Renewing Your Registration in Nebraska
Part of being a car owner is the regular practice of renewing your vehicle’s registration. In Nebraska, you must carry a current registration certificate in your car and display a current sticker on your license plate, so this is something fairly important that you, as a driver, should be aware of. The process for updating your registration is fairly similar, but will differ slightly state to state. To make your life a bit easier, we thought we’d collect the info you need to update your Registration in Nebraska here on our Harchelroad Motors blog. Remember, if you have any questions you can always consult your state’s DMV website and they’ll have more detailed information for you there.
By way of mail you will receive a registration renewal notice from The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) BEFORE your car registration expires. The notice will list the fees and taxes you must pay in order to renew your registration. If you didn’t get yours, be sure to contact the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible so that you can continue to drive your vehicle legally. Once you have your renewal notice, you can proceed to update your registration in one of three ways.
You can renew your Nebraska DMV registration:
- Online.
- By mail.
- In person.
Online Renewal:
- Your renewal notice OR your current vehicle registration certificate.
- A form of payment for the applicable fee
Once you send in your application online your new vehicle registration card and license plate sticker will arrive at your address currently on file with the DMV within 5 business days. If you haven’t received your registration documents, you can check the status of your order by contacting the DMV.
It’s also important to note that there are a few circumstances in which you would not be able to complete your registration update online.
Ineligible Vehicles:
- Vehicles that have certain license plates affixed:
• Amateur radio license plates.
• Pearl Harbor survivor license plates. - Vehicles that have a tax-exempt status.
- Vehicles used for farm and commercial purposes that are registered for over 27 tons.
- Vehicles whose registration has been expired 1 year or more.
By Mail or In Person:
- The bottom portion of your renewal notice, OR your current registration card.
- Proof of financial responsibility, such as a certificate of insurance.
- Payment for your fee. (See “NE Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees” below.)
Send or take the documents listed above and payment to the county treasurer office, the address is provided on your renewal notice. Much like the online application, you will receive your updated registration by mail at the address provided on your information.
NE Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees
Nebraska vehicle registration fees and taxes vary based on several factors, including:
- The age of your vehicle.
- The value of your vehicle.
- The county where your car is registered.
Your total registration renewal fee is a combination of motor vehicle tax and various other fees:
- Motor vehicle tax.
- Based on value and county.
- Motor vehicle fee.
- Based on value, weight, and use of vehicle.
- Registration fees.
- State and county fees.
When you purchase a new or used vehicle from Harchelroad Motors of Imperial and Wauneta make sure you keep up with your vehicle registration! If you’re looking for a new vehicle, stop by and we’ll be happy to find you your next vehicle.
Specials to FALL in Love With
Fall is the season for a WHOLE BUNCH of family-friendly activities and adventures! The trick to having the perfect fall adventure is to have the best possible ride to get it all done!
So if you’re looking for a smooth ride to enjoy the beautiful change in the foliage the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze LT is a beautiful option and can be bought for $19,336! That’s a pretty sweet deal! Perhaps you’re looking to bring home a bunch of apples for that apple pie grandma always makes for the family! You’ll want to check out our 2017 Buick Envision Essence which can be bought for just $36,535! You’ll definitely fit a barrel or two of apples in there!
Maybe you’re looking to step up your pumpkin picking game? Want to find the Great Pumpkin and make all of your neighbors envious? Check out the 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD LT Crew at the insanely low price of $38,138! Or perhaps you’ve got a LOT of friends who want to pick up A LOT of pumpkins and need a bit more seating to accommodate? Check out the 2018 Chevy Traverse 3LT which you can buy for $42,585! Adventuring in comfort is well worth it with these savings! So if fall is getting you thinking of changing up your ride, stop by Harchelroad Motors of Imperial and Wauneta! We’ll get you behind the wheel of a vehicle that will have you FALLing head over Wheels!
Eyes On the Back Of Your Chevy
There are so many different things to focus on when you’re driving that it becomes impossible to focus on all of it by yourself unless you have about 4 pairs of eyes. The good news is that if safety features are your main concern as a driver, parent, or just as a person, the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has a variety of safety features to keep you safe so you don’t have quite so much to focus on at once.
Typically when you’re looking at a crossover, you’re looking for comfort and convenience, and unfortunately, sometimes safety is overlooked. The all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox provides all the fun features you’d expect and all the safety features you need. Keeping its passengers safe is a priority for the Equinox. Offering a suite of active safety technologies and adaptive crash-avoidance features that will have you and even your teen driver feeling safer behind the wheel. Teen Driver technology allows parents to set certain vehicle controls and review an in-vehicle report card with their teens, helping to encourage safe driving habits, making safety features a teaching tool.
“The Chevrolet Equinox ramps up its awareness and protection capability with an even broader range of available technologies designed to assist drivers in everyday situations,” said Ray Kiefer, General Motors Active Safety technical fellow. “From daily driving to parking and crash avoidance, it can help the occupants avoid trouble altogether.”
There are a variety of available advanced active safety features that use radar and camera-based technologies to improve awareness on the road for drivers of all kinds. These technologies can provide warnings about potential threats which will help the driver react accordingly a bit quicker than they would have without these technologies.
Some of these features include:
- New Safety Alert Seat
- New Surround Vision
- New Forward Collision Alert with Following Distance Indicator
- New Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking
- New Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- New Rear Seat Reminder
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
With its new stronger body structure and advanced driver safety assistance features the 2018 Chevy Equinox is ready for just about anything. Adding to the already impressive features, the Surround Vision technology is a new feature that allows you to see the Equinox from a bird’s-eye view of your vehicle which will help drivers more confidently maneuver when reversing, parking or trailering. If you don’t have Surround Vision, no worries. This year the rear-vision camera system is now a standard feature for all Chevy models!
All of these new and exciting technologies don’t, however, eliminate the need for the more traditional safety features so you will also find six standard airbags, including frontal driver and passenger airbags; roof rail-mounted head curtain side airbags that help protect the front and outboard rear seating positions; and front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags.
Additional safety features include:
- Front passenger seat occupant sensing system; rollover sensing and protection system
- Collapsible pedal assembly to help protect against lower-extremity injuries
- Three-point safety belts in all five seating positions, safety belt retractor pretensioners and lap pretensioners in the driver- and front-passenger positions, and front safety belt load limiters
- LATCH child seat latching system in the rear seat
- Tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lamps
- All of the Equinox’s crash-avoiding and passenger-protecting technologies are built into a stronger body structure that incorporates high-strength steel in key areas to help prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.
To check out the 2018 Chevy Equinox or other Chevy models, stop by Harchelroad Motors of Imperial and Wauneta today! We’ll be happy to help you find your next vehicle!
I Don’t Have a Decoder Ring For This!
I often feel like I’m lost in a foreign country where I do not know the language when I’m trying to decode my car’s dashboard. Like, I know that it’s trying to tell me something…something that is very likely important, but I have no idea what it is. For all I know, it could be saying that Timmy fell down the well. WHO’S to say! As it turns out, your handy dandy owner’s manual, that’s who. I come from the generation of, meh I’ll figure it out as I go. Turns out there is a WAY easier way that we have been totally overlooking. If you also struggle with the meaning of these somewhat obscure symbols flashing on your dashboard and don’t seem to have the decoder ring you require to figure it out, allow me to help you with this handy guide.
1. Engine Temperature warning light
- What it looks like: A squiggly boat
- What it means: Your engine is too hot.
2. Tire Pressure Warning Light
- What it looks like: A cauldron filled with very exciting soup
- What it means: One or more of your tires needs to be inflated a wee bit.
3. Oil Pressure Warning
- What it looks like: A genie’s lamp
- What it means: Your engine is running low on oil, or there is an issue with your car’s oil pressure system.
4. Traction Control
- What it looks like: A ribbon dancing sedan
- What it means: The car’s traction control system is engaged
5. Engine Warning
- What it looks like: a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine
- What it means: It could be any number of things, but the most common issues include:
- Your Oxygen (O2) Sensor needs replacing
- Gas cap is loose, damaged or missing
- Catalytic Converter needs replacing
- Mass Airflow Sensor needs replacing (MAF)
- Spark Plugs or Plug Wires need replacing
6. Battery Alert
- What it looks like: A math lego.
- What it means: The car’s charging system is short of power. You are running solely on battery.
7. Fuel Indicator Symbol
- What it looks like: An ATM Fighting a cobra
- What it means: Your car is running low on fuel
8. Airbag Indicator
- What it looks like: A poodle with a ball on its back
- What it means: One of your airbags, or the airbag system, in general, may have an issue
9. Fog Lamp Indicator
- What it looks like: A Jellyfish holding a rope
- What it means: Your fog lights are on
10. Traction Control Malfunction
- Slightly deconstructed deathly hallows.
- What it means: There is an issue with your Anti-skid system
Hopefully, this was helpful to you. Should your vehicle display any of these warning lights, stop by Harchelroad Motors of Imperial and Wauneta today and we’ll get your car back on the road in no time!
Teaching Your Teen Driver With Technology
As a parent, having your teen out on the road is one of the most nerve-wracking things! You know that you can’t hold onto them forever, but it doesn’t make it easier when they start taking their first steps out of the nest. Fortunately, Chevy has teen driver technology that allows my kids to have the freedom they want without me having to feel like I’m just sending them off into the world.
I trust my child and know that they will make safe choices, by the truth of the matter is that drivers between the age of 16 and 19 have a driving fatality rate three times higher than drivers over the age of 20. So for this reason, Chevy’s Teen Driver Technology is actually saving lives out there.
Using the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze, which has the latest MyLink system that features the Teen Driver technology, as an example, let’s take a look at some of the features you can expect to keep your teen safe. The Teen Driver system is included at no extra cost on this particular model. The Cruze also has several additional safety features including forward collision, rear cross traffic, and lane change alerts as part of the “driver confidence package.” To set up Teen Driver features for your vehicle all you have to do is go into your MyLink settings and create a PIN code and key for your Teen Driver. This will create the limits for that particular driver. This way if you have more than one teen (God bless you) the settings will be individualized for each teen.
These settings allow you to limit the vehicle speed by setting a maximum volume limit. You can even create a speed warning for the driver at a specific speed between 40 and 75 mph to remind them to slow things down a bit. In addition to these custom settings, the system will mute the audio until all passengers have fastened their seatbelts and does not allow any safety features such as traction control or lane keep assist (on equipped models) to be disabled.
The only true speed limiting setting will not allow the driver to go over 85 mph, which hopefully isn’t an issue in the first place. The Chevrolet MyLink system also keeps track of driving habits and can create a driving “report card” for your teen so that you can keep tabs on how they are doing. All of the available technology could certainly help a younger driver be more aware on the road, and their own driving habits all while providing parents like myself the peace of mind they need.
Distracted driving isn’t something to take lightly. It can happen to anyone, which is why it is so important to reinforce good driving habits when your teen is still learning. Many may feel like a feature like Teen Driver removes any trust a parent may have for their child. But really, this isn’t a matter of not trusting your child. It’s a matter of having and using the tools to provide your teen with a safe driving experience and help them develop healthy driving skills as they go!
To check out the Chevy Cruze and Teen Driver Technology, or any other Chevy vehicle, stop by Harchelroad Motors of Imperial and Wauneta today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and get you a test drive so that you can see these incredible features at work for yourself!
It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Forgets Gas
I can’t even begin to stress the importance of proper planning when you are taking a long road trip. Seriously, a nice trip can take a SHARP left turn into We-Messed-Up-Ville really fast! A few weeks ago, my friends and I decided to go on a road trip to celebrate the last few weeks of summer before college started up again. We were just really excited to get going, and figured we would wing it. Winging it is 1000% the one thing we should not have done.
We set off on our weekend of fun, in my newly acquired 2017 Chevy Cruze hatchback, not a care in the world. We had a vague idea of where we wanted to go, but no real set destination, just see where the road took us. We had several changes of clothes, some sneakers, blankets, pillows, snacks…road trip things. We were on top of the world. We managed to arrive at a campground and decided that even though we didn’t have any tent sleeping outside would be a lovely idea. It would have been if it didn’t rain. So we all piled into the Cruze, arranged the seating as best we could and slept in the car. It worked out surprisingly well considering there were 3 adult women attempting to sleep in there.
After our impromptu camping, we stopped at a few restaurants, and parks on our way and had a lot of fun. Things were significantly less fun, however, when we were on our way home. Somehow we forgot that filling up on gas was a thing we needed to do. It would have been fine if we didn’t hit traffic on the highway. There must have been some kind of crazy accident because we were in bumper to bumper traffic for over an hour, at which point we noticed that our gas tank was at E. We were in the middle left lane of four lane traffic and moving towards the outside wasn’t an option, and unless we wanted to take some risks with some guard rails, escaping to the left was decidedly not an option either.
All we could do was keep going and hope that we could somehow get over and find an exit before the tank completely emptied. It was a waiting game NONE of us wanted to play. We were doing well. There was an exit in sight and we were making strides to get over to that exit….until the car started slowing even when the gas pedal was to the floor…nothing. We ran out of juice. It was done, man. Game over. We were sitting in the middle of traffic, no gas and all we could do was sit and wait till the traffic cleared and we could get the car over to the shoulder or have a tow truck come save us.
The moral of this supremely humiliating story: remember to fill up your tank! Your vehicle may have incredible mileage, but friend, YOU STILL NEED GAS TO DRIVE. Heed my words friends. Try to plan better than we did. It will never hurt you to be prepared.
We Hear You Like Trucks. We Also Like Trucks!
So, I hear you like trucks. I too, like trucks. So, why should you like this truck? Specifically the Chevy Silverado 1500? Well, I have a list of reasons a mile long…no…LONGER. It is, in fact, a pretty sweet truck. So why should YOU like it. Take this journey with me, friend. See for yourself, the excellence of this particular truck.
1) Strong & Efficient Base EngineThe engine is mighty powerful. Stronger than many horses, thus the impressive horsepower of 285 horsepower with 305 pound-feet of torque. When equipped with the V-6 engine, the truck becomes a quite efficient daily-driver. You can expect to get an admirable 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the open road.
2) Pulls a Sizable LoadHow many things do you have? The Silverado 1500 can haul all of them. Ok, maybe not all of them but like 12,500lbs worth of things. That is a lot of things. That’s approximately 8,333 1 ½ lb burritos…THAT IS SO MANY BURRITOS!
3) Rugged Z71 PackageOh, so you’re a tough guy? You like tough things? BEHOLD THE TOUGHEST THING! The rugged Z71 package makes this truck so tough, prison looks like a preschool. Ok, maybe that’s a bit intense…but it can handle any terrain with ease!
4) Smooth Driving DynamicsDo you also like butter? Well this truck drives as smooth as butter. It handles the road like a boss!
5) Stylish TrimsThe 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has an attention-grabbing appearance. It will actually grab your attention right out of thin air and put it on this truck. IT WILL TAKE YOUR ATTENTION! ALL OF IT!
6) New Teen Driver ModeGot teens? It’s cool, we’ve got technology for that! Chevy’s new Teen Driver mode will give parents a greater sense of control. Not only can the system monitor a teen’s driving habits and set a speed limit, but it can also track their whereabouts. We’re ALL ABOUT SAFETY!
7) Impressive High-Tech ComponentsTechnology! HA! This truck is a high tech robot that will totally NOT take over our civilization! It will only improve it with features like Chevy’s MyLink touch-screen interface, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and an impressive Bose sound system so that ALL of your beats can be SICK!
10) Family-Friendly Crew Cab ModelSo we established that you may have teens? What about tiny tots? WELL, The crew cab version of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a great choice for families. SO MUCH SPACE FOR ACTIVITIES and your kids various toys and such!
The moral of the story is that the 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 is THE BEST most excellent truck, in my opinion, and perhaps in yours too! Stop by Harchelroad Motors TODAY for a test drive and to find out more about this magnificent creature!
Check Engine Fright
Every time the check engine light comes on there tends to be a pretty universal feeling of panic. So we worry about this light coming on, but what does it mean? Well, the check engine light is part of your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD) system. Computers have control and monitor vehicle performance, regulating such variables as engine speed (RPM), fuel mixture, and ignition timing, and may even tell the automatic transmission when to shift.
Your check engine light has two speeds- constant and blinking. The light will either flash or stay constant depending on the severity of the problem. If the light is steady the problem is not an emergency, but you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. A blinking light usually indicates a severe engine misfire. If this happens, stop your vehicle and get it checked as soon as possible. Either way, you should have the vehicle checked by one of our qualified service technicians at Harchelroad Motors as soon as possible.
So now that there is a way to identify the severity of the problem, so what do you do when the light does come on? The first and most logical step is to stop driving as soon as humanly possible. Look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention. See if there are any indications on your dashboard that there is low oil pressure or overheating. If you see these things, please don’t try to drive your car and call to have it towed.
If none of those indicators are present, try tightening your gas cap. This will typically solve the problem. Keep in mind that it may take several trips before the light resets. Some vehicles have a separate indicator that warns of a loose gas cap before the condition sets off the check engine light. If tightening the gas cap fails, try to reduce your speed and load. If the check engine light is blinking or you notice any serious performance problems, like loss of power, reduce your speed and try to reduce the load on the engine. If for example, you are towing something, it may be best to unload. Have the car checked as soon as possible to prevent expensive damage.
Take the vehicle to a professional. When your check engine light comes on it will generate a code that, when scanned, let you know where the source of the issue is. While there are ways to scan the code yourself, the solutions to the problems indicated are not always easy fixes. To get the best care and certified parts and service you should have the vehicle diagnosed by a qualified service technician directly who can tell what’s wrong and fix it.
So now we have a bit of a better understanding of what your check engine light means. So if you want to avoid a situation like this, you can stay ahead of vehicle problems by having these things checked regularly:
• The conditions of the battery and charging system are critical to the proper operation of the electronic control system. Both should be routinely checked by measuring cranking and engine running battery voltage
• Make sure the battery rating meets at least the minimum cranking amperage (CA or CCA) requirement for your vehicle
• The fan/alternator or serpentine belt on your vehicle is an integral part of the charging system. Belts should be inspected for signs of wear and proper adjustment
• Loose or corroded cable ends may prevent your battery from maintaining a full state of charge
To Lease or Not To Lease, That Is The Question!
Is leasing right for me? This is a question that is on the rise in this day and age. Young people, in particular, are more likely to rent homes and lease cars than they are to make purchases so it’s good to understand why leasing may or may not be the right choice for you. With a short quiz provided below we can get a better idea if leasing is the right choice for you.
With a few quick questions, we can answer that question for you:
1. How far do you drive?The standard lease contract allows for 12,000 miles a year or 36,000 miles for a typical three-year lease. If you drive farther than your allowed miles, you will have to pay 20 cents for each additional mile at the end of the lease. So if you’re not someone who does a lot of driving or only really drives short distances, a lease may be the perfect option for you.
2. Do you use your car for business?If you are perhaps a CEO, real estate agent, or lawyer and are looking to show up to impress clients with a luxury vehicle, a lease may be what you’re looking for. Your lease payments might qualify as a tax deduction write off! Check in with your accountant and then stop over to Harchelroad Motors of Imperial & Wauneta and we’ll be happy to set you up with a sweet ride!
3. How clean do you keep your car?A leased car is not for someone who likes to use and abuse their vehicles. Don’t get me wrong, lease contracts allow for your average wear and tear, but if your definition of average wear and tear involves unidentifiable stains, tears, and dents, maybe leasing isn’t for you. With the average lease contract running about 3 years, that’s a lot of time to make a healthy mess of your car, so really take that into consideration before leasing.
4. Do you like to customize?A leased car should be returned in both the condition and style in which you got it. This means that if you like to modify and customize your cars, you’ll need to take all of your modifications off your car before returning it. If that’s not your style, leasing might not be for you.
5. Are you short on cash but strong on credit?Leasing is a low commitment option, it’s more of a “pay as you go” form of car ownership. If you have strong credit you can start a lease with $0 down and still have lower payments than if you bought the car. Remember, it’s only for 3 years so you’ll have to either get a new lease after that, or buyout that car.
6. Do you love driving the newest model?As mentioned previously, leasing is a low commitment driving option. So if you like to have the latest and greatest, without having to constantly spend ALL of your money, leasing is for you!
7. Are you comfortable always having a car payment?One advantage of buying a car is that you will eventually not have car payments. The downside is the payments up until that point can be quite high. If however, you don’t mind always having car payments as long as those payments are lower, leasing might be your go to!
So what did we learn? Is leasing right for you? Whether it is or isn’t, you can stop by Harchelroad Motors of Imperial & Wauneta and we’ll be happy to go over our lease and finance options!
Getting Mom Through Your Driving Lessons
So you’ve just gotten your driver’s license and your mom has been a mess. I feel ya, friend, mine was too. Perhaps she’s been a bit on edge every time you mention going out on the road to practice. Any time you’re near the car the pitch of her voice raises an octave or two. It’s understandable, you’re her baby and she wants to be able to keep you safe and sound and the roads aren’t always as safe as she’d like them to be. So, if you want to help your mom make it through your driving lessons, follow these simple tips.
Step 1: Compliment your mom. She’ll need the emotional boost before getting in the car.
Step 2: Make a plan of your route with your mom. Perhaps you notice Mom has started hyperventilating, talk her through your route gently and give her a little hug. There, isn’t that better? She’s started breathing a bit more normally.
Step 3: Go over the specific road skills you’d like to work on today. Mom’s eyes have gone the size of saucers, but never fear as you explain how to perform the skills you’d like to work on, grab mom a chocolate bar, slowly pass it over to her and as she eats and calms down, ask her if she’s ready to get out on the road. She seems nervous, but it looks like she’s accepted.
Step 4: Now that you’ve gotten Mom into the car, praise her for how well she is doing. This was a big step for the two of you. Give her the map of your route and confirm that she knows where you will be going. Praise her one more time. GOOD JOB MOM.
Step 5: Check all of your mirrors, seat and steering wheel position to be sure everything is at the correct position. Mom was about to ask if you adjusted everything, but you beat her to it! Your thoroughness seems to have relaxed her slightly. Only slightly though. No sudden moves.
Step 6: Ask Mom if she’s ready to go. She may be clutching the door and armrest a bit, so put on some soft calming music in the background. Like really in the background. You don’t want it to be so loud that you can’t hear Mom, or you get distracted by the dulcet tones of Ed Sheeran. Once Mom’s death grip has loosened, you can start the car.
Step 7: Tell mom you’re going to start driving and back up VERY SLOWLY. She is still extremely skittish and you don’t want to startle her.
Step 8: Now that mom is engrossed in her task of giving you directions, she seems to have calmed down a bit more. The first stop sign has appeared and she is already trying to slam her foot through the floor, be sure to gently reassure her that you’ve got it under control. No use getting flustered along with her. Your calm will help calm her.
Step 9: You’ve finally reached your end destination, and Mom seems to have made it through ok. Go over what you worked on, what needs improvement still and what you want to go over on your next driving lesson. Praise her again and give her a big hug. This was a big step for Mom, and she made it!
Step 10: You’ve made it home safely, and mom is now napping after having such a big day. Now you can reward yourself by binge-watching Game of Thrones for several hours. You deserve it!
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