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What You Should Know About Extended Warranties

Toyota CorollaMost of the time dealerships will offer you an extended warranty when you buy a new or used car from them. Here are some things you should know about extended warranties before you purchase one.

First off, you should be familiar with certified used cars. If a used car is certified, this tells us that an extended warranty is put on the car previous to purchase. This auto warranty will come directly from the manufacturer which means you won’t pay extra for the warranty when purchasing the car through the dealership. A certified warranty means that the original manufacturer backs it up, and also means that the dealership already performed inspections on the car to make sure it meets the required standards.

The next thing you should be familiar with is new car warranties. When you buy an extended warranty for a new car, you should know how long you intend on keeping and using the car. If you plan on keeping the car for longer than the standard factory warranty covers it, then it is a smart idea to purchase an extended warranty.

If you are not buying a new car, but instead decide to buy a used car, you should be familiar with used car warranties. When buying the used car you should find out what the standard warranty from the dealership covers on your car. These warranties vary from very short intervals of coverage to longer intervals of coverage. In addition, be sure to find out from the dealership if any part of the original manufacturer warranty is still covering the car. If you are planning to keep this car for a long time it is a good idea to invest in an extended warranty.

When it comes to extended warranties you should definitely be familiar with coverage. Different extended warranties offer different coverage. Certain warranties only cover more serious issues with the car, such as a transmission problem. Others will offer coverage on smaller problems too, such as electric windows.

Another thing about extended warranties that is essential to be familiar with is cost. Each auto warranty will range in cost, therefore it is important to know exactly what each warranty covers and what warranty is right for you. Also, buying an extended warranty from a dealership could mean extra money, so it is a good idea to look into companies that offer aftermarket auto warranties to compare price.

How Often Should Your Car Receive An Oil Change?

Oil ChangeThe answer is that it depends on the type of oil you use in your car and also how you tend to drive your car. Usually, it is recommended that you get an oil change approximately every three thousand miles. Though if your car is newer and has a newer engine and more improved brand of oil you can get an oil change approximately every five thousand miles.

When thinking about how often you should change your car’s oil, it is a good idea to check the manufacturing recommendations in your owner’s manual. If you bought an older car and don’t own a manual for it, you can order a manual from the manufacturer or go online to look up the recommendations.

When it is time for an oil change you can either do it yourself, if you know how to, or bring your car to a mechanic and they will do it for you. The advantage to bringing your car to the mechanic is that during your oil change they can do a diagnostic check on the car and if they find any problems they will tell you right away and also fix the problem more quickly. It is better to be aware of and to fix problems in advance before something unexpectedly happens to your car. You should also consider getting an auto warranty from an aftermarket auto warranty company that sells new car warranties and used car warranties, depending on what warranty is best suited for you. This could help save you money on costly repairs in the future.

Why It’s Not A Good Idea To Run On Empty

lexus-is-f-review-11-big.jpgMotorists who try to stretch out trips to the gas station may want to think about filling up their tank more often because it might cost them to run out of gas.

Running out of gas puts motorist at risk for getting into an auto accident, and it also may cause their cars damage that could have them paying for repairs down the road.

According to Allstate Motor Club, drivers are placing more roadside assistance calls than ever because they ran out of gas 68% more in the early months this year compared to the same period last year.

It seems that people are dreading paying gas prices; therefore they are putting off filling up their tanks.  These people run the risk of getting rear-ended by another vehicle and are causing mechanical problems to their cars.  For instance, the fuel pump can become damaged giving it a shorter lifespan.  This is why it is necessary for people to purchase used car warranties.

It may be tempting to drive right on past the gas station instead of filling up, but you may end up calling for road service and doing damage to your vehicle.  People need to realize that they will be paying the same amount of money anyway, so why not fill up before ending up stranded on the side of the road.

Is Your Car Prepared For Summer Heat?

summer-car-wallpaper.jpgWith summer here, it is important to maintain your car.  The heat is unavoidable and it can do great damage to your vehicle.  Here are a few tips to prepare your car for summer that will help you avoid calling for road service.  In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind in summer heat.

First, have your hoses and belts inspected.  Many vehicles today have a serpentine belt running the accessories.  You can lose power steering immediately if it breaks.  Many other problems can also result from faulty hoses and belts.

Also, have a professional look at your air-conditioning system.  You don’t want your system breaking down in the midst of summer heat, so have it looked at now.

Tire damage can actually worsen in intense heat, so check to make sure that your tire pressure is where it should be.  Also, check for visible wear and tear since this could be an indication of poor alignment.

These simple tips can keep your car driving smoothly through the summer months and help you avoid calling for emergency roadside assistance.  Don’t neglect your vehicle and find yourself stranded in the heat.

Should You Trade Your Car In?

car-trade.jpgMany 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.

Make Yourself An Informed Auto Shopper

car-shopper-6237586.jpgFor motorists who like to take things into their own hands, the Internet is the place to look for valuable information.  Consumers are seeking research online to aid them in buying a new automobile, finding out about car service, and finding a good auto warranty.

A new study shows that 74 percent of people who do research on service and parts say they are utilizing the Internet more now than two years ago.  In addition, 90 percent of motorists researching service information about automobiles say that the Internet influenced their purchase.

Customers who are well informed can do a good job of describing issues for potential repair when they visit their mechanic for maintenance.  However, it can be a problem when car owners try to do significant repairs by themselves because many times they make misdiagnoses on their car.  This can end up harming their car more.

For example, if a motorist replaces the alternator because the car is having trouble starting, when in fact the battery should have been changed, it could cost hundreds of dollars to rectify the situation.

It is good for consumers to use the Web to research about cars because it can aid their mechanic.  However, motorists who think they can fix anything could end up stranded somewhere.  At any rate, it is always good to have used car warranties to protect your wallet.

Does Your Car Get Good Gas Mileage?

what-causes-bad-gas-mileages600×600.jpgDrivers who are fuel-conscious now have a new innovative way to calculate their vehicle’s mileage and compare their mileage to other drivers’.  Also, motorists will be able to devise ways that they can improve their own fuel-economy.

A new website, called fuelly.com, allows you to put your car in their system by entering details about your car.  For example, by imputing your vehicle’s year, and make and model, they will track your gas mileage, gas expenditures, how your car compares to estimates by the EPA, and also how much you could save by using different ways to improve your gas mileage.

One helpful feature is that you are able to see how your vehicle compares to vehicles that identical.  Then, if your gas mileage is significantly worse it will tell you some things.  For example, maybe you have poor driving habits when it comes to burning gas, or maybe your tires aren’t inflated like they should be, or it’s time to replace your air filter.  Whatever it may be, fuelly.com could be a valuable warning system.  In addition, if you own a mobile device, you can update the website remotely.

We all dread paying the high fuel costs, even to the point where we run out of gas and have to call for roadside assistance.  However, by using fuelly.com, you can now improve your fuel-efficiency by being aware of your poor driving habits.  Always purchase used car warranties to cut down on costs, as well.

Teenagers Benefit From Graduated Licensing

teen-driver.jpgWhen a teenager turns 16 years old, they are excited to get their drivers license.  Unfortunately, teens have more driving accidents than any other age group.  For the majority of teen drivers, the question isn’t whether they are going to have an accident, but when they are going to have an accident.

Inexperience is the main reason that teenagers are vulnerable to traffic accidents.  Although 16 to 19 year olds only make up 5.3 percent of the driving population in our nation, they’re involved in 13.3 percent of all of the traffic accidents and 11 percent of crashes that are fatal.

A new program aimed to protect teenagers is “graduated licensing”.  Although the age of licensing is the same, full privileges come gradually.

The program begins with a learner’s permit.  Next, is the intermediate stage, in which teens can drive during the daytime alone, and in the evening they can drive between 9 p.m-6 a.m. with a licensed driver.  Then, the advanced stage comes. This is when teens can drive with no restrictions.

The graduated licensing program is a good step to ensure that our teens remain safe.  However, teens need to protect themselves by practicing safe driving habits and purchasing used car warranties.

Satellite Navigation Devices Have Good And Bad Effects

gpscar4.jpgSatellite 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.

Why People Are In Love With The Toyota Prius

2011-toyota-prius-side-view-505×263.jpgThe Prius has become one of the hottest vehicles in the country.  This is actually quite amazing because this is a hybrid electric vehicle, which requires people to embrace change. With any change, people like to protect themselves.  Many people feel better purchasing a hybrid if they have an auto warranty to go along with it. The billion-dollar question that innovators face is whether people will resist or embrace innovation.  Apparently, Toyota got it right, because thousands of people are buying the Prius.

People accustomed to a regular vehicle would struggle to get the Prius to move forward.  In addition, people probably couldn’t figure out how to put the car in reverse.  However, these are not hard lessons to learn, they just require people to change their way of thinking.  To start the Prius you press a button located on the dashboard twice.  To make your car go forward or backward you manipulate a small stick that comes out of the dashboard.

People might fear technology because it is seductive, yet they might also have a fear of not being able to change. Either way, it is good to protect yourself.  This includes purchasing used car warranties that will cover you in the case of faulty technology.  Innovators never really know which way the cash register will ring.  However, Toyota got it right with the Prius.



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