Auto Warranty News

A new rating system for roof-strength has been launched by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and has conducted its first tests on small SUVs.  Unfortunately, only four out of the twelve vehicles tested managed to get a Good rating, which is the top rating.

The SUVs that scored the Good rating were the Honda Element, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan and the Jeep Patriot.  SUVs that scored Acceptable were the Chevrolet Equinox, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, and Mitsubishi Outlander.  Ranking Marginal, were the Ford Escape, and Honda CR-V, while the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage were the only vehicles to rate Poor.

This new standard for roof-strength is intended to combat rollover deaths, which account for about a quarter of all deaths having to do with traffic.  For vehicles to be an IIHS Top Safety Pick, they have to now withstand four times their own weight before the car’s roof will collapse 5 inches.  The IIHS’s strength to weight ratio is a much higher standard than the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s, which says that roofs should bear 2.5 times the car’s weight.

Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with vehicle safety, which is why more people are purchasing an auto warranty.  With used car warranties, people can rest-assured that they won’t be paying unnecessary repair costs.

If you’re a lover of old cars you aren’t alone. Antique car shows all over the U.S. display vintage cars.  Crowds gather to admire these charming vehicles.  Owners who display their vehicles have a great deal of pride.

Many people who own vintage cars have restored them piece-by-piece, literally. It’s not just that they have rebuilt the vehicle; they have restored it back to its original state.

It is simple to differentiate between rebuilding and restoring a car.  A car that has been rebuilt has new parts.  A restored car has parts that are authentic to its year and model.

The restoration process encompasses the body of the car and the mechanical components.  It is amazing to some people that the actual parts must be original to the year and make of the vehicle, but this is necessary for a true restoration.

The restoration also includes the vehicle’s interior.  The upholstery should be repaired whenever possible.  It can be nearly impossible to find the exact upholstery for a car’s year and make.  If this is the case, you need to get as close as possible to the original.

The restoration of a car is a labor of love, but well worth it.  There is no greater satisfaction than turning a piece of junk into a beautiful classic.  And don’t forget an auto warranty will bring any motorist peace of mind, especially with a vintage car.

You can get SUVs in a large variety of sizes and prices.  They give you more versatility than any other kind of vehicle.  They allow different options for carrying cargo, will hold up to eight people, and allow people to be higher up off of the road.  Also, they can handle off-road terrain.  SUVs come in car based and truck based options.  Which one is for you?

Car based SUVs are becoming more and more popular.  They are on unibody platforms that are car-like.  Also, they have a completely independent suspension, and feature all-wheel drive.  In addition, they often have better fuel-efficiency and handle and ride comfortably.  Finally, they rate highest in CR testing.

SUVs that are truck-based have a body on frame platform.  They usually have a large towing capacity and can tackle difficult terrain.  However, handling these vehicles can be more difficult and cumbersome.  Also, they can sometimes have a jolting ride.

SUVs are a terrific option if you need a lot of cargo space, a large capacity for passengers, and off road options.  However, a roadside assistance program is always a good idea when driving on difficult terrain.  In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind.

Why would someone want to buy a pickup?  They offer the most flexibility in carrying cargo.  In addition, pickups have large payload facilities and the ability to tow.  Trucks with four door cabs allow seating for five, which makes them a good family vehicle.  In addition to an auto warranty, what other considerations do you need?  Here’s a list.

Consider whether you need compact or full-sized.  They offer different towing capacities and engines in addition to being different sizes.  Compact pickups are more fuel-efficient, easier to park, and cost less.  Full-sized pickups offer more room inside and out, have stronger engines, and have greater towing capabilities.

Bed lengths vary.  Beds range from 8 feet to 4 feet.  The longer the bed, the more difficult it is to maneuver.  Some compact trucks have a bed extender that flips out, which allows for carrying cargo that is longer.

Engines and transmissions can accommodate different needs.  For compact trucks, the base engine is a four-cylinder, which offers fuel-efficiency.  Five or six cylinder engines are optional, giving more power.  A V6 is the base engine for a full-sized truck.  For heavy towing and hauling consider a V8, V10, and diesel.

Pickups come in many sizes, with many options. Determine your use for a truck and pick the best option for you.  Doing your homework on such things as truck options, new car warranties and insurance will save you money and time down the road.

There are millions of traffic tickets issued out every year in the U.S., which often cost over $100.  This is a billion dollar business in our country.  Paying the ticket through the mail is essentially admitting that you’re guilty.  Also, you will have the ticket on your record at the DMV for up to three years.  So, is it possible to wiggle out of a speeding ticket?  Here are a couple of things to try.

First of all, if you get pulled over for speeding, stay in your vehicle.  You should never get out.  When the policeman approaches your window, try to look remorseful.  Make apologies to the officer and be polite.  Be nice, and ask for a warning.  Don’t try to answer questions, such as: “Do you know why I pulled you over?”  Tell the officer you aren’t sure.

Don’t pay the speeding ticket by mail because it means you are admitting you’re guilty.  In the U.S. you are considered innocent until proven guilty, so show up at court.  Often, the police officer will make mistakes leading to the dismissal of your ticket.  For instance, the officer might not go to court.  Many times you will get your ticket changed to a lesser charge by showing up at court.  For example, they might change it to a parking ticket from a speeding ticket.  This is beneficial because it won’t increase your insurance and will give you fewer points on your license.

Many motorists assume that if they are given a speeding ticket that they should just pay it through the mail.  However, it is a much better idea to make an effort to get out of it so you don’t have to pay an increased insurance premium.  After all, we factor in costs such as an auto warranty and maintenance costs, but don’t consider speeding tickets and raised insurance.

A driver’s worst nightmare is to turn the key and have their car not start.  Sometimes your engine will turn over but for some reason the car just won’t start.  Do you know what to do if this happens to you? Of course you could call a mechanic.  However, without an auto warranty you might face costly repairs. There are three things that you should check on your own first.  A car relies on air, fire and fuel.  If a car doesn’t get one or two of these vital ingredients, it won’t start.

The first thing that you should check is to make sure the car has gasoline.  If there is an adequate amount, the engine might have been flooded.  You can floor the gas pedal for around ten seconds, but be careful not to pump it while you are turning the ignition.  If the engine is still not starting, tap the carburetor close to the gas line.  This can free the line if the needle valve is stuck.

It is also important to check for broken or loose spark plug wires.  Make sure to do this with the engine off.  The wires that go from the distributor cap to the spark plugs should be secured down on the ends.

Now that you have checked for fuel and fire, we move on to an air check.  If you own a car with a carburetor, take off the top of the air filter and look at the choke plate.  If it appears stuck, open or close it.  Then jiggle the plate in order for it to move freely.

Checking the three main ingredients, air, fire and fuel are a great place to start if your car won’t turn over.  However, you may need a mechanic if you can’t find anything wrong.  You never know when your car might breakdown, which makes it is a necessity to have an auto warranty to protect you from costly repairs.

Many motorists have been in the situation where an object hits their windshield and a big crack shows up.  Your windshield might even end up bad enough that you have to call your road service program.  However, when do you know if it necessary to replace the windshield or if the crack can just be fixed?

Windshield repair or replacement depends on the location, size and severity of damage.  Windshield shops can usually repair chips the size of a quarter, as well as cracks reaching three inches.  For bigger damage it is recommended that you replace your windshield.

The location of the damage is also a big factor in whether you can keep your windshield.  When a crack is at the edge of your windshield it can affect the structure of the glass.  In this case it is usually best to replace your windshield.

Many facilities won’t repair a chip if it’s in the direct line of the driver’s vision.  The repair process may result in minor glass distortions, which are unsafe for the driver. After all, you don’t want to end up calling for emergency roadside assistance.

Keep in mind, whatever the location or size of the glass damage, it is necessary to have it looked at right away.  Waiting can result in dirt getting in the damaged area, which can affect the repair job.  Make sure you protect yourself with an auto warranty since you never know when you will need repairs made.

Car accidents are always unnerving and happen unexpectedly.  An accident leaves motorists feeling shocked and stunned, and often, they don’t know what to do next.  Here are some important steps to take in this situation.

First, make sure everyone is OK, and if not place a 911 call.  Also, always contact the police and then place a call to your road service program.

Next, call your insurance agent.  They can inform you about what information to exchange with the other motorist, and help you survey the scene.  Be aware that you shouldn’t admit fault at the scene of the accident, the insurance companies will determine this.

Also, make sure to read the information in your insurance policy, so you file your claim within the specified time limit.  Often, if the vehicle damage exceeds $750 you need to file a SR1 form, which can be found on the DMV website of the state that you live in.

It is always scary to be involved in a vehicle accident, but unfortunately it happens to all of us at one point or another.  It is essential to know what to do in this instance.  To alleviate stress, have all important documents ready, such as your insurance policy and auto warranty.

Why would a consumer benefit from buying a sedan?  Mainly because sedans offer a well-rounded balance of performance, handling, fuel economy, access and safety.  They are a good choice in many types of driving situations.  Unless you need an excess of cargo space or towing capacity, they are a great option.

There are many varieties of sedans to choose from.  For example there are small, large, upscale, family and luxury sedans.  Within all of these categories, models offer different characteristics.  They balance being sporty, providing comfort, and practicality differently.

The amount of fuel efficiency can vary greatly from one sedan to the next.  It is important to do your homework and compare various models.

When looking for a sedan, enter and exit from all of the doors.  You want a sedan that has wide doors and sufficient headroom.

All new sedan models have dual front air bags.  Also three point seat belts and LATCH systems are included.  However, side air bags and head protection bags are also available on some models.  In addition, antilock brakes are becoming standard on car models.

Do some research to get the sedan that best suits your needs.  Also, purchase an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary repair costs down the road.  These simple tips will ensure that you make a wise purchase.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently performed a study to determine what the best and worst states are in the country for auto insurance.  According to the study, you are paying the highest insurance premiums if you live in the Northeast.

New Jersey proved to be the most expensive state.  On average, premiums in New Jersey are over $1,300 yearly.  The capital of our nation, Washington D.C. was the second highest, with average yearly premiums of $1,185.  New York was third highest with $1,110 being the average premium.

Revealed in the study was that urban driving, high salaries, and a lot of traffic are responsible for elevated costs in those states.  In addition, liability insurance premium costs are higher in the Northeast.

Midwestern and Northern states proved to have the lowest insurance premium costs.  The overall lowest was Idaho with costs at $530 per year.  The next lowest was Maine at $560 a year, and North Dakota was $570 per year.

According to this study, your location is a key factor in determining your car insurance costs.  Today, consumers are paying more than they ever have for their vehicles.  These costs include insurance, new car warranties, and maintenance costs.