February 18th, 2011 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.
February 10th, 2011 by Hal Moses
When buying a car for a teen driver it is important to consider safety and reliability. After all, teens don’t have a lot of experience. When car shopping for a young driver, cars should be considered that have good crash-test results and advanced safety features. This will hopefully keep your teen from avoiding roadside assistance calls.
For the most part big, heavy vehicles perform the best in crash tests. However, large cars can be hard to handle and often have lousy fuel economy. SUVs and large pickup trucks aren’t recommended for teens because they are more prone to roll over in an accident than other cars.
The best bet for teens is a mid-size sedan with good safety and crash ratings. Some cars that have these features are the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Acura RSX and Subaru Impreza.
The best thing to do when buying a car for a teenager is to get the newest model possible that is reliable with used car warranties. Consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to see crash results for cars that you are considering. These simple considerations will keep your teen from needing emergency roadside assistance.
January 12th, 2011 by Hal Moses
It can be tempting to text-message in your car, especially if you’re stuck in traffic. You assume that there is little risk involved, however, if the person in front of you stops a little faster than you intended, all of a sudden you may find yourself calling your road service program.
Recent studies show that avoiding texting in the car will drastically reduce your chances of getting into a car accident. In fact, four states are making an attempt to ban driving while texting (DWT). Washington put a ban earlier in the year on texting while on the road.
Statistics suggest that DWT is a danger that is growing. In drivers ages 16 and 17, 46% admitted that they have texted while driving. A study by Nationwide Insurance indicates that DWT is a generational activity. Out of people ages 18-27, 37% admit to texting while driving, meanwhile, only 14% of 28-44 year olds admit to this. Also, only 2% of 45-60 year olds said they texted on the road.
Cities around the nation are passing text-message ordinances because of the danger that it poses. It is best to just refrain from this activity, otherwise you might find yourself calling for emergency roadside assistance. Drivers should protect themselves by practicing safe driving habits and making sure they have good used car warranties.
December 18th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The 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.
December 10th, 2010 by Hal Moses
If you’re looking to buy a cheap used vehicle, you might want to look on the Interntet. One website that is a great 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 vehicle 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 25th, 2010 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 23rd, 2010 by Hal Moses
One of the family activities that is the most fun is going on a road trip during the holidays. Although enjoyable, frustration can accompany families on the road. Take note of the following do’s and don’ts in order to ensure that your family has a great trip.
The most important thing that you can do is to get your family vehicle a tune-up. Your vehicle needs to be in top-notch condition. Nothing is worse than having your car breakdown, leaving you stranded. This is why an auto warranty is a necessity.
You should plan ahead so that your family knows what is happening during the trip. This will alleviate stressful situations and help things to go smoothly. In addition, you might want to purchase software to plan your trip and invest in a GPS. This advanced technology will act as your guide to your desired destination.
Of course, you never know when you will run into speed bumps throughout your trip. For example, road construction and traffic are inevitable. However, your trip doesn’t have to be ruined by these inconveniences. In addition, you can rest assured if you have used car warranties.
November 18th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Every year thousands of people are killed in car accidents. Many of these crashes could have been avoided with some simple safety knowledge. Here are some tips to keep your driving experience pleasant and help you avoid dangerous accidents.
First of all, if your are taking any medicines, double check your product label to see if it could affect your driving. If your medication causes drowsiness, stay off of the roads.
Next, secure children properly in a restraint system that is size and age appropriate. All children less than 12 years of age should be in the back seat. Just by putting children in the back, and not the front reduces injuries and deaths 30%.
One of the biggest causes of car accidents is driver inattention. This means that drivers should stay off of cell phones and pay attention to the road.
Finally, prepare a safety kit in your car. It should include a first aid kit, flashlight, nonperishable foods, water, blankets, motor oil, jumper cables, and a spare tire. And all drivers should have used car warranties in order to keep up with important maintenance and car repairs without unnecessary costs.
November 6th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Thanks to a 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 an auto warranty, safety features, and maintenance costs. Pick your upgrades wisely to avoid going over your budget.
October 30th, 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.