Most of us have experienced being left on the side of the road with a broken-down car. It's always inconvenient, and sometimes even scary. If you've gone through this even once, you will no doubt want to try to prevent it from happening again. 

Here are a few tips to help prevent breakdowns:

• Do scheduled maintenance and yearly tune-ups. Whether you do them yourself or take your car to a mechanic, tune-ups and scheduled maintenance are opportunities to catch problems before they leave you stranded. While under the hood, you or your mechanic can look for cracking or bulging hoses, shiny belts, and other signs of potential problems. In addition, staying on top of regular maintenance can also prevent problems from becoming big enough to strand you.

• Listen for problems. Always pay attention to how your car sounds and how it feels to drive it, and look for the cause whenever you notice significant changes. Sometimes a new noise can give you enough warning to have something fixed before your car actually breaks down somewhere.

• Visually inspect your car every time you drive it. Make it a habit to look at your car every time you walk up to it to drive somewhere. Look at all four tires to make sure none are flat, and look for fluids leaking out from underneath. Look at your parking spot after you pull out of it for signs of fluids, too. You might be able to catch a problem before you drive away, just by paying attention.

Of course, sometimes no matter how vigilant you are, your car may still break down. Not all problems can be seen coming or prevented with regular maintenance. If it does happen, you'll want to have a Plan B: a cell phone and someone you can call to come rescue you.

In the event that your car does leave you stranded, help is just a phone call away when you have a vehicle breakdown protection plan already in place.  If your extended car warranty is soon to expire, please consider True Auto Vehicle Breakdown Protection with your next extended warranty. Click HERE to recieve a FREE Quote or CALL one of our team members at 877-397-1022.

When buying a vehicle, it typically has some sort of warranty connected to it. The warranty may vary in length and what it covers, but it protects a driver from spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on expensive fixes when caused by manufacturer defects. 

Take the Car In Before the Warranty Runs Out

A vehicle warranty covers different elements of the vehicle. Usually all of this sits under the hood, but it does depend on the kind of vehicle driven and the warranty itself. Some vehicles have different warranties that run out at different year and mileage points.

Either way, it is a very good idea to take the vehicle in right before the warranty is set to expire. Not all problems are readily noticeable. Sometimes there might be a problem building under the hood but no apparent signs are displayed while driving.

Due to this, it is important to have the vehicle looked at. A problem might be detected that is still covered by the warranty. By catching it now, the warranty is still good and covers the associated expenses. 

Is an Extended Vehicle Warranty Right?

An extended vehicle warranty can be purchased after the buy date of the vehicle. With this extended warranty, it does become possible to increase the overall protection of the car.

Now, an extended vehicle warranty is not something that lasts forever. Like a regular manufacturer's warranty, it has an end point, whether it is years, mileage, or whichever one comes first.

It is important for a vehicle owner to determine if the new warranty is right. Essentially, they need to consider whether or not their vehicle is going to break down during the course of the extended warranty. Insurance covers accidents and repairs associated with this, so that is not at issue. What is at issue is something breaking on the vehicle due to age, wear and tear and just failing to work properly. 

What to Look For in an Extended Warranty?

So what points should be considered?

• A driver needs to look at the vehicle they drive.
• The cost of the vehicle.
• The cost of the extended warranty.

With several years of driving under an owner's belt, if they have run into several different problems while driving the vehicle, purchasing an extended warranty may be smart. They can talk with the dealer about the manufacturers extended warranty or search for a third-party offering online. 

Now, if they have not yet had problems, it doesn't mean something might break on the next turn. Modern cars are built extremely well, but they are also more expensive to fix than older vehicles. Newer vehicles rely heavily on computer aided technology, and whenever a computer is involved, the repair cost tends to skyrocket (instead of replacing a built on a 90s car, it requires a belt and a computer chip, which drastically increases the cost).

Looking at the vehicle and doing some research on possible problems can help an owner determine if they should go for the warranty. According to Consumer Report, the average extended warranty sits at $1,200, with more for more expensive vehicles. If the potential repair costs exceed this price tag, it is a good idea to get the warranty. 

Click HERE to request a  from True Auto and find out how we can make you and your vehicle a priority. If your current warranty is about to expire, please consider True Auto for your future automobile extended warranty. 

Having a vehicle break down can be inconvenient and expensive.  Auto warranty companies, such as True Auto Protection, provide a sense of security from such expenses but one should keep their vehicle in peak operating condition.  By doing so, potential problems may be spotted early and actions taken to prevent more costly repairs.

How to Make Your Vehicle Serviceable:

1. The Service Manual is Your Guide

A vehicle's service manual can be a valuable resource to obtain information.   Drivers can learn about the individual manufacturers' recommended service intervals, when parts such as wipers and brakes should be replaced and about the vehicle warning alerts.

Reading the service manual can be of assistance in planning for the cost of repairs and general maintenance. 

2. Watch the Dashboard

Drivers should never ignore the warning lights on the dashboard.   They can be the first indicators of trouble with the car.   Taking action when the lights appear may initially cost money.  But it is important to know that spending this money now can prevent much more expensive repairs at a later time.

3. Know The Timing Belt

The timing belt is a major engine component.   If it malfunctions, there can be serious, expensive damage to the vehicle's engine.   Depending on the type of car, replacing the timing belt can and will differ.   Check the service manual or research online to tell how the timing belt is going bad, or how the timing belt should be replaced.

4. Monitor the Tires

Tires play a significant role in vehicle performance and safety.   Drivers must ensure their tires have sufficient tread and are properly inflated to the manufacturers' recommendations. They should also be aware of the tires expected usable mileage.   Once the tires have exceeded this limit, they should be replaced.  

Take the average miles driven to calculate the remaining tread life for tires.   Doing so can help the driver budget their funds for tire replacement.

5. Drive Sensibly

While this may seem like common sense, it should be noted.    Do not make sudden starts or "burn rubber" upon acceleration.   Do braking gradually when stopping the vehicle.  Do not overload the vehicle with cargo beyond the recommended levels.

Drivers who take the time to learn about their vehicle and drive rationally can save money on costly, unnecessary repairs.   They can enjoy years of service from their vehicle.  

For drivers who are tougher on their vehicles, an Extended Warranty might be a wise investment.   Often times, extended warranty companies cover new and used vehicles; not to mention all makes and models -Acura, Chevrolet and Dodge, as well as Hyundai and more. 

When a manufacturer’s warranty begins to near its expiration time, Chevrolet owners preserve their peace of mind by purchasing a Chevrolet extended warranty for their vehicles.  While an auto insurance policy protects you from the expense of car repairs if you should experience an accident, an extended warranty protects your wallet in the event of an unexpected mechanical failure even when there has not been an accident.  Extended warranties are also known as extended service agreements.

When do I most need a Chevrolet extended warranty?

All new vehicles come with a warranty that is guaranteed by the manufacturer for typically three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. During this time the auto manufacturer is responsible in case of mechanical failure.  However, new vehicles are least liable to break down during this time frame. It’s after the manufacturer’s warranty expiration time when mechanical failures most often occur, leaving the vehicle owner responsible for out-of-pocket costly repairs.

What does an extended warranty do?

A Chevrolet extended warranty gives you extra protection past when the manufacture's warranty expires and protects you from the high cost of repairs when a vehicle is most apt to fail. Automotive repairs are expensive any way we look at it, costing upwards of $70 to $150 dollars per hour and that's not even including parts.  Nor do vehicle failures wait until we can afford to pay for them, leaving us hard-pressed to pay for repairs when breakdowns occur.  A Chevrolet extended warranty saves thousands of dollars in service costs, and preserve vehicle owners from the inconvenience of having their cars and trucks off the road until they can afford repairs.

How do I get a warranty? Are they expensive?

Many new car dealers offer extended warranties right off the lot, but a dealership is not the only place a Chevrolet extended warranty can be purchased. You can browse and purchase various extended warranty options online.  You don’t have to wait for your current manufacturer warranty to expire either.  Nor does a Chevrolet extended warranty have to be expensive. Even an economical warranty covers major vehicle components—the ones most expensive to repair—like engine, transmission, and drive train.  Depending on what coverage you choose, the electrical system and other components can be included in the warranty, too.

Can I get an extended warranty for my used Chevy?

Absolutely.  Buying a used vehicle is sometimes an uncertain proposition and an extended warranty also offers peace of mind to used automobile owners, too.  However, there are some limitations to how long a vehicle may be reasonably covered under an extended service agreement. That is based on the actual age of the car, not how long you’ve owned it.

Anymore tips on purchasing Chevrolet extended warranty?

• Make sure you know who will be taking and administering your claim. It’s not always the company that sold you the extended warranty.
• Your warranty should be exclusionary and detail what is not covered rather than listing all the components that are. Then you know exactly what is covered before your vehicle needs repairs.
• Decide if you need car rental expenses while you’re vehicle is being repaired and check to make sure your extended warranty covers car rental costs.

At the very least, an extended service agreement will provide engine, transmission, and drive train coverage. If you prefer more coverage beyond that, purchasing a Chevrolet extended warranty means you have control over the coverage options you want.  From there you can build a comprehensive extended warranty based on your needs and budget that provides you with optimal peace of mind in the event of unexpected breakdowns.