According to research, more commuters than ever are experiencing rush hour breakdowns.  These breakdowns occur between 7-9 am and are leaving employees and carpool moms stranded.  Motorists should have a roadside assistance program to protect themselves in this case.

Breakdowns leave drivers stranded and expose them to road dangers.  In a recent survey of motorists who have had a breakdown in the last two years, 15% had children in the car, 20% were in a situation that they felt wasn’t safe to leave their car, and 5% had a passenger who was elderly.  Also, 30% of the women surveyed felt stressed about finding help.

The survey also revealed that there are five main locations for vehicles to breakdown.  The first location is at home.  This means that drivers aren’t even getting out of their driveways.  The second and third locations are on the way to work, and when going to visit family and friends.  The fourth typical breakdown spot is at shops, and work comes in fifth.

To avoid dangerous breakdown situations, make sure you have a good auto warranty and a roadside assistance program.  Road service will keep you from waiting a long time.  Also, emergency roadside assistance will allow you to get back on the road faster.

Many motorists have been in the situation where an object hits their windshield and a big crack shows up.  Your windshield might even end up bad enough that you have to call your road service program.  However, when do you know if it necessary to replace the windshield or if the crack can just be fixed?

Windshield repair or replacement depends on the location, size and severity of damage.  Windshield shops can usually repair chips the size of a quarter, as well as cracks reaching three inches.  For bigger damage it is recommended that you replace your windshield.

The location of the damage is also a big factor in whether you can keep your windshield.  When a crack is at the edge of your windshield it can affect the structure of the glass.  In this case it is usually best to replace your windshield.

Many facilities won’t repair a chip if it’s in the direct line of the driver’s vision.  The repair process may result in minor glass distortions, which are unsafe for the driver. After all, you don’t want to end up calling for emergency roadside assistance.

Keep in mind, whatever the location or size of the glass damage, it is necessary to have it looked at right away.  Waiting can result in dirt getting in the damaged area, which can affect the repair job.  Make sure you protect yourself with an auto warranty since you never know when you will need repairs made.

Unfortunately, drivers can be faced with an unpleasant surprise in the morning when they discover they have a weak battery. Some people may be lucky enough to be covered by auto road service, however others may not. A car won’t start when the starter is not receiving the power that it needs.  However, help is here.  Continental now has The Intelligent Battery Sensor, which gives a warning if age is making the battery run down.  It does this by determining the charge status of your car’s battery.

One third of vehicle breakdowns are due to batteries that are empty.  One reason for this is because today’s car batteries must do more than in past years.  Just look at all of the responsibilities that car electronics have taken on. They ensure that passengers are safer, simplify orientation in traffic, and make passengers more comfortable. This means that batteries also have higher requirements.  This is why Continental’s Electronic Battery Sensor is so beneficial.

Although the new battery sensor is small, it is a great advancement in technology.  It will allow motorists to have an indication of when to change their batteries.  This will definitely cut down on drivers being stranded.  However, technology is never full proof, so it is a good idea to protect yourself with an auto warranty.

The decision to buy or lease can be a difficult one.  Car shoppers should consider more than just their budget.  Typically, leasing tends to be cheaper, but it also leaves drivers with no equity after the contract is up.  There are some important factors to keep in mind when making this important decision.

First, you should look at the cost.  Consider four factors when you’re thinking of leasing.  These are the leases length, the payments monthly, the mileage restrictions, and the down payment.  If you exceed the restrictions on the mileage you could ring up big fines.  Also, if you hold onto a lease for more than three years you will often have to replace tires and pay for other maintenance.

Next, take a good look at your budget.  Leases are almost always cheaper for short-term because there isn’t a down payment and the monthly costs are low.  However, leases end up being more expensive than buying a vehicle that you are going to keep for a decade.  This is assuming that you purchase an auto warranty with your car so that you don’t end up paying unnecessary expenses.  But if drivers prefer to have a new car every three years, leasing is the way to go.

Also, you need to consider your life plans.  If you are going through life changes, such as moving far away, or starting a family, you are going to benefit from leasing.  This will provide you with the flexibility that you need.

Consider these factors and make a decision to buy or lease based on your needs.  Just remember, if you buy, you want to be covered with an auto warranty to save you money on unnecessary repair costs down the road.

Unless you are actually a mechanic yourself, it may require a leap of faith to deal with a repair shop.  However, paying attention to your mechanic’s actions can give you clues to their honesty.  Here are some things to look out for.

If your mechanic says you need to flush your engine right away, or it will go bad, he might be padding your bill.  Some shops will recommend procedures that aren’t necessary.  Also, they may want you to schedule tasks that are premature.  Pay attention to your owner’s manual for maintenance schedules.

Also, you don’t want to go to a shop that makes every repair recommendation sound like an emergency.  This is a scare tactic for consumers who aren’t mechanically inclined.

If your mechanic tells you the new fuel injectors didn’t fix it, so you will need a new fuel pump, you are dealing with a parts replacer.  This is a mechanic who is rebuilding your vehicle because he is unable to diagnose the problem.  This is one reason an auto warranty is essential.

It can be hard for motorists to know which mechanics are trying to “take them for a ride”, however, there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself.  First of all, make sure you have an auto warranty so you aren’t paying unnecessary repair costs.  Secondly, follow these tips to see if your mechanic is acting honestly.

Consumers can experience sensory overload when walking down the car care isle at their local store.  It can be confusing to know what products to purchase, or even if you need to purchase them.  Some people assume that if you have a factory auto warranty that includes the finish, you don’t need to bother washing and waxing, but this isn’t true.

A factory auto warranty will protect you by ensuring that the paint job was sound, that they used quality paint, and that it was cured correctly.  However, new car warranties won’t protect you from oxidation that occurs over time.  This happens naturally if you don’t care for your finish.  Car wax serves the purpose of being a sacrificial layer between Mother Nature and your paint.

If new car owners want to keep their finishes looking great, they don’t have to spend a lot of time or money.  Preventative maintenance is the key for your finish, just like it’s under the hood.  All you have to do is wash your vehicle frequently with car care products.  Even just a basic car wash will do a lot to help protect your investment.  After washing, you can spray-on a wax that will boost the shine and extend the intervals between regular wax jobs.

Teens are known for making driving mistakes, which unfortunately can result in car accidents. This leaves parents feeling anxious, not knowing if their teen driver is safe. There are numerous devices out there that allow parents to track their teenage drivers.  However, now parents can track their teen right from their own keychain.

Many technologies out there monitor the speed and location of your teenage driver, and some even videotape who’s riding in the car.  However, now there is a Canadian company that is offering a new device called the Lemur Autovision keychain.  For the low price of $99.95, parents are able to track the maximum speed that their teen is driving, as well as excessive braking and distance traveled.  Essentially all that it requires is the installation of a non-GPS based sensor box and the monitor keychain.  This system doesn’t invade a teen’s privacy, but allow parents to discipline children for speeding.  And the best part is that it is tamper proof and protected by a PIN, which lets parents know if there have been attempts to fool the system.

Parents need to take extra precautions to keep their teen drivers safe, which includes purchasing a roadside assistance program, an auto warranty, monitoring teen driving, and setting strict guidelines.  You can never be too careful when it comes to your children.

So, you’ve been researching cars and you know what’s out there.  You’ve gotten quotes from the Internet, and you know about rebates and used car warranties, yet you still haven’t found the right vehicle for the right price.  Don’t worry, there’s a car out there for you.  Follow these tips to get a good deal.

To save big get a car model at the end of the year before the new model is about to be sold.  For instance, a motorist bought a 2000 Honda Civic coupe late in the year, soon before the release of the seventh-generation Civic, which saved him thousands of dollars.

Another smart tactic to save on a used car purchase is to look at buying a rental car.  Most rental companies, such as Alamo and Hertz sell their vehicles.  Although their cars usually have high mileage, they are put through a rigorous maintenance schedule.  This will allow you to save approximately one-third of the cost of the car new.

Finally, consider looking at demo models from dealerships, which are often used for test drives.  These cars typically have very low-mileage and you can get a great deal on them.

Any consumer who is educated can get a used vehicle for a good deal.  By researching, and trying different options, you are bound to get a good vehicle.  However, when buying used, always protect yourself with an auto warranty in case of repairs that are unforeseen down the road.

When purchasing a family vehicle several things should be considered.  These include reliability, safety, fuel-efficiency, and other personal concerns.  In addition, consumers should factor in the price of the vehicle to own, not just the sticker price.  For instance, new car warranties, maintenance costs, and insurance all need to be part of the equation.

It doesn’t have to be a hard process to shop for the right family car.  All you need to do is put some time into research beforehand so that you know your options.  Parents should evaluate how they will be using the car, the type and amount of cargo they intend on carrying, and how their needs might vary in the future.

Generally, parents need to focus on finding a vehicle that offers a lot of space and is versatile.  Families need a sufficient amount of cargo space, easy access, and windows that the kids can look out with ease.  If the rear seats are low, kids won’t be able to see out the windows, and they won’t be as happy.

There are many great options for family vehicles.  Small families will be just fine in four door sedans, or station wagons, whereas large families will benefit from an SUV or minivan.  Thinking through your needs in advance will ensure the proper choice.  In addition, doing your homework will save you money on the sticker price and an auto warranty.

If you are thinking of selling your car you need to make a proper assessment of your vehicle.  Sometimes it can be hard to see your vehicle the ways others see it, because you have a special connection to it.  Here are some tips to help you.

Some car owners trick themselves into believing that their car is worth more than it really is.  People are convinced that their car is in excellent condition when it actually has a lot of where and tear.  Even if you have an auto warranty and have tried to keep your vehicle maintained, know that it is a used car and it isn’t as fresh as when you bought it. When you are trying to sell a used vehicle its condition is the most important thing, so assess it honestly.

It is best to give an honest disclosure as to your cars true condition.  In most cases you don’t need to go to a body shop to get your car looking perfect.  People know they are buying a used car and don’t usually want to spend the extra money on a perfect body.  The best thing that you can do is to take your car to get a wash and wax.  This is equivalent to a houses curb appeal. This will make your car look its best without spending a fortune.

If you are trying to sell your car make sure you make an honest assessment of your vehicle.  You don’t want to hold onto a vehicle waiting for money if your never going to get it.