Auto Warranty News

The reliability ratings for Ford had a significant jump, which makes it the most reliable American carmaker, according to Consumer Reports, which just released its ratings.  The reliability ratings can be found in the December issue of the magazine.  Other than a few of Ford’s pickup trucks, Ford’s reliability is comparable to that of the Japanese carmakers that are the best, however consumers should still purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen expenses.

Other carmakers that received the highest ratings went to the usual winners, including Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.  Toyota received below-average ratings last year for the V-6 Camry and Tundra, however now all of the 42 Toyota, Lexus, and Scion models had ratings that were average or above.  After several years of experiencing trouble, Nissan’s Armada and Titan and Infiniti’s QX56 had improved ratings, which now are average.  Kia and Hyundai also got rankings equal with the best Japanese carmakers, with Kia making a 12 spot jump in one year.

American carmakers need to make improvements in reliability so consumers will purchase American made cars, and Ford has now achieved this.  Consumers are very concerned with safety and reliability and are purchasing cars with the best ratings.  Motorists are also protecting themselves by purchasing new and used car warranties.

For all of you people out there who are fans of the Patriots- the vehicle, not team-here are some additional reasons that you should love your crossover. In an omission that is rare, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety decided to revise the frontal crash-test rating of the 2008 Jeep Patriot to Good, which is the highest rating that is acceptable. Russ Rader, who is a IIHS spokesman, claimed that there was a missing wire in a crash-test dummy’s leg that caused the Patriot to get an Acceptable rating, but when the wire was in the correct place, the Patriot received an improved rating of Good.

The side crash-test rating for the 2008 Patriot was also Good with the optional side curtain airbags. These airbags are now standard for the 2009 model. Ratings for rear crash-tests were only Acceptable, which is why the Patriot didn’t become the Top Safety Pick.

Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with automobile safety. They are protecting themselves by purchasing new car warranties, and researching car safety features and crash test results.

Many people believe that pickup trucks and SUVs cause extreme damage to cars in a collision because they are heavier and bigger.  And although size is a factor, the main culprit in collisions involving low speeds is the mismatch of bumper heights.

In the United States, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks aren’t required to have any bumpers.  While some car manufacturers do put bumpers on these vehicles, they usually don’t match up with car bumpers, which are required to have bumpers 16-20 inches above the ground.

In addition, pickup truck and SUV bumpers are typically flimsy.  In fact, bumpers on most of these vehicles are purely decorative.

The result of bumper mismatch is a hefty repair bill resulting from even the most minor accidents.  Without a bumper, there isn’t anything to protect a vehicle’s expensive sheet metal.

People wouldn’t expect a 10-mph collision to completely disable a vehicle, yet often times when bumper mismatch is involved, one or both vehicles are undrivable.  To deal with this problem, motorists should make sure that their vehicle has a bumper and they should practice defensive driving.  In addition, you should always have a good auto warranty in case of unforeseen circumstances.

If you’re thinking of buying a small SUV you’re in luck because there are many good choices.  Compact SUVs offer practicality, fuel-efficiency, and nice style.  In fact you can find many models for under $25,000 complete with an auto warranty.  So what are the best and worst models to consider?  Read on.

The Honda CR-V is the #1 compact SUV.  It ranked the highest for performance, safety, and interior.  According to reviewers, it drives really well, has a sleek design and offers ample storage room.  Following close behind, the Toyota RAV4 comes in second place in its class.  This vehicle has a surprising amount of power for its size. It now offers a V-6 engine, as well as a third row seat. The RAV4 was the first compact SUV in its class over a decade ago.  Coming in #3 is the 2008 Subaru Forester.  This SUV is known for being a fun, family-friendly vehicle.  Reviewers complained about the exterior being bland and the balky transmission, but were willing to overlook these things because it had some great positive features.

Unfortunately, there are some compact SUVs that didn’t score as well.  In last place was the Saturn Vue Hybrid.  According to reviewers, it isn’t very refined and isn’t as fuel thrifty as many other hybrids.  Also at the bottom of the list is the Mazda Tribute because its power and handling doesn’t match its competitors.  Finally, the Jeep Compass drives more like a car, but doesn’t have the sportiness or off-road capabilities that other Jeeps have.

If you’re thinking of buying a compact SUV, there are many great choices out there.  The most important thing is to do your homework and make sure you are choosing wisely.  Also keep in mind the cost of new car warranties, maintenance costs and auto loans when determining your budget.

GM’s financing arm recently made a decision to give loans only to consumers with the best credit. This is due to the tightening of the credit market and unstable economy. Only car shoppers who have a credit score of at least 700 will qualify to get a loan for a car.

The state of California has made it known that it is against the GMAC’s decision, claiming that it will rule out 40% of Californians from getting a car loan, which will result in many dealerships having to file for bankruptcy.

The president of the California Auto Dealer Association wrote to GMAC CEO Alvaro de Molina warning that these strict guidelines would result in disaster for dealerships. GM already suspects that dealer profits will drop 18% for the year.

Although California’s dealers have been the first to point it out, the new lending rules by GMAC will most definitely have an impact all over the country. In fact, many consumers will be holding onto their current cars and purchasing used car warranties, because they won’t be able to get car loans.

Many drivers aren’t sure whether they should use regular or synthetic oil in their cars.  The answer depends on the age of the vehicle, mileage, and the recommendations by the carmaker.

Older vehicles with high mileage often have excessive engine wear that allows oil to leak internally.  Synthetic oil isn’t recommended on these vehicles because it is thinner than regular oil and flows freely.  Using it often will cause internal oil combustion.

Many automakers today use synthetic oil in their engines.  This is often the case when the car has an engine that is high performance with high compression, high temperatures for operating, and engine tolerances that are tight.  If you’re thinking of switching to synthetic oil and your car still has an auto warranty, make sure to consult your dealer first.

In the right vehicle synthetic oil is a good idea (consult your owner’s manual).  Although synthetic will cost you twice as much as regular, it is worth it because it lasts longer and can help your engine last longer.

The latest versions of the G sedan and coupe will be available at dealerships the day after the presidential election, on Nov. 5.  Who knows if this is intentional or not, but if you’re excited about the new president, you might want to consider going out and buying an upgraded G37, which starts at $33,250 including new car warranties.

The largest change that comes with the sedan is its new 3.7-liter V-6 that puts out 328 hp, which was shown in the 2008 coupe.  Both will see an upgrade on the transmission, with an adaptation of the seven speed that was seen in the new FX35 SUV.

The sedan will persist with an AWD model, while the coupe will get AWD for the first time.  Both models will have a starting price $1,000 greater than last year.  The sedan will experience a minimal price bump, but many consumers may wonder if the new transmission in the coupe is worth the added cost.

Very few people who purchased a Chrysler Sebring actually went for the option of all-wheel-drive. In fact, just .7% of people who bought Sebrings opted to buy AWD, probably because it makes the sticker price go up drastically, and decreases fuel-efficiency.

This has made Chrysler rethink the situation and it has announced that AWD will be dropped from the Sebring, as well as the Dodge Caliber and Dodge Avenger, which brought in only 1.5% and 4.4% of car shoppers into adding on the option, respectively. You will notice the change taking effect for model year 2009.

Dealerships were having a hard time selling AWD models that began at $26,000, however Chrysler may be wrong about the number of motorists who think AWD is a “must have” is negligible. For instance, Subaru’s lineup that is all-AWD is experiencing record sales and crossovers with AWD are still popular.

Although many people are opting to hold onto their old vehicles and purchase used car warranties, there are still those people out there who want to buy new. And yes, some motorists are still considering cars with AWD.

It’s important to realize that in today’s cars the main source of power is still the battery.  The battery is not just used to start the engine; it is also used to supply electrical energy that maintains the memory of the numerous computers onboard.  Batteries and cable connections that are poorly maintained fail to supply the voltage needed for innovative electronic devices.  This can cause a vehicle to perform erratically. Maintaining your battery and purchasing an auto warranty can save you from breakdowns.  Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts that can help you maintain your car battery.

First, it is important to check cables to make sure they are tight and free of corrosion.  Make sure that terminals are lubricated with petroleum jelly to keep cables clean longer.  Also, the battery should be secured firmly to the mounting bracket.  If it’s not, it can result in short circuits.  Finally, make sure to maintain fluids.  If fluid is low, distilled water should be added.  If there isn’t fluid the battery needs to be replaced.

There are some important things that you shouldn’t do concerning your battery.  Don’t charge your battery if it’s frozen because there is a possibility it could explode.  Instead, you must replace the battery.  Never charge a battery that is dead with an alternator.  The alternator may be damaged in this case.  Also, you shouldn’t disconnect battery cables if your car is running.

Make sure to maintain your battery so it can perform at its peak.  These simple tips can help your battery last longer.  Of course, you never know when your car will fail, so make sure to purchase an auto warranty that will protect you in the event of a breakdown.

The current reality for the auto industry isn’t at all bright.  The economy of the country has experienced a weak dollar, a credit crisis, and soaring gas and food prices. And, this is going to be the worst year for car sales in over a decade.

But carmakers are getting smart.  They are building more passenger cars.  In the past pickup trucks and SUV’s generated a lot of profits, but now people want small, thrifty cars.

General Motors admits that they are counting on sedans to save them this year.  The company has made a shift to cars, with less emphasis on SUV’s and pickup trucks.  Even though GM wants to maintain their market in trucks, they realize that they need to get better with cars now.

Chrysler LLC is promising to take an “aggressively conservative” approach in their company.  This means that they will eliminate various models such as the PT Cruiser, Durango, and Pacifica.

US carmakers are trying hard to make sure that domestic sales don’t fall lower than projections say.  Even though it is a tough market, Americans love cars and will continue to buy. Motorists are making smarter choices by purchasing small, efficient cars.  This allows them to put money towards other necessities, such as new car warranties and maintenance.