Sell It Yourself Car Seller's Guide

Returning Users Sign In

	Online Selling Benefits		Learn How to Place an Effective Ad		Learn How to Close the Sale		Success Stories		Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to sell your car?
Just click below!

Sell Your Car

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Statement

Frequently Asked Questions: Adding Photos to Your Ad

Why should I include photos with my ad?
How do I add photos to my ad?
How many photos can I include with my ad?
How will my photos be displayed in my ad?
Can I edit my photos before I upload them?
What areas of my car should I photograph?
Can I replace a photo that is currently running in an ad?
How can I upgrade my ad package?

Do I need to download any software to upload photos for my ad?
What if I don't want to download the tool?
My current browser doesn't support the ActiveX Control or Java applet and therefore I can't upload my photos. What can I do?
Which graphic file formats are supported by the Picture Uploader tool?
What are previewable and non-previewable graphic file formats?
I am using AOL and my photos look different in my photo ad. Why?

What size photos should I use?
Do I have to worry about resizing my photos?
Why are my photos automatically resized?
What is the actual size (width and height) of the photo that will display in my ad?
How can I ensure that my photos will look their best?

Why should I include photos with my ad?

Ads with photos are much more likely to get noticed. Including a photo shows prospects the actual vehicle for sale, which is much more informative that a manufacturer's photo (which may be a different color, body style, etc.). Multiple photos allow you to display your vehicle from several angles or to show close-ups on specific sections of your vehicle.

How do I add photos to my ad?

To upload a photo, click on a blank photo box (see example below) or the button labeled "Browse." If you have chosen to upload multiple photos, you should begin with the photo box labeled "Main Photo." Fill the photo boxes from left to right. Once you have filled all the photo boxes in one row, move to the next row.

(Example of a blank photo box)

After clicking on a photo box or browse button, your browser will launch a directory window. Locate the file you wish to upload, select the image file and click the open button.

The image you selected will load into the photo box and a thumbnail image will be displayed for your review.

(Example of photo box with loaded photo)

If you downloaded the Picture Uploader tool, you will be able to modify the image before you upload it to our servers. The Picture Uploader tool provides editing tools to allow you to rotate the image and/or crop unwanted areas of the image. If you selected the wrong image file, you can delete it from the Picture Uploader tool and load a new image into the submission tool by clicking on the delete button.

To crop a photo, place your cursor over the edge of the photo in the Picture Uploader tool. Your cursor will turn into a double-ended arrow. Left click on the edge and drag it to where you would like to crop your photo. The Photo Uploader tool will shade the areas of your photo that will be cropped when you upload your photo.

Once you have selected and edited all of the photos you wish to upload, select the "Next: Review Ad" button. Your images will then be uploaded and you will be able to complete the creation of your ad.

How many photos can I include with my ad?

This will depend on the photo option that you select. Some packages do not include an actual photo.

To find out about features and pricing, click here.

How will my photos be displayed in my ad?

If you select to upload a single photo, your ad will display your single photo in a standard 270x202 pixel size in the upper right-hand corner of your ad. Prospects that click on the standard size photo will be shown the larger 400x300 pixel size.

If you upload multiple photos, your main photo will be displayed in the standard 270x202 pixel size. All photos will also be shown as 80x60 pixel thumbnails below the 270x202 main photo. When a potential buyer clicks on a thumbnail of one of your photos, the 270x202 pixel main photo will be dynamically replaced with 270x202 pixel version of the selected photo. Potential buyers that click on the 270x202 pixel photo will be shown the larger 400x300 pixel version of the selected photo.

Can I edit my photos before I upload them?

You can, if your photos are in a previewable graphic file format (see next question). Previewable graphic file formats display in the Picture Uploader tool with editing tools (located in the corners of the photo submission tool) that allow you to crop, rotate or delete photos as described below:

Cropping removes unwanted portions of a photo.
Rotation changes the orientation of a photo in 90-degree increments.
Deletion removes a thumbnail from the Picture Uploader tool altogether.

What areas of my car should I photograph?

The number of photos you can upload depends on the package you select. We recommend displaying a combination of photos, including several exterior shots that show all sides of the vehicle and several interior shots. Recommended photos include:


(Front Angle)	(Side Angle)	(Offset Front Angle)

Exterior Photos

Left Front (offset)
Front
Right Front (offset)
Left Rear (offset)
Rear
Right Rear (offset)
Left Side
Right Side

Interior Photos

Interior Dash
Interior Driver's Seat
Interior Back Seat
Odometer

Other Photos

Engine
Tire
Trunk
Floor / Mats

Can I replace a photo that is currently running in an ad?

Yes. If you would like to change the photo(s) that is currently in your ad, you will need to login to your "My Ads" page. Select the ad you wish to edit and click the "Edit Ad" button. On the edit page, locate your photos and click the "Modify Photos" button. When you reach the photo upload page, it will load with any photos currently running in your ad. Use the delete button in the Picture Uploader tool to delete your old photo and upload a new photo. Select the "Apply" button to upload your new photo(s). You will then need to review your ad and click the "Save Changes" button for your changes to take effect.

Do I need to download any software to upload photos for my ad?

That depends on your preferred Internet browser and your computer's operating system (OS):

If you are using Internet Explorer versions 6.x or higher on Windows, you will receive a message when creating your ad asking you to download the Picture Uploader from Internet Pictures Corporation. This tool will automatically resize your photos before uploading them, allowing you to upload your photos up to 10 times faster. It also provides photo editing features to rotate and crop your photos prior to uploading.

To download the tool & upload your photos faster:

1. Click on the Internet Explorer information bar when prompted.

2. Click "Install ActiveX Control" on the popup menu.

3. Click the "Install" button on the dialog box.

If you are using Firefox, or running on the Mac OS, the ad creation pages will utilize alternative functionality and you will not be asked to download the Picture Uploader. However, the photo editing features will not be available and the system will not resize your photos before you upload them. Because photos are not resized before submission, this can mean longer wait times when uploading larger photos.

What if I don't want to download the tool?

If you choose not to download the Picture Uploader, you can use our standard upload tool or submit your ad without a photo. Please note that using our standard upload tool may take several minutes to upload each photo.

My current browser doesn't support the ActiveX Control or Java applet and therefore I can't upload my photos. What can I do?

Follow the instructions below as they pertain to your current browser.

For Internet Explorer users: If you are currently using an older version of the Internet Explorer browser that does not support the ActiveX Control or Java applet, you can download and install a supported version for free from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com.

Which graphic file formats are supported by the Picture Uploader tool?

The following graphic file formats are supported:

JPG, JPEG, JPE
TIF, TIFF
PNG
BMP
GIF, Animated GIF (only the first image of a set is displayed for Animated GIF)
PCX

The Picture Uploader tool will not support files in CMYK color mode. Please be sure to convert all files to the RGB color mode before uploading.

Our Picture Uploader tool will automatically resize JPG and GIF files before upload to decrease your upload time. Use of the other supported file formats will require upload of the original file. Large graphic files (>1MB) in these formats may cause your browser to time out. If this happens, we recommend resizing your photos to 400x300 pixels before upload.

What are previewable and non-previewable graphic file formats?

Previewable graphic file formats are those that can be viewed inside of Picture Uploader tool prior to submission depending on your browser and operating system (OS):

For Internet Explorer 6.x or higher on Windows, JPG, GIF and BMP file formats are previewable.
For Mac OS, the JPG file format is previewable.

Non-previewable image file formats are those that will not display in the Picture Uploader tool or undergo client-side resizing, depending on the user's browser and OS:

For Internet Explorer 6.x or higher on Windows, the TIF, PNG and PCX file formats are non-previewable.
For the Mac OS, BMP, TIF, GIF, PNG and PCX file formats are non-previewable.

When a photo in a non-previewable file format is submitted, text appears in the photo submission tool that says, "picture viewable after sending". This means you will be able to see the photo after submission and before confirmation.

I am using AOL and my photos look different in my photo ad. Why?

In all likelihood, this is a display glitch where the photo quality looks less than optimal when AOL reflects your photo from our image server. This can easily be corrected by changing the settings in your AOL Preferences as described below:

In AOL, choose My AOL Preferences.
Click the WWW icon.
Click the Web Graphics tab in the Internet Options dialog.
Enable the Never Compress Graphics check box.
Click the Apply button, and then click OK.
Close AOL. (Note: It is important to close AOL at this point. If you do not, your photos may continue to display questionable quality.)
Restart AOL and access the photo submission page again.
Go to your ad that features the questionable photos. There should be a marked improvement in the photo quality.

What size photos should I use?

When you upload your photo(s) to our system, we create three sizes to display (80x60 thumbnail, 270x202 main image, and 400x300 "Super-Sized"). Since we will display your image at up to 400x300 pixels, we recommend that you upload images of at least 400x300 pixels. Our system can accept image files of up to 12MB, and the Picture Uploader tool will automatically resize and compress JPG and GIF images larger than 400x300 pixels to limit the upload time.

Our system is also designed to display photos with an aspect ratio of 1.33. If your photo(s) have a different aspect ratio, our system will automatically insert padding around your image.

Do I have to worry about resizing my photos?

If you are using JPG or GIF files, no, our Picture Uploader tool takes all of the guesswork (and the hard work) out of preparing photos for the Web by accepting photos up to 12 megabytes in size. When you submit megapixel photos with your ad, our Picture Uploader tool automatically resizes and optimizes them for perfect display on the Web. Powered by iPIX, our Picture Uploader tool handles megapixel photos with ease!

If you use other supported file formats (TIF, PNG, BMP, PCX), you will need to upload the original file. Large graphic files (>1MB) in these formats may cause your browser to time out. If this happens, we recommend resizing your photos to 400x300 pixels before upload.

Why are my photos automatically resized?

Electronic photos tend to be large, often in the megapixel range. Such large photos pose real challenges in terms of hosting, and long wait-times for uploading and viewing the photo. When you submit a large photo through the Picture Uploader, the tool automatically resizes it to dramatically improve upload and viewing times while maintaining the optimum quality of your photo.

What is the actual size (width and height) of the photo that will display in my ad?

Your ad will display your photo in up to three sizes. On the detailed view page, your primary photo will be displayed at 270 x 202 pixels in the upper right-hand corner. If potential buyers click on this photo, it will launch a new browser window with a "super-sized" 400x300 pixel version of your photo. If you uploaded multiple pictures, all of your photos will also be displayed as 80 x 60 pixel thumbnails. Potential buyers viewing your ad will be able to click on each thumbnail, which will dynamically replace the current photo in the 270 x 202 image space in your ad.

How can I ensure that my photos will look their best?

For best results, simply submit the best photos you have without regard to size. Our Picture Uploader tool automatically resizes the photos to make them suitable for the Web. However, if you resize the photos first using an external imaging editor, the photos end up getting compressed twice, which will have a negative impact on quality. Don't do it! Let our tool do the hard work by resizing the photos for you.

How can I upgrade my ad package?

Qualifying ad packages can be upgraded if you receive an updrade email from Cars.com. To find out if your package qualifies or if you have problems with upgrading via email, please contact the Cars.com customer service team. Please note: It is not possible to downgrade an ad.

Questions about this service? Call (888) 780-1286 9am-5pm CST Mon-Fri, or use our e-mail contact form.
Stop Fraud: See the latest scams at our SAFE blog.