Almost every vehicle that has front wheel-drive uses car struts on the front.  They aren’t just shock absorbers.  They integrate many different suspension parts into one assembly.  Included are the spring seats, coil spring, shock absorbers, steering knuckle, and strut bearing.

The shock absorber is the part of the strut that is commonly serviced the most.

The strut has many different purposes that it serves.  Because of the spring, the strut can support the vehicle’s weight while it’s traveling and allows for adaptations of road irregularities.  The shock absorber that is internal will dampen the spring’s movement while it is compressing and rebounding.

The function of the strut housing is structural.  It connects the bearing in the upper strut to the ball joint down below.  This allows the whole assembly to pivot as someone turns the steeling wheel.

It is a good idea to have your vehicle’s suspension system checked by a service technician that is qualified.  The struts in a car should be checked once a year, along with the alignment of wheels.  You never know when car parts will wear out, so an auto warranty, as well as regular maintenance is a necessary part of your routine.

A defensive driver is someone who is always on guard and prepared for what could happen.  They are cautious, yet are able to take action and not put their fate in other drivers’ hands.  The National Safety Council has revealed that driver error accounts for 77% of accidents.  This number can be cut significantly by driving defensively.  Here are some tips.

First, allow enough space in between you and the car in front of you.  Out of ten accidents, four involve rear-ending collisions.  These could have been avoided by not tailgating.

Have an avoidance route.  Look in your mirrors often to see what cars are behind and around you.  You should be able to maneuver and avoid an accident in most situations.  If you don’t have an out, allow more distance between you and the car ahead of you.

Realize that you can’t depend on other motorists.  It is important to be considerate, but you have to consider your own safety.  Don’t make assumptions that other drivers will drive the way they should.  Anticipate a worse case scenario.

Finally, don’t drive too fast.  The speed limit that is posted is for ideal conditions.  Decrease speed if you have other variables, such as bad weather.

Defensive driving can save you from a bad accident and from calls for emergency auto assistance. In addition, an auto warranty will help you avoid costly repair expenses. Exercising caution is the best tactic for staying safe in a vehicle.

Car accidents are scary and usually happen unexpectedly.  An accident leaves motorists feeling shocked and stunned, and often, they don’t know what to do next.  Here are some important steps to take in this situation.

Of course the first thing to do is call 911 in the event of an injury.  Also, always contact the police and then place a call to your road service program.

Next, call your insurance agent.  They can inform you about what information to exchange with the other motorist, and help you survey the scene.  Be aware that you shouldn’t admit fault at the scene of the accident, the insurance companies will determine this.

Also, you will need to read the information in your insurance policy, so you file your claim within the specified time limit.  Often, if the vehicle damage is more than $750 you need to file a SR1 form, which can be found on the DMV website of the state that you live in.

It is always scary to be involved in a car accident, but unfortunately it happens to all of us at one point or another.  It is essential to know what to do in this case.  To alleviate stress, have all of your important documents ready, such as your insurance policy and auto warranty.

Smart, which is a Daimler-Benz subsidiary, has been able to sell more than 17,000 ForTwos since they launched the small two-seater in America.  However, there are approximately 30,000 potential buyers who have been put on waiting lists.

Even so, the carmaker doesn’t intend on increasing their output in order to put supply in line with the demand, according to Dave Schembri, who is the Smart USA president.  Schembri claims that car graveyards are littered with car companies that reacted with too much too soon.

Just a year ago Smart didn’t even have a car or dealership in the U.S.  Smart is willing to grow in volume, but only after it makes sure everything is in place.  The profit margins are pretty thin on small cars, so they want to always be one car short.

Smart’s success has been a surprise for everyone.  But in a time when the economy is poor, people are happy to buy a two-seater with a good auto warranty.

There is nothing worse that purchasing a car and finding out that it has an ocean of problems, literally.

Why? The number of cars on the market in the last five years that have been damaged by flooding, hurricanes or rains has doubled. Certain states have actually reported an increase of six times more than the number recorded five years ago.

A lot of times, vehicles with this problem are moved from regions that experience a lot of flooding to less suspicious areas. These cars will find themselves back on the pre-owned market, disguised and rebuilt to look clean. This is why used car warranties are so important.
It can be hard to realize if a flood has damaged a car, yet if a car has been underwater it will rot inside and out. Also, water damage can threaten the mechanical systems and ruin electronics in a vehicle, without even leaving a sign on the outside of the vehicle.

Since sales of used cars are expected to reach 45 million this year, consumers need to be on high alert for any signs of flood damage. Also, purchase an auto warranty to protect yourself in case you have unforeseen repair costs.

Car shoppers are always questioning whether they should lease or buy.  But, here’s another question for shoppers: Will you even be able to lease your next vehicle?

U.S. carmakers’ financial subsidiaries have had to cut back on their leasing program, because of lower used-car values, especially with large vehicles.

Based on reports of poor earnings, Chrysler is completely abandoning leasing, and GM and Ford are making it hard for people to arrange leases through financial subsidiaries.

In fact, all carmakers are trying not to rely on leasing because it harms a profit picture that is already bleak.

The reason that this trend is continuing is because of the high risks and costs of leasing compared with regular cash and APR business.

Even foreign carmakers are considering following the lead of domestics, although for now they still offer leases.

But, the original question of should you lease still remains.  The domestic carmakers are going to make it so expensive to lease that you should probably avoid it.  Instead, purchase new or used with an auto warranty to protect you in case of unforeseen repairs down the road.

Many motorists neglect to put enough effort into shopping for car insurance.  Often, people just grab the first price they encounter or accept rate increases that are routine without shopping around the market for the best deal.  Consumers need to compare the coverage in addition to the price of the policy.  It’s disappointing when you file a claim and then realize that your policy doesn’t have a specific type of coverage that you need.

According to studies by Progressive Insurance, six-month rates for auto insurance vary a great deal depending on the company, with the average low being $481 and the average high being $586 across the nation.  What this means is that a driver could be quoted $1,256 for an insurance policy from one company, and $775 from another, both with identical policies.  Another study by Progressive showed that just 20% of respondents had shopped for better insurance prices in the last six months.

Motorists often make the mistake of not spending enough time on their car issues.  This includes shopping around for auto insurance, an auto warranty, and maintenance.  Just making a few extra phone calls can save consumers a lot of money in the end.

So, you’ve done your research.  You’ve been to numerous car dealers with quotes from the Internet, so you know what is out there.  You know all about rebates, and have learned how to negotiate.  However, you still can’t find the right car for the right price.  Never fear, there is a car out there for you.  Consider these options.

It is a good idea to get a vehicle model late in the year, when a new model is about to come out.  For example, a very satisfied consumer bought a Honda Civic coupe in 2000, late in the year, right before the seventh-generation Civic was released.  He saved thousands.  Cars that you could purchase this year in this category are the GMC Sierra and VW Beetle.

Another good tactic for saving on a used car is to look at rental car sales.  Most companies such as Hertz and Alamo sell their cars.  Although they often have high mileage, they endure a rigorous maintenance plan.  You can save up to one-third of the price of the car new.

Finally, you can get a great deal on dealership demo models.  These vehicles usually have low-mileage.  Often times they are used for test drives.

Any educated consumer can get a good deal on a used car.  By doing research, and trying various options, you can rest assured that you are getting the most for your dollar.  Just make sure to maintain your vehicle and purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen repairs.

The legendary and powerful V-8 engine is finding its place in history, because very few new cars are using it, according to U.S. car industry reports.  Consumers want to protect themselves with fuel-efficient vehicles that have an auto warranty, and aren’t purchasing vehicles with V-8 engines.

The majority of carmakers are deciding not to put V-8’s under the hoods of family vehicles, USA Today stated in a NY report.  The V-6’s are also losing popularity and people are instead deciding to purchase vehicles with the V-4.  In fact, observers claim that the V-8 in particular isn’t politically correct anymore.

Carmakers who are choosing to introduce new V-8s are tending to confine them to high-performance sports cars, trucks meant for towing, and several premium cars.

New vehicles that are planning to be equipped with a V-8 engine include the Cadillac CTS-V, the Hyundai Genesis, and the Dodge Challenger.  Carmakers are making it a point to stress the fact that the newer V-8s are much more fuel-efficient than in the past.

However, GM is discarding the eight-cylinder engine from next year’s 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover and Ford won’t be offering its Lincoln MKS sedan with the V-8.

Consumers are opting for cars with smaller engines that have new car warranties in order to protect their wallets.  V-8s are finding their place in history.

Buying a new vehicle is an exciting event in most people’s lives.  People often want to flaunt their priceless possessions for everyone to see.  Drivers purchase an auto warranty to protect their jewels, and treat their cars with loving care. In addition, they try not to let their vehicle get any scratches. A car that is scratch free and has a shiny finish is a good reflection of its owner and brings a lot of driving pleasure.

However, with heavy traffic that is bumper to bumper, it is difficult to keep your beautiful gem scratch free.  In fact, it is inevitable that your vehicle will receive a scratch or two no matter what measures you take.

Never fear, you don’t have to spend thousands at a shop getting your entire car panel painted.  You can use Com-Paint, which is a touch up spray that allows you to say goodbye to scratches.  Follow these simple tips.

On small scratches you can use Aeroshot Top Cut to remove and cleanse the surface that is scratched.  This will most likely take care of the scratches so that they won’t need painting.

For medium scratches level with 1000 No. Emery paper.  Shake the can well and hold it 12” from the surface and use a stroking motion to spray.  Make sure the coats are light, not heavy.  Let the painted area dry at least 72 hours.

Car owners like to feel like their vehicles are brand new.  Simple things can allow you to do this such as touch-up painting, routine maintenance, and purchasing new car warranties to protect your vehicle. These simple things can keep your car seeming brand-new.