Category Archives: Auto

Buying a used car is a great way to get a deal on a vehicle that may not be available through other means. But it’s important to understand the process first. After all, a car is one of the biggest purchases many people make. Be sure you pay attention to details such as your local laws in order to avoid problems down the road.

Make Sure the Seller is Legit

Before even considering a purchase from a private seller, you want to know the person you’re dealing with is who they say they are. Ask them if they are the owner of the vehicle. If so, they will be able to provide information about the vehicle’s history, which you’ll also want to ask about. Look up their name and phone number, as well, to verify their identity. A scam artist will want to hide this kind of personal information.

Buying a Used Vehicle in Illinois or Elsewhere

Used car dealers should be licensed with the Secretary of State’s office. The license should be displayed by the dealer. Be sure you know the rules and regulations in your state before sealing any deal. The state of Illinois offers these important recommendations to local drivers who are considering making a purchase through a private seller:

1. First and foremost, be sure to research a vehicle’s history using its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and obtain a Vehicle History Report (see below).
2. Many vehicles are illegally rebuilt after another state has determined them to either be a total loss or junk. Once it has been classified as a “junk” or “total loss,” Illinois will not issue a rebuilt title.
3. Make sure the vehicle’s title is provided and that it is signed and dated by the seller.
4. Never purchase a vehicle with an altered title. Alterations and erasure marks invalidate a title. Confirm the name on the title matches the name of the seller and the VIN matches the VIN on the vehicle. Also make sure that all previous liens have been released.
5. Confirm the VIN on the vehicle. The VIN on the driver’s side dash and the sticker on the driver’s door frame should match.
6. Beware of notations on the title and vehicle history report. This information may include floods, rebuilt, specially constructed, not actual mileage, mileage exceeds mechanical limits, inoperable odometer, and other factors that might pose a risk to the new owner.
7. If a Salvage Title has been issued on a vehicle, the seller must provide the buyer with a Disclosure of Rebuilt Vehicle form. Salvage vehicles cannot be registered in Illinois.
8. Obtain the seller’s contact information in case there is a problem with the title or the vehicle.

Address Risks: Get Vehicle History Report & Test Drive the Car Before Buying It

With private sellers, it’s even more important to test drive a vehicle on the street and highway before buying it. Regulations that apply to dealerships won’t apply here, which puts more responsibility on you to look into the car’s history and find out if there may be damage the seller isn’t revealing.

You may need to spend money to get a vehicle history report on CARFAX or a similar website. This report will give you information on past accidents, whether there are open recalls, the market value and other information that tells you about the quality of the vehicle. If there have been other previous owners, you want to know that, as well.

Steps to Take After Buying the Used Vehicle

Once you’ve purchased your new car, there are other important steps to take so it can be driven legally:

• Remove the previous owner’s license plates. It is illegal to operate a vehicle with someone else’s license plates.
• If purchasing a vehicle from a private individual, it is the buyer’s responsibility to have the title transferred to their name within 20 days.
• Stop by CFSC Auto Services and we’ll take care of the plate and title transfers for you!

Protect Yourself Financially with Smart, Local Auto Services

CFSC Auto Services helps drivers take care of everything else they need, all under one roof. Get help with a variety of auto-related needs, from license plate renewals and plate transfers to replacing stolen or lost stickers. Getting these tasks done properly and on time is crucial to avoiding expensive tickets that can easily be avoided.

Skip unnecessary trips to the DMV. When you stop by your nearest CFSC location, we can also help out with your other financial services. Our flexible schedule makes it easy to swing by at your convenience. Check out CFSC Auto Services online to find out more!

Traffic violations can carry penalties ranging from a $100 fine for a parking violation to a prison sentence for a serious moving violation. Yet in the hustle of commuting to work or making sure the kids get to school on time, these concerns have a way of taking a back seat to more pressing ones. That is, until you see a ticket on your windshield or lights flashing in your rear view mirror.

Even though most people consider themselves above average drivers, the fact is that billions of dollars are generated each year across the country because drivers are caught breaking the law. In Illinois, a speeding ticket could cost you up to $1,500, according to BankRate – not to mention endanger your life and the lives of those around you. The good news is it is possible to avoid getting ticketed, not just by reading and abiding by parking meters, but also by staying on top of the many infractions that cause drivers to get penalized each day.

Keep Your Car Legal, Registered and Looking Good

It’s vital to keep registration tags current. But you don’t need to wait in line at the DMV or Secretary of State’s Office to keep your tags and stickers up to snuff. CFSC Auto Services throughout the Midwest will handle those things for you and answer any questions you have about stickers, deadlines, and other details required by the state. issue a ticket. Make sure to repair cracked windows and replace bald tires, as these can often be the basis for a ticket.

Some drivers believe that even small things like keeping their car clean and taking care of minor repairs will keep the attention of law enforcement away from their vehicle. Whether a shappy-looking vehicle will draw more eyes on you is debatable, but it might signal to some people that it isn’t safe to drive.

Carry Auto Insurance in Illinois and Elsewhere

In states like Illinois, the law dictates that all motor vehicles must be registered and operated there to be covered by liability insurance. This type of insurance typically covers property damage, and possibly medical coverage for injuries, if you are involved in an accident. If you’re struggling to afford insurance, talk to an agent about your options. There may be a lower cost option available.

Educate Yourself About Common Moving Violations

A few types of moving violations bring in the most revenue because they are so commonly made. Here are three to keep in mind the next time you’re running behind schedule and tempted to disregard the rules of the road.

Disobeying Street Signs

Thanks to red light cameras, more people are being caught than ever before for running red lights. But disobeying any signs could get you in trouble. Be sure you’re familiar with all the signage where you drive and that you abide by them.

Speeding

Do you know the speed limit on all of the roads you take? Millions of drivers get speeding tickets each day, some of whom may not be aware that they were going too fast. Remember that the amount a driver is fined may depend on different factors, including how many miles over the limit they were traveling, whether they were in a construction or school zone, and their local laws.

DUIs and Distracted Driving

Many different factors can cause someone to drive recklessly. Driving while excessively tired is sometimes just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Add texting to the mix, and it’s no wonder that distracted driving is one of the biggest culprits. Even having loud, distracting passengers in the vehicle can cause you to

Take Care of Auto & Financial Needs at CFSC Auto Services

Your nearby CFSC Auto Services can take care of other routine auto service needs, as well as financial needs like check cashing and electronic money transfers. Whether to register your new vehicle, pick up your plates or transfer your title, we can handle it for you in minutes.

It’s important to develop smart habits as a driver. Stop by your nearest CFSC location or check us out online to find out what else we can do for you today.

There are many reasons to ditch your gas-guzzler for a hybrid or electric vehicle, from higher gas prices to creating less pollution to saving money over time. More drivers are considering getting an electric car than ever before – and a growing list of financial incentives is making this goal possible.

But the experience of owning (or leasing) and driving a vehicle powered by electricity will be new for most folks. What is driving one like? Where do you go to power your car battery? The truth is, driving an electric car isn’t that much different from one that uses gas. It will be quieter. You won’t have to smell gas at the pump. You can even plug in your car at home if you have the setup to make that happen.

First things first.

Where – and How – Do You Plug In an Electric Vehicle?

Simply use the charging cable to plug in your car. EVs come with an extension cord that can be plugged into a specialized outlet on one end and into the car on the other end. Many smaller EV charging ports provide recharging equipment outside of parking garages, auto mechanics, strip malls and near sidewalks. Some gas stations are starting to offer EV charging, as well.

For a list of charging stations in your area, conduct an online search or check out locations in this online government database by state.

How Often Do You Need to Recharge Your EV?

All-electric vehicles don’t require any gas to run so they must be plugged in to recharge. There are also plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on the road that are powered by both electricity and gasoline. They have a battery pack that can be recharged at an external port or charging station. But since they also run on gas, it’s not necessary to charge them as frequently.

In the past, charging up a depleted EV battery could take all night. But things are changing. Newer, more efficient technology and a growing number of charging stations is making it easier to recharge when you need to. Still, plan to spend a little longer than you would at a fuel pump. It may take 30 minutes or more, depending on how low the battery is. This process may become quicker and more convenient as more options are provided.

Lower the Cost of Your Next Electric Car with Federal & Illinois Tax Credits

Let’s be real: electric vehicles are not cheap. The good news is that there is financial assistance at both the federal and local level to help people afford their new EV. The federal Qualified Plug-In Electric-Drive Motor Vehicle Tax Credit is available for EV purchases, but there are a few factors to consider:

1. A tax credit of $2,500 to $7,500 is available for new purchases
2. From manufacturers that have not met certain thresholds of vehicle sales
3. The amount depends on the size of the vehicle and capacity of its battery

Some states and electric utilities also offer incentives, many of which are located in an online Laws and Incentives database. In Illinois, for example, residents that purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer can be eligible for a rebate of:

• $4,000 for the purchase of an all-electric vehicle that is not an electric motorcycle
• $1,500 for the purchase of an all-electric motorcycle

Keep in mind that you must apply for the rebate within 90-days of vehicle purchase. Other factors may apply. For instance, rented or leased vehicles will not qualify for the Illinois rebate, and the car or motorcycle cannot have been the subject of a previous EV rebate. The rebate amount can’t exceed the purchase price of the vehicle, and you must retain ownership of the vehicle for a year immediately after the vehicle purchase date. In addition, there will be some documentation requirements that are detailed in the application.

Take Care of Auto & Financial Needs at CFSC Auto Services

Check out CFSC Auto Services for all your auto service needs, as well as a host of financial needs, from cashing your checks to handling your electronic bill payments for your utilities. Here are some car-related tasks we can handle for you:

1. Register your new electric vehicle
2. Get your new license plates
3. Get your annual license plate renewal sticker
4. Transfer plates or titles

The world is changing, and so is the way people take care of their auto and financial needs. Why wait in long lines at the DMV? When you stop by your nearest CFSC location, we can do the work for you and save you the hassle. Check out CFSC Auto Services online to find out more!

There’s not much more thrilling in life than acquiring a new set of wheels. To make the transition official, there are a few things you need to do as the car’s new owner, and registering it with your local government is one of them. To do so you need a complete certificate of title for the vehicle, a legal form that comes as part of the purchase. It establishes that you are the legal owner, and you’ll want to hold onto that so you can register the vehicle as well as to show that you own the car when necessary.

What’s on the Vehicle’s Certificate of Title?

A certificate of title usually comes from the state where you buy the car. If you’re making the purchase through a private seller, be sure you receive this important document. In Illinois, it includes the VIN (vehicle identification number), which is a code assigned to all motor vehicles when they’re manufactured. The purpose of this code is to identify your specific vehicle – for instance, if the model gets recalled or to help police track it down in case of an auto theft.

Titles vary by state. They usually include a few other identifying details:

Date issued

Purchase date

Make

Model

Color

Importantly, it also includes the new owner’s signature to indicate the official transfer of ownership. In some cases, a title may need to be signed off by the lien holder or have a separate lien release letter. The title should be kept in a safe place, to be provided to the next owner if you decide to sell.

CFSC Auto Services Handles Auto Title Registrations & Transfers

If you have just purchased a used car, boat, motorcycle, or RV, you’re going to need to transfer the title and register your vehicle. This is where CFSC Auto Services supports you. In addition to providing an array of financial services, we provide various auto-related services, including title transfers. CFSC makes it easier for vehicle owners to transfer title from one owner to another without having to wait in line at the Secretary of State’s Office. With CFSC’s extended and weekend hours, you can take care of this necessary task when it is convenient for you, and you can be in and out in no time! In addition, if a title is lost, misplaced or stolen, there are options to have the lost title to your car, truck, RV, or vehicle easily replaced.

How Does Vehicle Registration Work in Illinois?

When you come by to pick up your new license plate, just let us know you also want the title transferred to your name. The steps are simple:

1. Bring in your Illinois or out of state title.
2. Someone will enter your details into a system that automatically gets shared with the Secretary of State facility online.
3. Bring some form of payment with you.
4. Leave with your new license plates.

The possible documents needed to complete this step may depend on a few different factors. With that in mind, give CFSC Auto Services a call to find out what you need to bring with you to complete your transaction and what form of payment will be accepted.

Other Auto & Financial Services at Your Local CFSC

Ready to hit the road? With dozens of storefronts throughout the Midwest, CFSC Auto Services makes renewing your plates easy. We handle all your title and registration needs under one roof, including:

• Register your new car.
• Get your new license plates.
• Get your license plate renewal sticker each year.
• Transfer plates from one vehicle to another when you sell or buy a used car.
• Handle duplicate and corrected titles.
• Transfer titles.

It’s important to keep in mind that these types of vehicle services are required by law. They can keep you from getting an expensive ticket that may end up costing you more than the service itself. Our employees can handle the paperwork, answer your questions, and you’ll rest assured knowing your registration information will be submitted to the state’s online database. The bottom line: we’ll help you get back on the road quickly with the comfort of knowing that all of the necessary legalities have been taken care of properly.

Why wait in long lines to take care of your auto needs or stress out over confusing websites? When you stop by your nearest CFSC location, we can do the work for you and also help out with your other financial services. Our flexible schedule makes it easy to swing by at your convenience. Check out CFSC Auto Services online to find out more!