[ssdavidw]

As Number 3 said, there is a lag between what's on your account shows up on your credit report.

Your credit score will change based on healthy behavior over a period of time. If you pay off in full today, even if it shows up on your credit report next month that you have $0 balances, it might take another month or two or three before your credit score starts to really change.

However, in your overall evaluation when you're applying for a car loan, having $0 balances will help lower your risk level in the eyes of the bank.

I'm going through this right now. I was originally expecting a September/October/November delivery and am carrying some credit card debt. I was budgeting paying down my debt based off that. Now it looks like my car will be here next month so I'm not going to see the full advantage of what I've paid down.

But at the end of the day less debt = win, no matter what.