Chances are at one time or another you have been told that you need new shocks and (or) struts.  After being quoted a large price, you might find yourself thinking, “Can I get away without replacing them and are they covered under used car warranties?

Your shocks and struts serve two functions in your car.  Some cars only have struts, and some only have shocks.  Their purpose is to dampen the oscillation of springs and assist in ride control.

If your shocks and/or struts are worn, your suspension parts and tires will wear out sooner.  This is why it is important to take your vehicle in for preventative checkups.  It is a good idea to have your mechanic look at your shocks and struts every time you get an oil change.

There are several warning signs that might tell you it is time to replace your shocks/struts.  First, you might notice leaks on the housing or dents on the strut body.  Also, you might see high and low worn spots on your tires and pitted piston rods.  Finally, you may have rubber bumpers that are crushed from bottoming out.

It is important not to cut corners when dealing with your shocks/struts.  It is essential that these parts function correctly for handling and cornering.  Purchasing an auto warranty is a good idea for motorists in order to avoid unnecessary repair costs down the road.  After all, you never know when your car will need maintenance.

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.

If you’re purchasing a pre-owned car you need to find out as much history as possible about it.  The car may have problems that are not apparent from a visual inspection or a test drive.

A car history report is a good way to find out what you’re getting.  This is a report prepared by a third party that is a compilation of information from DMVs, RMVs, and other sources.  A car history report will give you an overview of what the car has been through.

When getting a car history report look out for the following things.  This is not to say that you shouldn’t buy the car based on these issues, but certainly ask questions.

If a car has had a lot of owners, chances are it hasn’t been cared for lovingly.  These cars have probably endured more abuse.

Some areas of our country are easier on cars than others.  For example, extreme winter conditions are tough on vehicles, as are flood areas and extreme heat.

Make sure the name and description of the car match up with the actual car.  Read the description carefully to avoid vehicle fraud.

Car history reports, such as those from CARFAX are comprehensive and can save you from purchasing a lemon.  Also, to protect yourself, purchase an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary expenses down the road.

In case your car is dead it is always a good idea to know how to jump-start your car.  In addition, make sure you have an auto warranty to cover your car in case of an emergency.

Jump-starting a car is a pretty easy task, which only calls for a few tools.  The most important thing you will need is a volunteer.  Without a person who will allow you to use their battery, your car will remain dead.  Next, you need to have a set of jumper cables.  This should be kept in your car at all times in case of emergency.  Lastly, it is wise to wear a pair of protective glasses, or at least sunglasses.

To jump-start your car you will need to park the volunteer’s car close to yours.  Open both hoods and find the batteries.  Next, look for the batteries’ terminals.

Now that you have found the necessary parts, it’s time to go ahead and hook up the two cars.  The jumper cables should be hooked positive-to-positive and negative-to-negative.  The red cable should be attached to the positive on both batteries, and the black cable should go to the negative.  Next, start the car that operates.  Let the car run for several minutes to give your battery time to charge.

To finish the process, let the newly charged battery idle for several minutes to ensure a full charge.

Jump-starting your car isn’t difficult, and it can get you off and running.  Of course, if your battery doesn’t charge, you might need the assistance of a professional.  Make sure you have an auto warranty that will save you from costly repairs.

It is very important to maintain a correct tire pressure for the safety of your vehicle, especially when cold weather can cause the air pressure in tires to decrease.

It is estimated that 650 people are killed and 32,000 are injured as a result of car crashes related to problems with tires.  However, a recent survey revealed that 84 percent of motorists don’t check the pressure of their tires.

Another issue is that poorly maintained tires can be dangerous, and even leave you on the side of the road. Although you can always call for emergency roadside assistance, there are a few safety tips that drivers should keep in mind to avoid this:

Make sure you don’t overload your tires because overheating can occur.  The result of this could be a blowout or a car accident.  Your owner’s manual will give you proper loading instructions.

Tires that are under inflated also pose a risk.  This occurs naturally and cold weather accelerates the process.  In fact, frigid temperatures can cause tires to lose up to two pounds of air in one month.  Under inflated tires are actually resistant to rolling.  It can feel like you are driving with the parking brake on.

Finally, don’t over inflate tires because it can cause the tread to wear in the center.

Checking your tire pressure regularly can save you from many problems with your vehicle.  Of course, you never know when you might get a flat, so just in case, make sure you have a road service program that can assist you in case of an emergency.  In addition, make sure you have a good auto warranty to protect yourself from other car repair expenses.

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.

It can be difficult to decide if you should buy or lease a vehicle.  There are more things to consider than just their car budget.  Most often, leasing ends up costing less money, but in the long run the motorist has no equity.  Consider these important factors when making your decision.

The most obvious thing to consider is the cost.  There are four factors to think about.  They are the length of the lease, the monthly payments, the restrictions on the mileage, and the down payment.  You could end up with large fines if your mileage exceeds the restrictions.  In addition, if you keep the lease for over three years, replacing tires and other maintenance costs will be up to you.

You also have to pay close attention to your budget.  If you are thinking short term, leases are generally less expensive because of the lack of a down payment and the low monthly costs.  However, purchasing a vehicle that you plan on keeping for ten years ends up being less expensive than leasing.  This is making the assumption that you have an auto warranty that will save you from paying unnecessary expenses.  Motorists who enjoy having a new vehicle every three years would benefit from leasing.

Also, consider if you have any changes coming up in your life.  If you are going to be moving far away or beginning a family, leasing is the way to go.  This gives you a lot of flexibility.

Consider all of these things to make an educated decision on buying or leasing.  Just keep in mind that whenever you buy you want to make sure you are covered by an auto warranty to keep you from paying unnecessary repair expenses.

Due to the poor economy, electric and hybrid cars are in great need these days.  However, these cars also will come at a cost.  They will strain scarce resources for water, according to a new study.

Every mile that is driven using electricity consumes approximately three times the water than a car using petrol.  Sciencedaily reported this.

Michael Webber and Carey King calculated the usage of water, consumption, as well as withdrawal during refining of petroleum and generation of power in the United States.

This does not mean that the impacts on sources of water make the shift undesirable.  Instead, the increase in the usage of water resources should be a consideration when people are planning for an automotive economy that is plugged-in.

Every technological advance has potential downfalls.  Vehicles that lack petroleum are good in many ways for out environment, and our wallets.  Also good for your wallet, is an auto warranty that protects you in case new technology fails.  Also, it brings drivers peace of mind.

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 tells you 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 consumers 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.

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.