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Preventative Vehicle Maintenance That Will Save You Money, Every Time.

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A vehicle is only as good as it is maintained.

The best designed cars can falter without proper servicing and checkups. Simply waiting for something to go wrong on the vehicle is a recipe for expensive auto repairs. To avoid this, performing some general preventative car services not only extends the life of the vehicle but it helps cut down on expensive replacement parts. Here are a few preventative vehicle maintenance tips that will save any car owner both time and money


Self Performed Preventative Vehicle Maintenance

While the average car owner shouldn't attempt to change their brakes or service their transmission, there are a few minor improvements they can perform on their own.

  • Replacing damaged and spent windshield wipers is a must. Once water starts to streak through wiper blades, it is time for replacements.
  • Some car owners may feel alright installing new cabin or engine air filters as well, but for those who are not, it can be easily serviced at an auto garage such as True Auto. 

Engine and Transmission 

The engine and transmission are essentially the heart and brain of the vehicle. If one fails, it not only causes significant damage to the vehicle but these areas are some of the most expensive to repair and replace when either goes bad.

Due to this, proper engine and transmission maintenance is a must. This starts with changing the oil when recommended. At this time, all other fluids can be checked and filled. Plus, serpentine and timing belts can be inspected and serviced as well. A coolant flush may be necessary to rid the engine of old and corroded coolant while filling up the power steering fluid keeps the vehicle turning properly. Should a driver feel their vehicle fighting them during snow speed turns, it likely means the steering fluid is low. A new spark plug can boost engine efficiency and safe on fuel economy as well.

All of these areas of the vehicle can be looked over and inspected in one short visit to the auto shop, so having the car looked over during a standard oil change can help avoid more expensive repairs later on. 

Wheels and Brakes

Replacing brake pads is a must. Should the brake wear down to nothing, it may require additional repairs, including new tie rods. When new brakes are installed, having the tires rotated can help ensure universal wear on the tires, which in turn improves handling and driving performance (while also extending the life of the tires).

Tires should be replaced on a regular basis as well. An easy way for any driver to know if it is time to replace their tires is to pull out a quarter and slide it into the tire tread. If the top of Washington's head can still be seen, the tread is too low and needs to be replaced.

Alignment problems should be addressed at this time as well. If the vehicle is turning to one side or the other instead of pointing strait (where the steering wheel is pulling to one side) it means the alignment is off and it needs to be straightened and corrected


When you own a vehicle, there are many different things that you need to take care of in order for you to get the most use and enjoyment out of that vehicle. Whether it's new tires or things like regular maintenance and oil changes, keeping your vehicle in prime condition is important. Investing in an extended warranty will provide you with the extra coverage you want in order to keep your family safe. 


If you are looking for a company that specializes in Automobile Extended Warranties, look no further than True Auto Vehicle Breakdown Protection. Coverage plans will protect your new, used and new-to-you used vehicle. Call 877-397-1022 or Click HERE to recieve your FREE Quote today.  

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Topics: resale value, Engine and Transmission, Automobile Safety, Extended Vehicle Warranty, Preventative Vehicle Maintenance, Regular Vehicle Maintenance, Car Services, Expensive Auto Repairs, Self Performed Vehicle Maintenance, Wheels and Brakes, True Auto Vehicle Breakdown Protection

Avoiding Unexpected Breakdowns

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How to avoid unexpected breakdowns 

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.

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Topics: car extended warranty, extended warranty, car warranty, auto warranty, Warranty, Best Extended Car Warranties, Auto Warranties, auto car warranty, vehicle warranty, extended car warranty, used car, resale value, automobile warranty, car warranty quote

Pricing a "New-to-You" Used Car

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Pricing a new to you used car

 

How exactly do you go about pricing a new-to-you used car?

Nothing beats the feeling of driving away in a new car. Even if the vehicle is technically used, when new to you, it offers an entire world of new opportunities. But how should someone price a new to them used vehicle? After all, it is not like going directly to the car manufacturer's website and pricing a vehicle before heading out to the dealership. Buying a used car requires a bit more investigating, but it also lends itself to helping car buyers save a considerable amount of money. 



Tracking Down the Right Vehicle

When shopping for a used vehicle, it is important to take note of having an idea for what kind of vehicle make and model you want. Do your research through services like Consumer Report and other vehicle review websites in order to determine what vehicles run into the fewest problems. Some vehicles are constructed to last a very long time, while others are designed more to impress immediately, but don't necessarily have a very long shelf life. For someone on the market for a used truck, they should look up how used Fords, Chevys, Toyotas and others fair over an extended period of time. This way, it is less likely the person will need to spring for expensive repairs immediately upon buying the truck (or shortly after). 

Once someone starts looking at the vehicle style they are interested it, they need to write down all of the general specs of the vehicle when one interests them. This doesn't just include the make, model and year, but also trim variations and any added upgrades. They should look at the tires to see if these need to be replaced soon. Also, they should take note if the wheels are steel or aluminum. Steel wheels are far less valuable than the aluminum wheels. Once all of this information is obtained, they can plug it into a service such as Kelly Blue BookKBB provides some of the most accurate pricing information on used vehicles. Here, the individual simply needs to plug in all of their findings, note any damages or upgrades and if they are buying from a dealer or independent seller. This way, they are able to come up with what the average vehicle is going for. 

Get the Car Fax

If the price is right and a potential buyer has found a lone vehicle they are interested in, it is time to check the Car Fax. To obtain this information, the VIN is required. The VIN can be found on several areas of the vehicle, ranging from the lower driver's corner of the windshield to the interior, driver's door panel or the glove box. The VIN records all work the vehicle has received, accidents and other possible problems. If the vehicle has seen a large number of drivers over a short period of time, it might reflect serious problems under the hood. It does cost money to obtain the Car Fax, but it is always a good decision before purchasing a vehicle as it gives the best idea at what it should cost.

Buying From a Dealer or Independent Seller

There are pros and cons with each. When buying from a dealer the vehicle is going to cost more, but usually comes with some sort of vehicle warranty. Typically there are fewer potential problems connected with the vehicle. On the other hand, an independent seller can offer a better price, but there is no warranty and there is always the problem of an expensive repair down the road. Always have the vehicle inspected when buying from independent sellers. 


If you are looking for a company that specializes in Automobile Extended Warranties, look no further than True Auto Vehicle Breakdown Protection. Coverage plans will protect your new, used and new-to-you used vehicle.  

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Topics: extended warranty, car warranty, Warranty, extend your car warranty, resale value, auto warranties used cars, automobile warranty, extended warranty options

Buying A Used Car:Pros and Cons

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describe the imageAre you looking for a new car? Can’t decide whether to get a new car or a used one? Most people would agree that a brand new shiny car or a fully restored classic are top picks. Some people think that new is always better than used.

There are some advantages to buying a used car. You avoid the drastic drop in value that happens immediately after you buy a brand new car and drive off the lot. The value of a new car falls as much as 30 percent the first year. Used cars have a much slower rate of depreciation from year to year, if you maintain the vehicle and keep it looking and driving well.

Although, factory defects fairly rare, in recent years the number of recalls has increased. Maintenance for new cars is usually limited to oil changes and new wipers. When maintenance and repairs are needed, it is often necessary to take it to certified mechanic.

Repairs are almost guaranteed with older cars. Starters, alternators, serpentine belts and even head lamps require replacement more often in used cars than newer model vehicles. On the positive side, you can still replace radiators, water pumps and carburetors on many older vehicles in the driveway.

Another downside is that you can’t always get a good driving history. It is hard to tell if the previous owner rode the brakes or abused the transmission double-clutching. The pristine exterior does not always reveal the tired and worn mechanics.

Used autos are generally less expensive to buy and insure, while newer cars are more expensive to buy and less expensive to maintain. The final decision often depends on whether you want to pay now or pay later.

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Topics: resale value

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