Auto Warranty News

The legendary and powerful V-8 engine is finding its place in history, because very few new cars are using it, according to U.S. car industry reports.  Consumers want to protect themselves with fuel-efficient vehicles that have an auto warranty, and aren’t purchasing vehicles with V-8 engines.

The majority of carmakers are deciding not to put V-8’s under the hoods of family vehicles, USA Today stated in a NY report.  The V-6’s are also losing popularity and people are instead deciding to purchase vehicles with the V-4.  In fact, observers claim that the V-8 in particular isn’t politically correct anymore.

Carmakers who are choosing to introduce new V-8s are tending to confine them to high-performance sports cars, trucks meant for towing, and several premium cars.

New vehicles that are planning to be equipped with a V-8 engine include the Cadillac CTS-V, the Hyundai Genesis, and the Dodge Challenger.  Carmakers are making it a point to stress the fact that the newer V-8s are much more fuel-efficient than in the past.

However, GM is discarding the eight-cylinder engine from next year’s 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover and Ford won’t be offering its Lincoln MKS sedan with the V-8.

Consumers are opting for cars with smaller engines that have new car warranties in order to protect their wallets.  V-8s are finding their place in history.

Do you realize that a seat belt alone won’t protect your child in a car accident?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, correctly using a child safety seat will reduce your child’s risk of being killed in a vehicle accident by 54% for a toddler, and 71% for an infant.  For this reason, all 50 states require child safety restraints by law.

But when purchasing a child safety seat, many parents become confused by all of the choices on the market.  The NHSTA recently did a study revealing that 72% of parents don’t know how to properly use child safety seats.  Which is why the NHSTA developed guidelines called the “4 Steps for Kids” to help parents.  They are as follows:

1.    Make sure infants stay in the back seat facing back until they reach the height and weight requirements for the seat they are using.
2.    Children should ride in forward-facing seats in the back seat until they reach the upper height and weight requirements of the seat (around 4 yrs old and 40 pounds).
3.    Children should be in booster seats in the back seat after outgrowing their forward-facing seats. This should continue until car seat belts fit the children properly (around 8 yrs old or 4’9” tall).
4.    Children can use regular seats belts in the back seat when they fit properly.

Parents are more concerned than ever about their children’s safety and are taking extra precautions, such as following strict car seat guidelines and signing up for a roadside assistance program in case of an emergency situation.  You can never be too careful when children are involved.  And, it is also a good idea to have good used car warranties to protect yourself.

Unfortunately, drunk driving is a common practice that is responsible for thousands of car accidents and calls for emergency roadside assistance every year.  Ideally, motorists should take responsibility and not get behind the wheel after drinking, but this doesn’t always happen.

Toyota has taken this matter seriously.  Currently, they are in the process of developing a system for vehicles in which cars are able to detect if a driver is drunk.  If the vehicle detects that the motorist is trying to drive while intoxicated it will shut down the car automatically.

Vehicles that have this detection system will have sweat sensors on the steering wheel, which detect abnormal alcohol levels in a person’s bloodstream.  The car won’t even start if there are high alcohol levels in the driver.

This system will also become affective if abnormal steering is detected, or if a camera determines that the pupils of the driver’s eyes aren’t focused.  The vehicle will then slowly come to a stop.

Toyota hopes to have cars equipped with this system by late 2009.  Drivers may want a good auto warranty to cover technology such as this.

Nissan Motor has also experimented with devices similar to breathalyzers that can detect drunken drivers.  Other technologies that are similar, like alcohol ignition interlocks, are already being used in the U.S. and other countries.

Toyota and Nissan have taken a step in the right direction.  Hopefully, these new car safety features will cut down on auto accidents and road service calls.

When purchasing new cars consumers should do their homework to ensure that they are getting the best deal possible.  Here are three important tips that will allow you to avoid unnecessary costs.

First of all, look around to find a dealership that is good.  You can do this by looking on the Internet and reading blogs about dealerships.  Web searches will provide you with a lot of information.  A lot of times positive revues or complaints will give you an indication of how a dealership operates.  In addition, make contact with three dealerships in your vicinity to see how quickly they respond.

Second, don’t let dealers talk you in to dealer financing or alarm systems.  These two things will cost you in the end.  For example, auto manufacturers have already installed wiring.  However, automakers will then sell alarms for around $1,200 separately.  This will be added on to the new vehicle purchase price.  Also, finance offices at dealerships typically don’t provide the best deals.  It would be a better idea to seek financing elsewhere and put your extra money towards an auto warranty.

Finally, you can save money by selling your car yourself.  Don’t trade it in at the dealership because you probably won’t get as much money for it.

These simple tips will help you save money if you are planning to purchase a new vehicle.  Also, realize that new car warranties should be an essential part of your purchase so you are protected from unnecessary repair costs.

Why buy a sports car?  Sports cars are not made to be practical, they are made to be fun.  They are available in various models, such as two-seat roadsters and hatchbacks.  Many models have relatively small cargo space, while others offer ample rear cargo room.  Here are some things to consider when deciding which car model to purchase.

Even car models that fall in the same categories can vary greatly in fuel-efficiency.  Make sure to do comparisons to see which models will save you money at the gas pump.

A lot of sports cars have small doors and limited head room that make getting in and out difficult.  If you’re looking for a little more ease, you might want to look for a four-door hatchback or sedan.  They often have easier access.

A sports car can have from two to five seats; depending on what model you look at.  Even cars with five seats often have a middle rear seat that is too tight for adults.  Make sure to try out the seats for comfort.  Also, consider a three-point seat belt instead of a lap belt for a seat in the center rear.

A sports car is a great choice for motorists who want an exciting ride, and aren’t concerned about cargo space.  However, it is always important to purchase an auto warranty to protect your wallet in case of unforeseen repairs down the road.

The purpose of the thermostat in your vehicle is to regulate the temperature of the vehicle so that it remains at a desired level.  To do this it controls the heating and cooling mechanisms and controls the flow of heat that goes throughout the system.  The thermostat manages the coolant amount in the internal combustion engine.  You will find a thermostat in any liquid cooled engine.

If you’re thermostat isn’t performing correctly it may be for a few reasons.  First, if the water pump in the car is failing then the thermostat will be affected.  The thermostat can also be affected if the engine is overheated or there is coolant leaking.

You should have your thermostat checked out by your mechanic regularly.  It holds a key position in cooling your engine, so it should be replaced every few years.

Failing to replace your thermostat when it should be could give you additional problems, such as a knocking noise with acceleration, emission problems, and poor fuel-efficiency.  Unfortunately, you never know when car problems will arise, which is why you should have your vehicle serviced regularly and purchase an auto warranty for peace of mind.

Crossovers are becoming more and more popular with consumers.  These are essentially Sport-utility vehicles that are put on car platforms.  Crossovers give you the practicality of the minivan, with some of the capabilities of an SUV, all with a car’s efficiency. Consumers love their versatility, and there are many promising models to choose from.

The BMW X6 looks like a fastback sedan and satisfies the consumers who aren’t crazy about crossovers.  It is shaped more like a car than an SUV, and is intended for use on the road, not off.

Ford is going to make a replacement for the Explorer, which is based on the concept of the Explorer America.  It is going to be a crossover, but won’t be on a truck design like the current Ford Explorer.

Toyota has put out the 2009 Venza with great success.  This vehicle is essentially a Camry wagon.

Mercedes-Benz has made a crossover effort with the GLK.  This isn’t a small vehicle, although it is much smaller than the ML Class.  However, this isn’t the best styling by Mercedes.

The time will probably come when motorists revolt against crossovers, just like they have done with station wagons and minivans.  But, for now, crossovers are in high demand.  However, like with any vehicle, make sure to purchase an auto warranty to protect you from costly repairs down the road.

The poor economy is affecting more than the way people are driving.  It is also causing some motorists to cut corners on auto maintenance and an auto warranty, which can come back to cost them more later and lead to road service calls.

Repair shops around the country are seeing business slow down.  When customers are told they are due for their 30,00-mile service, they say that they are going to hold off for a while.  Then they end up waiting until 40,000 miles to have it done.

This is due to the fact that people have taken a hit with the economy, causing maintenance repairs to take a backseat.

But, according to experts, avoiding maintenance repairs to save money will end up costing you more money, and safety, in the long run.

Roadside assistance calls are at an all time high because of this problem.  Motorists are calling because their battery is out, or they haven’t’ changed their oil enough, or a tire has blown, and numerous other problems.

The downturn of the U.S. economy has drivers steering toward purchasing used cars instead of new ones.

A recent survey examining 40 car retailers indicated used car sales have increased.  In fact, of the dealerships, 28 percent said that they had sold more used vehicles than expected.

Also, 82 percent of the dealerships indicated that their used car inventory is just enough.  This is up 64 percent from last year at the same time.

In addition, 15 percent of the dealerships claimed that they didn’t have enough inventories, which was higher than the 6 percent in the previous survey.

Used vehicle interest could represent a bright spot for an expected gloomy year in the automotive industry.  Consumers want to save money on cars, used car warranties, and auto loans.

Mercedes-Benz is known for offering consumers comfort at any price, and its new SplitView is a perfect example.  This is an 8-inch GPS display screen, which is programmed for transmitting two images that are different- one for the passenger and one for the driver, at the same time.

The system is pretty technical, but basically the screen utilizes a masking filter that allows different images to appear when viewed from different angles.

For example, the driver can view directions or climate information while the front passenger views a TV show or DVD.  Mercedes claims that it’s aware there is potential for distractions, so to alleviate this passengers watching a DVD can use headphones, as well as a remote control in order to lessen the distraction for the driver.

If you’re interested in the SplitView, it will be available in the summer of 2009, on the S-Class.  Just make sure with any new technology that you have a good auto warranty that will cover you in case repairs are needed.