or damaged. Three reasons you may need to dispose of plates are:

• You want “vanity” plates or some unique alternative to replace your state-issued ones
• You’re relocating and won’t be driving anymore
• Your plates are damaged – particularly if they’ve become difficult to see on the road

Illinois doesn’t make residents return them, which is why residents here should inform themselves about best practices below to figure out what to do next. Contact CFSC Auto Services if you have questions about lost or stolen plates and we will help you out.

The Right Ways to Dispose of License Plates in Illinois

Don’t worry: drivers have some options in this area. In Illinois, there are four common, responsible ways to handle this process.

1. Recycle Your Plates

Want to make sure your old plates don’t end up in the wrong hands? Recycle them through a recycling facility by bringing them to your local Secretary of State’s office.

2. Destroy It & Bring it to a Facility

You can destroy a license plate yourself the same way you would any other metal item you don’t want to be used in the future. This involves making it unusable by bending it or cutting it into pieces. The metal pieces should still be recyclable through a recycling center in your area.

3. Keep Them in a Safe Place

If your old plates hold a special place in your heart, feel free to keep them. They’re yours! You’re allowed to frame them or use them how you wish as long as there’s no chance they will end up on someone else’s vehicle.

4. Bring Them to the DMV

Most people would rather avoid the DMV if possible, but some locations do carry bins in which old plates can be tossed in a responsible way.

What Not to Do with Your Old License Plates

You never know who is going through your trash bins out back. Identity theft is real, and the same kind of fraudster might use someone’s old plates to avoid registering their vehicle. It is not illegal to throw out your license plates along with your garbage, but it is simply not recommended for the aforementioned reasons.

Contact your local government for more information about options and rules in your area.

Pick Up Your New Plates at CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin

When it’s time to pick up your new plates, call the CFSC Auto Services in your area! We handle all kinds of licensing services. You can register your new car, order your annual stickers, and more.

Call first for details on hours, the required documentation, and fees. We’re happy to help out!

Self-driving cars are so 2024. A couple new show-offs can dance and fly. Love it or hate it, the latest models are dominated by increasingly innovative technology. To get an idea, locals can check out the annual Green Drives Conference & Expo (May 8) in Alsip, IL, as well as numerous niche auto shows and events.

These days, even unenthusiastic drivers who just want an easy commute to work are treated to an array of industry standard, high-tech additions. Here’s what’s becoming the norm.

Smarter Touch Screens & Multimedia Systems

It’s becoming easier and more streamlined to connect your phone to the car and use apps like maps, music, and messaging directly on the built-in touchscreen. They are designed to mirror a phone’s interface for easy, distraction-free access. Those screens have gotten a lot bigger, too. But you can keep your hands on the wheel by using voice controls just like you do in your living room, as long as your car has the right audio system.

Adaptive Cruise Control & Help Staying in Lanes

While most of us still drive all on our own, more cars are being built to help us do it right. Many of the changes are geared toward keeping drivers safe in faster traffic. A vehicle can maintain a set speed but will automatically slow down or speed up to keep a safe distance from the car in front. It’s super handy for highway driving.

Intelligent Controls

More and more, cars are compensating for human error by adjusting to their surroundings for a safer ride. If you live in a hilly, snow-prone area, some all-wheel-drives will automatically adjust power distribution to the wheels based on road conditions, giving you better traction on slippery or uneven surfaces.

Meanwhile, assistive steering systems help steer cars gently to keep them centered in their lane. If you start to drift without signaling, you may hear a beep, or your steering wheel might nudge you back into place.

Multi-Angle Cameras

Various tech-powered camera capabilities have been around for a while, but more car models are making use of them. This means that when you reverse, you can choose from different camera views – for instance, normal, wide, or top-down – to get a better look at what’s behind you. Other cars come with automatic pedestrian detection to help keep others safe, as well as a perimeter scan for more ease with parking or reversing out of tricky spots.

Features for use Outside of the Car

A lot of newer features are aimed at helping out when we’re away from our vehicles. There are more ways to lock, unlock, and start the vehicle remotely. Or, turn the heat or AC on so it’s a comfortable temperature when you get in. Similarly, people can use their smartphone as a key so they don’t have to fish around in their bag as they return to their parking spot.

Other ways you can use technology while you’re away from your car:

• Check your fuel levels.
• Make sure the doors are locked.
• Find your car using an app.
• If lost or stolen, GPS data can sometimes pinpoint its precise location.

Got your hands full of groceries? As long as the key is nearby, many people now wave their foot under the bumper to open the trunk.

Traffic Sign Recognition

Do you ever get frustrated trying to follow traffic signs while driving? There is technology to help you out with that. For example, there are cars that can read road signs such as speed limits and display them on the dashboard, helping you stay aware without taking your eyes off the road. Other cars have voice technology to provide helpful hints.

CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin

Our CFSC Auto Services may not be as fancy as flying cars, but they can do something even better: Help you take care of necessary payment and renewal tasks that are easy to overlook, preventing you from getting pricey tickets.

Check out CFSC Auto Services for more on what we do, or stop by your nearest location next time you need help with title, registration, plates, stickers and more!

Our society relies on cars to get around more than just about any other place on earth. So, it’s not exactly news that millions of people get pulled over each year for moving violations. These offenses are so prevalent that, in Illinois, traffic court sees more cases than any other court in the state. Even longtime drivers need reminders to avoid breaking the law and getting a ticket.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, making it a good time to refresh your understanding of common moving violations – as well as the behaviors that will help you avoid them.

Not Following Illinois & Wisconsin Rules of the Road

A frequent cause of moving violations is simply disobeying traffic signs and red lights. However, these kinds of infractions can lead to serious accidents that may result in property damage or even fatalities, not to mention fines.

Chapter 4 in this Illinois Rules of the Road guide outlines the various traffic laws every driver should know, explaining how to follow each one. Anyone who is unclear on speed limits, highway protocol, and other vital driving guidelines should refer to the guide for a refresher. Meanwhile, keep in mind basic but important ways to avoid a moving violation:

• Stay alert at all times
• Arrange for other means of transportation if you haven’t slept
• Be extra cautious when approaching intersections
• Don’t cut corners – follow all posted signs
• Remain calm and patient – traffic is unpredictable

Don’t Speed: Be Patient Behind the Wheel

One of the most common reasons people get moving violations is by speeding. Yet exceeding the speed limit is known to increase the risk of accidents and injuries, not only to the driver and passengers but also to others on the road. As a rule, remain calm and don’t let your impatience get the better of you.

To avoid speeding violations, drivers should stay mindful of speed limits. In Wisconsin, the speed limit on rural interstate highways is typically 70 mph, at least 5 mph higher than on most Illinois highways. If you drive between the states, keep an eye out for those changes. You should also adjust your speed to road conditions and go slower if necessary.

Even Small Traffic Violations Can Cost You

One deterrence might be to remember that even the smaller, “petty” offenses can cost you. Running a stop sign can result in a ticket of up to $1,000 in Illinois. And being stopped by a traffic officer will only delay you further, making you wish you had paid attention and followed the speed limit.

If you hit another car or injure someone due to a petty offense, you could be charged with a crime on top of being ticketed. No one wants to be involved in an accident. But in the rush to get to work on time, people make mistakes. That’s why it is wise to take a breath before driving, even if you are running late.

The Different Types of Distracted Driving

We’ve all seen the ads about the risks of texting while driving. However, there are many ways to be distracted, not all of them involving a phone. Simply removing a hand from the wheel compromises the attention of a driver. If you reach to get something from your bag, that is considered both a manual and cognitive distraction. Glancing at your bag while doing it is yet a third type of distraction, the visual kind.

Consider the many sources of distractions in a vehicle that most drivers experience:

• Pets and small children
• Smart phones
• Music and programs from devices or the radio
• Passengers conversing
• Interacting with your dashboard and features such as window controls
• Actions like drinking coffee or eating while driving

Penalties to Discourage Distracted Driving

Using a mobile device while driving has become a major contributor to moving violations, too. All states have penalties to discourage drivers from these types of behaviors. In Illinois, if you are in an accident while looking at your phone, you can face steep fines and have your license suspended, not to mention facing higher insurance premiums when you start driving again.

A lot of easy adjustments can help you avoid penalties for distracted driving:

• Organize your belongings before you turn the car on
• Adjust your seat and mirrors while still parked
• Stay off the phone while driving
• Use hands-free devices
• Keep your windshield clean
• Stay focused on the road at all times
• Make sure passengers know not to distract you

Avoid Parking Violations: Go to CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin

Only you have control over your driving behavior. However, CFSC Auto Services in Illinois and Wisconsin can help you avoid other fines associated with parking tickets. Our license services help you update your:

1. Auto title and transfers
2. Vehicle plates and registration
3. City stickers and other routine auto tasks

Don’t get a pricey parking violation because you missed a deadline. Visit your local CFSC Auto Services today to keep your plates and stickers up to date!

A large portion of Midwesterners aspire to own electric vehicles someday, despite the fact that car prices have been off the charts lately. The logic makes sense. Having to purchase half or none of the gas you used to need should save you money in the long run, at least on refueling costs – especially if you just got rid of a pricey gas guzzler.

However, before you hit the road to test your theory, be sure your plates, registration and other routine auto tasks are taken care of so you don’t get ticketed.

Next, review some notable refueling differences so you’ll know what to expect.

How Much Money You Save Overall

Generally, EV owners pay a fraction of what others spend per mile to drive their cars. If you want a more accurate figure, you’ll need to do a little math. How much those savings will offset the higher price you paid for your new car or truck depends on a few things.

1. How much more did you spend than you would have on another gas vehicle?
2. Can you access any government incentives to sweeten the deal for an EV?
3. What is the lasting power of your battery?
4. How much will you have to pay to maintain the vehicle? Hybrids tend to have more complex inner workings than EVs.
5. What is the price of a gallon of gasoline – and what if it changes going forward?

Electricity Costs Vary More Than Gas Costs

Remember: electricity isn’t free, either. While gas prices remain fairly steady, there are more variances when it comes to EV power, and the cost is one of them. Even though a battery usually lasts much longer than a full tank of fuel, it’s still worth figuring out what kind of charging costs to expect. Factors that can impact your rates:

• Whether you are charging at home, which is generally cheaper
• The cost of electricity in your state. Apparently, Iowa is one of the cheapest states.
• How much the station charges – there are many options
• Time of day – lower nighttime demand often results in lower electricity charging rates

Hybrid Cars Offer More Refueling Flexibility

If you drive a hybrid, you can still save substantially at the pump. A hybrid driver can get away with spending a third on gas of what they did before. Again, you will want to examine your driving habits. If you drive mostly in cities and suburbs, you may end up using more battery power, spending less on gas, since these vehicles are designed to run on battery power at lower speeds. However, hours of highway and remote driving at a time might mean your car will switch over to gas whether you want it to or not.

Find Out Where to Refuel Based on Your Travel Habits

Until recently, new EV drivers were sometimes surprised to discover there weren’t many EV charging stations where they were headed. The federal government as well as private companies have invested in installing enough stations so that EV drivers can more easily move around the country without getting stranded when their battery runs out.

But here’s the catch: some states have way fewer electric vehicles, or stations, or both. Illinois has more ports than Wisconsin, for instance, but it also has more than twice the population and many more EV drivers. If you’re in a rural area, you will likely have to travel farther to find a place to refuel. Generally, cities have the most charging options.

You May Have to Wait … a While

Did we mention the wait time? Don’t let your battery run out if you can help it. It can take up to several hours to recharge the whole battery, which is why more homeowners are investing in their own chargers. Another option – charge while you shop! Costco, Target and Walmart are among the big box stores known for their free EV charging (up to a point).

Expect a Different Looking Refueling/Charging Station

Finally, refueling a hybrid or EV versus a regular car is not always as straightforward as those new to the game might think. Relatively new EV owners can get tripped up even after weeks or months of driving. There are power levels to select. Plugs may look weird. If any of this confuses you, don’t be shy about asking for help.

CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin

If you’re in Illinois or Wisconsin, neighborhood CFSC Auto Services want to help you stay on track no matter what you drive. Stop by to get your stickers, plates and other auto needs taken care of in a jiff.

Find your nearest CFSC Auto Services location so you know where to go!