Auto Warranty and Maintenance Blog

When shopping for an extended car warranty, you should expect to do a lot of research. Any third party dealer is out to make a few dollars, so you should always know what your policy covers, as well as the year and mileage limit. With the exception of a manufacturing warranty, the two places to buy are either online or a dealership. While some online providers are going to have better reputations and motives than others, overall they're going to offer better deals than the average dealership.

The problem with going through a dealership for the extended warranty is that the salesperson or financial manager is trying to make a profit. Dealers make their profits on commission, and a hefty portion of that comes from extended warranties. Naturally, they want you to buy and they want you to pay as much as possible. Some dealerships will charge between 50 and 90 percent more for a policy than they paid for it. Disreputable dealers may tell you that they can't provide informative paperwork, can't make a customizable policy, and will get you a copy of the contract "after it's signed."

The upside to using a dealer is that they incorporate the extended warranty cost into your monthly vehicle payments. While that certainly is convenient, it may not be worth it for the added expense. You could buy through a dealership effectively if you did a lot of research, knew what deals you could get elsewhere, and were able to haggle with the salesperson efficiently. The process can be confusing and exhausting, though, so make sure you do your homework first.

Online extended warranties are easier to understand. Your options are laid out before you and you pick and choose accordingly. Choose a year or mileage policy and view it online before you sign. Make sure you know where your car can be fixed, whether it's paid for up front or reimbursed, and whether your policy specifies "damage" or "wear and tear." It's easy to compare these specifics from website to website, making it simple to research. It also keeps the sellers themselves more honest. Since commissions aren't involved, these third-party sites can offer warranties 40 percent less expensive than dealerships.

While passively accepting the policy offered by a dealership might seem easier, in the long run a little research can save a lot of money. Third-party websites offer cheaper deals with better overall coverage.

Regular auto maintenance is important if you want to keep your car running smoothly. Certain parts wear out or cause damage if they are not checked or replaced regularly. Periodic maintenance work should be done on the oil, radiator, tires and timing belt. While most of these things can be done by yourself, having a good mechanic is just as vital as saving those few extra bucks.

Keeping your engine oil running clean is imperative, since low levels or dirty oil can damage the engine and cause major expenses. Oil should be changed every 3,000 miles regardless of the color and consistency.  Check the dipstick every two weeks or so. If the oil is sludgy, black or low on the dipstick, then the oil needs to be replaced. Always use a consistent oil weight that can be checked in the car's manual. Replace the filter after draining the oil. This process is easy to do at home and only costs 20 dollars for the required oil and 10 for the filter.

The cooling system regulates how hot the vehicle runs. A cooling system that hasn't been cleaned or changed will end up getting dirty and clogged. The radiator will stop working correctly and that can lead to the car breaking down on the side of the road, smoke pouring out from under the hood. Therefore, the radiator needs to be kept clean and full of fresh coolant. Coolant is inexpensive and the process is simple, so the whole procedure can be done easily at the beginning of every season, or four or five times throughout the year. Make sure that you don't flush out the radiator until the car has completely cooled down, since hot coolant can cause painful burns.

While tires and timing belts can be checked and monitored at home, a mechanic should be considered for replacing the timing belt and rotating or replacing the tires. The timing belt is just a big strip of rubber that can snap and ruin the engine if it isn't replaced according to the manual's predictive schedule. Most should be replaced every 60,000 miles. Tires should be monitored for low pressure and punctures. Rotate or replace the tires every two or three years.

Keeping your car tuned is easy if you follow a regular maintenance schedule. Take care of the easy projects to save yourself the money, but entrust the more complicated processes with the professionals.

When people shop for a used car, they're not just looking to buy transportation. They're also want reliability, peace of mind and a guarantee. Those are the hardest things to be sure of when looking over a used vehicle. That's where an extended warranty comes in. While buying a new car, you might feel secure enough with your financial situation to stick with the manufacturer's warranty. However, when you want to sell the car a few years down the line, an extended warranty can help you sell more quickly and for more money.

Buying and selling a used car boils down to an issue of trust. The seller wants to make the most money possible, and the buyer worries that there's an issue with the vehicle that isn't being mentioned. That's why many buyers are willing to pay the extra money to have a mechanic check the whole car before they sign. An extended warranty removes that need, saving time and money for both parties. It also makes your car more desirable than other offers that have a similar make and model. To transfer the warranty you would have to pay a small fee (50 dollars in most states,) but you could up the resale value of your car quite a bit by advertising the warranty as part of the package deal.

Another way that the extended warranty saves you money is that you don't have to do major repair work before you sell. Most people sell their cars by advertising the fact that they recently replaced the timing belt or clutch, ensuring that that particular issue won't crop up in the near future. An extended warranty means that you'll never have to worry about the cost of an expensive breakdown while you own the car, and potential buyers will feel financially secure when considering the deal. You won't spend too much while you own the car and you get more money when you sell.

To find the best kind of extended warranty for your car, go online and compare prices. You can get anything from bumper-to-bumper warranties that cover everything, to warranties that only cover major breakdowns. Full coverage will be more expensive, but it will do wonders for the resale value. Buying an extended warranty is essentially getting a guarantee that you'll never be surprised with a major expense, and the assurance that you'll get a good price in the end.

   Finance managers tend to make quite a profit when it comes to any given auto extended warranty. As a consumer, you may have decided that you've gotten a raw deal. Whether it's because you think you're paying too much, you won't need the security buffer, or you would rather cover repair expenses yourself, you may want to cancel your warranty.
   The good news is that you can cancel your auto extended warranty at any time, for any reason, and don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise. The bad news is that the previously mentioned finance managers don't want you to do so. Everyone involved in the car dealership business made a profit from you, and the finance manager may lose his profit or commission if you cancel your policy. Know your rights. You are allowed to cancel, and if it's within 30 days of purchase you can get the entirety of your money back. After 30 days you will get varying amounts depending on how long the coverage has been in effect and the mileage on the car.
    The easiest way to cancel your auto extended warranty will be to go back to the dealership in person. You know that they're going to stall, wheedle and even just "forget." Bring all your paperwork with you and ask to speak to either the finance manager or the office manager. Cancel your policy and make sure that you ask for a copy of the paperwork. This is the most important thing to remember. The longer the dealership waits to send in your paperwork, the less money you will get in return. If you have a dated copy then you have proof of the day that you reached an agreement and it won't matter if the dealership "accidentally" loses your papers.
   Once you have the signed and dated paperwork, you should be good. The process will take awhile, so maintain contact with the office or finance manager to make sure everything goes smoothly. After a month or maybe two, your auto extended warranty will be canceled and you'll know your money is safe.

In recent years there's been a drastic upswing in the number of auto extended warranty scams. Most of these scams happen over the phone (although they also occur via email and through the mail, employing autodialers who try to panic their customers into a quick buy by telling them that they're almost out of time to buy extended warranties. 
In reality, there is no "last day" to buy an extended warranty. While it is obviously much more beneficial to buy an extended warranty when your car is newer, you can buy an auto extended warranty throughout the life of your car.
The most important thing to remember when buying extended warranties is to shop around: car dealers will often offer you their own extended warranty plans, but these are usually much, much more expensive than they would be if you bought direct from a warranty company. There are multiple ways that you can find a legitimate auto extended warranty company to buy direct from. First, check with any automobile groups you might be a part of, such as the AAA. These companies almost always offer various levels of extended warranty support, so that you can choose which level of coverage you'd like and most importantly, how much you'd like to pay.
The second option is to contact companies directly. Some good ones to try are: Warranty Direct and Warranty Warehouse. Also make sure to check the Vehicle Protection Agency's homepage, which has a list of reputable, VPA-certified companies. You can also check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a list of companies that have been reported by customers for scams or other irresponsible business practices.
In general, the best way to shop for extended car warranties is to shop early, shop often, and shop around. Use a variety of resources, but always start with the ones you know are legitimate first, like AAA or government organizations. When you find a company you like, make sure you proceed cautiously, calling the company yourself and checking around for reviews of its services.

Shopping around for auto extended warranty plans is tough: the number of companies trying to scam customers has risen in recent years, and scams can seem highly reputable and come to you over the phone, via email, or through the mail. There are ways, however, that you can avoid the worst auto extended warranty scams and find a legitimate company.

• Be cautious - Take your time when shopping and proceed cautiously. There is no deadline to buying a warranty, as long as you're using you car, you can buy a warranty for it. If a company tries to tell you that it's the "last day" you can buy a warranty, they're trying to scam you. If something sounds suspicious, back off and search for more information on the company from other sources before proceeding.
  
• Shop around - Shop around to see what the average prices for different plans are, so you know what to expect from a reputable company. Use a variety of sources to get an idea of which companies are legitimate and which companies have accumulated a high volume of customer complaints.
• Use the resources available to you - Ask auto clubs (like AAA) or other government organizations (like the National Highway Traffic Safety Association) for lists of certified companies that you can trust.
• Always speak to somebody in the company yourself - Call the company (don't settle for email) and speak to a real person to find out more about their prices and services. Make sure that what you hear on the phone is the same as what you're seeing online. If you hear discrepancies or sound suspicious, then that should be a warning sign that you're about to be scammed.

    The sad truth about cars is that eventually, they all fall apart, usually at the most inconvenient time possible. A car can depreciate by almost half its cost as soon as you drive it off the lot, so you want to take care of it for as long as possible. For many people, a car is in good shape until the transmission falls out and needs to be professionally shoved back in. However, the best way to maintain a car's value is to consistently keep it in good condition. An auto extended warranty not only ensures that you keep your car running well. It also takes care of the unexpected costs, breakdowns, towing and wear and tear.
    An auto extended warranty may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but keep in mind that the question is not "Will something break?" but rather "When will something break?" An extended warranty will cover costs that may be double or triple the amount that you initially paid. Keep in mind that labor fees can be almost one hundred dollars an hour depending on the service. Some warranties cover mechanical breakdowns, but it's also important to get coverage for wear and tear as well. Parts such as CV joints tend to wear down and fail after a certain amount of time and therefore wouldn't be covered under the "breakdown" category.
     An auto extended warranty can be cheaper depending on where you buy it, too. If you buy from a car dealer you may end up paying two or three times as much as you would if you bought it directly from the factory. The car dealers are trying to make more on large sales and commissions, so instead buy directly from the source. If you get a good deal you can also get the warranty to provide roadside assistance and towing.
   A car is one of the biggest investments you can have, so it's important to pay attention to maintenance and upkeep. An auto extended warranty will outline a plan that ensures you get regular tune-ups, while covering the cost of major repairs.

    The sad truth about cars is that eventually, they all fall apart, usually at the most inconvenient time possible. A car can depreciate by almost half its cost as soon as you drive it off the lot, so you want to take care of it for as long as possible. For many people, a car is in good shape until the transmission falls out and needs to be professionally shoved back in. However, the best way to maintain a car's value is to consistently keep it in good condition. An auto extended warranty not only ensures that you keep your car running well. It also takes care of the unexpected costs, breakdowns, towing and wear and tear.
    An auto extended warranty may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but keep in mind that the question is not "Will something break?" but rather "When will something break?" An extended warranty will cover costs that may be double or triple the amount that you initially paid. Keep in mind that labor fees can be almost one hundred dollars an hour depending on the service. Some warranties cover mechanical breakdowns, but it's also important to get coverage for wear and tear as well. Parts such as CV joints tend to wear down and fail after a certain amount of time and therefore wouldn't be covered under the "breakdown" category.
     An auto extended warranty can be cheaper depending on where you buy it, too. If you buy from a car dealer you may end up paying two or three times as much as you would if you bought it directly from the factory. The car dealers are trying to make more on large sales and commissions, so instead buy directly from the source. If you get a good deal you can also get the warranty to provide roadside assistance and towing.
   A car is one of the biggest investments you can have, so it's important to pay attention to maintenance and upkeep. An auto extended warranty will outline a plan that ensures you get regular tune-ups, while covering the cost of major repairs.