Auto Warranty News

Most people believe that SUVs are the safest vehicles on the road; however, recent test results show that midsize SUVs may not offer the best safety.  In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that a lot of cars produced better results in crash tests than six midsize SUVs.

The SUVs tested were the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner.  These vehicles were tested in a front collision at 40mph and a side impact.

All of these vehicles showed improvement since the last IIHS test.  In the instance of the front collision, five out of the six vehicles were rated Good.  The Trailblazer was rated Acceptable.

However, the results of the side-impact tests weren’t as good.  The Trailblazer and Grand Cherokee didn’t protect the torso because they are only equipped with standard side airbags to protect the head.  The Pathfinder, 4Runner, and Xterra had better performance with side impact because they include side airbags that protect the torso as well as the head.  However, cars had better ratings on side impact.

If you’re looking to purchase a midsize SUV, purchase one with high crash ratings.  For instance, the Ford TaurusX and Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Pilot, and Subaru Tribeca are the highest rated midsize SUVs.  Although these SUVs are durable, it’s necessary to purchase an auto warranty to protect yourself from repair costs down the road.  After all, no vehicle is full proof.

If you ask a woman if she would like to buy a Dodge Viper, chances are she will say “no”.  This car is a V-10 two seater that starts at approximately $80,000.  Although this may not be a woman’s cup of tea, studies show that many men would like to have this car.  Like many other aspects of life, men and women seem to have very different tastes, and cars are no exception.

Men and women buy the Viper, but 91% of customers are men.  The Porsche 911 and BMW M5 are also cars being bought primarily by males.  These models costs above $60,000.  Studies show that men often equate their car with their image.  In other words, they choose cars that will portray a certain status.

What cars do women like?  The #1 choice is the Toyota RAV4.  Women like to purchase small, affordable cars that are easy to buy.  For example, the Saturn SC, SL, and ION are popular choices for women.  These cars start at around $10,000 including new car warranties, and have a reputation of being “no hassle” when it comes to buying.

It is obvious that women and men think very differently in lots of areas, cars included.  Men like to buy the fast, impressive cars, whereas women purchase the inexpensive, small cars.  The only common ground that these cars have is that they are backed by an auto warranty.

Ford Motor Co. has gotten on-board the popular small car and crossover markets with a Focus coupe that has been redesigned and the seven seat Flex.

Ford’s marketing manager claimed that fuel-efficiency is the main factor driving the market right now.  However, motorists won’t compromise functionality, and the Flex accomplishes fuel-efficiency and function.

The 2009 Ford Flex is all the rage.  It has the length of an SUV, while remaining low to the ground.  This vehicle gets 24 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city.

The all-new Ford Focus has a sportier exterior.  The vehicle has wheels that are larger, with a spoiler and new designs in the front and rear.  Also, it gets 35 mpg on the highway and has impressive new car warranties.

Ford is getting on board the small car and crossover craze with the introduction of the all-new Focus and the Flex.  Consumers are protecting their wallets by purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles and new car warranties.

Honda’s new Ecological Drive Assist System, or Eco Assist, is available on the Honda Insight.  The system utilizes a two-tier instrument cluster (much like the Civics) to communicate driving habits that are effective.  Depending on the way you are driving, the background color of the speedometer will change-blue for braking and rapid acceleration, and green for cruising and light acceleration.

The information screen that is inside the tachometer is an LED screen that scores your driving habits.  Your mastery over hypermiling is signified by the number of leaves that show on the display.

Also featured in the system is an “ECON” button.  When this button is switched on, the transmission, regenerative braking, and powertrain are optimized to make the most of fuel consumption.

Honda’s system is downscaled in comparison to Ford’s, but that is probably because the Honda Insight is going to be the cheapest hybrid out there.  Regardless, make sure you have a good auto warranty, because you never know when new technology will fail and you don’t want to be left with unnecessary repair expenses.

To ensure that your car is operating properly you need to perform routine maintenance.  People assume that they need to make seasonal preparations and change their oil, but they often neglect their tires.  Don’t forget that your driving experience is only going to be as good as the tires that are on your car.

One big issue when it comes to tires is safety.  You need to have tires that will ensure you are safe on the road.  After all, really the only thing coming between the road and you is your tires.

If you put high performance tires on your car you will get the safety behind the wheel that you deserve.  These tires will allow you to drive at fast speeds and allow for safety in driving conditions that are dangerous.  For example, your car will perform better on roads that are icy or wet.  High performance tires also allow you to perform sudden stops and tight cornering.  And, even though you will pay a little more for them, you are getting your safety in return.

To keep your car performing at its best, consider purchasing high performance tires.  Not only will your vehicle hand better, you will feel safer.  Also, to maintain your safety purchase used car warranties that allows you to have routine maintenance and repairs performed when necessary.

When teenagers turn 16 years old, they are excited to get their drivers license.  Unfortunately, teens have more driving accidents than any other age group.  For the majority of teen drivers, the question isn’t whether they are going to have an accident, but when they are going to have an accident.

Inexperience is the main reason that teenagers are vulnerable to traffic accidents.  Although 16 to 19 year olds only make up 5.3 percent of the driving population in our nation, they’re involved in 13.3 percent of all of the traffic accidents and 11 percent of crashes that are fatal.

A new program aimed to protect teenagers is “graduated licensing”.  Although the age of licensing is the same, full privileges come gradually.

The program begins with a learner’s permit.  Next, is the intermediate stage, in which teens can drive during the daytime alone, and in the evening they can drive between 9 p.m-6 a.m. with a licensed driver.  Then, the advanced stage comes. This is when teens can drive with no restrictions.

The graduated licensing program is a good step to make sure that our teens remain safe.  However, teens need to protect themselves with a good auto warranty to avoid unnecessary repair costs.

There’s nothing worse than planning a trip and waking up to find violent, heavy rains pouring down out of the sky.  There are two things you need in this situation, an auto warranty and a reliable car.  Do you have a vehicle that is ready for driving in this situation?  In this situation it is necessary to have a car that ensures a smooth, safe ride, even in ice and rain.

According to the FHWA approximately 6,400,000 cars are involved in accidents every year.  About twenty five percent of these accidents are related to weather.  Here are some of the best cars to handle in rain.

Although you may not believe it, the 2008 Porsche Cayman, as well as the Cayman S are two of the best cars in rain.  They are packed with essential all weather features.

For instance, these vehicles have a wiper system with rain sensors that make the wipers activate as soon as water hits the glass.  Also, wipers shut off after the car reaches 131 mph.

In addition, these cars have great tire traction, as well as mud guards.  They also have the Porsche Stability Management System, which detects when the car is slipping.

Finally, these cars have four-wheel disc brakes that are anti-lock.  They are cross-drilled for optimal performance.

The thermostat in your car serves the purpose of regulating the temperature so it stays at a desired level.  To achieve this, it controls the cooling and heating mechanisms that control the heat flow throughout the system.  The thermostat manages the amount of coolant in the internal combustion engine.  A thermostat is necessary in all liquid cooled engines.

If your thermostat isn’t working correctly it may be due to several reasons.  First, the thermostat may be affected if the water pump is failing.  The thermostat may also be affected with an overheated engine or if coolant is leaking.

Make sure you have a mechanic look at your thermostat on a regular basis.  It plays a key position in keeping your engine cool, so it needs to be replaced every few years.

Also, if you don’t replace your thermostat when it’s time, you may find yourself with additional problems, such as emission problems, knocking with acceleration, and poor fuel-economy, and then you’ll find yourself wishing that you had used car warranties.

Way back when the Jetsons captured the imaginations of millions on TV, people have had dreams of using flying cars for their daily transportation.  However, there hasn’t ever been anything in real life that could even come close to flying cars-until now.  In Massachusetts, Terrafugia built the Transition, which took off during the official launch of the company’s $194,000 “roadable aircraft.”

Basically, that means that this vehicle is a small aircraft that has the capability to travel on public roadways at “highway speeds”, and it gets approximately 30 mpg on regular unleaded gas.  The range on this vehicle in the air is 460 miles.  However, it has a useful load of only 430 pounds, which means that passengers can’t be too overweight, and they can’t pack too heavy.

If you’re interested in this vehicle, you will need a pilot’s license and $194,000.  And at that price you might want a good auto warranty.  While this is an exciting idea, dropping off Judy, Elroy and Jane before going to work in your flying car is still a ways off.

With the poor economy there is an abundance of money-saving tips.  To save on gas, people advise not to carry extra weight in your trunk, drive gently and combine your errands.  However, the one tip that will allow you to save the most is to slow down.

In the average sedan, every 10 mph over 60 is equivalent to gas prices rising 54 cents per gallon.  When you are traveling on the highway, your vehicle is in the highest gear with relatively low rpm’s.  In order for your vehicle to maintain speed it has to overcome the friction of the tires on the roadway, it’s moving parts, and especially the flow of air around it.

At high speeds, it takes up 40% of a vehicle’s energy to push around air.  It makes the task even more difficult the faster you go.  There is much more wind resistance at 70-80mph than 50-60mph.

If a vehicle at 65mph gets approximately 28 mpg, driving 75mph would only get you 24mpg.  If you drive slower, at 55mph, you could save even more.  In fact, the 55mph speed limit was set in 1974 as a response to the energy crisis of the time.

With the tough economy, consumers need all the help they can get.  Saving on fuel is a big help, and all they have to do is slow down.  After shelling out money for maintenance, an auto warranty, and financing, motorists don’t want to have to waste money on gas.