Latest News, Tips & More | J & M Auto Sales

A quick look at your vehicle's battery can help you recognize potential problems before they interrupt your plans.

Your vehicle's battery plays an important role every time you start the engine. It also supports many of the electrical systems you rely on throughout the day. Like other vehicle components, batteries can gradually lose performance over time.

Paying attention to a few basic warning signs can help you recognize when your battery may need additional attention.

Watch for Slow Starting

One of the most noticeable signs of a possible battery issue is an engine that takes longer than usual to start. If the starter seems to turn more slowly or the vehicle hesitates before starting, it may be worth having the battery and charging system checked.

Starting problems can have several causes, so a professional inspection can help determine what is actually happening.

Look at the Battery Condition

You can visually inspect the battery area without attempting to remove or repair anything. Look for obvious signs of damage or unusual buildup around the battery and its connections.

If something does not look right, having a qualified professional inspect it is a safer option than attempting to diagnose or repair the issue yourself.

Pay Attention to Electrical Changes

Changes in electrical performance can sometimes provide clues that something needs attention. Lights that behave differently than usual or other unexpected electrical issues may be worth investigating.

These symptoms do not automatically mean the battery is responsible, but they are good reasons to have the vehicle checked.

Weather Can Affect Battery Performance

Temperature extremes can place additional demands on a vehicle's battery. Hot and cold conditions can both affect battery performance, which is why seasonal changes are a useful reminder to pay attention to how your vehicle starts.

A battery that seemed fine during mild weather may begin showing signs of weakness when conditions become more demanding.

Know the Age of Your Battery

If you know when the battery was installed, keeping that information with your maintenance records can be helpful. Battery life can vary based on the vehicle, driving habits, climate, and other conditions.

Rather than relying on age alone, consider the battery's condition and performance along with any recommendations for your specific vehicle.

Include the Battery in Routine Maintenance

Battery checks can be included with other basic vehicle maintenance. Tires, fluids, lights, wipers, and other components also benefit from regular attention.

Keeping maintenance records throughout ownership may also be useful if you eventually decide to sell or trade in your vehicle.

Pay Attention Before Problems Appear

A vehicle that starts normally every day can make the battery easy to forget. Spending a little time watching for changes can help you recognize potential concerns before you find yourself dealing with an unexpected no start situation.

If you have questions about your vehicle or are considering something different for your driving needs, you can reach out for assistance. Staying aware of small changes is an important part of responsible vehicle ownership.

In Town for the LEAP Build? How to Get a Work Truck in Lebanon This Week
If you've come to Lebanon to work on one of the big projects in the LEAP district, you probably noticed two things fast: the commute out to the sites is real, and getting around without your own truck is a pain.

We're J&M Auto Sales, a family-owned used car and truck lot at 400 South Lebanon Street, a few minutes from I-65. We've sold trucks to Boone County for over two decades [confirm founding year], and lately a lot of the people calling us are tradespeople who just got here. This post covers what we tell them.

What makes buying a truck harder when you're new in town
Most of the workers we talk to run into the same three problems:

Your license and address are from another state. That's fine. It changes some of the paperwork, but it doesn't stop you from buying.
Your local credit history is thin, or your job is new. Some lenders get nervous about a recent start date. Others care more about your income and offer letter.
You need it now, not in three weeks. You've got a start date, and the site isn't waiting on your car shopping.
None of these are deal-breakers. They just mean you want a dealer who has done it before.

What to bring
Calling ahead saves the most time. Here's what usually helps, though every lender's requirements are a little different:

Your driver's license. Out-of-state is OK.
Proof of income. An offer letter, recent pay stubs, or your union or contractor paperwork.
Proof of address. Your home-state address, plus your local lease or housing info if you have it.
Proof of insurance. You'll need it before you drive off. Your current insurer can often add the truck by phone.
Down payment info, and your trade-in's title or payoff details if you're trading.
Not sure if you have enough? Text Jerry at 317-370-6223 before you come in, and he'll tell you what your situation needs.

Indiana title and plates when you live out of state
This is the question we get most often. The short version:

We handle the paperwork at the time of sale. You don't have to figure out the BMV on your own.
Indiana or your home state? Whether you title and register here or back home depends on your situation and your home state's rules. We'll walk through it with you, including how sales tax works for your state.
Indiana timelines. If you register in Indiana, a buyer has 45 days to apply for title and registration, and a dealer interim plate can cover you for up to 45 days in the meantime.
Sunday is out. Indiana law doesn't allow dealers to sell vehicles on Sunday, so plan on a weekday after your shift or Saturday morning (we're open 9–3).
Financing when your credit is new to Indiana
We work with more than 36 lending sources: banks, credit unions, finance companies and our own in-house financing program. That matters for workers on a new job. If one lender is strict about time on the job, another may look harder at your income and work history instead.

Guaranteed approval options available. Every application is different, and all financing is subject to lender approval. What we can do is send your application to more than one place and tell you straight what's possible.

What kind of truck makes sense for the job
For most people working on a construction site, these are the boxes to check:

4x4. Job sites get muddy, and Indiana winters are real.
A crew cab or double cab if you're carpooling or keeping tools out of the weather.
Half-ton or midsize. A Silverado 1500, F-150, RAM 1500 or Ranger/Canyon-size truck handles tools, a trailer and the commute without heavy-duty fuel bills.
Price. Most of our trucks fall between about $15,000 and $30,000, and most are 4WD.
Every truck goes through our inspection and service process before it's listed. Qualifying vehicles include a nationwide limited warranty you can use at any repair shop, which helps if you're heading to another job when this one wraps up.

What happens when the project ends?
The truck goes with you. If you'd rather sell it before you leave, we buy vehicles too. Bring it by for an offer.

Why workers end up at J&M
Our customers say the same things over and over: Jerry is straight with them, the paperwork is quick (some say done in about 15 minutes), and we work with people other dealers turned away. Plenty of them have driven an hour or more to buy from us. If you're already working in Lebanon, we're right down the road.

Ready to look? Call or text Jerry at 317-370-6223, or start your online.

?? 400 South Lebanon St, Lebanon, IN 46052
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Financing is subject to lender approval. Down payment and documentation requirements vary by applicant and lender. Applicable Indiana sales tax, BMV fees and dealer documentation fees apply.

Performance numbers can be useful, but they do not always tell you how a vehicle will feel in everyday driving.

Horsepower is one of the most recognizable numbers on a vehicle specification sheet. It can help describe an engine's capabilities, but choosing a vehicle based on horsepower alone can overlook many of the things that actually affect your experience behind the wheel.

Vehicle weight, torque, transmission behavior, and how the vehicle will be used can all influence how powerful and responsive it feels.

Vehicle Weight Makes a Difference

The same amount of horsepower can feel very different in two vehicles of different sizes and weights. A lighter vehicle may feel quick and responsive with a lower horsepower rating, while a larger vehicle may need additional power to deliver a similar experience.

This is one reason comparing horsepower numbers without considering the rest of the vehicle can be misleading.

Torque Affects How Power Feels

Horsepower and torque describe different aspects of engine performance. Torque can influence how strongly a vehicle feels like it pulls during acceleration, particularly at lower speeds or when carrying additional weight.

For drivers considering trucks or SUVs, understanding both numbers can provide a more complete picture than looking at horsepower alone.

The Transmission Plays a Role

A vehicle's transmission helps determine how engine power reaches the wheels. Gear ratios and shift behavior can make one vehicle feel responsive and smooth while another with similar engine specifications may feel noticeably different.

Modern transmissions are often designed to balance performance, comfort, and efficiency depending on the vehicle's intended use.

Your Driving Needs Matter Most

A driver who spends most of the time commuting may have very different priorities from someone who regularly tows, carries heavy cargo, or travels through challenging terrain.

More horsepower is not automatically better if the additional capability does not provide a meaningful benefit for the way you drive.

Specifications Are Only a Starting Point

Numbers are useful when comparing vehicles, but they cannot fully describe comfort, responsiveness, visibility, or how a vehicle feels from the driver's seat.

Browsing available inventory can help you compare vehicles with different engines, sizes, and configurations.

A Test Drive Provides the Full Picture

Driving a vehicle gives you information that a specification sheet cannot. Pay attention to acceleration, shifting, braking, road noise, and how easily the vehicle responds during normal driving.

These everyday characteristics may ultimately matter more to your satisfaction than having the highest horsepower number.

Choose Performance That Fits Your Needs

The right amount of power depends on what you expect your vehicle to do. Looking beyond horsepower can help you choose a vehicle that balances performance, comfort, capability, and everyday usability.

If you would like help comparing different vehicles or understanding their features, you can reach out for assistance. A thoughtful comparison can help you find a vehicle that feels right both on paper and on the road.

Bad Credit Car Financing in Lebanon, Indiana: What You Need to Know

Having credit problems does not necessarily mean you have to give up on buying a dependable vehicle. At J & M Auto Sales Inc. in Lebanon, Indiana, we understand that good people can experience difficult financial situations. Late payments, medical bills, bankruptcy, repossession or having very little credit history can make traditional vehicle financing more challenging, but options may still be available.

We Work With Many Types of Credit

J & M Auto Sales works with more than 36 lending sources, including local and national banks, credit unions, finance companies and our own in-house financing program. This gives us more opportunities to help customers with excellent credit, average credit, bad credit or credit that is still being rebuilt.

Every application is different, and all financing is subject to approval. However, we will take the time to review your situation and work to find an option that fits your needs and budget.

What Should You Bring When Applying?

Being prepared can make the financing process faster and easier. Depending on the lender and your individual situation, you may be asked to provide:

• A valid driver’s license or government-issued identification
• Proof of employment and income
• Proof of your current address or residency
• Recent banking information
• Information about your down payment
• Details about a vehicle you plan to trade

Additional information may be required by the lender. Call or text us before visiting, and we can help you understand which documents you should bring.

Choosing a Vehicle That Fits Your Budget

A successful vehicle purchase is about more than simply getting approved. It is important to choose a vehicle and payment that comfortably fit your monthly budget. Our team can help you review available cars, trucks, SUVs and vans while considering your down payment, desired payment and financing qualifications.

Our online inventory includes vehicle prices, mileage, photos and equipment information so you can begin shopping before coming to the dealership.

Why Choose J & M Auto Sales?

We are a small, family-operated used-car dealership serving Lebanon, Boone County and surrounding Central Indiana communities. Every vehicle goes through our inspection and service process before being offered for sale. Qualifying vehicles include a nationwide limited warranty, and extended warranty coverage may also be available.

Because we work with a variety of lending sources, we can explore more than one possible financing route. Our goal is to provide straightforward information, personal service and a comfortable, no-pressure buying experience.

Start Your Application Today

If you need a dependable used vehicle but are concerned about your credit, let us try to help. Browse our available inventory or complete the secure financing application at www.jmmotorslebanon.com.

J & M Auto Sales Inc.
400 South Lebanon Street
Lebanon, Indiana 46052
Call or text Jerry: 317-370-6223

Financing is subject to lender approval. Down-payment and documentation requirements vary by applicant and lender.