Auto Warranty News

Ford Motor Co. is getting 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 an auto warranty.

Today, GM announced a loss of billions of dollars for the third quarter, as well as many upcoming job cuts. In addition, GM claims that it will run out of money by February of next year without government help. Yet, it is still planning to produce new car models over the next two years, exactly 15 in the U.S.

Although the company has plans to cut billions of dollars of costs for the next year, it is still going to launch new products. The Chevy Volt electric plug-in hybrid is the most notable because it will actually receive an increase in spending.

What other vehicles are still slated for launch? Still on their way, but probably delayed are the Cadillac CTS Wagon and SRX crossover. Also, the Chevy Camaro, Chevy Equinox crossover and Cruze compact car.

So, where does this leave the car shopper? Not only will you have to anxiously wait for these new cars to come to showrooms, you will also have to wait to see if the company is going to survive by the time the cars are supposed to debut. So, you might want to purchase an auto warranty and maintain your current car, and not hold your breath for these new models, just in case.

A couple of months ago Toyota made an announcement saying that it will manufacture a four-cylinder version of the Highlander crossover.  Today, Toyota published several specs about the newer model.  This Highlander has a 187-hp, 2.7-liter four cylinder that has 186 lbs of torque.  It also has a six-speed automatic transmission that is all new.  This engine and transmission is the same as the new Venza, and for good reason; the K-platform by Toyota underpins the Venza, Camry and Highlander, so using the new engine in these various models is a cost-effective thing to do.  In addition, it gets good gas mileage.

The fuel-economy numbers for the new Highlander are 20/27 mpg city/highway, which for a mid-size crossover is greater.  This new Highlander has a 2-mpg better rating than the V-6 version in the combined cycle.  This vehicle also blows away its competitors, such as the Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Santa Fe, because those cars have power plants that are more powerful.  For now, the four-cylinder model will only have front-wheel drive.

Other information about the newest Highlander will be disclosed in the near future, such as its price tag, new car warranties and release date.

In future car accidents a circuit could be as crucial to survival as a seat belt.  Congress made seat belts mandatory in the 1960’s, which was revolutionary in car safety.  Since then, seat belts have greatly reduced deaths.  Now, there is an additional safety revolution in the midst.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has employed a new standard.  This makes electronic stability control equipment a mandatory component in all cars.  The adoption of ESC will save approximately 10,000 lives every year.

Most luxury vehicles already come with ESC.  Other models offer it as an option.  This is just one of the new safety advancements designed with the purpose of preventing auto accidents, not just protecting passengers.  The majority of these new features have a microchip base.  Many are still being perfected. So beware, you never know when new technology will fail.  However, new car warranties will save you from unnecessary expenses.

Many motorists are finding it easiest to buy a package of safety options, rather than individual gadgets.  Lexus, for example, places an emphasis on how its safety features work as a system.  It has a package with lane-departure warning, smart cruise control, and ESC.

Integrating such systems, and the yielding of throttle, brake, and steering raise the question: Do drivers need or want this much help?  Who is actually in charge of the wheel?  No matter the answer, an auto warranty is essential in protecting your vehicle with all of those fancy gadgets.

It may be tempting to use one of the giant retail chains that seem to be popping up everywhere for auto service, but is it smart? Well, there’s something to be said for building a relationship with your auto repair facility, and with a large chain, it probably won’t happen.

Think about it, you go to a mass retailer for a repair, and then after a year the part fails. Yet, when you go back to the original location for an auto warranty claim, the first thing they ask for is your receipt. If you don’t have the receipt you’re out of luck. Chances are they will have no recollection of you or your car from the previous year.

Many people make the mistake of looking for a service shop just on the basis of price. However, you need to consider other factors when choosing a shop. Imagine how nice it would be to build a relationship with a shop where the mechanic recognizes you and your car and you feel a loyalty. We’ve all been in an emergency situation where we need a repair done that day. If you have a relationship with your mechanic, chances are that he will be more likely to squeeze you in.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you when choosing a service shop. However, keep in mind the benefits of being able to feel loyalty from your mechanic.

In NYC the top taxicab lobby didn’t take lightly Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s attempt at making the taxi fleet hybrids.  After the announcement that NYC would require taxi companies to gradually phase out the V-8 Crown Victoria, which is a gas-guzzler, for hybrid vehicles that are much more expensive, the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade started its campaign designed to fight back.

Last week it won a victory because Paul Crotty, who is a federal judge, ruled that the federal government’s laws about fuel economy pre-empt and city or state regulations.

Obviously, Mayor Bloomberg wasn’t pleased, claiming that “Archaic Washington regulations” should not keep cities from taking matters, such as efficiency and pollution reduction into their own hands.  Certainly, consumers are taking steps to reduce their car costs by purchasing hybrids with new car warranties.

The ruling is peculiar considering the nation has moved away from gas-guzzlers, but it is likely that the decision won’t hold.

A big change in the auto industry is coming.  Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are inevitable, and we have been asking for a while: When will they arrive?  However, now a question more appropriate would be: Is America ready?

At the Institute of Transportation Studies, located within the University of California, this question has been the topic of research.

What they have found is cause for concern.  First, they discovered that a large obstacle to acceptance of these cars is a lack in consumer’s education.  Motorists just don’t have a lot of knowledge about plug-ins, or they get the information confused with already available hybrids.  Car shoppers may not even understand what the benefits are of having plug-in vehicles, including the gas savings that they will receive.  Many motorists don’t even realize that they can get an auto warranty with electric vehicles.

Next, approximately half of households in the U.S. don’t have the infrastructure that will support plug-in cars.  For example, look at Chicago residents.  A citizen who lives in an apartment could really benefit from a car that could drive 40 miles without needing any gas.  However, a person such as this wouldn’t have any garage access, which would mean they wouldn’t have a way to recharge the vehicle.

According to the study, only one-third of households wanting to buy a new car had the infrastructure necessary and an interest in hybrid or plug-in cars.  This is definitely an obstacle for the mainstream success of plug-ins and electric cars.

According to the BMW Blog, the CS Concept that was unveiled at the New York auto show this past spring isn’t going to ever see the light of day in production.  Due to the current problems with the financial market, BMW brass had a change of mind about the possibility of a $100,000-plus-range car.

For car fans this is bad news, but most people buying cars won’t care.  But it is worrisome to car afficionados is the fact that BMW claimed in its cancellation announcement that it’s focusing on profit right now, and not brand identity.  That means that consumers can expect to see more cars like the X1 SUV and not as many statement vehicles.  The company is also claiming that it will be focusing on new technology, which probably means it will be working on engines that are more efficient and refining its iDrive system.

Although many drivers don’t have the funds to purchase a car like the CS Concept, it is sad to see that it won’t make it to production.  However, most people are choosing not to purchase new vehicles right now and instead hold onto their current cars and buy used car warranties.

With gas prices fluctuating daily, Americans are trying to find ways to save at the gas pump.  Ford has put together some easy tips for all motorists, which suggest ways to alter their driving behavior.

First of all, motorists should slow down and keep a steady speed.  Consider driving 55 mph instead of 65 mph.  Just by following this simple tip you can improve your fuel economy 10-15%.  Also, by maintaining a constant speed and not pumping the accelerator you can avoid sending more gas to the engine.

Next, avoid aggressive driving to keep from wasting fuel.  Also, this will help you avoid wearing out brakes and tires.  Try to have a smooth acceleration and soft brake.

Don’t waste money idling.  Even in frigid temperatures, engines today don’t need to warm up.  After starting the vehicle, drive away gently.  Instead of idling in traffic and fast food drive-thrus, just turn you engine off.

Finally, purchase an auto warranty so that you aren’t afraid to have maintenance and repairs performed.  Maintaining your vehicle will ensure that it is running efficiently and has the best fuel economy possible.

Consumers can get sensory overload walking down the car care isle at their local store.  It can be confusing to know what products to purchase, or even if you need to purchase them.  Some people assume that if you have a factory auto warranty that includes the finish, you don’t need to bother washing and waxing, but this isn’t true.

A factory auto warranty will protect you by ensuring that the paint job was sound, that they used quality paint, and that it was cured correctly.  However, new car warranties won’t protect you from oxidation that occurs over time.  This happens naturally if you don’t care for your finish.  Car wax serves the purpose of being a sacrificial layer between Mother Nature and your paint.

If car owners want to keep their finishes looking great, they don’t have to spend a lot of time or money.  Preventative maintenance is the key for your finish, just like it’s under the hood.  All you have to do is wash your vehicle frequently with car care products.  Even just a basic car wash will do a lot to help protect your investment.  After washing, you can spray-on a wax that will boost the shine and extend the intervals between regular wax jobs.