People love to get a new car, but they don’t love the new car payments. But, although you can’t avoid those monthly payments, you can keep them reasonable. And make sure to factor in other costs, such as new car warranties, maintenance, and auto loans. Here are some tips to keep those car payments down.

Make sure you purchase a car that you need, not necessarily one that is on the lot.  Often, cars on the lot have more features than you need.  Dealers’ benefit from selling you one of these cars.  Not only do they move a vehicle off their lot, they sell you a more expensive car.

Only buy features that you must have.  For example, air conditioning is something most of us can’t live without, yet we don’t need climate control air conditioning.  You can save a lot of money by living without luxury features.  Watch out when the dealer tries to sell you power seats, audio systems, and tire packages.  All of these things are nice, but not essential.

You can save a lot by avoiding a bigger engine.  Test-drive a car model that has a standard engine.  You might find that the car has more than enough power.  By skipping the engine upgrade, you can save money upfront, as well as on fuel down the road.

Follow these simple tips to save yourself from paying high monthly payments.  However, realize that the one thing that you shouldn’t skimp on is purchasing an auto warranty.  You don’t want to be stuck with unnecessary repair costs down the road.

Modern vehicles feature innovative technology that has drivers in awe.  This technology is beneficial to us all, as long as we know how to use it.  Yet, how many motorists actually learn the functions of these switches and controls?

When a driver gets behind the wheel, he should feel as if he is one with his car.  People think of driving as a simple task to perform.  It may seem elementary to steer, and use the throttle and pedals.  However, driving is much more involved than that.  In order to be a defensive driver, people need to understand all of the operations of their technology before ever pulling out of the driveway.

Searching for dials and buttons while driving is dangerous because then the driver can’t focus on the road.  It is best to perform a list of operations before driving.  For example, a safe driver will turn knobs and flick switches in a familiar sequence.  It is also necessary to check gauges, such as oil pressure after starting the engine.

Enjoy the advanced technology that your vehicle has to offer, but discover the functions before hitting the road.  This will save you from getting into an accident.  Of course, with any new technology you should cover yourself with an auto warranty.  This will save you from unnecessary expenses down the road.

You might find that your car has become a mess from kids, pets, friends, etc.  But how are you supposed to keep it clean with kids spitting up and people having four-course meals in your backseat?  Let’s face it; it can be hard.  However, here are some tips to help you get started.

You might want to insist that whatever people bring in the car they have to take it out.  This means that kids should be responsible for the cups, stuffed animals, books, etc.  Also, you could limit them to only bringing one item each car ride.

Keep a trash bag from the kitchen in your vehicle.  This comes in handy for trash, or for dirty wet clothes.  You can have your oldest child be in charge of the trash bag.

For toddlers, purchase spill proof snack bowls and cups.  You can buy a “snack trap”, which keeps Cheerios from spilling all over your floor.

Keep toothpaste in your glove compartment.  This can save you from a stain on your upholstery.  Just rub gently on lipstick or ketchup stains to remove stains.

Purchase some rubber mats to go on top of your carpet.  If you don’t want to spend the extra money you can even turn your carpet mats upside down to reveal the rubber side.

It’s never easy to keep your car clean when you have a busy lifestyle, however, these tips will help.  Don’t just purchase an auto warranty to maintain your car, put a little bit of work into cleaning the interior.

If you’re considering buying a new vehicle this year you need to consider the worth of the car in a few years, when you’re ready to trade it in for another car.  Consider these four factors that determine the resale value of a vehicle.

Supply and demand is a big factor.  Vehicles that have a high volume of production, such as Chevrolet and Ford pickup trucks don’t hold a high resale value because they are so numerous.

Next, brand image is key.  For instance, Toyota, Porsche, and Honda have great images, which is the reason they end up on the high end of the table every year.  Regardless of whether the vehicle deserves it or not, brand name is a huge factor in the resale price of a car.

If there is a high incentive for spending on a new car, the residual value will be lower on a recent model.  Just remember, there is a reason for high incentives.

Also investigate the number of units of a certain model that were sold to rental and commercial fleets.  If there was a great number sold, the resale value will be less.

Look at these factors when buying a new car.  A vehicle is only a good deal if it is worth something when it comes time to trade it in.  In addition, it is also a good idea to purchase an auto warranty and auto road service to protect yourself.

Many motorists don’t realize that a little bit of routine maintenance can keep you free of expensive car repairs.  And most maintenance takes no more time than refilling the fluid for your windshield wipers.  Here are a few tips to help keep drivers safe and free of trouble.

Make sure to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.  However, you should check your oil at least once a month.  You want the oil line on your dipstick to be between the marker lines.  If the oil looks dirty or black, it is time to have it changed.

If you’re having trouble shifting gears you are probably having transmission problems.  Check the level of the transmission fluid to determine if it is low.  Low transmission fluid could indicate a leak.  You should refill it with the lubricant your car recommends.  If you see leaking on your driveway take your car to a mechanic.

Also, check your coolant levels.  You should have your radiator flushed every two years and change your coolant.  In addition, make sure your radiator is corrosion free.

Finally, check your tire pressure every two weeks.  Consult your owner’s manual for the correct pressure, and fill your tires accordingly.  Remember, both overinflation and underinflation affect safety and fuel efficiency, so it is important to maintain tire pressure.

These simple maintenance tips can keep you from having major, costly repairs.  However, it is important to purchase an auto warranty because you don’t want to be faced with unnecessary expenses down the road.

Forbes has assessed all of the vehicles out there and has concluded that as far as used cars go, the Honda Accord is at the top of their list.

There are a lot of vehicles available that are certified pre-owned, claims Forbes, however, the Accord deserves acknowledgement.  Forbes has based its decision on data concerned with reliability taken from Consumer Reports Magazine.  Also, they looked at safety and availability of used car warranties.

Following the Accord on the list was the Saturn Relay and Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Next, were the Pontiac G6, Mercedes Benz E-class and VW New Beetle.

Certified pre-owned cars are often taken back and resold if they are in sound condition.  Auto dealers often refurbish them if necessary and offer a limited auto warranty.  This is a booming practice, and consumers are benefiting.

To ensure that your car is operating properly you need to perform routine maintenance.  People assume that they need to make seasonal preparations and change their oil, but they often neglect their tires.  Don’t forget that your driving experience is only going to be as good as the tires that are on your car.

One big issue when it comes to tires is safety.  You need to have tires that will ensure you are safe on the road.  After all, really the only thing coming between the road and you is your tires.

If you put high performance tires on your car you will get the safety behind the wheel that you deserve.  These tires will allow you to drive at fast speeds and allow for safety in driving conditions that are dangerous.  For example, your car will perform better on roads that are icy or wet.  High performance tires also allow you to perform sudden stops and tight cornering.  And, even though you will pay a little more for them, you are getting your safety in return.

To keep your car performing at its best, consider purchasing high performance tires.  Not only will your vehicle hand better, you will feel safer.  Also, to maintain your safety purchase an auto warranty that allows you to have routine maintenance and repairs performed when necessary.

When teenagers turn 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 make sure that our teens remain safe.  However, teens need to protect themselves with a good auto warranty to avoid unnecessary repair costs.

An extended auto warranty can bring motorists peace of mind.  However, drivers need to get the most out of their auto warranty by keeping documents organized and asking the right questions.  Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your auto warranty.

Often times an extended auto warranty requires service records.  This is why it is necessary to keep your records straight.  Create a central location for your records if you don’t already have one.  This will alleviate frustrations down the road when you are trying to locate documents.

Don’t just rely on your computer to keep records.  Print hard copies of records if you buy an auto warranty online.  You never know when your computer will be down, and it could be when you need your auto warranty.

Make sure to read everything in the auto warranty.  If something isn’t written in the contract, then it isn’t covered.  Never make assumptions when it comes to your auto warranty.

Finally, make sure that you have contact information accessible to you at all times.  This will make things easier when you have a claim.

Unfortunately, mistakes often happen when you’re in an unfamiliar place.  A recent survey reported that people driving in RV’s often make expensive blunders.  More than 1,000 RV drivers were surveyed, revealing some interesting mishaps that they have had.

The blunders that were the most common are as follows:  backing up into something, failing to connect taillights in a correct manner, running out of fuel, driving out of a parking lot with the steps still out, and not judging clearance well.

Also discovered was that just over 50 percent of RV drivers spend at least a month out of the year traveling, and over 40 percent travel over 500 miles in a trip.

Although often you can find humor in blunders, they can mean big money in damages and repairs.  This is why it is so important to purchase good insurance and an auto warranty on you RV.  After all, you want to get back out on the open road quickly after a mishap.