Auto Warranty News

Many drivers don’t know if they should be using regular or synthetic oil in their vehicles. To determine the answer you need to consider the age of your car, it’s mileage, and what is recommended by the carmaker.

Cars that have high mileage and are older usually have engine wear that is excessive, which allows for internal oil leakage. Because synthetic oil is thinner than regular oil it will flow more freely, and therefore it isn’t recommended for these vehicles. By using it your car may experience internal combustion.

Many automakers today recommend synthetic oil for their engines. This is especially true when the car has a high performance engine with high compression, high operating temperatures, and tight engine tolerances. However, if your vehicle still has an auto warranty, you should consult your dealer before switching to synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil is a great idea in the right vehicle, but consult your owner’s manual first. Although synthetic oil will cost you double what regular oil will, it will make your engine last longer, and it lasts longer.

There has been a drastically changing landscape for the SUV market over the past year.  Driven by the high fuel prices, truck-based and full-size SUVs have declined in favor of car-based SUVs that are smaller.  MSN Autos has also experienced this trend among car searches.

The most popular SUV is the Honda CR-V, and best selling SUV in America.  Following close behind is the Toyota RAV4.

Three vehicles by Ford are also among the most popular SUVs.  The Ford Escape, as well as the Escape Hybrid follow behind the RAV4, and the Ford Edge comes in 10th place.  One prime example of how America’s taste for SUVs now differs is the difference in the lineup by Ford.  The Ford Explorer was the top selling SUV two years ago, however now the Explorer isn’t a best seller.

New Nissan SUVs, the Rogue and Murano have experienced great popularity, coming in fifth and seventh.

With the high fuel prices, and poor economy, consumers are staying away from big SUVs that guzzle gas, and instead are purchasing smaller SUVs.  In addition, motorists are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing an auto warranty.

Starting with model year 2010, new car window stickers will have a safety rating combining front, side, as well as rollover tests.  Also, the federal government will upgrade the tests used to compile the ratings.  In addition, female crash dummies will now be used and a new test with a side pole will simulate a car hitting a tree.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration test results, using its New Car Assessment Program, will have a supplement rating indicating if there are advanced safety technologies, such as forward collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems, and ESC.  However, the effectiveness of the individual devices used on each vehicle will not be rated by the government agency.  And, with new technology, such as these safety technologies it is a good idea for consumers to purchase an auto warranty in case of faulty gadgets.

The efforts by the NHTSA to upgrade its car safety program are commendable.  And the car industry is now addressing the safety standards that are becoming increasingly stringent.  The consumers will benefit in the end because they will have a clear presentation of standard safety equipment and crash-test results that are more detailed.  However, as cars become more advanced, it is even more essential to purchase new car warranties.

The 2009 Ford Flex has a boxy exterior that provokes a definite response: either you love it or you hate it. This vehicle has a singular style on the inside and out, and therefore could never be called a me-too car. At the press launch, Ford noted that this vehicle is in the same bloodline as the family station wagons, which will appeal to baby boomers. But this unique crossover may also appeal to the young hip-hop crowd. However, the SE starts at $28,295 with an auto warranty and the LTD goes for $34,705, so that will limit buyers.

Driving in the city and on suburban streets, the Flex is confident, and on the highway the V6 allows for ease when passing other rubbernecking motorists. Also, this car has a smooth ride and responsive steering. However, when going up steep hills the Flex is challenged. And going down it is necessary to ride the 4-wheel disc brakes, because downshifting isn’t an option with only one low setting to slow down the car.

The Flex is a great people mover, and does well as a city cruiser and highway hauler, however its performance doesn’t excel. Yet it has a lot more attitude than a typical crossover. But with fuel prices at an all time high, consumers are going to have to value style over fuel-efficiency to buy a car that has an MPG rating in the teens. After all, people are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing fuel-efficient cars with new car warranties.

Many drivers have a hard time finding a repair shop that they feel is trustworthy.  While some motorists feel comfortable taking their car to the dealership, others prefer going to an independent repair shop.  So, which one is better?

You will find several advantages to going to the dealership repair shop.  First of all, dealerships pay for their technicians to have special training, and they provide them with special tools and equipment.  Dealerships also have a years worth of proprietary information on new vehicles that they have sold.  This information is important for making repairs and diagnosis, yet only the dealer has access to it.  Finally, dealership service departments only work on the specific makes and models that they sell, so they are efficient at diagnosis and repairs.

Independent shops also have advantages.  Because independent facilities try to serve the neighborhood that they are in, customers can benefit from a more personal customer service.  Also, independent repair shops provide more versatile services on a wide range of cars.  In addition, top-notch repair shops will offer an auto warranty through the supplier of the parts.  Finally, prices are usually better at independent repair shops.

There are advantages to both dealerships and independent repair shops.  Consumers should find a repair shop that they feel comfortable with, regardless of what kind it is.  In addition, it is important to purchase an auto warranty to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs.

In this day and age there are numerous different places to buy a used car.  You can do an Internet search, look at your local car dealer, or buy from a private owner.  Any one of these places is a good option for buying a used car if you do your research.

If you want to shop for cars conveniently from your own home, you can look at used-vehicle websites.  You will have to enter your price range, your desired make and model, and your zip code.  Then, a car list will be displayed with the seller’s contact information.  You can also put in a classified ad for your old vehicle.

Independent used car dealers will handle all makes of cars.  You can purchase anything from an old, beat up car to an almost new car.  If a dealership has been around for a while you know that they are reputable.  The good thing about buying from a dealer is that financing and an auto warranty can be arranged for you.

Many times, you can get the best deals from a private owner.  Often, they are just trying to get rid of their old vehicle and there is no overhead like with a business.  The only downfall is that private owners may not be aware of mechanical difficulties that a car might have.

Used cars can save you lots of money in the long run.  Just make sure to do your homework on used car warranties, car prices, and car loans.  This will allow you to make a wise decision when it comes time to buy.

Consumers can experience sensory overload when 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 new 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.

Car shoppers are always questioning whether they should lease, or buy with new car warranties. But, here’s another question for shoppers: Will you even be able to lease your next vehicle?

U.S. carmakers’ financial subsidiaries have had to cut back on their leasing program, because of lower used-car values, especially with large vehicles.

Based on reports of poor earnings, Chrysler is completely abandoning leasing, and GM and Ford are making it hard for people to arrange leases through financial subsidiaries.

In fact, all carmakers are trying not to rely on leasing because it harms a profit picture that is already bleak.

The reason that this trend is continuing is because of the high risks and costs of leasing compared with regular cash and APR business.

Even foreign carmakers are considering following the lead of domestics, although for now they still offer leases.

But, the original question of should you lease still remains. The domestic carmakers are going to make it so expensive to lease that you should probably avoid it. Instead, purchase new or used with an auto warranty to protect you in case of unforeseen repairs down the road.

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.

The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, and Nissan Altima were among the new vehicles that were most searched for on AutoTrader.com. AutoTrader.com has researched the shopping habits of over 14 million visitors monthly on their site. Also, they have begun compiling the data in order to provide insight into sales trends in the auto industry.

As SUV and pickup truck sales steadily decline due to gas prices of $4 per gallon, consumers are steadily migrating to compact cars and midsize sedans when looking for a new car. This indicates a continued decline for domestic manufacturers, who rely on the sales of these vehicles.

One bright spot in this downturn, however, is the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The recent Malibu has had its searches rise 293% over the last generation in 2007. The search activity increase even comes at a time when the average price tag of the Malibu has gone up $4,500 year-over-year. This makes it have a slightly higher price than the Camry and Altima. According to AutoTrader.com, the Malibu could be a strong rival for the Camry and Accord in coming months.

Consumers are protecting their wallets by purchasing small, fuel-efficient cars with an auto warranty. According to AutoTrader.com this trend isn’t changing any time soon.