Auto Warranty News

The 2008 DuPont Global Color Popularity Report found that White and White Pearl are the favorite car color choices in America, with 16% and 4% of the market share.  This is the second year in a row that white has been the #1 choice.

Black and silver tied for second place at 17% each.

Trends for North America also highlight the trend for global convergence.  This means that the colors that Americans like the best are similar to the ones that motorists in Russia and Brazil like, and vice versa.

Leading in Europe, however, is black, and silver takes the lead in the Russian car market.  Asia likes silver cars the best and India likes white.

According to the report, blue is now the “new green” when thinking of cars that represent the “preservation of nature.”

At this point it doesn’t really matter what color cars people are buying, as long as they are purchasing new cars with new car warranties.  Unfortunately, this year many people chose to hold onto their current cars and buy used car warranties.

Many motorists wonder what it actually means for a car to be considered “clean”.  The new Jetta TDI is a prime example.  This car will use a new fuel that is an ultra-low sulfur diesel.  It used to be that diesel fuel contained large amounts of sulfur, which harmed devices like catalytic converters that are put in the exhaust stream to help clean harmful emissions.

Now, ultra-low sulfur diesel has reduced the content of sulfur by 97%, which allows carmakers to add devices that will reduce emissions, without risking damage to the components.  Of course, devices like these will vary from carmaker to carmaker, just like new car warranties.

There are four new emission-reducing devices in the new Jetta TDI.  According to VW, they are an oxidation catalyst for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions, storage catalyst for nitrogen emissions oxides, particulate emissions trap, and for hydrogen sulfide emissions, a slip catalyst.

Changes that have been made under the hood of the 2009 Jetta TDI include four valves per cylinder (not two), common rail fuel injection, and new calibration for the engine.

Before Barack Obama made the switch to a Ford Escape Hybrid back in 2007 when he entered the presidential campaign, the Senator was the proud owner of a 2005 Chrysler 300C sedan.  He often spoke of the fact that he owned an American car, and for the people out there who have concern about the 340-hp Hemi and its poor gas mileage of 15/23 mpg, just remember that was his family’s one and only vehicle.

Well, that 300C that was so often talked about is now on eBay for sale, but the price tag is quite hefty.  Apparently, driving the former sedan of the soon to be 44th president is going to cost you at least $100,000, which is the opening bid.  The Kelley Blue Book value of this car is only $17,000.

However, what’s an extra $83,000 to own a piece of presidential history?  But if you become the proud owner of this vehicle, make sure you purchase an auto warranty and maintain the car properly because the fact is that the value of this car will continue to go up.

Some recent bulletins stating nagging problems with several car models make an auto warranty a must.  The following information is put out by the manufacturers to the service departments of dealers, as well as to mechanics.

Some GM vehicles have had problems with oil leaks. Vehicles that were produced between 1986 and 2008 with various 60-degree v-6 engines may experience oil leaks from the rear seal of the crankshaft.

Some of Ford’s large pickup trucks have fuel injectors that are stuck.  This is specifically on the 2005 Ford F-150, Lincoln Navigators and Expeditions.  Apparently, the injectors could become stuck open or closed, which could result in powertrain damage.

Owners of 2007 Jeep Wranglers may have difficulty getting started in the morning.  A faulty engine camshaft sensor is responsible for a long cranking time.  To avoid this problem the sensor must be replaced.

Car manufacturers are always discovering new problems that can be a headache for motorists.  Don’t be caught off guard, buy an auto warranty to avoid expensive repairs.

There is nothing worse that purchasing a car and finding out that it has an ocean of problems, literally.

Why?  The number of cars on the market in the last five years that have been damaged by flooding, hurricanes or rains has doubled.  Certain states have actually reported an increase of six times more than the number recorded five years ago.

A lot of times, vehicles with this problem are moved from regions that experience a lot of flooding to less suspicious areas.  These cars will find themselves back on the pre-owned market, disguised and rebuilt to look clean.

It can be hard to realize if a flood has damaged a car, yet if a car has been underwater it will rot inside and out.  Also, water damage can threaten the mechanical systems and ruin electronics in a vehicle, without even leaving a sign on the outside of the vehicle.

Since sales of used cars are expected to reach 45 million this year, consumers need to be on high alert for any signs of flood damage.  Also, purchase an auto warranty to protect yourself in case you have unforeseen repair costs.

Volvo already has a good reputation for its impressive safety features.  Yet, Volvo has recently debuted new safety technologies.  To improve their safety features Volvo has built on its current safety features.

Volvo’s latest safety package is available on the Volvo XC60.  The package has the purpose of assisting distracted drivers.

One impressive safety feature is an automatic low-speed system of braking.  It can detect reflections from bumpers and license plates using a laser.  If the driver has a speed of less than 20mph and they get too close, the car will stop automatically.

They also added an interesting approach to the LDW system.  This system serves the purpose of audibly alerting drivers if they cross the line without the use of a turn signal.  Another program that Volvo has added detects micro corrections, which indicate a driver is falling asleep.

Drivers are becoming more concerned with safety features, and Volvo has provided great safety advancements. By purchasing an auto warranty and driving safer cars, motorists are now able to have peace of mind.

It’s pretty obvious that carmakers are having a difficult year.  And just to make things even harder, some cars that are perfectly good don’t even get a fair shake.  One car model can be just as good as another one, yet consumers don’t give it the attention of a competing model.

For instance, the Saab 9-5 gets 21 mpg and comes with a sunroof and leather seats, and goes for $37,685 with new car warranties.  However, 1,943 consumers only bought that car, while 81,967 people purchased the similar BMW 3-Series for $32,700, which is the segment leader.

Another story of tough luck is the Acura RL, which is a competitor in the large luxury car division and is one of the Top Safety Picks, along with the S80.  However, the RL, which is powered by a V-6, isn’t a match for competing car models that have V-8 engines.  Because of higher fuel prices, the RL appeals to some shoppers who are fuel-conscious, but it seems that buyers looking for luxury cars have a preference for power over safety.

These cars are great examples of vehicles that deserve a second look because they have features that are unique and high quality.  Unfortunately, they are small players in a huge market.  Consumers should consider the benefits of these cars because not only do they have a lot of features to offer, but also they are priced right with a good auto warranty.

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.

The most notable upgrade seen in the 2009 RAV4 is its new four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine, which boosts the power to 179 hp, compared to 166 hp in 2008.  The mileage stays the same at 22 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway for the two-wheel-drive version and 21/27 mpg for the four wheel-drive versions.  Also unchanged is the 3.5-liter V-6.

Toyota also made some changes to the RAV4s exterior.  There is a more angular appearance to the front of the vehicle that resembles the Tundra and Matrix, which were recently redesigned.  Also, there is a small bumper change, and the addition of new taillights.

Other upgrades include new colors, new fabrics in the interior, and standard active front head restraints.

The changes to the RAV4 aren’t drastic for 2009, but they will be able to maintain the vehicle’s successful reputation.  You can purchase the 2009 version now, which has the same base price and auto warranty from 2008.

Recently Ford announced that it is going to double the number of cars that come equipped with a rearview camera system in 2009.  This means that approximately three-quarters of the vehicles Ford makes will have the bumper-level camera as well as the display.

Ford has a very distinct rearview camera system because instead of appearing on a screen in the middle console, the image shows up in the rearview mirror.  This new rearview camera can be bought independent of an expensive navigation system.

This system only costs $695 and has become so popular that Ford is noticing that many buyers are including it in their 2009 version of the top-selling F-150, when compared to the 2008 model.

New technology such as this is terrific, but buyers should protect themselves from failure of expensive gadgets with new car warranties.