February 26th, 2008 by Hal Moses
When thinking of the engine, most people don’t consider how important the alternator is. In fact, the alternator is indispensable because the engine won’t run without it. The alternator is the source where the power train derives power.
Alternators were created in order to convert mechanical energy into a current that is alternating. In order to do this the engine belt drives the alternator shaft. Doing this allows electricity to be produced from the mechanical energy of the machines. Then, the power becomes channeled. The electricity produced recharges the battery and powers the electrical system of the vehicle.
If you need to replace your alternator you will discover that some contain more amps and some are definitely more costly. However, an auto warranty will give you peace of mind with any vehicle repairs.
Whatever car you have, make sure you can see the bolts. Many times, other parts have to be removed to have access to the bolts. Before you remove your alternator, take note of the way it’s connected. Then, mark it’s location so you know where to connect it. Afterward, start to unplug the wires that connect to the alternator. Finally, take off the bolts and remove the alternator.
Without the alternator, the engine can’t function. If you can’t replace it yourself, find a professional to take care of it. Whatever you decide, make sure you have an auto warranty to save you from costly repairs. After all, you never know when you will need to replace a part on your vehicle.
February 26th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Spring is coming soon, which means it’s time to tune up your vehicle. There are a few things that you should do to get your car ready for warm weather.
To start, shampoo your engine to determine if your vehicle as any leaks. Also don’t forget to check your tire pressure and fluid levels.
Take your car to a garage to determine the condition of your brakes, battery, and transmission. Also have your tires checked for wear and tear. This is necessary because if your car is running smooth and clean, you will get the best gas mileage.
Make sure you know the condition of the parts that are being used to repair your car. If a used part is installed it won’t be covered by an auto warranty. Save your paperwork as proof of what work was done on your vehicle in case a problem arises.
Keeping your vehicle well maintained allows it to hold its value for a longer amount of time and keeps you from shelling out more money in fuel costs. To protect you from costly repairs, make sure your vehicle is covered by an auto warranty. This will allow you to have peace of mind.
February 26th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Recent tests reveal that pick-up trucks are not as safe as people think. In fact, the Nissan Navara only scored one out of five stars in regards to adult safety. The vehicle presented an unacceptable risk of injury that is life threatening.
Also alarming is that the Navara only scored three stars in regards to child protection, and two for protection of pedestrians.
The Isuzu Rodeo is also facing criticism. It only received two stars for adult protection. In addition, it was found to have an unacceptable risk of life- threatening injuries. The Rodeo was given one star for pedestrian protection and two for child protection.
Interestingly enough, Isuzu claims that it’s own internal tests gave the Rodeo three stars. Also, the Rodeo has a very good record for real world accidents. It was actually tested over 1 million km before it originally launched.
Another pick-up that scored low for safety was the Mitsubishi L200. Although it scored four stars for adult protection, it only scored three stars for child protection and one star for pedestrian protection.
Pick-up manufacturers have recently been increasing options that target families. However, tests show that pick-ups may not be the safest family vehicles. If you have purchased or are planning to purchase a pick-up, make sure you buy an auto warranty to protect your wallet. According to recent tests, pick-ups may not be as sturdy as people think.
February 25th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Sport-utility vehicles that are designed on car platforms are killing SUV sales. These crossovers are the new minivans. Crossovers are practical like minivans, with some SUV capabilities, and the efficiency of a car. This all comes without the appearance of a mom mobile. So which new crossovers are promising?
BMW has a crossover called the X6, which is shaped like a fastback sedan. It is essentially the crossover for people who aren’t crazy about crossovers. It isn’t shaped like an SUV, but more a car, and isn’t intended for off-road use.
Toyota has made a great effort with the 2009 Venza. This is basically a Camry wagon, which is set to go on sale later in the year.
General Motors has put out the Pontiac Vibe, which is a small crossover. In addition, they have the new Saturn Vue.
Ford is set to make a replacement for the current Explorer. This is based on the Explorer America concept that was revealed in Detroit. It will be a crossover, but not based on a truck design like the current Explorer.
Mercedes-Benz has the GLK. It is not a small vehicle, but it is definitely smaller than ML Class. However, this is not Mercedes’ best styling.
At some point consumers will revolt against the crossover vehicle, just like they are currently doing with minivans. But at the moment it’s a crossover world. So, look for new models with curvy designs and engines that are exotic.
If you decide to be trendy and purchase one of these stylish crossovers, make sure you purchase an auto warranty right along with it. You never know when your new vehicle will need costly repairs.
February 25th, 2008 by Hal Moses
According to a recent study, approximately 70 percent of drivers in the southwest don’t take their cars in for service when they notice faults. In fact, one third of motorists ignore defects because they don’t want to pay repair costs, and 19 percent ignore their warning lights that appear when service is necessary. Alarmingly, 70 percent of drivers admit that they don’t know the meaning of the symbols displayed on their dashboard.
Drivers need to make their vehicles more of a priority. One third of motorists claim that they just don’t have the time to take their cars in for repair. In fact, 7 percent said they would only take their vehicle into a garage if it were unusable. At least 45 percent of people admitted that they would put their money towards shopping and vacations before spending on car expenses, when in fact an auto warranty is the most necessary expense.
Driving a vehicle with any fault, whether it is big or small, could increase a person’s chances of having an accident or breakdown. Motorists should check for warning lights and listen for any unusual noises. If faults are detected it is important to get service right away to improve the life of your car. Purchasing an auto warranty will give you peace of mind so that you can avoid costly expenses.
February 25th, 2008 by Hal Moses
It isn’t easy finding a vehicle that suits a family’s needs. In fact, it is a challenging pursuit that can leave motorists feeling overwhelmed. So, what are the important things to consider when buying a family vehicle?
First of all, a car must be affordable. In other words, the base price shouldn’t be more than $30,000. Ideally, you should be able to find a good vehicle for under $30,000. If you’re looking at a car company who can’t produce a quality car for around $30,000, you’re looking at the wrong company.
Of course, the seating in a car should be comfortable for five people. Nobody is going to be happy if they don’t have room to move around. In addition, the cargo space should be large enough to carry groceries to accommodate five people.
Safety is a necessity. New vehicles contain innovative safety features that can save lives. For example, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu has the OnStar communication system featuring Advanced Automatic Crash Notification. The system allows a signal to automatically be sent to an OnStar adviser notifying them that a crash occurred. Then, the adviser attempts to contact the motorist of the car to find out if any injuries are apparent. This information gets transmitted to emergency vehicles.
Last but not least, don’t forget to purchase an auto warranty. You never know when your car will breakdown leaving you with costly repair expenses. You don’t want to make the mistake of investing in a new car without protecting your wallet.
When buying a new family car don’t get too overwhelmed. Remember the important things to consider when making your purchase, and make sure to buy an auto warranty that will protect your new investment.
February 23rd, 2008 by Hal Moses
It is such a relief to finally have your car paid off. So, why is it that many motorists want to jump right in and buy a new vehicle? There are a few things to consider before taking the plunge. Make sure you have a good reason to purchase a new car or you will be making unnecessary payments.
There are several reasons that it may be beneficial to purchase a new car. First, of all, if your lifestyle has changed, with the addition of children, you may need to look for a family vehicle to accommodate your new needs. Second, if your current vehicle is a gas-guzzler, you might want to consider a car that is more economical. Third, you might need a new vehicle if you are experiencing costs and repairs that are burdensome. However, an auto warranty will help you avoid unnecessary repair costs. Lastly, you might have a small car that doesn’t stand up to all of the big SUV’s out there. If you’re feeling unsafe, you might want to upgrade to a larger vehicle.
If you’re simply feeling tempted by the alluring ads for new-cars, beware. The flashy features, such as satellite radio and navigation systems may be hard to resist, but think twice before trading in your gem that is paid off. After all, you get to pocket the cash that you were paying to your lender. Now, you can pay yourself, not your lender. Just make sure your old tried and true is covered by an auto warranty. That way you can enjoy your vehicle for years to come.
February 22nd, 2008 by Hal Moses
Most consumers rely on major car hire companies, such as Avis for rentals on vacations or business trips. However, people don’t realize that firms such as these are excellent sources of reasonably priced used cars. Avis’ business is to rent cars but they also sell their cars. Buyers can save big if they purchase a car from Avis instead of traditional dealers. This allows you to put your money towards an auto warranty that will protect your vehicle.
Avis sells cars that are more than one year old, which allows them to make way for more recent models. This ensures that Avis’ fleet is current and well maintained. If certain vehicle models turn out to be very popular, Avis may sell them early, after the vehicle as passed a particular level of mileage.
Another advantage of buying a used vehicle from Avis is that their cars are treated with paint that is metallic. This is usually not the case when dealers sell used cars. Some motorists are hesitant to buy a second-hand car from rental firms because they feel that these vehicles have endured a lot of wear and tear. After all, the cars have been driven frequently and for long distances. However, Avis points out that cars up for sale are younger than six months old and haven’t been driven for more than 13,000 miles. Another bonus is that in some cases, the vehicle’s warranty is still valid. However, it only lasts for about a year, so it is important to shop around for an auto warranty that will protect your investment for longer.
February 22nd, 2008 by Hal Moses
In 1997 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that small vehicles weren’t as safe as large vehicles. Yet, we are in an era of small cars. Making a car small isn’t the only way to reduce emissions and make a vehicle more fuel-efficient. New construction materials that are lighter can perform this feat on larger cars. Actually, making a car lighter improves its safety. A lightweight vehicle is much more nimble than a vehicle that is heavy. This means that drivers are able to avoid accidents. Of course, all drivers want to protect their car with an auto warranty because you never know when an accident might occur.
People tend to assume that the size and weight of a car go hand in hand. An automaker can get rid of the girth of a vehicle easiest by shrinking it. For them, it’s the least expensive way. Strong materials that are light, such as carbon fiber are very expensive. However, some automakers that are high-end are starting to implement it on hoods and roofs. The Smart ForTwo car uses door panels that are plastic. These don’t scratch or ding, and the inner part of the door is reinforced with steel bars. This provides the best protection for a side impact, but is much lighter than a conventional door.
Small car sales are on the rise in the U.S., yet are much slower than the other parts of the world. The Big Three are resisting the push for small vehicles. Currently, the Fit and the Yaris are the top selling subcompacts in America. Customers will have to shell out more money for lightweight, big vehicles, yet it is worth it to be safe. Of course, with any vehicle the best thing that you can do to protect your investment is purchase an auto warranty. Small or big, repairs are costly in any vehicle.
February 21st, 2008 by Hal Moses
The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is a pleasant surprise. It is a peppy, beautiful, well-made car and the price is right. The base price for the Sonata is $17,670. To get the limited model with a four-cylinder engine, an automatic transmission, and heated seats you are only looking at $22,470. This kind of savings allows you to shop around for an auto warranty to protect your investment.
The Sonata’s exterior is actually a dead ringer for the Accord from the previous generation. However, the interior is superb. It has great detailing complete with reverse stitching on the comfortable leather seats. Also ideal is the placement of the dials and gauges.
Another bonus is the Sonata is equipped to handle very well in snow. This is just a front-wheel drive vehicle, yet it is able to keep it’s footing in treacherous conditions.
The Sonata also gets good gas mileage. This is a plus with gas prices on the rise. The four-speed automatic will get approximately 21mpg in city driving and 30 mpg at highway speeds.
All in all the Hyundai Sonata is a solid car with many surprises. It is a peppy, beautiful car with a superb interior. It resembles the Honda Accord, except in price. You will be saving big on this gem. If you purchase the Sonata make sure you protect your investment with an auto warranty. Even though the price is right, you don’t want to shell out extra money in the event of a breakdown.