Common Blunders You Should Avoid When Purchasing Used Trucks in Portland

If you’re looking for a vehicle that can meet your light-duty towing, loading, and off-road transportation needs, the Chevrolet Silverado with 6.2-L V-8 can be your best bet. This 4 x 4 truck boasts of reasonably refined powertrains that provide sufficient muscles to take on heavy loads and conquer virtually all types of terrain. Inside the vehicle awaits multiple features that make driving safe, comfortable, and fun.

Because Chevrolet 6.2 is jam-packed with perks, the price of a brand new unit can be prohibitive, especially if you are purchasing on a budget. Luckily, there are dealerships in Portland that offer used trucks to give buyers affordable yet worthwhile options.

Buying a used truck, however, requires a slightly different approach when compared to buying a new truck, mainly because the vehicle’s quality has already diminished, along with all other reasons. Following are car buying mistakes that you need to avoid to make sure that the used truck you will buy has all the features you need.

Neglecting Inspection to Save Time

While you are expected to fork out less on a used truck, it is still a huge investment that is worth your time and attention. Invest time in inspection. Hire a mechanic to check every nook and cranny for dents, scratches, and other tiny details that can have a huge impact on the truck’s performance, durability, and safety.The fact that you don’t know the vehicle’s current condition makes inspection all the more necessary, so give it time. Inspection can reveal essential information, such as the vehicle’s accident history, replaced parts, repair works done, and maintenance issues.

Buying without Weighing

A Chevrolet 6.2 is perfect for carrying and towing a wide range of loads, from light groceries and camping tools to heavy construction materials. Despite this perk, it still pays to know the type and weight of cargo you will be using the truck for. Does the cargo bed have enough space for such load? Will it hold the weight without the engine or tires taking a huge toll? All these questions have to be answered before you even think about calling a dealership.

Taking Mileage Lightly

Gas mileage may seem trivial but it is actually a critical issue that you must never overlook when purchasing a used truck. You have to determine how much you will be using the truck and for how long. It wouldn’t be so much of an issue if you will be traveling short distances, but if you’ve planned on using this truck for long-distance towing from the beginning, you should rethink your options now. You may want to purchase a brand new unit instead. 

Forgetting the Past and Moving On

When it comes to buying a vehicle, especially a used truck, you should not be hasty to forget the past. Find out as much information about the truck’s history as possible before you finally make up your mind. Learn about how the previous owner used and took care of it and what type of detailing it underwent in the past. These pieces of information, no matter how inconsequential they may seem for you, are actually crucial, as they can keep you and other future passengers safe in every journey. 

To ensure that you will avoid these mistakes and succeed on your purchase, go to a car dealership instead of a private seller. Not only do dealerships like McLoughlin Chevrolet offer more options, but they also make sure their pre-owned vehicles have been thoroughly inspected and detailed before being made available on their lots. Also, there’s a chance that the original add-ons, including insurance and warranties, have also been preserved.

Sources:

3 Important Things to Consider When Buying A Used Truck, TheWeeklyDriver.com

Engine and Transmission, CarAndDriver.com

Putting Duramax and Power Stroke to the Test to Know Which Trucks for Sale Are Better

It’s easy to tell if a pickup truck is worth buying—it has a fuel-efficient engine, it can handle all kinds of terrain, and it’s equipped with safety features. While every prominent manufacturer claims that their trucks are built with the top-performing diesel engine, you cannot just take their word for it. The only way to be certain is to put their flagships to the test.

Today’s Bests

Two of the most sought-after diesel engine models today are GM’s Duramax 6.6L Diesel and Ford’s 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel. If you have the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD or any of Ford’s 2017 Super Duty series, you’ve probably heard of these engine models at least once or twice.  Both are jam-packed with a wealth of design features that have successfully overcome their previous shortcomings.

The power stroke diesel, for instance, now has a unique exhaust flow design that Ford claims could increase the thermal efficiency of the turbocharger. Duramax, on the other hand, now features an SAE-certified 445 horsepower (332 kW) and 910 lb.-ft. (1,234 Nm) that allows for easier, more confident hauling and trailering. If you aren’t tech-savvy enough, you can get lost in those figures.

Putting Them to the Test

Unless you see them in action, it’s hard to figure out how these improvements can actually make a difference to either car. Thankfully, there are actual tests done by Diesel Power, the world's largest and best-selling diesel enthusiast magazine and the leading source for diesel enthusiast tech, custom trucks, diesel events, new vehicle reviews, and more. Actually, a similar test was done before, which concluded in Duramax favor.

What Diesel Power recently did was a rematch and this time they added a twist in the race. They tested the strength of each vehicle by taking them over one of the toughest tows in America. Diesel Power somehow knew how the test was going to end but they held it anyway to know for sure. By the end of the race, it appeared that Duramax was still the better diesel engine.

The test data revealed that Chevy Silverado runs over 2 minutes faster than the Super Duty, leaving the latter behind by almost 10 meters, and accelerated toward 50 mph almost 14 seconds faster. The towing torture test was very real, which is why the results are incontestable. Duramax remains the king of the diesel engine world.

Other Perks to Enjoy

Chevy Silverado isn’t just a towing beast. It can also carry heavy loads without caving in or putting so much stress on the tires. The designers made sure that the car’s body can take as much pressure as its diesel engine can withstand. Simply put, the brawny figure of Silverado isn’t just skin-deep but in fact a complementary cladding to the well-built framework.

As the vehicle is expected to take on tremendous amounts of load, the tires are designed to conquer the road. Whether you drive them on the dusty roads or rocky plateaus of the countryside, the treads will take minimal damage and your truck will hold up. So if you are planning to buy trucks for sale soon, you better look at Chevy Silverado to make an investment that is guaranteed to yield return, and be sure to purchase it from a trusted dealership, such as McLoughlin Chevrolet.

Sources:

New Duramax 6.6L Diesel Introduced on 2017 Sierra HD, GMC.com

6.7L POWER STROKE DIESEL, PowerStrokeHub.com

NEW DURAMAX 6.6L DIESEL OFFERED ON 2017 SILVERADO HD, Chevrolet.com

Important Facts that You Need to Know before Purchasing Diesel Trucks in Portland

Are you planning on buying diesel trucks in Portland soon? Whether you need them for your business or for you day-to-day family activities, there’s so much you should learn about diesel trucks before making a purchase. The last thing you need is an expensive vehicle that will end up spending more time in your garage needing repair than on the road taking you to places.

Understanding how one option can outperform another is crucial in the purchase process. Unless you have prior car buying experience, here are a couple of things you need to know about engines and trucks before deciding to shop around.

Diesel Engine Is Better Than Gasoline Engine

Have you ever wondered what the differences between these two engines are and why drivers are too worked up when they think their car has the wrong engine? Well, you can think of it this way. Gasoline engine was the forerunner of all car engines and is found in older car models. Diesel engine, on the other hand, arrived much sooner and is found in many newer car models.

Diesel engine isn’t just another alternative; it’s actually a better one. It is designed to break free from the limitations of gasoline engine. For instance, gasoline engine ignites fuel through the use of a spark plug. As a result, it uses lower compression ratios, which help reduce thermal efficiency. Meaning, less heat is transformed into horsepower.

Diesel engine does not have a spark plug. Instead, it ignites fuel by generating high temperature with compressed air. With high compression ratios, the engine can transform more heat generated from combustion into horsepower instead of wasted heat. As a result, the engine performs better and saves more fuel.

Why Choose Duramax Diesel

Not all diesel engines can give you the power and efficiency you want from your trucks. Therefore, when buying a pickup, you also need to know what type of diesel engine the vehicle is running with. The most robust diesel engine today is GM’s Duramax Diesel. It is the engine that powers GMC Canyon, GMC Sierra HD, and Chevy Silverado, which a lot of motorists have grown to love for their amazing on-road and off-road capabilities.

Duramax Diesel is designed with countless desirable features, including an exhaust brake, which helps slow the vehicle down without applying the brakes and provides more control when towing large loads. It also enhances the truck’s trailering capacity. For instance, a two-wheel drive Canyon crew cab with a diesel engine has 700 lbs more maximum trailering rating than one with a gas engine.

Diesel Only Seems Costlier

It’s true that the cost of diesel per liter is much higher than gasoline. If you compare the potential energy stored in these two fuel types, however, you can easily tell that there’s more in diesel. Meaning, you can have greater mileage with diesel while consuming less fuel than with gasoline. So the final cost of use for either fuel over time will most likely be the same.

Factoring in many other advantages of diesel over gasoline, such as lower carbon emissions and better towing and pulling capacity, you’ll definite get the value for your money in diesel trucks in Portland. Just make sure that you will purchase them from a reputable car dealership such as McLoughlin Chevrolet, especially if you are buying pre-owned units. 

Sources:

NOT JUST FOR TRUCKS ANYMORE: WHY MODERN DIESELS ARE MORE POPULAR THAN EVER, digitaltrends.com

Difference between Gasoline and Diesel Engines, ncheurope.com

Diesel vs. Gas: Which Is the Better Fuel -- and Vehicle -- for Your Money?, fool.com

A 5-Point Inspection Checklist Every Buyer of Used Trucks in Portland Should Use

When buying any type of pre-owned vehicle, you have to thoroughly inspect it before signing the document that would close the deal. Inspection reveals a lot of important, and sometimes scary, information about vehicles, which usually affect a buyer’s final decision. For example, you may find a hidden damage that seems trivial but actually suggests a serious issue that requires a major, expensive overhaul. This is particularly helpful when purchasing a highly in-demand vehicle like a pickup truck.

Pickups do more than just take people to places they want. They can also be used for towing and carrying heavy load. If you are planning to utilize the used pickup trucks you are buying in Portland for transporting cargo, you should be more adamant in inspecting them from inside and out. Here are five of the most important aspects of a pickup truck that you need to inspect before purchase.

Fluids and Greases

A pickup truck functions pretty much like the human body. The fluids serve as its blood. When the blood doesn’t look and feel right, it means there’s something wrong with it, and it goes downhill from there. There are many types of fluid that circulate within a pickup truck—radiator fluid, motor oil, transmission fluid, AC coolant, among others. Check each one and take note of the color.

If there seems to be rust mixed in the coolant, for instance, chances are the engine will easily overheat. Also, watch out for too much thick oil and grease deposited in the system, as they may indicate that the car isn’t properly cared for. Meaning, there’s a likelihood that you’ll find other more serious problems as you move along with the inspection.

Rust Everywhere

Rust indicates aging and exposure to moisture. Once you find rust in various surfaces of the truck, it doesn’t take a genius to know that the car is crumbling. Some sellers think they can conceal rust with coat but the truth is that rusty areas reveal themselves in the form of raised spots, much like blisters on a wall that was coated without thoroughly cleaning the surface first. When you see rust, it means the truck needs further inspection.

Mileage Tampering

Most old car models have odometers that can easily be tampered with. Some car sellers, particularly the private ones, adjust their car’s odometer to lure and deceive buyers. If you think the mileage showing up on the device is too good to be true, check the parts of the vehicle that are greatly involved in driving and maneuvering, such as the brake pedal, armrest and upholstery, and the windshield. If you find excessive wear, then the car must have traveled for much longer than the odometer shows.

Start Again

One of the most important things you need to know while inspecting a vehicle is its ability to start again after being abruptly shut off. Test-drive the truck for at least 10 miles and try to halt quickly and keep it dead for about 10 minutes. If the engine suddenly hesitates to run upon restart, then there must be a serious issue with it that needs the attention of a professional technician.

Duramax Engine

Of course, there are certain dead giveaways that a pickup truck is the right one to buy. For instance, if it has the Duramax Engine, it will most likely perform well on the road and last long without the need for major repairs in the long run. The reason for this is that the Duramax Engine is arguably to most powerful diesel engine in the world. It is also a recent development in diesel engines so you are most likely buying a car that is only a few years old.

To be absolutely sure that you will be buying the perfect used pickup trucks, go to a reputable dealership like McLoughlin Chevrolet. Unlike private sellers, a dealership offers guaranteed high-quality pre-owned vehicles. Also, because they have a reputation to protect, they don’t immediately resell or accept consigned units without carefully inspecting them by themselves first. 

Sources:

Impress Your Mechanic: 6 Types of Fluid, Esurance.com

Buy a Used Truck With the 12 Point Truck Inspection Checklist, MotherEarthNews.com

Z71—Enhancing the Off-Road Capabilities of the Trucks for Sale You Want to Purchase

Pickup truck is possibly the manliest vehicle on the market. It comes with a brawny structure that you will never find even in the most dashing of sedans. The beefy rear that boasts of sleek tailgates and a spacious bed gives you the idea that this vehicle can do more than just cruising. That same rear makes you think that the car is also a good off-roader, but is it really?

Needless to say, most pickup trucks are designed with off-road capabilities. This is to be expected because one of their primary functions—towing heavy load—is especially helpful in farms, ranches, and other places where terrains are usually rugged. Not all pickups, however, exhibit the same power over rough landscapes. A few have an edge over the rest. One of the best examples is any Chevy pickup truck with the Z71 package.

What is Z71?

Z71 is a package, which includes features that make LTZ (top-of-the-line trim model for Chevy models) a whole lot better off-roaders. If you’ve been driving a 1500 Avalanche, a Silverado, a 1500 Suburban, or a Tahoe, you already know how well this package has improved the off-road capabilities of your truck. You’ve probably even put it to the test during your recent camping and hiking trip outside the city.

Off-Road and Suspension: What’s New?

Perhaps the most distinct feature in the Z71 package is the 18 or 20 inches aluminum wheels, which are fitted in with off-road blackwall tires. This is supported by rancho branch shocks, tuned springs and mono-tube shocks for the suspension. With these features holding the weight of the vehicle and its load, you can feel safer and more comfortable, especially when you’re traveling at great speeds on a craggy surface.

Better Exterior

The Z71 package also includes a major enhancement on the truck’s exterior. The wheels now have wheel flares that are integrated with the body so they don’t come off or move as separate pieces. The steel grille has been replaced with chrome grille as well for added lightweight, sheen, and corrosion resistance. A skid plate and front fascia have also been installed to protect the undercarriage and nose. All other additions are meant to push the body a little higher for the car to be able to take on larger obstacles.

Other features you will get to enjoy if you take advantage of this package include recovery hooks for towing, high-capacity air cleaners, and Eaton heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential. If you want the Z71 on your pickup, you will have to pay a little more but with all of these highly functional features, the cost will certainly be worth it. The package, therefore, is a separate product that you can request from any Chevy dealership that offers it.

To ensure the success of your pickup truck upgrade with Z71, go to a reliable car dealership like McLoughlin Chevrolet. It pays to entrust your car to experienced technicians who specialize in Chevy pickup trucks. Also, if you are buying pickup trucks for sale for the first time, it would definitely help to already include the Z71 package in your order.

Sources:     

What Is Included in a Chevrolet Z71 Package?, itstillruns.com

The 11 Best Off-Road Vehicles You Can Buy Right Now, PopularMechanics