Auto Warranty

Many people believe that pickup trucks and SUVs cause extreme damage to cars in a collision because they are heavier and bigger.  And although size is a factor, the main culprit in collisions involving low speeds is the mismatch of bumper heights.

In the United States, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks aren’t required to have any bumpers.  While some car manufacturers do put bumpers on these vehicles, they usually don’t match up with car bumpers, which are required to have bumpers 16-20 inches above the ground.

In addition, pickup truck and SUV bumpers are typically flimsy.  In fact, bumpers on most of these vehicles are purely decorative.

The result of bumper mismatch is a hefty repair bill resulting from even the most minor accidents.  Without a bumper, there isn’t anything to protect a vehicle’s expensive sheet metal.

People wouldn’t expect a 10-mph collision to completely disable a vehicle, yet often times when bumper mismatch is involved, one or both vehicles are undrivable.  To deal with this problem, motorists should make sure that their vehicle has a bumper and they should practice defensive driving.  In addition, you should always have a good auto warranty in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Small SUVs serve the purpose of ferrying people around on weekdays, and then bouncing through the countryside on the weekends. The Subaru Forester rises to this challenge with its new DC3 chassis, double wishbone rear suspension and AWD system.

Although the Forester was originally a station wagon, the third-generation model is all SUV.  This five-door hatchback has been restyled to have somewhat of a truck appearance.  This vehicle comes in five different trims; 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X L.L. Bean, 2.5XT, and the 2.5XT Limited.

The Forester’s interior won’t disappoint.  It has clean lines, comfortable seats, and a stylish appeal.  Also, the visibility in this vehicle is superb which translates into a safe, secure drive.  In addition, cargo space is ample because Subaru has tucked the inner-fender wells, which enhances capacity.

The Forester is a well-rounded vehicle great for everyday use and weekend play.  Its base price starts at $19,995 and the top of the line XT Limited is $28,195.  The wide range of prices allows a model for all different consumers, complete with an auto warranty.

Almost every vehicle that has front wheel-drive uses car struts on the front.  They aren’t just shock absorbers.  They integrate many different suspension parts into one assembly.  Included are the spring seats, coil spring, shock absorbers, steering knuckle, and strut bearing.

The shock absorber is the part of the strut that is commonly serviced the most.

The strut has many different purposes that it serves.  Because of the spring, the strut can support the vehicle’s weight while it’s traveling and allows for adaptations of road irregularities.  The shock absorber that is internal will dampen the spring’s movement while it is compressing and rebounding.

The function of the strut housing is structural.  It connects the bearing in the upper strut to the ball joint down below.  This allows the whole assembly to pivot as someone turns the steeling wheel.

It is a good idea to have your vehicle’s suspension system checked by a service technician that is qualified.  The struts in a car should be checked once a year, along with the alignment of wheels.  You never know when car parts will wear out, so an auto warranty, as well as regular maintenance is a necessary part of your routine.

Did you know that your car is talking?  That’s right, your car is saying a great deal about your personality and attitude.  It’s true we are what we drive.  Car enthusiasts even admit that our vehicles are a window into our souls.

Carmakers admit that minivan sales have declined partly due to the fact that people don’t want that mommy-mobile image.  Ford has completely given up on minivans for this reason and is just focusing on crossovers.

In our culture of cars, drivers idealize their vehicles and even give them qualities that are human.  For example, when hypnotized motorists will refer to their vehicles as if they are their friends.  People even give their cars a name and talk to them.  Also, people try to pick a car that has attributes that mirror their self-image.  For instance, a person who thinks of themselves as outdoorsy buys a vehicle that is rugged.

So, the next time you purchase a vehicle and an auto warranty you might want to consider what your vehicle is saying.  Your car might be telling people more than you would like them to know.

There is nothing worse than getting your car repaired and hearing, “It isn’t covered under your auto warranty.”  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.

Ask a woman if she wants to purchase a Dodge Viper and her answer is likely “no”.  This is a V-10, sports car with two seats with a starting sticker price of approximately $80,000.  However, studies show that this car attracts a large proportion of men drivers.  It seems that as far as cars go, men and women have very different taste.

At least 91% of people buying the Viper are men.  In addition, the BMW M5 and Porsche 911 are also large in buyer percentages being male.  The cost of these models is upward of $60,000.  Men tend to equate their vehicle with their image.  They pick cars that will give them a certain status.

What’s popular with women?  The Toyota RAV4 is the #1 choice.  Women dominate as being the purchasers of cars that are small, affordable and easy to buy.  For instance, the Saturn SL, Saturn SC and Saturn ION are popular with women.  These Saturns start at $10,000 and have a “no-hassle” reputation for buying.

It is clear that men and women think differently in many areas, including cars.  Men go for the impressive, fast cars, whereas women go for the small, inexpensive vehicles.  The only thing that these cars have in common is that they come with an auto warranty.

These days many vehicles are being offered with 4WD systems.  It can be difficult for consumers wanting to purchase a car with 4WD to distinguish between the different systems.  There is Part Time 4WD, Full Time 4WD and permanent 4WD.  So, what’s the difference?

The most basic of the 4WD systems is Part Time.  This allows the driver to choose if they want to drive in two-wheel drive or 4WD.  This sounds appealing, but has a downside.  The 4WD shouldn’t be engaged unless it is very slippery.  The reason for this is that 4WD will lock the front and back wheels.  Although this is good for slippery conditions, it makes for awkward handling on dry surfaces.  This system is, however, less expensive and very durable.

The most commonly used system is Full Time 4WD.  This system offers a two-wheel drive mode and 4WD.  Also, there is a high and low mode for various conditions.  An advantage to this system is that a center differential allows the front and back wheels to rotate at two different speeds.  Also beneficial is that this system offers more control and better handling on different road conditions.

Permanent 4WD is comparable to Full Time, yet it doesn’t have a two-wheel drive mode.  The car will always be in 4WD with this system.  Torque is being applied constantly to all of the wheels, which allows for traction in various weather conditions.  This system has high and low modes that are applied automatically.

Four- wheel drive is a great feature to have on any vehicle that may encounter challenging road conditions.  However, with any technology make sure that you purchase an auto warranty to cover you from paying unnecessary repair costs down the road.  This will allow you to have peace of mind.

Most vehicles today have ABS, or Antilock brakes.  You’ve probably heard about these brakes but may not know what they are.  ABS is a safety feature that detects if one of the wheels is going to lock up in your vehicle.  In this case the hydraulic pressure of that wheel is controlled, similar to when you pump the brake.  This helps you keep control of the vehicle.

If you haven’t used ABS before you might notice some new things.  For instance, when ABS is activated you may feel that the brake pedal feels hard, which is normal.  Also, you might feel pulsating under your foot, which is also normal.  In addition, you might notice a noise similar to that of a motorboat engine, again normal.

When driving with ABS make sure you still leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you.  Don’t think you will be able to stop on a dime.  Also, it is important not to pump the brake, but apply pressure that is firm and strong.

Follow these tips and you will adjust to ABS just fine.  In addition, you will feel an added sense of security on the road.  However, as with any new technology, there are bugs to work out, so protect yourself with an auto warranty.

Buying a pre-owned car is a good way to get a good car for less money.  However, when most people go car shopping they inspect the outside thoroughly, but forget to inspect the interior.  Here are some things to look for.

Notice the smell of the interior.  If you detect mold, must or mildew, there is a chance that the vehicle has water leaks.  Make sure to look under the floor mats for wet spots.  Also, it is easy to detect the smell of smoke, which probably means that the previous car owner was a smoker.  Just be aware that it can be virtually impossible to eliminate car odors, so if there is a bad smell, look at other cars to purchase.

Sit in every seat, including the back, even if you don’t plan to ever ride in the back.  Also, make sure seat adjustments are working as intended.  And know that if a car is advertised as having low mileage, the upholstery should still look good.

The pedals will give you an indication of true mileage.  If the pedals are worn it means the car has high mileage.

Do your homework when buying a used car.  Research costs, such as maintenance, an auto warranty, and auto insurance to ensure that you are making a good car choice.  And make sure to have the vehicle inspected before you purchase it.

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.