Auto Warranty News

One trick that people use to sell a used car is to detail it until it looks brand new.  However, beware, a motor that is steam-cleaned won’t fix a gasket that is blown.  This is why it is important to purchase an auto warranty.

Having said that, dealers that are reputable typically won’t try to sell vehicles with big issues, for fear that they’ll have to fix them down the road.  If you test drive a vehicle that doesn’t make awful noises and feels pretty good, chances are it is fine.  Dealers don’t like to sell junky cars.

In any case, it is still a smart idea to have a trained professional take a look at your vehicle.  If the dealer claims the vehicle was inspected by it’s mechanic, request to view the paperwork.  If the dealer can’t produce them, make sure an outside technician sees the vehicle.

Also important, is to check that the car has a clear title and that it hasn’t ever been in a big accident.  You can tell the dealer to go on Carfax or AutoCheck to confirm this.  Both of these sites have a fee to trace the car identification number for odometer and service registrations, and accidents.  However, often dealerships will check the vehicles on their lot free of charge.

Typically, it is safe to buy a used car from a dealership; however, it never hurts to take these quick steps to ensure you don’t get a lemon.  In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind in case you need repairs.

If you ask a woman if she would like to buy a Dodge Viper, chances are she will say “no”.  This car is a V-10 two seater that starts at approximately $80,000.  Although this may not be a woman’s cup of tea, studies show that many men would like to have this car.  Like many other aspects of life, men and women seem to have very different tastes, and cars are no exception.

Men and women buy the Viper, but 91% of customers are men.  The Porsche 911 and BMW M5 are also cars being bought primarily by males.  These models cost above $60,000.  Studies show that men often equate their car with their image.  In other words, they choose cars that will portray a certain status.

What cars do women like?  The #1 choice is the Toyota RAV4.  Women like to purchase small, affordable cars that are easy to buy.  For example, the Saturn SC, SL, and ION are popular choices for women.  These cars start at around $10,000 including new car warranties, and have a reputation of being “no hassle” when it comes to buying.

It is obvious that women and men think very differently in lots of areas, cars included.  Men like to buy the fast, impressive cars, whereas women purchase the inexpensive, small cars.  The only common ground that these cars have is that they are backed by an auto warranty.

A recent survey by Consumer Reports Nat’l Research Center shows that drivers in America are feeling the pain of high gas prices and it’s having an affect on their lifestyles and car purchasing decisions.  In fact, people are opting to hold onto their current vehicles and purchase used car warranties.

Consumers say that they aren’t doing as much vacationing, driving, and entertainment spending.  Also evident, is that people are struggling with the cost of health care and food prices.  Who should be blamed for these hard times?  The survey revealed that 77% of people blame the federal government for not being able to carry out an energy policy that is effective, and 75% blame oil companies, as well as foreign producers of oil.

The price of gas has risen dramatically this year.  That quick change has caused the price of transportation, heating oil and food to go up also.  Consumers are feeling the financial burden on many fronts with no sign of relief.  The result of this is that 45% of people aren’t putting as much money into their savings accounts, approximately one quarter aren’t spending as much on healthcare or food, and 17% are charging more on credit cards.

The rising fuel costs are having a poor effect on consumers’ lifestyles.  People are holding onto their current cars and purchasing an auto warranty instead of buying new vehicles.  Essentially, people are just trying to weather the storm.

An accelerating driver trend from SUVs and pickup trucks to small fuel-efficient cars will help reduce rollovers, but experts on safety are worried that a smaller fleet presents serious health risks, despite anti-collision systems, air bags, and other safety advances.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which measures the performance of cars in crash tests, shifting to small cars is going to make problems worse.  They claim that people are better off in a vehicle that is bigger, not smaller.

U.S. carmakers have been distressed and are therefore retooling plants in Latin America, Europe, and around the world to get more compact cars to Americans in upcoming years and try to meet federal standards on fuel economy that are tougher.

At least 40,000 motorists are killed on roads in America annually in traffic accidents.  Approximately three-quarters of these people are from passenger vehicles and two-thirds of them from cars.

Consumers are concerned with saving auto costs, such as car prices, auto warranty prices, and gas costs, yet safety needs to be their #1 concern.

The thermostat in your car serves the purpose of regulating the temperature so it stays at a desired level.  To achieve this, it controls the cooling and heating mechanisms that control the heat flow throughout the system.  The thermostat manages the amount of coolant in the internal combustion engine.  A thermostat is necessary in all liquid cooled engines.

If your thermostat isn’t working correctly it may be due to several reasons.  First, the thermostat may be affected if the water pump is failing.  The thermostat may also be affected with an overheated engine or if coolant is leaking.

Make sure you have a mechanic look at your thermostat on a regular basis.  It plays a key position in keeping your engine cool, so it needs to be replaced every few years.

Also, if you don’t replace your thermostat when it’s time, you may find yourself with additional problems, such as emission problems, knocking with acceleration, and poor fuel-economy, and chances are you will find yourself calling your road service program.  It is also a good idea to have an auto warranty for peace of mind.

Way back when the Jetsons captured the imaginations of millions on TV, people have had dreams of using flying cars for their daily transportation.  However, there hasn’t ever been anything in real life that could even come close to flying cars-until now.  In Massachusetts, Terrafugia built the Transition, which took off during the official launch of the company’s $194,000 “roadable aircraft.”

Basically, that means that this vehicle is a small aircraft that has the capability to travel on public roadways at “highway speeds”, and it gets approximately 30 mpg on regular unleaded gas.  The range on this vehicle in the air is 460 miles.  However, it has a useful load of only 430 pounds, which means that passengers can’t be too overweight, and they can’t pack too heavy.

If you’re interested in this vehicle, you will need a pilot’s license and $194,000.  And at that price you might want a good auto warranty.  While this is an exciting idea, dropping off Judy, Elroy and Jane before going to work in your flying car is still a ways off.

It can be quite a challenge to find a handicap-accessible vehicle to suit your needs.  Also, it can be nearly impossible to sort through newspapers and services online.  This is why Rick Shutes started HandicapAutoTrader.com.  He wanted to help people who are disabled find suitable vehicles.

HandicapAutoTrader.com is great for buyers and sellers.  People who want to buy can search available vehicles at no cost, and contact the website’s staff conveniently through email or phone.  Sellers are able to list their cars, with an addition of three images for free.

This website allows consumers to search cars according to the features that they desire.  In addition, you can search by categories, such as model, make, year, etc.  Also convenient is the feature, “Easy Compare Vehicles”.  This lets people compare vehicles side-by-side to get the features and price that they want.

As with any vehicle purchase, it is necessary to do your homework.  Make sure to research vehicles, used car warranties, and auto loans before making any decisions.  This will allow you to get the best deals.

With fuel prices on the rise there is an abundance of fuel-saving tips.  People advise not to carry extra weight in your trunk, drive gently and combine your errands.  However, the one tip that will allow you to save the most is to slow down.

In the average sedan, every 10 mph over 60 is equivalent to gas prices rising 54 cents per gallon.  When you are traveling on the highway, your vehicle is in the highest gear with relatively low rpm’s.  In order for your vehicle to maintain speed it has to overcome the friction of the tires on the roadway, it’s moving parts, and especially the flow of air around it.

At high speeds, it takes up 40% of a vehicle’s energy to push around air.  It makes the task even more difficult the faster you go.  There is much more wind resistance at 70-80mph than 50-60mph.

If a vehicle at 65mph gets approximately 28 mpg, driving 75mph would only get you 24mpg.  If you drive slower, at 55mph, you could save even more.  In fact, the 55mph speed limit was set in 1974 as a response to the energy crisis of the time.

With the tough economy, consumers need all the help they can get.  Saving on fuel is a big help, and all they have to do is slow down.  After shelling out money for maintenance, an auto warranty, and financing, motorists don’t want to have to waste money on gas.

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.

Never buy a used vehicle without having it scrutinized by an independent mechanic.  You never know the true state of a used vehicle until a professional has examined it.  Failure to do this could have you calling for emergency roadside assistance.

A dealership shouldn’t object to you having a private inspection if you leave a photo I.D.  If they tell you an inspection has already been done, insist that you would like the car looked at by a shop of your choice.

The technician should put the car on a lift to inspect the undercarriage.  The cost of a thorough diagnostic should run you about $100, but ask in advance.  You can request a written report that will give you details of the vehicle’s condition.  The negotiation may come in handy when you negotiate with the seller.

If you’re unsure of a good repair shop, try to find a referral from someone you trust.  You could also go to your local auto-parts store to ask for a good mechanic.  Try not to just pick a name out of a phone book; it’s better to use someone you are familiar with.

Buying a used vehicle is a great way to save money, however, you want to make sure you aren’t getting a lemon.  Putting in the extra time to take the car to a mechanic may save you numerous road service calls down the road.  Also, buying used car warranties will give you peace of mind.