Auto Warranty News

Unless you are actually a mechanic yourself, it may require a leap of faith to deal with a repair shop.  However, paying attention to your mechanic’s actions can give you clues to their honesty.  Here are some things to look out for.

If your mechanic says you need to flush your engine right away, or it will go bad, he might be padding your bill.  Some shops will recommend procedures that aren’t necessary.  Also, they may want you to schedule tasks that are premature.  Pay attention to your owner’s manual for maintenance schedules.

Also, you don’t want to go to a shop that makes every repair recommendation sound like an emergency.  This is a scare tactic for consumers who aren’t mechanically inclined.

If your mechanic tells you the new fuel injectors didn’t fix it, so you will need a new fuel pump, you are dealing with a parts replacer.  This is a mechanic who is rebuilding your vehicle because he is unable to diagnose the problem.  This is one reason an auto warranty is essential.

It can be hard for motorists to know which mechanics are trying to “take them for a ride”, however, there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself.  First of all, make sure you have used car warranties so you aren’t paying unnecessary repair costs.  Secondly, follow these tips to see if your mechanic is acting honestly.

The recommended intervals for oil changes have increased a significant amount over the last ten years.  It used to be that oil changes were recommended every 3,000 miles, but now recommendations are for every 8,000 miles.  This is great news for drivers because it means less time at the mechanic and less money spent.  However, there are a few cautionary notes to consider.

First of all, consult your owner’s manual for the “maximum recommended interval”.  Make sure you don’t extend beyond that number because saving $40 on an oil change is not worth having an $800 repair due to sludge buildup.

Second, if your driving type falls under “heavy duty” you will need to change your oil more regularly.  Often, drivers don’t realize that daily stop-and-go commuting falls under this category.  Also, if you use your vehicle for short trips with little highway driving you many need shorter oil changeouts.

Finally, you should use the specific oil type/grade recommended by the carmaker.  Failing to use the right oil type can result in poor car performance, engine damage, and even void the terms of your auto warranty.

Although less frequent oil changes are convenient for consumers, people need to follow these cautionary notes.  After all, you don’t want to ruin an engine because you didn’t add a couple of quarts of Pennzoil.  This is why an auto warranty is always a good idea, too.

Why is it finally acceptable for kids age 13 to finally ride in the front seat of the car?  Are they finally big enough to withstand the impact of an airbag?  Are they at the age where they can behave in the front seat?

A big part of the problem is behavior.  When kids mess with the radio, and play around, they usually aren’t in a proper position when an airbag deploys.  In injuries and deaths, the proximity to the airbag in the front is a huge issue; in addition, proper positioning in the seat is a factor.  By 13, kids are more able to sit still and behave.

Around ages 11 and 12, children are also bigger physically.  This is an issue because it is hard for children to have their backs against the seatback if their feet don’t touch the floor.  This means that they scrunch down putting them in a bad position for airbag deployment.

Kids under 13 need to ride in the back seat for their safety.  It isn’t worth it to put your child in the front and have them injured by an airbag.  Parents are concerned with many things such as new car warranties, auto loans, and maintenance, but most important is the safety of their children.

If you are thinking of selling your car you need to make a proper assessment of your vehicle.  Sometimes it can be hard to see your vehicle the ways others see it, because you have a special connection to it.  Here are some tips to help you.

Some car owners trick themselves into believing that their car is worth more than it really is.  People are convinced that their car is in excellent condition when it actually has a lot of where and tear.  Even if you have an auto warranty and have tried to keep your vehicle maintained, know that it is a used car and it isn’t as fresh as when you bought it. When you are trying to sell a used vehicle its condition is the most important thing, so assess it honestly.

It is best to give an honest disclosure as to your cars true condition.  In most cases you don’t need to go to a body shop to get your car looking perfect.  People know they are buying a used car and don’t usually want to spend the extra money on a perfect body.  The best thing that you can do is to take your car to get a wash and wax.  This is equivalent to a houses curb appeal. This will make your car look its best without spending a fortune.

If you are trying to sell your car make sure you make an honest assessment of your vehicle.  You don’t want to hold onto a vehicle waiting for money if your never going to get it.

Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts is contemplating putting a tax on big SUVs that are gas-guzzlers.  This tax would have to be paid when vehicle owners go to register their cars after their purchase.  This “Hummer Tax,” as it is widely known, would be used to pay for infrastructure, which Deval claims is suffering from a full decade of neglect.

This tax, which is designed to make car shoppers consider buying vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, will probably ruffle some feathers if it goes into effect.  Vehicle purchases are already down, and any kind of tax on vehicles as the car industry is struggling will be met with some strong opposition.  This law would be the first one of this kind in the U.S.

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are already thinking of enacting an increase of 19 cents in the fuel tax, which will no doubt be controversial.  When you have to come find $19 billion in the next 20 years in order to modernize and maintain your transportation system, it is likely that you will have to put some unpopular ideas on the table.  Unfortunately, right now consumers just feel more comfortable hanging onto their current cars and purchasing used car warranties, instead of buying new vehicles.

When it comes time for you to test-drive a car, you need to be aware of a few things.  After all, this will be one of your most important drives ever, so make sure to get the most out of it.

First, make sure you test-drive the exact model that you’re thinking of buying.  There may be big differences in various models, such as transmissions and engines, tires and suspension, and features in the cabin that will largely affect the way a vehicle handles and feels.

If the salesperson is talking a lot, ask him to please be quiet.  You need quiet to properly evaluate a vehicle.  This will allow you to hear how the vehicle operates.  It might make things easier to tell the salesperson in the showroom that you might need some quiet driving time.

Request a specific test route of your liking if you are familiar with the roads.  You are the only one who knows what kind of driving you will be doing and on what roads.

It is easy to get excited when test-driving a car, but don’t forget these important tips.  They could save your from purchasing a car that might not end up liking.  Also, do your homework to get a good deal.  You’ll need to factor in the price of maintenance costs, an auto warranty, and auto insurance.

People love to get a new car, but they don’t love the new car payments. But, although you can’t avoid those monthly payments, you can keep them reasonable. And make sure to factor in other costs, such as new car warranties, maintenance, and auto loans. Here are some tips to keep those car payments down.

Make sure you purchase a car that you need, not necessarily one that is on the lot. Often, cars on the lot have more features than you need. Dealers’ benefit from selling you one of these cars. Not only do they move a vehicle off their lot, they sell you a more expensive car.

Only buy features that you must have. For example, air conditioning is something most of us can’t live without, yet we don’t need climate control air conditioning. You can save a lot of money by living without luxury features. Watch out when the dealer tries to sell you power seats, audio systems, and tire packages. All of these things are nice, but not essential.

You can save a lot by avoiding a bigger engine. Test-drive a car model that has a standard engine. You might find that the car has more than enough power. By skipping the engine upgrade, you can save money upfront, as well as on fuel down the road.

Follow these simple tips to save yourself from paying high monthly payments. However, realize that the one thing that you shouldn’t skimp on is purchasing an auto warranty. You don’t want to be stuck with unnecessary repair costs down the road.

According to a recent survey conducted by Cars.com, car shoppers are turning to the pre-owned car market in order to save some money on vehicle purchases in these difficult economic times.  It was revealed in the survey that 32% of people shopping for cars who were originally looking for a new car have now switched to shopping for a used vehicle instead.

That number is higher than the 27% of people that switched from new to used vehicles in October, even though the credit markets aren’t even close to being as tight currently as they were in October when they seized up.

Car shoppers are trying to find ways to cut costs, and purchasing a pre-owned vehicle instead of a new one is a good way to accomplish that, especially with certified pre-owned cars that come with good new car warranties.  However, regardless of whether you purchase a new or used vehicle, make sure to buy a good auto warranty.

Many people believe it is easiest to trade in your current car when buying a new one.  However, is trading the right choice for you?  There are some advantages and disadvantages to trading.

The big advantage to trading over selling is that you have very little hassle.  You don’t have to haggle with buyers and you get rid of your car quickly.  However, the fact is that you aren’t going to get as much for your car if you trade it in.

Any used vehicle has a specific retail value.  If a dealership is going to sell that vehicle, they will have certain expenses, such as fixing dents and scrapes, cleaning it, and just overhead costs of running their business.  Therefore, the dealership has to sell it for a little more than a private owner would.

Since dealers need to make a good profit on used vehicles, they purchase them for less than the retail value.  When the dealership takes a trade in vehicle, they are essentially purchasing it from the new car customer, and at a price below the retail value.  Essentially, this is called the trade in value.

Although trading in your car is easier than going through the hassle of trying to sell your car privately, you are going to get less money for your vehicle.  If you sell your vehicle on your own, you can put the extra money you get towards important things such as an auto warranty and maintenance costs.  And with used vehicles, used car warranties are a smart choice.

You might find that your car has become a mess from kids, pets, friends, etc.  But how are you supposed to keep it clean with kids spitting up and people having four-course meals in your backseat?  Let’s face it; it can be hard.  However, here are some tips to help you get started.

You might want to insist that whatever people bring in the car they have to take it out.  This means that kids should be responsible for the cups, stuffed animals, books, etc.  Also, you could limit them to only bringing one item each car ride.

Keep a trash bag from the kitchen in your vehicle.  This comes in handy for trash, or for dirty wet clothes.  You can have your oldest child be in charge of the trash bag.

For toddlers, purchase spill proof snack bowls and cups.  You can buy a “snack trap”, which keeps Cheerios from spilling all over your floor.

Keep toothpaste in your glove compartment.  This can save you from a stain on your upholstery.  Just rub gently on lipstick or ketchup stains to remove stains.

Purchase some rubber mats to go on top of your carpet.  If you don’t want to spend the extra money you can even turn your carpet mats upside down to reveal the rubber side.

It’s never easy to keep your car clean when you have a busy lifestyle, however, these tips will help.  Don’t just purchase an auto warranty to maintain your car, put a little bit of work into cleaning the interior.