Latest News, Tips & More | Jeffrey's Auto Exchange

Myth Busted: Are Trucks Still Gas Guzzlers? Not Anymore!

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love a truck, but I just can’t handle the gas bills,” you’re not alone. For years, people have believed that owning a truck automatically meant spending more at the pump. But the truth is, today’s trucks are more efficient, smarter, and more versatile than ever before.

We understand that people love trucks for what they represent: freedom, capability, and reliability. Whether it’s weekend adventures, towing a boat, or just having the confidence to handle whatever life throws your way, a truck gives you options. And now, you can have all that without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

The Old Truck Myth

Once upon a time, trucks were built for one thing: work. They were heavy, powerful, and didn’t worry much about miles per gallon. That’s where the “gas guzzler” reputation came from. But those days are long gone.

Automakers have spent years refining truck design and technology, creating pickups that are strong enough to tow and haul yet smart enough to save fuel when you’re cruising.

Modern Innovation = Better MPG

Today’s trucks are nothing like those of the past. With advanced engineering and design, they can do it all get the job done and go the extra mile on a tank of gas.

• Smaller, turbocharged engines that deliver big power when needed but sip fuel during everyday driving.
• Hybrid and mild-hybrid systems that blend strength and efficiency seamlessly.
• Streamlined body design that cuts down wind resistance.
• Smart fuel management systems, like cylinder deactivation, that use less fuel when you’re not towing or climbing hills.

The result? You can drive the truck you want and still feel good about how much you’re saving at the pump.

Ready to See the Difference?

When you see what’s available today, you might be surprised at how efficient trucks have become. Check out our current inventory to explore models designed for performance and fuel savings. Whether you want something for work, play, or both, there’s a truck out there that fits your lifestyle and your budget.

Thinking About Trading In?

If you’re ready to move up to a newer, more efficient truck, now’s a great time. Visit our trade-in page to see what your current vehicle is worth. Many drivers are surprised to learn their trade-in value can go a long way toward lowering the cost of their next truck and that means even more money saved in the long run.

Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?

Maybe you already know the exact truck you want the trim, color, or features but it’s hard to find. Don’t worry. If we don’t have it in stock, we’ll find it for you through our Vehicle Locator Service. Just tell us what you’re looking for, and our team will track it down. It’s one more way we make shopping easy and stress-free.

Find Your Next Truck

We believe you shouldn’t have to choose between saving money and driving what you love. Today’s fuel-efficient trucks let you have both strength and savings, muscle and mileage.

Stop by and talk with our friendly team, explore our inventory, or start online with a quick trade appraisal. And if you don’t see your perfect truck right away, our locator service will make sure you do soon.

Because owning a truck shouldn’t mean giving up on value, it should mean getting more out of every mile.

The Benefits of Buying a Used Car vs. Leasing

Two of the most popular routes drivers take are buying a used car or exploring a lease. Each offers its own set of advantages, depending on your lifestyle, driving habits, and financial goals. Understanding the benefits of both can help you make a confident, well-informed decision.

The Advantages of Buying Used

Buying a used car is one of the most practical ways to own a vehicle. Used cars often come with a lower price tag than brand-new cars, which means you can get more features or a higher trim level while keeping payments manageable.

Because used cars typically have a lower overall value, insurance costs can also be more affordable — a welcome benefit for anyone mindful of monthly expenses.

Many dealerships offer certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, which are carefully inspected and often come with added warranty coverage. These programs give buyers extra peace of mind and access to reliable, high-quality vehicles without the new-car price.

Ownership also provides long-term flexibility. Once the car is paid off, it’s yours — no mileage limits or lease terms. You can decide when to sell, trade in, or simply keep driving it for years to come.

The Advantages of Leasing

Leasing is another option that appeals to drivers who enjoy getting behind the wheel of newer vehicles more often. Lease payments are generally lower than financing a purchase, making it easier to enjoy the latest models and technology.

Leasing can also simplify upkeep, since regular maintenance and warranty coverage often extend through the lease term. That means fewer unexpected costs and more predictable expenses.

At the end of the lease, drivers have options — they can explore a new model, renew, or consider buying the vehicle if it suits their needs. For those who prefer variety or drive predictable annual mileage, leasing can provide convenience and flexibility.

Finding What Works Best for You

Both buying used and leasing can be smart, practical choices — it all depends on what matters most to you. If you value ownership, long-term savings, and flexibility, buying a used car might be your best match. If you enjoy the idea of driving newer vehicles with consistent payments and minimal maintenance concerns, leasing may be worth exploring.

Ready to take the next step? Whether you’re thinking about trading in your current vehicle or exploring your next ride, we’re here to help. Value your trade today or browse our used car inventory to find a model that fits your lifestyle.

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When you think about cars, you might picture powerful engines, shiny paint, and stylish designs. But some of the most important features in your vehicle today didn’t come from careful planning, they started with slips, spills, and a few surprising turns of fate. Little mistakes that ended up making driving a lot safer.

A Little Kitchen Mishap

Charles Goodyear had been struggling to tame natural rubber. It melted in the heat and cracked in the cold, completely unreliable. One day while experimenting, he dropped a mix of rubber and sulfur onto a hot surface. Instead of turning into a sticky mess, it charred but stayed strong and springy. That accident became the process of vulcanization, the foundation for the tough, weatherproof tires that grip the road under every car today. Today’s tires go even further: engineered tread patterns, silica compounds, and built-in pressure sensors all work together to keep drivers safe on wet, snowy, and scorching roads.

A Broken Flask

A French chemist once dropped a glass flask that had been coated with a thin plastic film. To his surprise, it cracked but didn’t shatter into dangerous shards. That stumble inspired the idea of laminating glass with a protective layer, which evolved into the safety glass in every windshield. Modern windshields don’t just stay intact in a crash they also block UV rays, reduce noise, and even host sensors for lane-keeping systems and heads-up displays.

The Cylinder Surprise

While working with gases used in refrigeration, chemists left a cylinder pressurized overnight. When they opened it, the gas was gone, replaced by a slippery, waxy solid coating on the inside of the container. This new material was polytetrafluoroethylene, better known as Teflon. It later found its way into seals, hoses, and coatings that reduce friction and prevent dangerous leaks in engines. Today, advanced materials like this make sure engines run smoothly and reliably, even under extreme conditions.

I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Is Gone…

Mary Anderson once noticed a streetcar driver leaning out and stopping constantly to wipe rain off the windshield by hand. She thought: there has to be a better way. Her swinging arm with a rubber blade was the first windshield wiper. Now, cars use rain sensors that automatically adjust the wipers so drivers can focus on the road.

Objects in Mirror May Appear Closer…

At the Indianapolis 500, a driver wanted to race without a passenger to watch his back. He strapped a small mirror to his dashboard, giving birth to the rearview mirror. That quick fix is now a high-tech feature, often equipped with blind-spot monitoring, auto-dimming glass, and rear cameras.

A Soft Landing in a Hard Crash

After a close call, an engineer imagined using compressed air to soften the blow inside a car. His sketch of an inflatable cushion turned into the first airbag concept. Today’s airbags deploy in milliseconds, adapt to crash severity, and even include side-curtain versions that protect everyone in the vehicle.

A Cat’s Gaze in the Dark

A road engineer noticed how a cat’s eyes reflected headlights at night. That little observation sparked the invention of reflective studs for roads known as “cat’s eyes.” The idea grew into reflective lane paint, LED markers, and adaptive headlights that turn with the steering wheel, all designed to keep night driving safe.

Cars Are Safer Today

Cars may have roots in chance discoveries, but it’s no accident that modern vehicles are safer than ever. What began as dropped flasks, overheated rubber, and odd observations has become:

• Tires engineered for grip in any weather.

• Windshields that stay intact under impact.

• Wipers and mirrors that do the thinking for you.

• Airbags, sensors, and cameras ready to protect you in milliseconds.

We know cars aren’t just machines, they’re the result of human creativity, trial and error, and the constant push for safety. That’s why we’re proud to offer vehicles packed with the latest safety features, designed to keep you and your family secure on every trip. Explore our car inventory, estimate your vehicle’s value with our trade-in tool, or get pre-approved quickly with our credit application. 

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Buying Smart While Staying Safe

When you’re shopping for a used car, safety is often the first thing on your mind and for good reason. That’s why so many buyers look to the 5-Star Safety Ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when comparing vehicles.

Recently, NHTSA announced that its planned update to the 5-Star Safety Rating system originally scheduled for 2026 models will now be delayed until 2027. At first glance, this might sound like a complicated government decision. But for used car shoppers, it actually brings good news.

Current Ratings Still Count

Because the updated standards are postponed, all vehicles on the market today are still measured by the existing criteria. That means a 2019–2025 vehicle with a 5-star score remains just as trustworthy today as when it was tested. For anyone shopping used, this stability is reassuring: your car’s rating won’t suddenly feel “out of date” in the next year or two.

Many Used Cars Already Have “Future” Features

Even though the government won’t officially include them in ratings until 2027, many late-model used cars already come equipped with advanced safety technology. Depending on the year and trim level, you can find features such as:

• Blind-spot monitoring  helps spot vehicles you might not see in your mirrors.

• Lane-keeping assist gently corrects steering to help keep you centered.

• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection  added peace of mind in city driving.

• Adaptive cruise control  maintains a safe distance automatically on the highway.

These are the very features regulators will highlight in a couple of years. Smart shoppers can enjoy them today often at thousands less than the cost of buying new. Browse our latest selection here: Shop Our Inventory.

Value That Lasts

Since the new safety criteria won’t apply until 2027, a used car you buy now won’t lose its credibility on resale. In fact, vehicles already equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems may hold their value even better as demand for those features grows. Thinking ahead about equity? See what your current vehicle is worth: Value Your Trade.

We Help You Shop Smart

Our team can also help you identify which models in our inventory already include features that align with the next generation of safety standards.

Prefer to get a head start from home? You can streamline your visit by starting a secure financing application in minutes: Apply for Financing.

The Bottom Line

The NHTSA’s delay in updating safety ratings may sound like a technical detail, but here’s what it really means: today’s used cars remain a safe, reliable, and value-packed choice. With many pre-owned vehicles already equipped with features regulators will soon highlight, there has never been a better time to consider buying used.

Next step: Explore our certified pre-owned options, schedule a test drive, and let our team help you find a vehicle that fits your budget and your peace of mind.

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A Simple Guide To Help Get You The Most Value

Trading in your vehicle can be one of the easiest ways to move into your next car. We make the process clear, professional, and stress-free so you can spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time enjoying your next ride.

Step 1: Bring the Right Documentation

When you’re ready to trade in your car, a little preparation goes a long way. Having the right paperwork on hand helps us process your trade quickly and ensures everything is handled smoothly.

What to bring:

• Vehicle Title (or payoff information if you’re still making payments)

• Current Registration & Insurance

• Maintenance or Service Records (if available)

• Spare Keys, Remotes & Owner’s Manual

Having these items ready keeps the process fast and organized, so you can trade with confidence.

Step 2: A Quick Refresh

Before bringing your car in, take a few minutes to clear out your personal belongings. Check the glove box, door pockets, trunk, and under the seats—you’d be surprised what can hide away over the years.

In the excitement of driving away in your new car, it’s easy to forget something important like sunglasses, garage door openers, or even paperwork you’ve tucked away. Taking a quick moment now means you’ll have everything you need with you, and nothing gets left behind.

Step 3: Get a Professional Appraisal

Once you’re ready, bring your car to us for a professional appraisal. Our trained team will look at your vehicle’s condition, mileage, and market demand, then provide you with a fair, real-world offer.

Unlike selling privately, you won’t have to meet with strangers, negotiate back and forth, or worry about safe payment. Everything is handled in one secure, professional setting—usually the same day.

Step 4: Review Your Options

After your appraisal, you’ll have a clear offer in hand. From there, it’s your choice how to move forward:

• Trade In Toward Your Next Vehicle
  Apply your trade-in value directly toward your purchase and drive away with less to finance.

• Sell Your Car to Us
  Not ready to buy just yet? That’s fine too. You can simply sell us your vehicle and leave with an offer you can trust.

Either way, you’ll avoid the stress of listing your car online, handling phone calls, or arranging meetings.

Why Trade In With Us?

Trading your car should feel simple and stress-free—and that’s exactly what we aim to provide. We make the process convenient from start to finish, so you can focus on what matters most: getting into your next vehicle with confidence.

• Fast & Simple – Most trade-ins are completed the same day.

• Professional Appraisals – Fair offers based on the market, not guesswork.

• Safe & Secure – No need to meet strangers or handle risky transactions.

• Trusted Process – From paperwork to payoff, we take care of the details.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re thinking about selling or trading your current car, we’re here to make it easy. You can schedule your trade-in appraisal today, or stop by to explore our used car inventory No matter what you decide, you’ll find the process simple, transparent, and tailored to you.

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