Auto Warranty

One of the most important, but also most expensive parts in your car to replace is the transmission. If you own your car for a long enough amount of time, there is a high chance that the transmission will need to be replaced eventually. There are many things that indicate transmission problems:

One easily recognizable sign is leaking transmission fluid. This fluid will pool beneath your car while it is parked and can be identified by its red color. You should proceed to look and see if there is any metal in the fluid. If you do find metal, a new transmission is vital because broken metal is a sign of your transmission wearing down.

Also be sure to check the fluid levels in your transmission. If you have low fluid levels, this could indicate that your car’s transmission is burning too much fluid or that it is overheating.

If your car is not making smooth transitions between gears this also usually is a sign of a transmission issue. Your gears may slip and also take a longer amount of time to switch gears, which results in the car taking longer to accelerate.

Keep in mind that transmission replacements can be costly, so it is a good idea to look into an aftermarket auto warranty company that sells an auto warranty to help reduce the cost of visits to your mechanic. Also be sure to choose an auto warranty that you think will have the correct coverage to meet your car’s needs.

As 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.

There 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.

Here 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.

In 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.

Hybrid 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.

Taking 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.

If you have a new vehicle you normally would not think problems would arise early in the 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.

Safety is one of the biggest considerations when purchasing a new vehicle, but it’s difficult to make an assessment on your own.  There are many factors to consider when looking at the overall safety of a car.  Here are a few of the most important safety issues.

First of all, you want to consider crash protection in a car.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs crash tests on vehicles from different directions to rate a car’s ability to withstand a collision.  You can access the results of these tests at www.hwysafety.org.

Next, take into account vehicle compatibility.  Taller vehicles have bumpers that are quite a bit higher than a passenger car’s.  This is dangerous for cars because taller bumpers hit cars above the crumple zone and often inflict great damage on cars.

Rollover resistance should also be a factor in the safety of a new car.  SUVs are three times more likely to rollover, according to NHSTA.  Rollover ratings are provided at www.safercar.gov.

These are a few of the many safety considerations when buying a new car.  Consumers should do their research on such things as safety issues, car prices, and an auto warranty before going to the dealership.  It’s best to be prepared so that you can make good decisions.

The purpose of the thermostat in your vehicle is to regulate the temperature of the vehicle so that it remains at a desired level.  To do this it controls the heating and cooling mechanisms and controls the flow of heat that goes throughout the system.  The thermostat manages the coolant amount in the internal combustion engine.  You will find a thermostat in any liquid cooled engine.

If you’re thermostat isn’t performing correctly it may be for a few reasons.  First, if the water pump in the car is failing then the thermostat will be affected.  The thermostat can also be affected if the engine is overheated or there is coolant leaking.

You should have your thermostat checked out by your mechanic regularly.  It holds a key position in cooling your engine, so it should be replaced every few years.

Failing to replace your thermostat when it should be could give you additional problems, such as a knocking noise with acceleration, emission problems, and poor fuel-efficiency.  Unfortunately, you never know when car problems will arise, which is why you should have your vehicle serviced regularly and purchase an auto warranty for peace of mind.