There are four options for making a car payment. You may pay by mail, telephone or online in one of two places.
Make your car payment by mail. Use a coupon in the book from your financing center. Write the check for the correct amount, date and sign it, and ensure that the recipient's name is correct. Put the coupon in an envelope with the check. Sometimes the financing company provides envelopes for this purpose. If not, there may be an address label for the finance company in your coupon book. If so, adhere the label to the front of the envelope. Finally, use the correct postage and mail the payment. Allow ample time (5 to 7 days) for the finance company to process the check before the due date.
Make your car payment by phone. Call the 800 number found in your coupon book. Make sure you have your account number and checkbook in hand before you make the call. Choose the "make a payment" option and follow the prompts to enter your bank routing and account numbers. The nine digit routing number is usually listed first on the bottom of your check. Enter the amount of the payment. Record your confirmation number. There may be a charge for making a payment by phone.
Make a payment on the finance company's website. Enter your account number, bank routing number and bank account. If you are using the website payment system for the first time, you will need to set up your user information. Click on the option for a new user and follow the prompts to enter your name, address and other pertinent information. You will be asked to create user name and password.
Make your car payment via your bank's online bill payment center. Access your online bank account and click on the option to "add a new vendor." Enter the car payment company's information, such as name, address, phone number and your account number. After you save the information, click on the option to make a payment. Scroll down to the car payment financial center and choose this vendor. Enter the amount you wish to pay and choose the date when you want the payment deducted from your account. Allow ample time for the finance company to receive your payment; the process can take up to five business days.
Writer Bio
Based in Richmond, Va., Susan Ayers is a senior learning associate for a financial organization. She previously developed web-based training for Circuit City and spent a number of years creating eLearning courses for a not-for-profit law enforcement organization. Ayers graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds a master's in education from St. Joseph's College.