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.

A driver’s worst nightmare is to turn the key and have their car not start.  Sometimes your engine will turn over but for some reason the car just won’t start.  Do you know what to do if this happens to you? Of course you could call a mechanic.  However, without an auto warranty you might face costly repairs. There are three things that you should check on your own first.  A car relies on air, fire and fuel.  If a car doesn’t get one or two of these vital ingredients, it won’t start.

The first thing that you should check is to make sure the car has gasoline.  If there is an adequate amount, the engine might have been flooded.  You can floor the gas pedal for around ten seconds, but be careful not to pump it while you are turning the ignition.  If the engine is still not starting, tap the carburetor close to the gas line.  This can free the line if the needle valve is stuck.

It is also important to check for broken or loose spark plug wires.  Make sure to do this with the engine off.  The wires that go from the distributor cap to the spark plugs should be secured down on the ends.

Now that you have checked for fuel and fire, we move on to an air check.  If you own a car with a carburetor, take off the top of the air filter and look at the choke plate.  If it appears stuck, open or close it.  Then jiggle the plate in order for it to move freely.

Checking the three main ingredients, air, fire and fuel are a great place to start if your car won’t turn over.  However, you may need a mechanic if you can’t find anything wrong.  You never know when your car might breakdown, which makes it is a necessity to have an auto warranty to protect you from costly repairs.

The purpose of the thermostat in your vehicle is to regulate the temperature of the vehicle so that it remains at a desired level.  To do this it controls the heating and cooling mechanisms and controls the flow of heat that goes throughout the system.  The thermostat manages the coolant amount in the internal combustion engine.  You will find a thermostat in any liquid cooled engine.

If you’re thermostat isn’t performing correctly it may be for a few reasons.  First, if the water pump in the car is failing then the thermostat will be affected.  The thermostat can also be affected if the engine is overheated or there is coolant leaking.

You should have your thermostat checked out by your mechanic regularly.  It holds a key position in cooling your engine, so it should be replaced every few years.

Failing to replace your thermostat when it should be could give you additional problems, such as a knocking noise with acceleration, emission problems, and poor fuel-efficiency.  Unfortunately, you never know when car problems will arise, which is why you should have your vehicle serviced regularly and purchase an auto warranty for peace of mind.

Crossovers are becoming more and more popular with consumers.  These are essentially Sport-utility vehicles that are put on car platforms.  Crossovers give you the practicality of the minivan, with some of the capabilities of an SUV, all with a car’s efficiency. Consumers love their versatility, and there are many promising models to choose from.

The BMW X6 looks like a fastback sedan and satisfies the consumers who aren’t crazy about crossovers.  It is shaped more like a car than an SUV, and is intended for use on the road, not off.

Ford is going to make a replacement for the Explorer, which is based on the concept of the Explorer America.  It is going to be a crossover, but won’t be on a truck design like the current Ford Explorer.

Toyota has put out the 2009 Venza with great success.  This vehicle is essentially a Camry wagon.

Mercedes-Benz has made a crossover effort with the GLK.  This isn’t a small vehicle, although it is much smaller than the ML Class.  However, this isn’t the best styling by Mercedes.

The time will probably come when motorists revolt against crossovers, just like they have done with station wagons and minivans.  But, for now, crossovers are in high demand.  However, like with any vehicle, make sure to purchase an auto warranty to protect you from costly repairs down the road.

The U.S. has been sideswiped by high gas prices and a poor economy. Car companies have had to reconfigure their lineups to accompany this shift.  Consumers are staying away from gas-guzzlers and instead purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles with a good auto warranty.  Here are the three most fuel-efficient vehicles in America.

The #1 most fuel-efficient car is the Toyota Prius.  This car has impressive fuel economy at 45 mpg on the highway and 48 mpg in the city.  Also, the base price of the Prius is unbeatable at $22,160.  Hollywood types giving it iconic status made this vehicle popular.

Next on the list is the Honda Civic Hybrid.  This car appeals to people who don’t want to publicize their environmentalism because of its classy look.  The Civic Hybrid handles more like a typical car than other hybrids and is very responsive.  This vehicle has great fuel economy at 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway, and the price is right at $23,270.

Coming in at 3rd is the minuscule Smart fortwo. An amazingly small vehicle that makes parking a snap. Not much acceleration in this tiny package, so you better put the pedal to the metal on highway on-ramps. Great price though at 12,272.

With fuel prices on the rise, fuel-efficient vehicles are in demand.  Consumers are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing small cars that offer good fuel economy and by buying new car warranties.  After all, you don’t want to get stuck with unnecessary repair costs down the road.

Small SUVs serve the purpose of ferrying people around on weekdays, and then bouncing through the countryside on the weekends. The 2009 Subaru Forester rises to this challenge with its new DC3 chassis, double wishbone rear suspension and AWD system.

Although the Forester was originally a station wagon, the third-generation model is all SUV.  This five-door hatchback has been restyled to have somewhat of a truck appearance.  This vehicle comes in five different trims; 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X L.L. Bean, 2.5XT, and the 2.5XT Limited.

The Forester’s interior won’t disappoint.  It has clean lines, comfortable seats, and a stylish appeal.  Also, the visibility in this vehicle is superb which translates into a safe, secure drive.  In addition, cargo space is ample because Subaru has tucked the inner-fender wells, which enhances capacity.

The 2009 Forester is a well-rounded vehicle great for everyday use and weekend play.  Its base price starts at $19,995 and the top of the line XT Limited is $28,195.  The wide range of prices allows a model for all different consumers, complete with an auto warranty.

An accelerating driver trend from SUVs and pickup trucks to small fuel-efficient cars will help reduce rollovers, but experts on safety are worried that a smaller fleet presents serious health risks, despite anti-collision systems, air bags, and other safety advances.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which measures the performance of cars in crash tests, shifting to small cars is going to make problems worse.  They claim that people are better off in a vehicle that is bigger, not smaller.

U.S. carmakers have been distressed and are therefore retooling plants in Latin America, Europe, and around the world to get more compact cars to Americans in upcoming years and try to meet federal standards on fuel economy that are tougher.

At least 40,000 motorists are killed on roads in America annually in traffic accidents.  Approximately three-quarters of these people are from passenger vehicles and two-thirds of them from cars.

Consumers are concerned with saving auto costs, such as car prices, auto warranty prices, and gas costs, yet safety needs to be their #1 concern.

The Saturn Vue SUV green line has better fuel economy than the Vues that are gas only.  They feature a simple hybrid system that Ford and Toyota use.  The green line is only around $1,500 more than the price of a comparable Vue that only operates on gas.  This allows consumers to be able to afford an auto warranty and maintenance costs. The retail price, $23,000 is approximately $4,000 under the Ford Escape Hybrid, which is the least expensive hybrid to date.

The Saturn Vue hybrid offers a 20% fuel savings over the gas operated Vue.  The Vue Green line supplements an engine that is four cylinders with electric power.  It gets 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.  In comparison, the gas only Vue gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

The Vue Green Line is the first SUV hybrid available with only front wheel drive.  They aren’t offered with all- or four-wheel drive, as with other hybrid SUVs on the market.

The “green” Vue doesn’t give extraordinary fuel savings, but it is a good opportunity for consumers to purchase an SUV hybrid for under $25,000.  It is important for motorists to do their homework and calculate the cost of owning the vehicle. For example, consider new car warranties, car maintenance costs, and insurance on the SUV.

The recommended intervals for oil changes have increased a significant amount over the last ten years.  It used to be that oil changes were recommended every 3,000 miles, but now recommendations are for every 8,000 miles.  This is great news for drivers because it means less time at the mechanic and less money spent.  However, there are a few cautionary notes to consider.

First of all, consult your owner’s manual for the “maximum recommended interval”.  Make sure you don’t extend beyond that number because saving $40 on an oil change is not worth having an $800 repair due to sludge buildup.

Second, if your driving type falls under “heavy duty” you will need to change your oil more regularly.  Often, drivers don’t realize that daily stop-and-go commuting falls under this category.  Also, if you use your vehicle for short trips with little highway driving you many need shorter oil changeouts.

Finally, you should use the specific oil type/grade recommended by the carmaker.  Failing to use the right oil type can result in poor car performance, engine damage, and even void the terms of your auto warranty.

Although less frequent oil changes are convenient for consumers, people need to follow these cautionary notes.  After all, you don’t want to ruin an engine because you didn’t add a couple of quarts of Pennzoil.  This is why an auto warranty is always a good idea, too.

What is there to say about the single most expensive hybrid on today’s market?  The Lexus LS600hL is a luxurious hybrid that makes it known to everyone that you have $105,000 to spend on a car that is environmentally responsible.

People may not be all that concerned about how the electric motor works in combination with the gas powered V-8 because the most outstanding thing about this extended LS model is the cavernous and most luxurious interior.  The dashboard, as well as the seats is covered in leather that is extremely supple and stitched together with precision.  Metal, wood, and metallic colored plastic are used tastefully, and can be found on the armrests in the backseat and on the dashboard.  Oh, and by the way, this car parks itself!

If you have $105,000 to spend on an environmentally friendly vehicle this is a great choice.  But at this price, don’t dare drive it out of your driveway without an auto warranty.  It could cost you an arm and a leg to fix this car.