Auto Warranty

Chances are at one time or another you have been told that you need new shocks and (or) struts.  After being quoted a large price, you might find yourself thinking, “Can I get away without replacing them and are they covered under used car warranties?

Your shocks and struts serve two functions in your car.  Some cars only have struts, and some only have shocks.  Their purpose is to dampen the oscillation of springs and assist in ride control.

If your shocks and/or struts are worn, your suspension parts and tires will wear out sooner.  This is why it is important to take your vehicle in for preventative checkups.  It is a good idea to have your mechanic look at your shocks and struts every time you get an oil change.

There are several warning signs that might tell you it is time to replace your shocks/struts.  First, you might notice leaks on the housing or dents on the strut body.  Also, you might see high and low worn spots on your tires and pitted piston rods.  Finally, you may have rubber bumpers that are crushed from bottoming out.

It is important not to cut corners when dealing with your shocks/struts.  It is essential that these parts function correctly for handling and cornering.  Purchasing an auto warranty is a good idea for motorists in order to avoid unnecessary repair costs down the road.  After all, you never know when your car will need maintenance.

If you’re purchasing a pre-owned car you need to find out as much history as possible about it.  The car may have problems that are not apparent from a visual inspection or a test drive.

A car history report is a good way to find out what you’re getting.  This is a report prepared by a third party that is a compilation of information from DMVs, RMVs, and other sources.  A car history report will give you an overview of what the car has been through.

When getting a car history report look out for the following things.  This is not to say that you shouldn’t buy the car based on these issues, but certainly ask questions.

If a car has had a lot of owners, chances are it hasn’t been cared for lovingly.  These cars have probably endured more abuse.

Some areas of our country are easier on cars than others.  For example, extreme winter conditions are tough on vehicles, as are flood areas and extreme heat.

Make sure the name and description of the car match up with the actual car.  Read the description carefully to avoid vehicle fraud.

Car history reports, such as those from CARFAX are comprehensive and can save you from purchasing a lemon.  Also, to protect yourself, purchase an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary expenses down the road.

Every day people are asking dealership service departments, “Isn’t that covered under my auto warranty?” A lot of drivers assume that an auto warranty allows for repairs regardless of such things as maintenance requirements, environmental conditions, and vehicle mileage.

An auto warranty is an agreement you make with the manufacturer of the car.  As the warranty purchaser, you are responsible for following specific maintenance requirements.  Only if you perform the maintenance, is the manufacturer obligated to have repairs done.

Because of questionable practices that dealers have performed in the past, car manufacturers scrutinize every auto warranty claim.  Consumers often interpret this as an effort to get out of paying for repair costs.  However, the reality is that the repair might not qualify under the terms of the auto warranty.  This could be due to things such as, vehicle abuse, expiration, or parts that aren’t covered under the agreement.

Buyers need to be extra careful and read their auto warranty thoroughly.  Make sure to fulfill your side of the deal in order to have the manufacturer fulfill their side.

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.

What features can help older drivers stay safe and comfortable on the road and avoid road service calls?  The American Automobile Association has the following recommendations to help older drivers.

First, it is helpful to have a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes.  This puts the driver 10 inches from the airbag, and also alleviates shoulder and neck pain.

Also helpful are mirrors that allow for wide visibility.  This allows older drivers to compensate for a limited range of motion.

Seats that are heated with lumbar support allow relief from an aching back.

Six-way adjustable seats allow drivers who are short to see over the steering wheel, and allow for an easier entrance and exit out of the car.

A car with adjustable foot pedals will allow small drivers to be able to reach pedals while remaining far enough away from the airbag.

Four doors are better than two for older drivers because they are lighter and easier to open and close.

Purchasing the right car for an older driver is important for safety reasons.  Keep these things in mind to help your loved one avoid emergency roadside assistance calls.  In addition, purchase an auto warranty that will help you avoid unnecessary repair costs.

In case your car is dead it is always a good idea to know how to jump-start your car.  In addition, make sure you have an auto warranty to cover your car in case of an emergency.

Jump-starting a car is a pretty easy task, which only calls for a few tools.  The most important thing you will need is a volunteer.  Without a person who will allow you to use their battery, your car will remain dead.  Next, you need to have a set of jumper cables.  This should be kept in your car at all times in case of emergency.  Lastly, it is wise to wear a pair of protective glasses, or at least sunglasses.

To jump-start your car you will need to park the volunteer’s car close to yours.  Open both hoods and find the batteries.  Next, look for the batteries’ terminals.

Now that you have found the necessary parts, it’s time to go ahead and hook up the two cars.  The jumper cables should be hooked positive-to-positive and negative-to-negative.  The red cable should be attached to the positive on both batteries, and the black cable should go to the negative.  Next, start the car that operates.  Let the car run for several minutes to give your battery time to charge.

To finish the process, let the newly charged battery idle for several minutes to ensure a full charge.

Jump-starting your car isn’t difficult, and it can get you off and running.  Of course, if your battery doesn’t charge, you might need the assistance of a professional.  Make sure you have an auto warranty that will save you from costly repairs.

Many drivers don’t know if they should be using regular or synthetic oil in their vehicles.  To determine the answer you need to consider the age of your car, it’s mileage, and what is recommended by the carmaker.

Cars that have high mileage and are older usually have engine wear that is excessive, which allows for internal oil leakage.  Because synthetic oil is thinner than regular oil it will flow more freely, and therefore it isn’t recommended for these vehicles.  By using it your car may experience internal combustion.

Many automakers today recommend synthetic oil for their engines.  This is especially true when the car has a high performance engine with high compression, high operating temperatures, and tight engine tolerances.  However, if your vehicle still has an auto warranty, you should consult your dealer before switching to synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil is a great idea in the right vehicle, but consult your owner’s manual first.  Although synthetic oil will cost you double what regular oil will, it will make your engine last longer, and it lasts longer.

Sometimes the hardest part about purchasing a new or used vehicle is getting rid of your present car.  There are several options for selling your car.  You can trade it in to the dealer, sell your car privately, or donate it to charity.  Here are the pros and cons of each of these.

Probably the easiest way to go is to trade in your vehicle.  Dealers tend to make the process easy because they want your car.  The dealer will assess your car to determine how much it is worth and deduct it from the price of your new car.  The pitfall to this is that a trade in value is generally much lower than what you could get for your car privately.  However, you can’t beat the convenience.

If you sell your car yourself you will most likely get the most money.  However, this can be a lot of work.  It will be time consuming to prep your car for sale.  Assess your vehicle and determine what you’re willing to pay on minor repairs.  Things should be fixed well enough to avoid legal troubles down the road.

Another option for getting rid of your car is to donate it to charity.  Some people find this option attractive on principle.  If your car is on it’s last leg and might be hard to sell, this is probably the best option for you.  After all, who’s going to buy a car that is going to require constant roadside assistance?

Consider the condition of your car to make the best choice about getting rid of your car.  Be realistic about how much you will get for your car.  And make sure you have a good auto warranty until you sell your car.

One tactic that people use to sell a pre-owned 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, dealerships that are reputable typically won’t try to sell cars 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.

However, 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, it is important 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’s 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.

Many people believe it is easiest to trade in your current car when buying a new one.  However, is trading the right choice for you?  There are some advantages and disadvantages to trading.

The big advantage to trading over selling is that you have very little hassle.  You don’t have to haggle with buyers and you get rid of your car quickly.  However, the fact is that you aren’t going to get as much for your car if you trade it in.

Any used vehicle has a specific retail value.  If a dealership is going to sell that vehicle, they will have certain expenses, such as fixing dents and scrapes, cleaning it, and just overhead costs of running their business.  Therefore, the dealership has to sell it for a little more than a private owner would.

Since dealers need to make a good profit on used vehicles, they purchase them for less than the retail value.  When the dealership takes a trade in vehicle, they are essentially purchasing it from the new car customer, and at a price below the retail value.  Essentially, this is called the trade in value.

Although trading in your car is easier than going through the hassle of trying to sell your car privately, you are going to get less money for your vehicle.  If you sell your vehicle on your own, you can put the extra money you get towards important things such as an auto warranty and maintenance costs.