When buying a used car you need to do your homework.  This includes doing a thorough inspection of the vehicle, and don’t forget to look under the hood. You don’t want to end up with a car that will leave you stranded calling for road service.  Here are some things you need to be aware of.

Squeeze all of the various rubber hoses that run to the air conditioner, radiator, etc.  The rubber shouldn’t feel hard or mushy.  In addition, there shouldn’t be cracks.  Make sure it is supple and firm.  Also, make sure the drive belts are frayed.

Check all of the fluid levels in the car.  You can consult your owner’s manual to know where to look.  You should have dark brown or black oil.  It it’s honey colored, it means it was changed recently.  If the oil is foamy or gray, it might mean there is a cracked engine block or a head gasket that is blown.  You should have pinkish transmission fluid, not brown.

Also, take a look at the battery.  Batteries that are “maintenance free” have a charge indicator that is built in.  Green means that the battery is still good, where yellow or black means the battery is no good.

With any car purchase, it is important to have an auto warranty just in case of unforeseen repairs.  After all, you don’t want to be stuck with unnecessary repair costs.

Some people think of used cars as being dirty, junky and old.  But a different market is making savvy buyers who are looking for updated vehicles pay attention.  The bonus is that these cars don’t have the sticker price of new cars.

Certified pre-owned cars have undergone rigid inspections and been refurbished by their manufacturer.  Also enticing is that they are backed with an extended auto warranty.  Automakers are realizing that they can’t ignore the certified vehicle market.

A recent study shows that certified pre-owned car sales have gone up 46% since the year 2000.  It is estimated that 1.5 million certified used vehicles are sold yearly, which is equivalent to approximately 10 % of the sales of new cars.

So what are the best and worst certified pre-owned cars to purchase?  Forbes.com has put out a list to help consumers make a good purchase.

At the top of the list of the best CPO cars are Honda Accord and Toyota 4Runner.  Following is the Acura TL, and Subaru Impreza.  Also, the Lexus GS tops the list.

Cars on the worst list are the Saturn Relay, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Also, the Volkswagen New Beetle, Pontiac G6, and Mercedes Benz E Class make the list.

Certified pre-owned can be a great way to purchase an updated vehicle without the updated cost.  Another perk is that they come with an extended auto warranty.  Just remember to keep in mind the best and worst CPO car lists when considering a purchase.

It’s apparent that the auto industry in America is becoming “greener” than ever.  Everywhere you look there are ads for fuel-cell technology, hybrids, Bio-diesel fuel, clean-diesel engines, and E-85 fuel.  These technologies have gained popularity with America’s Big Three automakers.

Why?  Automakers are feeling pressure from all directions, including the White House, Congress, and also consumers.

Ford Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and General Motors have been trying to catch up with foreign cars, such as the Toyota Prius.  The Prius has gained popularity because of the hybrid technology it offers, its environmental benefits, its cool styling, and all with the addition of an auto warranty.

The Big Three carmakers are closing the gap.  General Motors already offers 14 Flex Fuel car models, which run on E85, and 2 million of them are on roads already.  In addition, GM is going to bring 12 hybrid cars to the auto market within the next four years.  Also, Ford has the Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid.  Perhaps the biggest buzz though, is about the Chevrolet Volt, which will allow drivers to travel 40 miles on an electric motor.

U.S. carmakers are on the mission to catch up with foreign automakers, putting out effective green technologies complete with style, safety, and new car warranties.  Their goal is to have several different technologies to meet the needs of all consumers.

There is a new website that Tribal has launched that allows car shoppers to experience a true life like shopping experience from the comfort of their own homes.  Now, at Volkswagen.co.uk people can virtually walk around a new vehicle and sit in it.  Tribal created this website because shopping for cars can be confusing.

Research shows that car shoppers do the majority of their car research on the Internet, which cuts showroom visits in half.  In response to this, VW decided to give car shoppers a virtual experience that they could experience without leaving the house.

In the site you will find a sophisticated car configurator in which there are 3D models of the VW range.  Visitors can change different options in order to alter the vehicle’s appearance.  Basically, people can create the car that they choose to have.

In the near future people can go to the site and book test-drives through different retailers.  They will also have the ability to see what models are available at different retailers.

VW has listened to customers needs and designed a website that allows people to shop from their own homes.  It is also convenient that people can shop for new car warranties and insurance by searching various websites.  By doing comparisons, people can rest assured that they got the best deal on a car, an auto warranty and insurance.

The Prius has become one of the hottest vehicles in the country. This is actually quite amazing because this is a hybrid electric vehicle, which requires people to embrace change. With any change, people like to protect themselves. Many people feel better purchasing a hybrid if they have an auto warranty to go along with it. The billion-dollar question that innovators face is whether people will resist or embrace innovation. Apparently, Toyota got it right, because thousands of people are buying the Prius.

People accustomed to a regular vehicle would struggle to get the Prius to move forward. In addition, people probably couldn’t figure out how to put the car in reverse. However, these are not hard lessons to learn, they just require people to change their way of thinking. To start the Prius you press a button located on the dashboard twice. To make your car go forward or backward you manipulate a small stick that comes out of the dashboard.

People might fear technology because it is seductive, yet they might also have a fear of not being able to change. Either way, it is good to protect yourself. This includes purchasing new car warranties that will cover you in the case of faulty technology. Innovators never really know which way the cash register will ring. However, Toyota got it right with the Prius.

It’s important to realize that in today’s cars the main source of power is still the battery.  The battery is not just used to start the engine; it is also used to supply electrical energy that maintains the memory of the numerous computers onboard.  Batteries and cable connections that are poorly maintained fail to supply the voltage needed for innovative electronic devices.  This can cause a vehicle to perform erratically. Maintaining your battery and purchasing an auto warranty can save you from breakdowns.  Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts that can help you maintain your car battery.

First, it is important to check cables to make sure they are tight and free of corrosion.  Make sure that terminals are lubricated with petroleum jelly to keep cables clean longer.  Also, the battery should be secured firmly to the mounting bracket.  If it’s not, it can result in short circuits.  Finally, make sure to maintain fluids.  If fluid is low, distilled water should be added.  If there isn’t fluid the battery needs to be replaced.

There are some important things that you shouldn’t do concerning your battery.  Don’t charge your battery if it’s frozen because there is a possibility it could explode.  Instead, you must replace the battery.  Never charge a battery that is dead with an alternator.  The alternator may be damaged in this case.  Also, you shouldn’t disconnect battery cables if your car is running.

Make sure to maintain your battery so it can perform at its peak.  These simple tips can help your battery last longer.  Of course, you never know when your car will fail, so make sure to purchase an auto warranty that will protect you in the event of a breakdown.

Every day people are asking dealership service departments, “Isn’t that covered under my auto warranty?” A lot of drivers assume that an auto warranty allows for repairs regardless of such things as maintenance requirements, environmental conditions, and vehicle mileage.

An auto warranty is an agreement you make with the manufacturer of the car.  As the auto warranty purchaser, you are responsible for following specific maintenance requirements.  Only if you perform the maintenance, is the manufacturer obligated to have repairs done.

Because of questionable practices that dealers have performed in the past, car manufacturers scrutinize every auto warranty claim.  Consumers often interpret this as an effort to get out of paying for repair costs.  However, the reality is that the repair might not qualify under the terms of the auto warranty.  This could be due to things such as, vehicle abuse, expiration, or parts that aren’t covered under the agreement.

Buyers need to be extra careful and read their auto warranty thoroughly.  Make sure to fulfill your side of the deal in order to have the manufacturer fulfill their side.

Often motorists get sticker shock or experience buyer’s remorse after buying a new car.  However, you can avoid this by considering the expenses that you will encounter in the future.

According to experts, most consumers anticipate the price of the purchase, registration and taxes.  However, many people forget to factor in the price of insurance and new car warranties.  Fortunately, by doing your homework you can get good deals on insurance and an auto warranty.

To control car costs drivers should consider these tips.  First of all, decide before you get to the dealership the amount of money that you can spend.  Also, decide on what type of car will suit your needs. It is also beneficial to get quotes from several dealers, because then you are in the position to negotiate.  Finally, check insurance and auto warranty prices on the vehicle that you want to purchase.

You don’t have to go broke purchasing a new car.  But, be smart and consider all of the costs involved.  It isn’t just the purchase price that you will be paying.

Vibrations of the brake pads resulting in a high-pitched sound are what causes brake squeal.  The vibration happens when the pads aren’t insulated properly from the caliper.  The factory equips brake pads with clips, insulator shims, and even a backing made out of silicone that keeps the pad glued to the caliper.  This prevents vibrating.

Often times brake squeal happens when brake pads become too hard.  These surfaces that are hard and smooth rub together and produce a noise similar to nails on a blackboard.  If this is what is happening, you need to resurface your rotors and replace pads.  This should eliminate squealing.

Also, brake rotors should be resurfaced when brakes are being done.  If they aren’t squealing will result.  If brake pads are being replaced, resurfacing of rotors should be done with a finish that is non-directional.  This will ensure that brake pads will break in correctly.

When you hear brake squealing, act immediately.  Take your vehicle to a trained technician to ensure that your brakes are treated correctly.  Make sure that you have an auto warranty to cover any car repairs that you have done.  You don’t want to end up paying more than you have to.

Chrysler is making an effort to get back to usual business, now that it has its money from the bailout.  Although it has basically set its factories to “off,” the carmaker unveiled some brand new concept cars at the 2009 Detroit auto show.  And, underneath those dull displays there was a diamond in the rough:  the Dodge Challenger with a new trim level.

What is to be known as the R/T Classic, this new Challenger is going to be available in showrooms this February for a price of $33,280 including an auto warranty.  That price is $3,460 more than the standard R/T.  You can’t find these cars in dealers yet, however, if you’re getting antsy you can now order one.

The new R/T Classic steals many styling cues from the Challenger of the 1970s, which includes new racing stripes, badging of the original Challenger, as well as the original B5 Blue paint job.  In addition, all R/T Classics come with dual hood scoops that are functional.  The standard 18-inch wheels are replaced with 20s as part of the Challenger package.  On a standard R/T they are a $1,350 option.

Chrysler has experienced a sales decrease of 30% last year, and the carmaker has been damaged by the recession more than other carmakers due to its lineup of vehicles that is lackluster. The Challenger is definitely one of the carmakers largest sales successes with 17,423 sales in 2008.