'Tis the Season to Thank a Teacher

Harry S. Truman once wrote "If you can read this, thank a teacher." Teachers in our country do not hear words of gratitude often enough. Each and every day educators work hard to help our children thrive and succeed, but people often don't give them credit for this. However, many companies, like Autoland, are using the holiday season as an opportunity to say thanks to teachers in our area. 

Here are some of the participating businesses.

•  The Container Store – Looking for unique ways to store all your teaching supplies and other goodies? Sign up for their Organized Teacher program and receive a 15% discount on any and everything to help organize your classroom (and home). This discount can be used in the store or online.  

Craft Stores

• JoAnn Fabric – This is a great store to shop for crafting supplies for school projects and classroom décor. JoAnn Fabrics offers teachers a 15% discount on every purchase that is made throughout the year. They also have special sale dates throughout the calendar year when they offer teachers 20% off.

•  Michael's – Shop at this store for ways to create a distinctive classroom with fun bulletin board themes and educational games. Michael's offers teachers 15% off their entire purchase every day. Simply show the cashier your teacher ID when checking out.

• A.C. Moore – Earning rewards while shopping for classroom supplies is made easy at A.C. Moore. This craft store allows teachers to rack up points with each purchase. Teachers can earn a $10 rewards certificate for every 2,000 points they earn through purchases. 

Clothing Stores

• LOFT – "LOFT Loves Teachers" and shows it with the 15% off all full-priced items discount they offer educators. They also have exclusive sweepstakes for teachers and teacher appreciation nights with special discounts on select items. This is the perfect store for any teacher looking for comfortable, affordable, and stylish clothes.

• The Limited - Show your teacher ID card to the cashier at checkout to receive a 15% discount on your purchase. This discount is available year round and can also be used on sale and clearance items.

Car Dealers

• Autoland, our Toyota dealership in NJ, is offering $250 in classroom supplies to any teacher who purchases or leases a vehicle in the month of December. They will also make the first month's payment of up to $500 as a thank you for your service. 

It's the time for giving -- and these businesses are trying to give something back to some of the most important people in the world. Remember to make it a point to say "thank you" to teachers year round.

What You Need From a New Jersey Dealership

Choosing the right car dealership is important. In an industrious state like New Jersey, locating a top quality dealership can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Making a wise choice will help customers to save money and receive the assistance that they need. If you are still in need of assistance, here are the top five things to look for in any New Jersey auto dealership.

A Pleasant Reputation

Try to find an auto dealership that has been in business for many years, preferably under the same management. Significant longevity will make increase the likelihood that the dealership has a solid tradition of satisfying its customers. These days, it's easy to uncover the kind of reputation that a dealership has by reading consumer reviews on their review websites. These reviewers are regular consumers who want to share their experiences, allowing for an insider’s perspective before you purchase.

Wide Variety

A good car dealership will have many makes and models to choose from, allowing for the opportunity to find the car, truck, SUV, etc. that’s right for you. Their salespeople are more likely to be knowledgeable on a wide variety of vehicles. Unless a person has a very specific idea of what they are searching for, it's always beneficial to browse through a variety of options.

The Best Quality: Honesty

Car salesman tend to have a somewhat dubious reputation for integrity. Some of them like to fast-talk customers into spending more than they can afford. Make sure to ask a lot of questions about the car that you are interested in. If the salespeople are evasive, or if there is evidence of price gouging, go elsewhere. The same goes for dealerships that exhibit pushy behavior. Customers should never feel forced into anything. After all, the customer is always right at any good business.

Room for Flexibility

Customers should be allowed to negotiate how much they will pay for their vehicle. When shopping in New Jersey, this option should be just as available as anywhere else. If they are insistent and inflexible, that should raise a red flag. Toyota of NJ is an example of dealership locations that are always willing to let the customer have a say.

Finally, Financing

New Jersey Dealerships should not try to shoehorn customers into just one or two financing options. Prospective buyers should have plenty of different choices.

Customers who buy from a car dealership with all of these attributes will exponentially increase their chances of going home happy. With a little extra effort, it's easy to find a high-quality dealership that will meet consumers' needs.

Important Tips for Caring for Your Tires in the Winter

While there are many parts of your car to check as the winter arrives, your tires are particularly important. The cold temperatures can affect your tire pressure and with the heavy snow and ice to deal with, it's important to make sure that your vehicle is up to the challenge. 

Here are some useful tips that will help you ensure that your tires will be as safe as possible on the winter roads.  

How much tread is left on your tires?
When driving in potentially slippery conditions, you'll need tires that will grip the road, which is why it's crucial to make note of how old your tires are and how much tread they have left. You can check the tread by placing a penny in the groove of the tire with Abraham Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, it's time to replace the tire.

Even if your tires aren't worn down, you should still check them for uneven wear, as this can indicate that your alignment is off. Also, make sure your tires are rotated every 3,000-7,000 miles; doing this helps them to wear more evenly and extends their life.

Is your tire pressure sufficient?
Although you should check your tire pressure regularly, it is especially important to do so when the seasons change. The drop or rise in temperature affects your tire pressure: it usually increases in warmer months and decreases in colder ones.

In addition, your tire pressure is affected by not only the temperature outside, but the fluctuating levels of heat or cold throughout the day. Temperatures can drop drastically overnight and rise in the afternoon, so you should keep an eye on your pressure and check it more often during any extreme weather.  

Common winter tire care tips

• Set your tires to the pressure specified in your driver's manual.  
• Check and adjust your pressure in the morning and prior to driving. 
• Check your tires with a quality pressure gauge. Many vehicles today come equipped with a monitoring system that will alert you if your tires are losing pressure. You can also check your owner's manual or the sticker in your car.

As a highly recognized Toyota dealer in NJ, Autoland is dedicated to not only selling quality vehicles at unbeatable prices, but also providing excellent service. Stop by our Springfield location today to ensure you're prepared for the winter roads.