Auto Warranty

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.

Why buy a sports car?  Sports cars are not made to be practical, they are made to be fun.  They are available in various models, such as two-seat roadsters and hatchbacks.  Many models have relatively small cargo space, while others offer ample rear cargo room.  Here are some things to consider when deciding which car model to purchase.

Even car models that fall in the same categories can vary greatly in fuel-efficiency.  Make sure to do comparisons to see which models will save you money at the gas pump.

A lot of sports cars have small doors and limited head room that make getting in and out difficult.  If you’re looking for a little more ease, you might want to look for a four-door hatchback or sedan.  They often have easier access.

A sports car can have from two to five seats; depending on what model you look at.  Even cars with five seats often have a middle rear seat that is too tight for adults.  Make sure to try out the seats for comfort.  Also, consider a three-point seat belt instead of a lap belt for a seat in the center rear.

A sports car is a great choice for motorists who want an exciting ride, and aren’t concerned about cargo space.  However, it is always important to purchase an auto warranty to protect your wallet in case of unforeseen repairs down the road.

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 or roadside assistance. However, there are three things you could 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.

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

Crossovers are becoming more and more popular with consumers.  These are essentially Sport-utility vehicles that are put on car platforms.  Crossovers give you the practicality of the minivan, with some of the capabilities of an SUV, all with a car’s efficiency. Consumers love their versatility, and there are many promising models to choose from.

The BMW X6 looks like a fastback sedan and satisfies the consumers who aren’t crazy about crossovers.  It is shaped more like a car than an SUV, and is intended for use on the road, not off.

Ford is going to make a replacement for the Explorer, which is based on the concept of the Explorer America.  It is going to be a crossover, but won’t be on a truck design like the current Ford Explorer.

Toyota has put out the Venza with great success.  This vehicle is essentially a Camry wagon.

Mercedes-Benz has made a crossover effort with the GLK.  This isn’t a small vehicle, although it is much smaller than the ML Class.  However, this isn’t the best styling by Mercedes.

The time will probably come when motorists revolt against crossovers, just like they have done with station wagons and minivans.  But, for now, crossovers are in high demand.  However, like with any vehicle, make sure to purchase an auto warranty to protect you from costly repairs down the road.

Mercedes-Benz is known for offering consumers comfort at any price, and its new SplitView is a perfect example.  This is an 8-inch GPS display screen, which is programmed for transmitting two images that are different- one for the passenger and one for the driver, at the same time.

The system is pretty technical, but basically the screen utilizes a masking filter that allows different images to appear when viewed from different angles.

For example, the driver can view directions or climate information while the front passenger views a TV show or DVD.  Mercedes claims that it’s aware there is potential for distractions, so to alleviate this passengers watching a DVD can use headphones, as well as a remote control in order to lessen the distraction for the driver.

If you’re interested in the SplitView, it is available on the S-Class.  Just make sure with any new technology that you have a good auto warranty that will cover you in case repairs are needed.

The recommended intervals for oil changes have increased a significant amount over the last ten years.  It used to be that oil changes were recommended every 3,000 miles, but now recommendations are for every 8,000 miles.  This is great news for drivers because it means less time at the mechanic and less money spent.  However, there are a few cautionary notes to consider.

First of all, consult your owner’s manual for the “maximum recommended interval”.  Make sure you don’t extend beyond that number because saving $40 on an oil change is not worth having an $800 repair due to sludge buildup.

Second, if your driving type falls under “heavy duty” you will need to change your oil more regularly.  Often, drivers don’t realize that daily stop-and-go commuting falls under this category.  Also, if you use your vehicle for short trips with little highway driving you many need shorter oil changeouts.

Finally, you should use the specific oil type/grade recommended by the carmaker.  Failing to use the right oil type can result in poor car performance, engine damage, and even void the terms of your auto warranty.

Although less frequent oil changes are convenient for consumers, people need to follow these cautionary notes.  After all, you don’t want to ruin an engine because you didn’t add a couple of quarts of Pennzoil.  This is why an auto warranty is always a good idea, too.

What is there to say about the single most expensive hybrid on today’s market?  The Lexus LS600hL is a luxurious hybrid that makes it known to everyone that you have $105,000 to spend on a car that is environmentally responsible.

People may not be all that concerned about how the electric motor works in combination with the gas powered V-8 because the most outstanding thing about this extended LS model is the cavernous and most luxurious interior.  The dashboard, as well as the seats is covered in leather that is extremely supple and stitched together with precision.  Metal, wood, and metallic colored plastic are used tastefully, and can be found on the armrests in the backseat and on the dashboard.  Oh, and by the way, this car parks itself!

If you have $105,000 to spend on an environmentally friendly vehicle this is a great choice.  But at this price, don’t dare drive it out of your driveway without an auto warranty.  It could cost you an arm and a leg to fix this car.

It’s familiar to us all.  You’re 10 minutes late, driving to work, and you need to make up for lost time.  So, suddenly you find yourself with a lead foot and you begin multi tasking by catching up on phone calls.  Doesn’t sound very safe, huh?  We all make common driving mistakes, but we need to be aware that these mistakes could leave us calling for road service.

Pushing buttons on your dashboard while driving can be very dangerous.  In fact, car companies find themselves jumping through the hoops of lawyers when they develop consoles equipped with climate gauges, satellite navigation and stereos.  Playing with these devices is the #1 cause of accidents.

In approximately 56% of fatal car crashes, aggressive driving is a factor.  Aggressive driving includes tailgating, speeding, making improper lane changes, and running red lights and stop signs.  Most motorists admit that they make the same mistakes that they hate to see other motorists make.

Mobile devices are a big temptation for everyone on the road, but especially teenagers.  These include cell phones, Blackberries, and iPods.  It is best to place phone calls, text, and set up your music before putting your gear in “drive”.  These simple devices can prove fatal in a car.

We are all guilty of making common driving mistakes, but being aware of them will help us avoid calls for emergency auto assistance.  Safety should be your first concern on the road, which is why you should buy an auto warranty.

More and more cars are being loaded with high-tech advances.  In fact, some luxury car models have up to 80 switches and knobs to allow for advanced safety and comfort of motorists.  Yet, there are more high-tech gadgets coming onto the market.

Soon there will be sign recognition systems that will be able to read wrong-way signs and speed limits.  This will come on the market in 2010.

Cameras could replace sideview mirrors in the future.  Images would be displayed on the rearview mirrors on the edges, or on the instrument panel.

We may see chatty cars in the future.  Developers are trying to create a network that would monitor signals from car systems and warn other cars.  For example, skidding due to slick roads could be transmitted to warn other drivers.

Bumper bags could help SUVs be less deadly when hitting a low-riding car.  This has been shown to reduce intrusions and cause less injuries.

High-tech gadgets are great for motorists, but only if they learn how to use them before getting on the road.  In addition, with any new technology, drivers should have an auto warranty to protect themselves from technology failure.