February 24th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The riskiest time for car crashes are between midnight and six o’clock in the morning. This is because there are the fewest drivers at this time of day, yet more accidents. If you need to drive during these hours it is important to consider some important factors. Safe driving at night calls for preparation, alertness, as well as common sense. Here are some tips.
First of all, ensure that your headlights are aimed properly. You should consult your service manual to determine the proper procedure.
Next, don’t focus on the headlights of oncoming cars. This can blind you for five seconds until your eyes are able to adjust.
Don’t drive if you are feeling sleepy, instead pull off of the road and get some sleep. Don’t substitute caffeine, loud music, or putting down the windows for sleep. These tactics are unreliable and may result in an accident.
Finally, don’t allow yourself to stare at the centerline because it can cause “highway hypnosis,†in which your reaction time is impaired, instead, keep looking around and moving your eyes.
Follow these simple tips to keep yourself safe when driving at night. Just like you protect yourself with an auto warranty and roadside assistance, you should protect yourself with safe driving habits.
February 24th, 2010 by Hal Moses
With the poor economy, drivers are trading in their big gas-guzzlers for fuel-efficient cars. Yet, while that makes sense, if you switch too soon you might be looking at more overall car costs than you’ll save on gas. According to Consumer Reports, downsizing is beneficial in the long run if you time it right.
A study by Consumer Reports reveals that if you still owe on your car loan, it might not be beneficial to downsize after just three years. With a loan, initially your payments are made up of a large percentage of interest. Trading in too early will leave you with less equity, which will limit a down payment for a new car.
Another hurdle that affects the equity of your car is depreciation. In the first five years of ownership, depreciation makes up about 48% of total vehicle costs for the owner. On average, costs for fuel only equal about 21%. Within the first three years, depreciation is the greatest, and then it begins to level off.
So, trading in a 3-year old car will result in a whole new depreciation ride. However, if you have owned your vehicle for more than four years trading in makes more sense. Just make sure you have an auto warranty for peace of mind when keeping your vehicle for several years.
February 24th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Buying a new vehicle is an exciting event in most people’s lives. People often want to flaunt their priceless possessions for everyone to see. Drivers purchase an auto warranty to protect their jewels, and treat their cars with loving care. In addition, they try not to let their vehicle get any scratches. A car that is scratch free and has a shiny finish is a good reflection of its owner and brings a lot of driving pleasure.
However, with heavy traffic that is bumper to bumper, it is difficult to keep your beautiful gem scratch free. In fact, it is inevitable that your vehicle will receive a scratch or two no matter what measures you take.
Never fear, you don’t have to spend thousands at a shop getting your entire car panel painted. You can use Com-Paint, which is a touch up spray that allows you to say goodbye to scratches. Follow these simple tips.
On small scratches you can use Aeroshot Top Cut to remove and cleanse the surface that is scratched. This will most likely take care of the scratches so that they won’t need painting.
For medium scratches level with 1000 No. Emery paper. Shake the can well and hold it 12†from the surface and use a stroking motion to spray. Make sure the coats are light, not heavy. Let the painted area dry at least 72 hours.
Car owners like to feel like their vehicles are brand new. Simple things can allow you to do this such as touch-up painting, routine maintenance, and purchasing new car warranties to protect your vehicle. These simple things can keep your car seeming brand-new.
February 23rd, 2010 by Hal Moses
Many people maintain their car under the hood but neglect their car’s exterior. To freshen up your car and make it look brand new, follow these simple tips.
To care for your car’s exterior start by giving it a comprehensive washing. You’ll want to remove all of the mud and grime that has built up on your car.
Make sure to use a pH balanced wash on your car. You should avoid harsh detergents because they will strip off the car wax on your vehicle.
After a good car washing, make an evaluation of the surface of your vehicle. You can do this by rubbing your hand along the surface of your vehicle. If the surface feels rough on your hand, chances are you have bugs, tar, or water deposits. These things need to be removed before you wax your car.
After doing these things it is time to put a car polish and wax on your car to protect it’s finish from harmful elements.
Make sure to be proactive when it comes to taking care of your car. This includes maintenance, washing, waxing, and buying an auto warranty.
February 23rd, 2010 by Hal Moses
There are many great deals out there on new cars, yet you need to understand the offers. For example, are there any “restrictionsâ€, “qualifiersâ€, “exclusionsâ€, or “limitationsâ€? Make sure you know how to read the fine print.
Often, dealerships offer incentives that are regional. In other words, you must live in the area to get the deal. You might be able to get a new car for $1,500 less if you live in the right area.
Some deals on financing may be contingent on a predetermined down payment amount. For example, you might need to have $4,000 cash to put down at the time of the sale. If you don’t have this amount of money, you might get stuck with finance rate that is higher.
Sometimes an offer may be contingent on if the dealer participates with the program. This could include a special financing rate, rebate, etc. Remember that dealers are operated independently and you are not dealing directly with the automaker.
These are just a few things to look out for when it comes to dealer offers. Make sure you read the small print to understand the terms of the offer. And make sure that the car you are looking at comes with a good auto warranty.
February 20th, 2010 by Hal Moses
It’s common to show affection to the people you love, but we don’t want to forget to give some thought to our vehicles. A lot of us find our vehicles to be more than just another asset. They are such a big part of our lives because we depend on them to get us where we need to go safely. They deserve a bit of attention and affection too.
A recent survey reinforces the powerful relationship that drivers have with their cars. Apparently, 44 percent of men and 48 percent of women claim they have thanked their car in different situations. In addition, 30 percent of women and 37 percent of men claim they have given their cars compliments on dependability.
So what can you give your car to show your appreciation? There are several things you can do. First of all, make sure you have a preventative maintenance plan. Also, purchase your car an auto warranty to ensure that it is covered in the event of a breakdown. Your car will thank you by getting you to your destinations safely.
February 20th, 2010 by Hal Moses
According to auto experts, it makes sense that four-wheel drive would make drivers and passengers safer. Every year, more new cars are being sold with the option for all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. However, does it make sense for you to purchase one of these vehicles? Do you really need it? And are we actually safer with four-wheel drive?
Unfortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t done formal studies on the effectiveness and crash prevention of four-wheel drive.
Consumers should make a decision on if they want two or four-wheel drive before showing up at the dealership. To decide this, make a list of the ways that you plan on using the vehicle and the places that you will be driving it.
You might want to ask yourself the following questions. Do I live in a climate with a lot snow or heavy rain? Also, do I travel to go skiing frequently? Do I live on a dirt road? Also, will I be hauling things backwoods?
These are the kinds of situations that it will be worth your while to have two or four-wheel drive.
Two or four-wheel drive can be a great asset if you’re actually going to use it. However, make sure it is a priority because it might push you over budget. This feature can be terrific, however make sure to purchase an auto warranty to ensure that you’re not paying unnecessary costs for repairs down the road.
February 20th, 2010 by Hal Moses
There is nothing worse than getting your car repaired and hearing, “It isn’t covered under your auto warranty.â€Â Often, motorists are confused because they assume that certain repairs are covered. Drivers need a little education to understand more about their new car warranties.
People need to understand that an auto warranty isn’t an entitlement, but an agreement you make with the car manufacturer. Your responsibility is to fulfill specific maintenance requirements that the manufacturer sets. After doing your part, the manufacturer must perform repairs resulting from a defect or a failed part.
So, what parts are covered? The auto manufacturer must cover the parts that it makes. For example, transmissions, engines, steering, suspension, computers, instruments, chassis wiring, and other parts that they manufacture are covered. Maintenance items and wearable items aren’t covered under new car warranties. For example, filters, hoses, belts, brakes and tires aren’t covered.
What about the parts not made by the manufacturer of the car? Items such as stereo systems and conversion components have a warranty through their manufacturers. These can be found in paper work you received with the purchase of the car.
The best thing that you can do to avoid misunderstandings about new car warranties is to educate yourself. Make sure that you do your homework and read all of the fine print in your auto warranty.
February 19th, 2010 by Hal Moses
For drivers who are sick of paying the high fuel prices and who aren’t willing to wait for automakers to put affordable electric cars on the market, CNN has reported that car owners are doing conversions on their gas powered vehicles to make them electric powered.
The conversion has been described as “surprisingly easyâ€, which involves taking out the guts of the vehicle, such as the exhaust system and radiator, and making replacements to some, like the fuel injector, with components that are electric. Of course, you could only say this process was “easy†if you regularly do engine swaps. Many drivers don’t even know how to change their oil on their own.
Supporting this industry of do-it-yourself are suppliers that sell the parts necessary to complete the conversion, like Electric Vehicles of America.
Once you do that work, the car should be equipped with lead-acid batteries, since lead-acid batteries remain very expensive at $10,000-$20,000. A truck that is small and has 20 6-volt batteries will reach a speed of 60 mph and run for approximately 40 miles.
Before undertaking a conversion such as this, make sure you know that it will make your auto warranty become null and void. Also, messing with the inner workings of you vehicle can be extremely dangerous if you don’t have any experience.
February 19th, 2010 by Hal Moses
It may be tempting to go to one of the giant retail chains that seem to be popping up everywhere for auto service, but is it smart? Well, there’s something to be said for building a relationship with your auto repair facility, and with a large chain, it’s not likely to happen.
Think about it, you go to a mass retailer for a repair, and then after a year the part fails. Yet, when you go back to the original location for an auto warranty claim, the first thing they ask for is your receipt. If you don’t have the receipt you’re out of luck. Chances are they will have no recollection of you or your car from the previous year.
Many people make the mistake of looking for a service shop just on the basis of price. However, you need to consider other factors when choosing a shop. Imagine how nice it would be to build a relationship with a shop where the mechanic recognizes you and your car and you feel a loyalty. We’ve all been in an emergency situation where we need a repair done that day. If you have a relationship with your mechanic, chances are that he will be more likely to squeeze you in.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you when choosing a service shop. However, keep in mind the benefits of being able to feel loyalty from your mechanic.