Dye Autos Denver Area Truck and Automotive Blog
The holiday season is upon us. As you might suspect, the holidays are, indeed, less safe than typical driving periods. According to a recent study, holidays see, on average, a 34% increase in crashes. Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve are even higher. You owe it to yourself, your family, your friends, and even other drivers on the road to dedicate yourself to driving safer during this holiday season.
We’ve compiled a list of holiday safe driving tips to mitigate mishaps and help you enjoy your holidays.
1. Avoid peak travel times.
AAA predicts Thanksgiving travel will be busiest in 12 years. With more travelers comes — you guessed it — more traffic. Travel times could be a whopping four times longer than usual. The worst congestion is expected in the evenings Thanksgiving week.
And the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, avoid if at all possible — it is historically the busiest travel day of the year.
The day before Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, and Christmas Eve tend to be the busiest travel days so avoid traveling during peak hours.
2. Leave early.
If you’re in a rush, or impose a strict time deadline, you’ll be inclined to drive faster or neglect certain safety standards to meet that deadline. Wake up a little earlier, manage your time, and don’t be afraid to be a little late if it means driving safer.
3. Buckle up.
A seat belt won’t prevent a collision, but it will save a life.
4. Stow your cell phone.
Many distractions exist while driving during the holidays. Cell phones are already top distraction because so many drivers use them for long periods of time each day but during the holiday, it’s even worse.
Almost everyone has seen a driver distracted by a cell phone, but when you are the one distracted, you often don’t realize that driver is you. Keep your phone stowed away so you’re not tempted. It can save your life!
5. Avoid eating while driving.
Everyone is busy during the holidays and everyone enjoys holiday food.
Finishing your breakfast or enjoying a holiday brownie on your way to pick up family from the airport may seem like a time-saver, but it means you are less attentive to the drivers around you. Food spills are a major cause of distraction.
6. Remain alert and awake.
If you feel any deviation in your normal levels of wakefulness or alertness, don’t drive. If you’re tired or distracted, your risk of being in a collision will increase. Don’t push through just because you want to get home faster. If you are drowsy, pull off the road. Even 20 minutes of sleep can help you feel more alert, and prepare you for a safer drive.
7. Avoid alcohol consumption.
This is the season for family get-togethers and company Christmas parties and if you think you might be tempted to let loose with a beverage or two, plan ahead.
Even a couple of drinks—which will likely put you below the legal limit for driving—can instantly double your risk of being involved in a collision. At and above the legal limit (0.08 BAC; 0.02 BAC if you’re under 21), your risk triples.
Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft make it super easy to avoid driving while you’re impaired.
8. Be prepared for an emergency.
If you are involved in an accident, it pays to have an emergency kit ready. This is especially important during winter months, when you’re more likely to be stranded (and when conditions are harsher). Make sure you have emergency flares and lighting, water, jumper cables, and a phone charger or other way to get help.
And finally, practice patience.
The holidays are a time to celebrate and spend time with loved ones. By planning ahead, driving safer and having a little extra patience when out on the road, you can ensure that this holiday season is a safe and happy one with plenty of comfort and joy.
If it’s a truck you wanna buy, you’d better call Dye!
Call us at (303) 286-1665.
We’re heading into the winter months and as Thanksgiving is just around the corner, people often reflect on the things they’re thankful for. It may sound crazy but there are pretty good reasons to be thankful for your pickup truck.
1. Your Pickup Truck Handles It All.
All it takes is a couch or armoire that needs to be moved from “here” to “there,” and next thing you know, you’re thinking you really should own a pickup truck. There are so many other activities that a pickup truck is perfect for:
- Trucks are the perfect weekend adventure vehicle.
- Trucks have the power to tow whatever you need.
- Trucks haul everything from groceries to lumber to tools.
- Trucks are a camper’s dream.
- Pickup trucks help you work hard and when it’s time to relax, they help you do that too!
Think of all the incredibly cool things you could be doing with a pickup truck that are impossible with the car you might be driving now.
2. Your Family Rides in Safety Without Sacrificing Luxury
While all vehicles these days are loaded with safety technologies such as airbags and side impact beams, driving a pickup truck is still a safer bet. Why? Sitting up high offers great visibility of the road and other drivers.
Most pickup trucks are heavier than a coupe or sedan and many SUVs. Physics will tell you that when two objects collide, mass does matter. Pickup trucks are the larger of the two vehicles, thereby increasing the chance that you’ll walk away unharmed.
“In its studies, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that a heavier vehicle will typically push a lighter one backward during the impact,” explains Edmunds.com. “As a result, there is less force on the occupants of the heavier vehicle and more on those in the lighter vehicle, according to IIHS. The organization’s fatality data bears this out.”
Today’s pickup trucks come with all the creature comforts you see on luxury car models.
If you have a family or want to take a group of people with you, you don’t have to contend with cramped rear seats. Models with cabs make it easy for adults to get in and out. The middle rear seat isn’t some pathetic cushion only large enough for a teddy bear – it can accommodate a full-grown adult.
Legroom, headroom and shoulder room are also ample, which is a luxury you just don’t get in many vehicles.
3. You Can Make Extra Money with Your Pickup Truck
Pickups are the BEST vehicles to own for a side hustle or a small business.
From hauling to delivering, a pickup truck is a versatile piece of equipment that’s got plenty of business opportunities…if you just get a little creative.
Many people are already paying for a pickup truck and even though dealers like us at Dye Autos have lots of affordable pickups, it’s still a monthly expense. But using the following money-making ideas, your pickup can pay for itself – plus some!
You can even turn some of these into a lucrative side hustle or small business for part or full-time income.
- Get paid to haul stuff away
- Provide local business deliveries
- Haul building supplies
- Make garage sale deliveries
- Offer landscaping services
- Snow plowing service
- Large appliance repair pickup and delivery
‘Tis the Season to Give Thanks…
Pickup trucks are invaluable. Anyone who’s been stuck in the snow, needed to haul stuff, or uses their truck for work understands the benefits of driving one. As we take time this year to give thanks, don’t forget to include your trusty pickup truck!
Pickup trucks are affordable. Used pickup truck models are especially affordable and often retain their value. At Dye Autos, we’ve got a large inventory of affordable pickup trucks for every budget.
Are you ready to take advantage of all these pickup truck benefits? Call us at (303) 286-1665.
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Photo credit: State Farm
Halloween is a fun time of year for kids (and adults). It can also mean smashed windows, slashed tires, scratched paint or worse for pickup truck owners, because someone pushed their tricks a little too far.
According to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), approximately 81% more vehicle vandalism claims occur on October 31st than the average.
Protect your pickup truck.
Help prevent slashed tires, smashed windows, and deliberate car damage on Halloween — and every other day of the year—with these tips:
1. Check your surroundings.
Where you park your pickup truck affects the likelihood of it being vandalized.
- At home? Park in your garage.
- If you don’t have a garage, install motion lights that will deter vandals and alert you and neighbors to activity near your vehicle or driveway.
- Away from home? Park in a well-lit, populated area—preferably a gated lot or secure parking garage. For added protection, park away from objects that could help conceal vandals, such as large vehicles, dumpsters, big trees or shrubbery.
2. Eliminate temptations.
Remove valuables and any evidence of them from your vehicle. For example, clean GPS suction rings off your windshield, remove stereo faceplates, and store cell phone chargers in the center console.
Remove objects from the truck bed or top racks. If you own a truck or other vehicle with an exposed bed, remove all objects from the rear cargo area. If you have toolboxes or locking covers for your truck bed, double check to make sure they are secure. Thieves and pranksters can simply and easily take advantage of anything left in site.
3. Lockdown.
If you are not in the habit of locking your truck, take special precautions on Halloween night. If your truck is equipped with an alarm system, ensure that it’s armed and ready.
It’s also an excellent idea to make sure your windows are closed all the way to avoid additional ways in, or anything from getting inside of your vehicle. If you do not have a locking garage available, it’s best to park in your driveway or as near to your house as possible.
4. Have a gameplan to protect your truck’s paint.
Halloween is a good reminder that protecting your pickup truck’s paint is good practice all year long.
If you drive a newer vehicle, you might not have to worry too much (but hey, why tempt fate?). In the past 10 years, automakers have developed clearcoat paint specifically designed to resist the type of acid that comes from eggs and pumpkin guts.
If you drive an older truck (or just want to keep your truck looking good), there are steps you can take to protect it from Halloween pranks.
- Wax on. The week before Halloween is a perfect time to wax your pickup truck. Get yourself on a regular 2-3 month wax schedule so you can protect your truck from all the other types of road grime all year long.
- Take cover. Shield your pickup against finish-destroying man-made and natural hazards. Also, covers act as excellent theft deterrents.
- Keep your hose ready. If your pickup truck gets hit on Halloween night, immediately rinse off any solid residue such as eggshells. (The heat of the sun speeds up chemical reactions and can severely harm the paint). Then, most importantly and as soon as possible, give your truck a thorough washing.
- Be prepared to clean off any small mess quickly. Keep a small spray bottle of water mixed with a dedicated car-washing soap handy. A spray-on car wax will also work well. Then, whenever you find a contaminant on the paint—whether it’s the morning after Halloween or after a bird dropping at the beach—you can spray the solution on the car, and wipe away the mess with a soft towel. Even if you can’t remove it right away, just spraying the solution on the mess will dilute the acid and minimize damage, if there is any.
- Pro Tip: If you’ve accidentally left the offending substance on your truck, go see a professional detailer right away. They have special tricks of their own to make your truck look new again.
Halloween is a fun time of year. These tips will help make it worry-free so you and your family can enjoy yourselves.
Have you been thinking about buying a pickup truck for yourself? Give Dye Autos a call at (303) 286-1665 and we’ll help make this your best Halloween ever!
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Halloween is right around the corner. Any Halloween fan who owns a pickup truck or car knows that, with a little imagination and willingness to let your creativity fly, a Halloween Trunk or Treat is an awesome way to celebrate!
The usual trick-or-treating is always a fun time with the little ones, but if you’re tired of hiking around several miles in the bitter cold just to get your kids some Snickers and cheap suckers, you might consider a Trunk or Treat instead.
You may have heard about a “Trunk or Treat” and wondered what it is. This activity is a safe and fun alternative (or addition) to the traditional trick or treat for Halloween. Think of Trunk or Treat as a Halloween tailgate party.
Instead of kids going door-to-door to get candy, they walk through a parking lot and go trunk-to-trunk. The trunk of your car or the bed of your truck becomes your front porch!
These events are usually hosted by groups, such as a church or school, but can be community organized as well.
What makes a Trunk or Treat appealing to parents, especially with young children?
- Parents often feel it’s safer than going door-to-door
- You avoid many of the scarier costumes and decorations
- It’s easier on the littlest children as they don’t have to walk as far.
Participants will usually decorate their trunks or truck beds with Halloween décor and some will even create games or activities where the kids can win prizes in addition to candy, of course. Check local community calendars or talk to friends and neighbors to find a trunk or treat event near you.
5 trunk or treat ideas for your best Halloween ever!
A Trunk or Treat is actually even more fun than it sounds.
Kids come in hundreds, fully dressed in Halloween costumes and hold out bags or plastic pumpkins for treats. The adults get to socialize and be creative while seeing all the cute and scary costumes.
While a Trunk or Treat doesn’t necessarily take the place of a traditional Halloween romp around your neighborhood, you might just find that it’s a better alternative. Who knows? You may never go door-to-door again.
You can’t do a Trunk or Treat without a great ride so give us a call at (303) 286-1665 and we’ll help make this your best Halloween ever!
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A pickup truck is a great thing to have. It’s convenient for home improvement projects and “Honey Do’s.” It’s your sidekick when you go camping. It’s a super comfortable way to transport the family for short trips or long distances. But have you thought about the ways you can make extra money with your pickup truck?
Pickups are the BEST vehicles to own for a side hustle or a small business.
From hauling to delivering, a pickup truck is a versatile piece of equipment that’s got plenty of business opportunities…if you just get a little creative.
Many people are already paying for a pickup truck and even though dealers like us at Dye Autos have lots of affordable pickups, it’s still a monthly expense. But using the following money-making ideas, your pickup can pay for itself – plus some!
You can even turn some of these into a lucrative side hustle or small business for part or full-time income.
1. Get paid to haul stuff away.
Lots of businesses need you to get rid of stuff they don’t need!
Old inventory, broken furniture, dingy office file cabinets, outdated electronics, or even just trash could provide the perfect opportunity for you to make some money.
Pick up what the businesses don’t need and take it to the local recycling center for a fee.
People in your neighborhood also need you, especially if they’re in the process of remodeling their home or going through their storage areas to prepare for a yard sale.
2. Local business deliveries.
Small local businesses could use your help to deliver their products locally. Think flower delivery or mattress delivery. Maybe there are some antique shops in town that can benefit from a person with a pickup who can deliver some larger items to customers?
Or, maybe a pool store could use an extra delivery person to bring materials to a residence.
Check with local businesses and let them know what you can do to help.
3. Wrap your pickup truck.
Make extra money with your pickup truck by using it to advertise a product or service. Using your vehicle as a moving billboard helps to bring exposure to the product, brand, or service advertised.
Check out the many vehicle advertisement companies that pay you handsomely to advertise on your truck. Some of them can even pay you more just to drive your truck to specified high traffic area.
There are many companies that pay pickup truck owners to advertise or promote products or brands. Some contracts with these companies run for 3 to 6 months. One of them is Carvertise and you can check them out here.
4. Haul building supplies.
If you’ve ever visited a building site, there are tons (literally) of materials there. Small construction companies might want to pay for your private delivery services instead of using a large company that may charge more.
You can bring large materials to and from residential and commercial construction zones.
You might consider being available for the cleanup process when it’s time to bring leftover materials to the recycling or trash center.
Now it’s worth noting that there are already lots of businesses that offer this service, but the service only exists because there is a demand for it.
5. Garage sale deliveries.
This is one of the more interesting ways to make extra money with your pickup truck…and it’s a great way to build a client base!
- Be on the lookout for garage sales in your area. This could be signs around town, the nextdoor app, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
- Let people know that you will handle their deliveries for them.
- Print a flier or business cards and bring them with you on the day of the garage sale.
- The host can tell their customers about your service when they purchase.
Your service will allow the host to sell more items than they would have because people are more apt to buy when they don’t have to worry about hauling it.
It’s a pretty convenient service to offer. Customers can arrive and do their shopping regardless of their mode of transportation.
6. Offer landscaping services.
As most of us agree, yard work can be time consuming and not always fun.
You can use pickup truck to accomplish basic jobs to regular yard maintenance work like mowing, weeding, pruning, mulching, etc. You might even start a small landscaping service.
Either way, your pickup truck can definitely come in handy for transporting flowers, dirt, rocks, and other landscaping materials.
This type of service can work year-round, like hauling bags of leaves in the fall or plowing snow in the winter!
And speaking of snow….
7. Snow plowing services.
Residents and businesses in the Denver/Wheat Ridge area need you.
This would actually be a truck-based business because it would require an investment in a snow plow attachment for your truck. It could cost one or two thousand dollars, but that’s not too crazy if you are planning on several winter’s worth of snow plowing.
Get the word out by going through the suburbs door-to-door with your services, put up an advertisement at the local gas station or Craigslist, and even use social media share pictures of your work.
8. Large appliance repair pickup and delivery.
Large appliances, like refrigerators and washing machines, sometimes need to be sent off for repair.
But the average person doesn’t have a vehicle large enough to hold them, which means they’ll have to pay extra for transportation.
Here’s where you come in with your truck to save the day!
You can also check with local rental centers and stores that sell appliances to see if they might need a backup delivery person for busy days.
9. Find pickup truck jobs on Shipperoo
Shipperoo is a website where you can apply to make your pickup truck work for you.
You are connected to businesses or individuals who need your truck to move, transport, or haul their equipment, goods, or products from one place to another.
Shipperoo matches you with shippers. Click here to check out Shipperoo
10. Join TaskRabbit to offer delivery services.
The Sharing Economy is upon us so why not leverage it to make extra money with your pickup truck?
Start ‘tasking’ and earn money your way. You’ll be someone’s hero and earn money by helping people.
- The App notifies of potential jobs nearby
- Select the one you want to complete
- Confirm details with your client
- Complete the work and submit your invoice
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for an affordable pickup truck, give us a call at (303) 286-1665 and check us out online at www.dyeautos.com. We’ve helped thousands of people get into the truck of their dreams!
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