November 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
If you’re planning to purchase a used vehicle you need to find out as much as you can about it. The car could have problems that you can’t detect by looking at it. In order to understand the car that you are getting, get a vehicle history report. This will give you combined information from DMVs, RMVs, and police reports about the car that you are looking at. Here are some things to consider when looking at the vehicle report.
Determine if the car has had many owners. You are better off with a car that has had fewer owners because there is more of a likelihood that the car has been taken good care of. Although inexpensive, rental cars will have undergone a great deal of abuse.
Also, consider the location that the car has been in. This is important because some climates are harsher on cars. For example, winter conditions are hard on cars because of salty roads. Obviously, excessive heat and flood areas are also of concern.
Finally, make sure that the name and description on the history report actually match the vehicle you’re looking at. This will help avoid types of fraud, such as vehicle identification number cloning.
A used car is a great way for people to save money and get a great car. Just do your homework to make sure you are getting a good buy. You need to consider the costs of used car warranties, auto insurance, and maintenance costs. An auto warranty is a good way to get peace of mind when purchasing a used vehicle.
November 12th, 2009 by Hal Moses
If you’re looking to buy a cheap used vehicle, you might want to look online. One website that is a good place to start is Car-Auction.com. This is an auction website featuring seized vehicles by the government. Consumers can select what type and model of vehicle you are looking for, as well as the price. Results will appear within a few seconds. This is a lot more convenient than attending an automobile auction and waiting to see if the car you want is up for auction.
When you are looking to buy a cheap used car follow these simple tips.
The most difficult part of the process is finding a quality car that you would like to purchase. People make the mistake of buying a car because they like the way it looks. You need to get the full history of the vehicle before making an agreement. Also, get the VIN of the vehicle and do a search of the number through a local agency. You want to get the vehicle inspected by a professional.
An online auction is a great place to buy a used car. However, beware. To protect yourself, do your homework to get a good buy and make sure to purchase used car warranties.
November 11th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Used car buyers need to be aware of a common scam; odometer fraud. This is the act of rolling back the odometer on a car. This deceives buyers into thinking a vehicle has fewer miles than it really does. It is estimated that this crime leads to sales of around 450,000 vehicles every year.
Also alarming is that digital odometers are easier to meddle with than traditional odometers. There are ways that consumers can protect themselves against odometer fraud.
First of all, request to see the car’s title and make a comparison between its mileage and the car’s odometer. Also, compare the mileage on the car’s maintenance records with the odometer on the vehicle. In addition, sometimes there are stickers with maintenance records on doorframes and windows.
Next, you should ask for a Carfax History Report on the vehicle to see odometer discrepancies. If the person selling the car doesn’t have one, you can order one online with the vehicles VIN number.
Finally, check to see that the odometer gauge numbers are all aligned. If they aren’t aligned, or if they move when you tap on the dash, you may want to think twice about buying.
These tips can save you from buying a car that has been tampered with. However, you never know the true history of a used car. This is why used car warranties are a good idea to protect you against unforeseen repairs.
November 7th, 2009 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 have you calling for emergency roadside assistance.
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. In addition, make sure that you have a road service program in case of an emergency. You don’t want to find yourself stranded in your car at night. In addition, make sure to protect yourself with used car warranties.
November 5th, 2009 by Hal Moses
As the economy declines, more motorists are trying to save money by abandoning their car insurance.
According to the Insurance Research Council, the uninsured rate and the unemployment rate are directly correlated. When unemployment increases 1%, uninsured drivers increase a half-percent. As of November, unemployment was up 2% since last year.
In a recent study, the council claims there have been several hundred thousand drivers that have let their insurance lapse, or dropped it in the last year.
What this means is that your odds of getting hit by a driver that is uninsured have gone up drastically, and usually people who are uninsured don’t have very many assets if you plan to sue for damages.
For people who have the funds, coverage for being hit by underinsured or uninsured drivers has become a necessary protection even though it raises your premium 7% to 9%. And, you don’t want to let your insurance lapse because you will be charged a 25% to 50% surcharge for a new policy. Also, drivers should protect themselves with a roadside assistance program and used car warranties.
November 4th, 2009 by Hal Moses
New teen driving laws have now taken effect, which will help teens sharpen their driving skills. During the first driving year, teens won’t be able to drive late at night or carry multiple teenage passengers.
The Department of Public Safety claims that teens in Minnesota are overrepresented in car accidents every year because of distractions, driver inexperience, driving at night, and not using seat belts. From 2005-2007, drivers who were 16 and 17 yrs old had involvement in 116 crashes that were fatal, which resulted in 133 deaths.
Having these laws will allow teen drivers to be safer and result in less injuries and deaths on roads in Minnesota. Also, having used car warranties and maintaining cars will help teens stay safe on the roads.
The limitation on nighttime driving during the initial six-month licensure period will prohibit teens from driving after midnight, until 5 a.m., unless they are accompanied by a driver of at least 25 yrs of age. Drivers who are 16 and 17 yrs old are approximately three times more likely to have a car crash resulting in a fatality at night than in the daytime.
The limitation on passengers for the initial six-month licensure period will allow just one passenger under 20 yrs old, unless there is a parent or guardian in the car. Throughout the second six-month period of licensure, there can’t be more than three other people in the car under 20 yrs old, unless there is a parent or guardian in the car.
It is recommended by the DPS that parents help reinforce these laws and protect their children by making strict driving rules, purchasing an auto warranty, and keeping cars maintained.
October 31st, 2009 by Hal Moses
Recently, J.D. Power and Associates conducted a study, finding that now that the EPA has changed how it tests cars, motorists are finding that they get better mileage out of their cars than what was advertised.
Before the EPA decided to update its methods to reflect a more accurate view of modern driving conditions, motorists were consistently reporting that their combined average for fuel economy was less than the EPA rating advertised.
For example, before the update, back in 2007, motorists claimed that they got around 97% of the fuel economy that was advertised. This was 3% worse than what was advertised. And after the new standards for testing were implemented in 2008, motorists claimed they got around 105% of the fuel economy posted.
For drivers who are money conscious and calculate driving costs, such as insurance, used car warranties, and gas costs, they will have a pleasant surprise with their gas mileage.
October 31st, 2009 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.
October 28th, 2009 by Hal Moses
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.
October 24th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Two laws that have been in place since 1988 in all 50 states are receiving new acclaim for lessening fatalities due to drunken-driving.
A recent study in Accident Analysis and Prevention in July has recognized that the drinking age increase to age 21 has reduced the ratio of deaths due to drunken-driving by at least 11%. Also, making fake ID possession illegal and suspending the person’s driver’s license has lessened fatalities by an additional 7%.
While in all 50 states it’s illegal for people to use a fake ID to buy alcohol, a driver’s-license sanction isn’t always the punishment. This study suggests that if a law such as this were to be national and linked to highway funds, which are done with the designated drinking age being 21, deaths would decline even more.
Occasionally, there has been talk of making the legal drinking age 18, because soldiers have fought in the Iraq war, but can’t drink a beer. However, according to the AAP study, making the drinking age 21 has reduced drunken driving deaths drastically.
According to the AAP study, making the drinking age 21 has been a crucial step in reducing accidents and emergency roadside assistance calls due to drunk drivers. Also apparent is that national driver’s license sanctions would lower deaths even more. Drivers need to take responsibility for their actions by staying safe on the roads and purchasing used car warranties.