If you’re planning to purchase a used vehicle you need to find out as much as you can about it.  The car could have problems that you can’t detect by looking at it.  In order to understand the car that you are getting, get a vehicle history report.  This will give you combined information from DMVs, RMVs, and police reports about the car that you are looking at.  Here are some things to consider when looking at the vehicle report.

Determine if the car has had many owners.  You are better off with a car that has had fewer owners because there is more of a likelihood that the car has been taken good care of.  Although inexpensive, rental cars will have undergone a great deal of abuse.

Also, consider the location that the car has been in.  This is important because some climates are harsher on cars.  For example, winter conditions are hard on cars because of salty roads.  Obviously, excessive heat and flood areas are also of concern.

Finally, make sure that the name and description on the history report actually match the vehicle you’re looking at.  This will help avoid types of fraud, such as vehicle identification number cloning.

A used car is a great way for people to save money and get a great car.  Just do your homework to make sure you are getting a good buy.  You need to consider the costs of used car warranties, auto insurance, and maintenance costs.  An auto warranty is a good way to get peace of mind when purchasing a used vehicle.

For motorists who like to take things into their own hands, the Internet is the place to look for valuable information.  Consumers are seeking research online to aid them in buying a new automobile, finding out about car service, and finding a good auto warranty.

A new study shows that 74 percent of people who do research on service and parts say they are utilizing the Internet more now than two years ago.  In addition, 90 percent of motorists researching service information about automobiles say that the Internet influenced their purchase.

Customers who are well informed can do a good job of describing issues for potential repair when they visit their mechanic for maintenance.  However, it can be a problem when car owners try to do significant repairs by themselves because many times they make misdiagnoses on their car.  This can end up harming their car more.

For example, if a motorist replaces the alternator because the car is having trouble starting, when in fact the battery should have been changed, it could cost hundreds of dollars to rectify the situation.

It is good for consumers to use the Web to research about cars because it can aid their mechanic.  However, motorists who think they can fix anything could end up stranded somewhere.  At any rate, it is always good to have used car warranties to protect your wallet.

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.

One of the family activities that are the most fun is going on road trips.  Over the spring and summer, American families will go on over 320 trips.  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.

In order for a vehicle to maintain its peak performance motorists must get routine maintenance and service.  This will also keep your car prepared for difficult driving conditions that come up. Purchasing used car warranties is a good idea so that you don’t dread taking in your car just to find that it requires additional repairs.  To keep your car in tip-top shape, follow these tips.

First, check your tire pressure on a regular basis.  To keep track, you should do it every other time that you get gas at the pump.  In addition, check your tire treads to look for wear and tear and ensure that there isn’t any cracking.

Second, get regular car washes to keep a nice, shiny exterior.  And add a coat of wax to keep away corrosion.

Don’t forget to be aware of your check engine light.  Don’t ignore it if it lights up.  Make sure to take your car to a professional in this case so that you don’t have expensive repairs down the road.  Of course an auto warranty will help you avoid unnecessary repair expenses.

Lastly, determine a service schedule with a mechanic and keep it.  Your car has certain parts that a professional should look at periodically.  Look at your owner’s manual in order to determine what maintenance schedule is best for your car.

Just by following these tips you can head off unnecessary repairs in the future.  However, you want to make sure you have an auto warranty to protect your wallet.

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.

One tactic that people use to sell a pre-owned car is to detail it until it looks brand new.  However, beware, a motor that is steam-cleaned won’t fix a gasket that is blown.  This is why it is important to purchase an auto warranty.

Having said that, dealerships that are reputable typically won’t try to sell cars with big issues, for fear that they’ll have to fix them down the road.  If you test drive a vehicle that doesn’t make awful noises and feels pretty good, chances are it is fine.  Dealers don’t like to sell junky cars.

However, it is still a smart idea to have a trained professional take a look at your vehicle.  If the dealer claims the vehicle was inspected by it’s mechanic, request to view the paperwork.  If the dealer can’t produce them, make sure an outside technician sees the vehicle.

Also, it is important to check that the car has a clear title and that it hasn’t ever been in a big accident.  You can tell the dealer to go on Carfax or AutoCheck to confirm this.  Both of these sites have a fee to trace the car identification number for odometer and service registrations, and accidents.  However, often dealerships will check the vehicles on their lot free of charge.

Typically, it’s safe to buy a used car from a dealership; however, it never hurts to take these quick steps to ensure you don’t get a lemon.  In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind in case you need repairs.

It can be overwhelming to purchase a new vehicle, but keeping a vehicle can be worse.  Television ads are enticing and make it difficult for car shoppers to resist a new vehicle.  However, with the economy being difficult, it pays to not give into temptation.

In the U.S. motorists find it hard to drive the same vehicle for more than five years.  However, an auto warranty on your current vehicle, and some common sense tips can help you avoid an unnecessary purchase.

If your current vehicle is Japanese you are in business.  For example, the Honda Civic will run forever.  You may get a little rust on it, but it will never die.  And although cruising in a ’92 Toyota Tercel might not get you a hot date, it offers you great reliability.

Next, it is important to do your research.  This can actually prevent you from purchasing a vehicle.  It is easy to become overwhelmed with all of the options available in your price range.  And if you don’t have an auto warranty on your current car, research used car warranties.

Lastly, focusing on a specific make and model is good, especially if it hasn’t been made for over a decade.  There are slim odds that you will find the vehicle on the market with under 300,000 miles.

So, what happens if you still want that new vehicle after researching for weeks?  What if your old Tercel is steering toward the dealership?  Just keep in mind that a new car’s value will drop as soon as it pulls out of the dealership.  Holding onto your clunker will save you a lot of money in the end.

One trick that people use to sell a used car is to detail it until it looks brand new.  However, beware, a motor that is steam-cleaned won’t fix a gasket that is blown.  This is why it is important to purchase an auto warranty.

Having said that, dealers that are reputable typically won’t try to sell vehicles with big issues, for fear that they’ll have to fix them down the road.  If you test drive a vehicle that doesn’t make awful noises and feels pretty good, chances are it is fine.  Dealers don’t like to sell junky cars.

In any case, it is still a smart idea to have a trained professional take a look at your vehicle.  If the dealer claims the vehicle was inspected by it’s mechanic, request to view the paperwork.  If the dealer can’t produce them, make sure an outside technician sees the vehicle.

Also important, is to check that the car has a clear title and that it hasn’t ever been in a big accident.  You can tell the dealer to go on Carfax or AutoCheck to confirm this.  Both of these sites have a fee to trace the car identification number for odometer and service registrations, and accidents.  However, often dealerships will check the vehicles on their lot free of charge.

Typically, it is safe to buy a used car from a dealership; however, it never hurts to take these quick steps to ensure you don’t get a lemon.  In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind in case you need repairs.

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 “occasional”, 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.