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Purchasing A Certified Used Car

Certified Used CarVehicle certification programs allow consumers to buy a used car for better value. These programs assures consumers that they are buying a used car that is in good condition, meaning they were not a part of any severe accidents or floods. Certification also helps aid in the avoidance of scammers and dealers who sell cars that are badly damaged. When choosing a good certification program to purchase a used car, here are some things you should keep in mind:

1. Know what standards are set for the certification program and make sure that these standards are being met.

2. Seek out programs that are backed by manufacturers. This is important because they build the cars and this makes them the most reliable people to certify the cars.

3. It is good to look for a used car that has an original warranty as well as a limited warranty offered by the manufacturer.

4. Do your research and look for a model of car that is best suited to your driving wants and needs.

5. Look into safety and reliability reports on your car. Also, you should compare prices.

6. Be sure that the car has an in depth mechanical inspection as well as an in depth vehicle history report.

7. Check to see if your certified used car comes with an extended used car warranty. If it comes with one, be sure to know what coverage you are receiving as well as how long the warranty will last. If there is no auto warranty included, look into an aftermarket auto warranty company to purchase an auto warranty.

8. Ask if you can have roadside assistance options included in your purchase.

Things To Consider Before Purchasing An Extended Warranty

AudiAs with any purchase, it is good to think put a lot of thought into any auto warranty before you actually buy it. Here are some things to consider about extended warranties before making a payment:

First, you should decide if an extended auto warranty is the right thing for you. Usually manufacturers will provide a standard warranty for you when buying the car. However, if you intend on driving your car for frequent long distance trips or if you intend on keeping it for a long time, an extended warranty is something you may wish to invest in.

Second, you should purchase from a company that is carefully selected to meet your needs. You can usually purchase a warranty from manufacturers, dealerships, or aftermarket auto warranty companies that are independent businesses. Each place you can purchase from provides different benefits so it is important to do your research before making a selection.

Third, you should be sure to know how to make a good purchase. It is important that you are able to select the dealership you want to be involved with, receive a transferable warranty, and also that the company has good ratings from the Better Business Bureau.

Fourth, you should only choose a warranty that meets your needs. There are many different types of warranties so it is extremely important to think about what type of coverage you want and to do your research on which warranty will provide the desired coverage.

Lastly, you should know exactly what you are purchasing. Warranties will only cover what you pay for. More expensive warranties may mean more coverage, whereas cheaper warranties may mean less coverage. Therefore it is important to identify your needs and make a purchase based on those needs rather than cost.

Posted in Auto Warranty

Steer Clear Of Auto Warranty Scammers

Yelling In PhoneThere are a numerous amount of auto warranty companies to choose from. A main concern with this is not knowing what companies to trust. You will want to avoid doing business with a company that will either not fulfill their obligations to provide you with coverage or will take your money and go out of business shortly after.

Identifying scammers can be done in a few ways. First off, scam companies use sales strategies where they place you under a ton of pressure to make a purchase. Another way to identify a scam is by knowing that scammers do not allow you to look at their contracts before making a purchase. Lastly, scam companies do not have business records that indicate an extended business history. All of these signs usually point to a scam.

When contemplating the purchase of an auto warranty for your vehicle, do not settle for a company right away. Take your time and choose a company that will consult with you about what you need and make sure they are reliable. Be sure that you can look at the contract before making a purchase as well as ensure that the company is backed with a reliable independent insurance company.

It also might be a good idea to look into reliable aftermarket auto warranty companies such as Auto Advantage Inc. that have been highly rated by the Better Business Bureau, in order to truly ensure that you are dealing with a reliable company.

Posted in Auto Warranty

How To Identify A Failing Fuel Pump

Fuel PumpHere are some ways to identify a failing fuel pump:

1. Your car’s engine fails to hit highway speeds. If your engine is misfiring, the car will sometimes jerk when traveling on the highway. Your fuel pump will repeatedly stutter in intervals.

2. Your car loses power when you accelerate from a complete stop. When you try to accelerate, the car begins to go but then appears that it is about to die. Then directly after the car appears to restart and you are able to go.

3. You lose power when you are traveling at highway speeds, even more so when you are traveling uphill. This problem generally indicates a failure in your car’s fuel system. If the problem isn’t the fuel filter, it is most likely that the fuel pump is the cause.

4. Your car cranks when you attempt to start it up, but it will not start. The two things that can cause this problem are a broken timing belt or a broken chain. Without a timing belt, your car will crank but it won’t start up.

Keep in mind that a failed fuel pump that needs to be replaced could be very costly. Therefore getting an auto warranty that can cover the costs might be a smart idea.

Posted in Auto Warranty

Taking Care Of Your Car’s Cooling System

Car Air ConditionerIn order to keep your cooling system running correctly this summer, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

In order to get the best use from your cooling system, you should know how to quickly and efficiently cool your car. Since warm air rises, you should use the panel vents for the air conditioning and have them pointing somewhat upwards. This will help efficiently circulate the air and more quickly cool off your car’s interior. If you used your max air conditioning setting, once the interior is cooled off, be sure to set your car to a lower fan setting as well as raise the temperature setting a bit to keep your car at a comfortable setting. Also, do not just turn your air conditioning off directly after cooling off the car, because you will have to just put it back shortly after.

Now that you know how to get the most efficient use out of your cooling system, you should also know how to properly maintain it. Generally, air conditioning systems do not require a large amount of daily maintenance. If the system is working properly then it will be able to be used for the summer season. If it is not working properly you should get it checked and repaired in order to save yourself from the summer heat. The first thing to check is the condenser. The condenser is the sizeable heat exchanger in the front of your vehicle, slightly in front of the radiator. Check to see if there is dirt or debris in it that would disrupt the airflow. If there is dirt and debris, be sure to get rid of it so the air can properly flow. Next, check the belt. Turn the engine off and check the compressor belt to see if there is any wear, and also check to make sure it is tight. If the belt is either damaged or loose, take it to the shop to have it fixed. Now, check to make sure the system is properly operating. Turn the car on and listen for strange noises. Also, make sure that if your car contains an electric cooling fan it starts when you turn on the air conditioner. Make sure cold air is coming out of all of the vents and check the controls to make sure they all work. Finally, be sure to check the air filter, if your car has one. If it is dirty then you should have it replaced.

As a side note, it might be a good idea, if you do not already have one, to look into an aftermarket auto warranty company that offers an auto warranty for your car that covers the cost of smaller repairs in order to help you save some money. Not all warranties cover small repairs so be sure to check that your auto warranty covers the cost.

Posted in Auto Warranty

What You Should Know About Extended Warranties

Toyota CorollaMost of the time dealerships will offer you an extended warranty when you buy a new or used car from them. Here are some things you should know about extended warranties before you purchase one.

First off, you should be familiar with certified used cars. If a used car is certified, this tells us that an extended warranty is put on the car previous to purchase. This auto warranty will come directly from the manufacturer which means you won’t pay extra for the warranty when purchasing the car through the dealership. A certified warranty means that the original manufacturer backs it up, and also means that the dealership already performed inspections on the car to make sure it meets the required standards.

The next thing you should be familiar with is new car warranties. When you buy an extended warranty for a new car, you should know how long you intend on keeping and using the car. If you plan on keeping the car for longer than the standard factory warranty covers it, then it is a smart idea to purchase an extended warranty.

If you are not buying a new car, but instead decide to buy a used car, you should be familiar with used car warranties. When buying the used car you should find out what the standard warranty from the dealership covers on your car. These warranties vary from very short intervals of coverage to longer intervals of coverage. In addition, be sure to find out from the dealership if any part of the original manufacturer warranty is still covering the car. If you are planning to keep this car for a long time it is a good idea to invest in an extended warranty.

When it comes to extended warranties you should definitely be familiar with coverage. Different extended warranties offer different coverage. Certain warranties only cover more serious issues with the car, such as a transmission problem. Others will offer coverage on smaller problems too, such as electric windows.

Another thing about extended warranties that is essential to be familiar with is cost. Each auto warranty will range in cost, therefore it is important to know exactly what each warranty covers and what warranty is right for you. Also, buying an extended warranty from a dealership could mean extra money, so it is a good idea to look into companies that offer aftermarket auto warranties to compare price.

Things To Consider About Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Toyota PriusHybrid cars have the potential to be very advantageous to car owners all over the world, but there are issues that owners should be conscious of, some of which may require a quality hybrid auto warranty program. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Hybrid cars have a higher mpg (miles per gallon), therefore saving money on gas is an advantage for hybrid car owners.

2. Hybrid cars produce less pollution than other vehicles. Since hybrids use both gas and electric motors, when running on electric, the car’s engine is not releasing pollutants into the air.

3. Hybrid cars produce better performance because the electric engine boosts the power of the gas engine when traveling at lower speeds.

4. Hybrid cars are capable of getting higher ratings for mileage. Contrasting from gas engines, hybrid engines are able to get better ratings for mileage by just making some changes to driving patterns. Hybrids use a method called “hypermiling” in order to improve mileage.

5. The government has given a tax credit to some people who purchase a hybrid vehicle. Some states are also giving tax breaks to people who buy hybrids.

6. Some states give HOV lane use people who drive hybrid vehicles. Some areas even give the drivers of hybrids the perk of free parking. Some states are considering tax breaks for hybrid drivers, while other states already have them available. Also, some companies make money offers to drivers who switch to hybrid cars. It is a good idea to look into these kinds of offers in certain states or businesses when buying a hybrid car.

Cons:

1. There is some apprehension about the batteries in hybrid cars. These concerns revolve around how long the batteries will last and also how costly they are to be replaced.

2. Safety is also a concern when it comes to getting into an accident in a hybrid vehicle. People question whether or not the larger battery that produces high voltages of electricity can be dangerous if you get into an accident. Manufacturers are designing these batteries to shut down if there is an accident. Unfortunately problems can still occur which is the reason that some emergency personnel are being trained to deal with accidents involving hybrid cars. Other than the possibility of something going wrong in the event of an accident, hybrids can be just as safe as other cars.

3. The cost of a hybrid car is a major setback for consumers who want to purchase one. Though you save money on gas, it may not make up for the expensive purchase price of a hybrid. Also, even though hybrids are known to be reliable, if problems arise, repair costs of hybrid parts could be high.

Overall, these are some good things to keep in mind if you are considering purchasing a hybrid car. A last, and perhaps most important thing to consider is purchasing an auto warranty for your hybrid vehicle as these cars can be quite costly to repair.

Posted in Auto Warranty

How Often Should Your Car Receive An Oil Change?

Oil ChangeThe answer is that it depends on the type of oil you use in your car and also how you tend to drive your car. Usually, it is recommended that you get an oil change approximately every three thousand miles. Though if your car is newer and has a newer engine and more improved brand of oil you can get an oil change approximately every five thousand miles.

When thinking about how often you should change your car’s oil, it is a good idea to check the manufacturing recommendations in your owner’s manual. If you bought an older car and don’t own a manual for it, you can order a manual from the manufacturer or go online to look up the recommendations.

When it is time for an oil change you can either do it yourself, if you know how to, or bring your car to a mechanic and they will do it for you. The advantage to bringing your car to the mechanic is that during your oil change they can do a diagnostic check on the car and if they find any problems they will tell you right away and also fix the problem more quickly. It is better to be aware of and to fix problems in advance before something unexpectedly happens to your car. You should also consider getting an auto warranty from an aftermarket auto warranty company that sells new car warranties and used car warranties, depending on what warranty is best suited for you. This could help save you money on costly repairs in the future.

Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Car In Good Shape

Car MaintenanceTaking good care of your car can help keep your car in good shape and help keep it away from the mechanic. New car warranties and used car warranties are a good idea to help keep the cost of owning a vehicle down. Keep these simple maintenance tips in mind to help keep your car in tip-top shape:

The battery in your car is a good place to start. Most of the batteries in cars today don’t require much maintenance and are sealed, meaning they can last you up to three years time. If you are having difficulty starting your engine, it is time to for a battery replacement.

The next part of your car to check is your tires. Temperature change can deflate your tires, so it is important to check your tire pressure regularly and make sure that it matches the recommended level for your tires and vehicle. Also it is important to keep a spare tire in your car at all times because you never know when you’ll need it. Lastly, for tires it is important to rotate them approximately every six thousand miles to prevent uneven wear, and when they do become worn it is important to have your tires changed. Checking the alignment of your car is a good thing to do if there is uneven tire wear.

Next up on the list is checking the engine oil. Checking and changing the oil is very important in order to keep your engine running correctly. It is best to change the lubricant on your car approximately every three thousand miles or every three to six months. You should also be sure to check the oil level in your car while the engine isn’t running and the car is parked on a flat surface. If you see that oil needs to be added then either bring it to a shop to get it added, or if you know how to, then add it yourself. If you add it yourself be sure not to overfill because it could harm your car’s engine.

Also, it is extremely important to check the automatic transmission fluid. Find a reservoir marked ATF, which stands for “automatic transmission fluid,” and follow the same procedure as checking the oil level, except you must have your engine running. You should change your automatic transmission fluid about every thirty thousand miles.

Your engine coolant is another thing to keep in mind. Most engine coolant or antifreeze should be changed every thirty thousand miles, or every two to three years. To monitor the engine coolant level, turn your car off and wait for the engine to cool off. Find the coolant reservoir, which is usually a clear tank, and observe the level of the coolant next to the full and low markers.

You should also check the power steering fluid in your car. It should be replaced approximately every three years or every fifty thousand miles. If you have a power steering fluid reservoir, check the level visually. If you do not have a reservoir, check using the dipstick process. Low levels of power steering fluid could mean there is a leak, in which case your mechanic should take a closer look for you.

Checking your brakes and fluid is very important in basic car maintenance. Make certain that the brake fluid levels are within acceptance. Indicators of a brake problem include noise or vibration when you use the brakes. Your mechanic should look at your brakes if you notice a problem.

Your air filter should also be properly maintained. It is recommended that you change your air filter every year or every twelve to fifteen thousand miles. A clean air filter can help your engine run better, increase gas mileage, and cut down damaging emissions.

You should also have your fuel filter checked. It should be replaced each year in order to stop debris from blocking your vehicle’s fuel line.

Windshield wipers and fluid should also be properly maintained. The blades should be changed around every six to twelve months, or when the rubber is worn. Also, be sure to check and refill your car’s wiper fluid every week.

The last part of your car you should pay close attention to is your headlights and brake lights. Turn your car on and while it is parked, have a friend or family member look to see that your lights are all working. If a light is out make sure to have your mechanic replace your bulbs.

In addition, it is important to make sure you have a good auto warranty that can cover you in event that your car is in need of repair.

Posted in Auto Warranty

Finding A Quality Auto Warranty Company

If you have a new vehicle you normally would not think problems would arise early in theBroken Down Car car’s life. An engine replacement can cost on over $2,000. With a quality extended auto warranty program you won’t be liable for the cost of repairs. But how do you know how to pick the best warranty company?Many people think they need to purchase an extended warranty from the selling dealer when the car is purchased. This is incorrect and can drastically increase the cost of coverage. If you want to be certain that you are getting the best deal you need to check with an aftermarket auto warranty provider such as Auto Advantage Inc.Here are some key things to consider…

First, determine the type of coverage you need and how long you need it for.

Second, make sure that the company you are dealing with is reputable. You can do this by searching the Internet for feedback or visiting the national Better Business Bureau website.

In short, make sure to do your research before making a purchase.

Posted in Auto Warranty


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