July 15th, 2010 by Hal Moses
One of the worst things that can happen to a motorist is getting into your car just to find that you have a dead battery. At this moment people realize the importance of a good road service program, however, some motorists may not be covered by this. But, the best thing to do is detect that your battery is weak before there is a problem. In order to do this, you can use The Intelligent Battery Sensor, which will give a warning if the battery is run down due to age. It is able to do this by determining what the charge status of the battery is.
Approximately one-third of car breakdowns are because of empty batteries. This happens often in today’s cars because car batteries have added responsibilities. For example, they must power all of the new electronics available, such as safety features, navigation devices, and luxury features. This is why The Electronic Battery Sensor by Continental is so beneficial.
The new battery sensor may be small, but it provides a large job. It allows drivers to know when it is necessary to change their batteries, which will cut down on the amount of motorists who are stranded. However, it is always a good idea to have roadside assistance in case of unforeseen breakdowns because technology is never full proof. In addition, used car warranties will bring you peace of mind.
July 10th, 2010 by Hal Moses
In order for a vehicle to maintain its peak performance motorists must get routine maintenance and service. This will also keep your car prepared for difficult driving conditions that come up. Purchasing used car warranties is a good idea so that you don’t dread taking in your car just to find that it requires additional repairs. To keep your car in tip-top shape, follow these tips.
First, check your tire pressure on a regular basis. To keep track, you should do it every other time that you get gas at the pump. In addition, check your tire treads to look for wear and tear and ensure that there isn’t any cracking.
Second, get regular car washes to keep a nice, shiny exterior. And add a coat of wax to keep away corrosion.
Don’t forget to be aware of your check engine light. Don’t ignore it if it lights up. Make sure to take your car to a professional in this case so that you don’t have expensive repairs down the road. Of course an auto warranty will help you avoid unnecessary repair expenses.
Lastly, determine a service schedule with a mechanic and keep it. Your car has certain parts that a professional should look at periodically. Look at your owner’s manual in order to determine what maintenance schedule is best for your car.
Just by following these tips you can head off unnecessary repairs in the future. However, you want to make sure you have an auto warranty to protect your wallet.
July 9th, 2010 by Hal Moses
In the oil industry there is an economic term that is quite sinister-sounding being thrown around: “Demand destruction.â€
Demand destruction is when the price of a product is looked at comprehensively as too high, therefore causing demand to tank.
So, why would the oil industry be concerned about this? Well, the fact is that since the summer of $4 per gallon gas, demand has continued to stay low. American motorists have pretty much completely stopped purchasing cars that get low-mileage and have given up on large gas-guzzlers, even since oil prices have fallen drastically. Many motorists are just holding onto their current vehicles and purchasing used car warranties. People are still driving fewer miles, even as gas prices go down.
Whatever the cause may be of the summer’s oil spike, it seems that there is no going back. The most solid sign of demand destruction is carmakers’ shift to vehicles that are more fuel-efficient.
It might just be that the most oil-hungry country in the world has finally had enough, or maybe OPEC and the oil industry are driving down prices again as quickly as possible, hopeful for one last hurrah.
July 8th, 2010 by Hal Moses
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. And with used vehicles, used car warranties are a smart choice.
July 3rd, 2010 by Hal Moses
If you’re purchasing a used 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 vehicles 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 rule out vehicle fraud.
Car history reports, such as those from CARFAX are comprehensive and can save you from purchasing a lemon. Just performing simple steps, such as getting a car history report and used car warranties may save you from having to call for auto road service.
June 26th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Thanks to the poor economy, people are skipping the big purchases and becoming disciplined shoppers. Instead of splurging on cars equipped with all of the gizmos, people are holding onto their current rides and purchasing used car warranties. However, with some savvy buying tips, you can get a new car with great features. Here’s how.
First of all, in order to splurge in the cabin, downgrade under the hood. You can purchase a car with a smaller engine and still enjoy the interior upgrades. For example, a Honda Accord that is top-of-the-line comes with heated seats, leather upholstery, dual climate control, and plenty of other comforts, all for $29,000. However, instead of getting the V-6, you can get a four-cylinder for $3,000 less that will also allow you to save on gas.
Also, you can save by ordering options a la carte. Many times, popular options, such as a sunroof or heated seats get bundled together into megapackages that has a lot of features you may not need or want to pay for. So, shop around for cars with smaller packages, or just order the features you really want.
Finally, skip the options that are the most expensive. Features such as entertainment and navigation systems can cost you an extra $2,000. By purchasing a portable DVD player and navigation system you can spend less than $500 combined.
When purchasing a new car it is important to put your money towards necessary things, such as new car warranties, safety features, and maintenance costs. Pick your upgrades wisely to avoid going over your budget.
June 22nd, 2010 by Hal Moses
The thermostat in your car serves the purpose of regulating the temperature so it stays at a desired level. To achieve this, it controls the cooling and heating mechanisms that control the heat flow throughout the system. The thermostat manages the amount of coolant in the internal combustion engine. A thermostat is necessary in all liquid cooled engines.
If your thermostat isn’t working correctly it may be due to several reasons. First, the thermostat may be affected if the water pump is failing. The thermostat may also be affected with an overheated engine or if coolant is leaking.
Make sure you have a mechanic look at your thermostat on a regular basis. It plays a key position in keeping your engine cool, so it needs to be replaced every few years.
Also, if you don’t replace your thermostat when it’s time, you may find yourself with additional problems, such as emission problems, knocking with acceleration, and poor fuel-economy, and chances are you will find yourself calling your road service program. Just make sure to have used car warranties to protect you in case your car breaks down.
June 22nd, 2010 by Hal Moses
It can be quite a challenge to find a handicap-accessible vehicle to suit your needs. Also, it can be nearly impossible to sort through newspapers and services online. This is why Rick Shutes started HandicapAutoTrader.com. He wanted to help people who are disabled find suitable vehicles.
HandicapAutoTrader.com is great for buyers and sellers. People who want to buy can search available vehicles at no cost, and contact the website’s staff conveniently through email or phone. Sellers are able to list their cars, with an addition of three images for free.
This website allows consumers to search cars according to the features that they desire. In addition, you can search by categories, such as model, make, year, etc. Also convenient is the feature, “Easy Compare Vehiclesâ€. This lets people compare vehicles side-by-side to get the features and price that they want.
As with any vehicle purchase, it is necessary to do your homework. Make sure to research vehicles, used car warranties, and auto loans before making any decisions. This will allow you to get the best deals.
June 13th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Although cars of today don’t require maintenance as regularly as the cars of the past, they still need a maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your car has a long, healthy life span. Consulting your owner’s manual for the service schedule that your car requires can save you from having to call your road service program. Here are a few maintenance mistakes that you should avoid.
Many people fail to check their tire pressure. Underinflated tires can cost you more at the gas pump and wear out sooner. You should check your tires twice a year.
As simple as it may seem, motorists forget to replace their windshield wipers. This should be done once a year to ensure that you have good visibility through your windshield.
Recent cars don’t need regular tune-ups. This is because valves don’t need adjusting and there aren’t any carburetors to mess with. Make sure to do your big car service at 60,000 and 120,000 to replace spark plugs, timing belts, and coolants.
Finally, change your oil according to your car’s owner’s manual. They don’t have to be done every 3,000 miles like in days past. Also, use the oil recommended for your car.
Regular maintenance is necessary for your car to keep you from calling for emergency roadside assistance. However, don’t make maintenance mistakes that could cost you extra money. And always invest in used car warranties to save you from paying unnecessary car expenses.
June 12th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Satellite navigation devices, or the popular GPS interfaces that many motorists have in their vehicles, are, partly responsible for a large share of accidents and driving practices that are risky.
With about half of the motorists on the roads having access to devices such as these in their vehicles, it appears that this technology has penetrated the market. Drivers who have satellite navigation devices are much more likely to be involved in a minor accident or risky behaviors. In fact, 1.5 million say that they have engaged in sudden maneuvers, and approximately 5 million admit to going against the flow of traffic.
GPS systems fall into the same category as other car distractions, such as cell phones, kids, the radio, or passengers. This might be one of the reasons that road safety campaigns say that ‘Good Drivers Just Drive’.
Drivers should pre-plan their trips in order to avoid distractions by GPSs. In addition, drivers should protect themselves by purchasing used car warranties, and avoiding other in car distractions.