October 29th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Most people don’t realize that there is certain etiquette involved when buying parts at the parts counter. Following this etiquette will allow you to get the parts that you want without unnecessary hassle and keep you from driving the staff crazy.
When you go to a parts counter at a dealership you need to have your VIN handy, which is basically the magic key to all of the car codes. At places such as Advance Auto or NAPA, you just need to know the make, model, year, and engine of your car.
Make sure to know what the part’s name is that you need. If this is something you don’t know, be able to describe what it looks like or what it is going to attach to. Don’t make up a name for the part you want; this is where 90% of wrong parts come from. If worse comes to worse, take the staff out to your car and point to the part you’re looking for.
When ordering an expensive part you want to ask about return policies and auto warranty terms. And get the answer in writing. This can be as simple as having him write the information on the receipt. This will save a lot of hassle if something breaks down the line.
Finally, don’t go to the parts counter to diagnose your vehicle. Counter-staff gets very annoyed when you try to return a part because it wasn’t even the problem in the first place.
Following these simple etiquette tips will allow you to get the parts that you need with little hassle. And make sure you have used car warranties, because you never know when your vehicle will need to be repaired.
October 19th, 2010 by Hal Moses
One of the most fun family activities is taking road trips. Families can make a lot of fond memories traveling on the open road. However, frustration and stress can come along with a family road trip, so take note of some do’s and don’ts that will allow your family to have a great time.
First and foremost, take your family vehicle in for a tune-up. You want to make sure your car is in top-notch condition. There is nothing more inconvenient than having your vehicle break down on the side of the road, leaving your family stranded. This is why you should have a road service program in case of unforeseen problems.
Make sure you plan ahead. This will help your family know what to expect throughout the trip. It will also help you have a smooth trip. Software for trip planning along with a GPS will aid your family in planning the ideal vacation. This technology will literally guide you to your destination. And the tools that are easy to use allow you to personalize a trip from start to finish.
Of course, you are bound to run into some speed bumps along the way. For instance, you never know when you will run into road construction or traffic. However, don’t let your fun be ruined, just make sure you have emergency roadside assistance in case your vehicle overheats. This will bring you peace of mind and let you enjoy your family. In addition, protect yourself with used car warranties.
October 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.
October 8th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Typically, you will get the best value purchasing a used vehicle. This is especially true for late models. Not only will you find the price to be lower than a new vehicle that is comparable, but also expenses for ownership, such as taxes and collision insurance will be less. In addition, a used vehicle has already taken its largest depreciation hit. You also can get a vehicle that is better equipped by buying used.
Used cars have become more appealing because their reliability has improved. Exhaust problems and rust used to be a major concern, but aren’t a problem anymore. Studies have shown that reported problems declined significantly since 1980.
Although reliability has improved considerably, repair costs and maintenance are important things to consider. Many used cars don’t have an auto warranty left or are close to the end of its life. This means that motorists will be paying out of pocket for expenses. However, buying used car warranties will take care of this problem.
Overall, buying used is a great option to save money. Also, consumers can get a car with more features than they would be able to afford new. However, an auto warranty is a necessity so that you don’t pay for unnecessary repair costs.
September 30th, 2010 by Hal Moses
If you are thinking of buying a new car, don’t just rely on professional expertise; make yourself a professional expert as well. This includes taking certain measures such as doing your homework and researching an auto warranty. You can be empowered by arming yourself with the following information about purchasing a used vehicle.
Examine the pedals to check for wear. Rarely do people update the pedals, so this is a good indication of the cars true history.
Next, take a look at the steering wheel. While the engine is turned off, joggle the wheel to see how much movement there is. There shouldn’t be more than one inch of play. If there is, a new steering gearbox may be needed.
Never buy a car that has frame-damage. You can tell this by looking at the core support of the radiator. This connects to the fenders in the front of the vehicle. It shouldn’t be welded on each side, but bolted.
Finally, check the paint job on the vehicle. Look for dents, scratches and rust spots. Also, examine the car for a slight waviness, which is an indication of a paint job.
Most importantly, check the history of the vehicle you are looking to buy. You can do this at autocheck.com.
No matter how much knowledge you have, you never really know what car you are buying. This is why it is important to buy used car warranties to protect your investment. You don’t want to pay unnecessary repair costs down the road.
September 22nd, 2010 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. 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. In addition, purchase used car warranties to protect teen drivers.
September 15th, 2010 by Hal Moses
You can get SUVs in a large variety of sizes and prices. They give you more versatility than any other kind of vehicle. They allow different options for carrying cargo, will hold up to eight people, and allow people to be higher up off of the road. Also, they can handle off-road terrain. SUVs come in car based and truck based options. Which one is for you?
Car based SUVs are becoming more and more popular. They are on unibody platforms that are car-like. Also, they have a completely independent suspension, and feature all-wheel drive. In addition, they often have better fuel-efficiency and handle and ride comfortably. Finally, they rate highest in CR testing.
SUVs that are truck-based have a body on frame platform. They usually have a large towing capacity and can tackle difficult terrain. However, handling these vehicles can be more difficult and cumbersome. Also, they can sometimes have a jolting ride.
SUVs are a terrific option if you need a lot of cargo space, a large capacity for passengers, and off road options. However, a roadside assistance program is always a good idea when driving on difficult terrain. In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind.
August 17th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Most people depend on major car companies, like Avis for rentals on business trips and vacations. Yet, most people don’t realize that firms such as these are great sources of well-priced used vehicles. Avis’ business is rental cars, however, they also sell their older models. Car shoppers get a big savings by purchasing a vehicle from Avis instead of car dealers. This gives people the opportunity to put their money towards used car warranties that will protect their car.
Avis sells their vehicles that are more than one year old so they can make room for more recent models. This is how Avis ensures that they have a well-maintained and current fleet. When certain car models prove to be popular, Avis often sells them early, after the car has passed a certain mileage.
Another good thing about purchasing a car from Avis is that they treat their vehicles with metallic paint. On the other hand, car dealers usually don’t do this. One concern that car shoppers have is that rental cars have been through a lot of wear and tear. Yet, Avis points out that vehicles for sale are around six months old and less than 13,000 miles. Also important is that many times the car’s auto warranty is still valid. However, the auto warranty will only last for approximately one year, so it is important to shop around for used car warranties.
August 6th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Teenage drivers add a significant amount of cost to a family’s auto insurance. This is because insurance is based on the likelihood of a driver getting into a car crash. According to statistics, young drivers who are inexperienced account for a large amount of auto accidents. This is why they require a road service program and a good auto warranty. So, what can parents do to eliminate some of the cost? Here are some tips.
First of all, make an effort to qualify for as many discounts as you can. You might be able to classify your teenager as a driver who is “occasionalâ€, instead of a primary one.
Next, ensure that your teen has taken a driver’s education class. This can qualify them for an insurance discount. Also, having them take a defensive driving class might reduce premiums.
Avoid buying a high performance, sporty car that your teen might get into trouble with. Insurers frown upon these vehicles.
Finally, if your adolescent goes away for college without taking the car, it is likely that you can drop them from your insurance policy.
These simple tips will save you money on insurance and save your teen from calling for emergency roadside assistance. In addition, invest in used car warranties to avoid unnecessary repair costs. It is a win, win situation for everyone.
August 2nd, 2010 by Hal Moses
We’ve all been there. You’re driving along when all of a sudden you hear sirens blaring behind you. You realize that you are going to get a speeding ticket and you really don’t have the extra funds to pay for it. With all of the expenses you’re already paying for your vehicle, such as used car warranties, maintenance, and loans, the last thing you need is the added cost of a speeding ticket. Well, never fear because the Trapster just may save you.
Pete Tenereillo of California invented trapster. Essentially, this is a social network where motorists can use their cell phones to alert other drivers about speed traps that they have encountered.
All you have to do is sign up for a free membership at the website and then download the Trapster software on your cell phone. Most of the latest cell phones, PDAs and Blackberries can accommodate this software.
After signing up, you’re ready to get out on the road. If you come across a state trooper looking for speeders you hit “pound 1†on your cell phone. This alerts other motorists when they approach the same spot.
This system is ideal because it’s “hands freeâ€, which means it’s safe for drivers. Also, sophisticated cell phones can allow a map to be displayed where the speed trap is.