Sunday, September 12, 2010

How Do I Choose My Extended Car Warranty?

After the factory coverage has expired on your automobile you can still have protection with an Extended Warranty.

With an extended car warranty, you can avoid unexpected expenses due to a vehicle breakdown or malfunction. The main levels of auto warranty coverage are bumper-to-bumper, full comprehensive, powertrain or powertrain enhanced coverage. Each level of coverage has more or less overage than other policies.

Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage auto warranty plans are the most comprehensive available. However, despite the name, a bumper-to-bumper plan does not necessarily cover every part of your automobile. A comprehensive extended warranty plan covers most auto parts, and these will be specifically listed on your policy. With a Powertrain Coverage you can protect your vehicle's powertrain i.e., the engine, transmission, drive shaft and drive axle. Again, as with the bumper-to-bumper and comprehensive options, the parts covered will depend on the specific policy.

So in picking an extended auto warranty policy, you have the three main levels of coverage listed above, and for each of these levels there will be a range of plans to choose from.

For example, a cheaper powertrain auto warranty might only protect the engine, transmission, and water pump. A more comprehensive type of powertrain plan could include all of the above plus the drive axles and shaft, and the electrical components. Generally, the more comprehensive plans will cost more, but prices can vary widely from company to company due to competition and other factors.

Choosing the right extended car warranty will depend on your budget, and also how much peace of mind you require. You might want to consider the history of your car, and its general reputation for reliability when choosing a plan. Also the mileage and wear-and-tear on the vehicle are important considerations. A more comprehensive extended warranty would be needed if you have a longer than usual roundtrip from work and back.

You also should take into account the provider of the extended car warranty as the quality and reliability of service can vary significantly. Use companies with industry standard credentials and that have memberships in professional business associations like the Better Business Bureau. Do your own homework into a warranty companies reputation and ask for references. Information can be found on the internet about any Warranty Company.

Carefully read over the fine print of any policy before making a final decision. No whats covered and whats not covered and what if any exceptions there are.

US Direct Protect is the leading provider of Vehicle Service Contracts and Extended Warranties. Visit US Direct Protect online today for a free quote. US Direct Protect meets or beats any quote. Fewest complaints of any auto warranty company 3 years in a row. BBB Accredited.

Discover What Winter Tires Can Do For You

Most people love summer time and hate winter, but we can't enjoy something without hating something else. So, if you live in a place where snow keeps you inside your home and makes you think twice before going out and your everyday driving becomes a real adventure, even if this part of the year last for two or three months, you should really consider buying some good, nice and reliable winter tires.

I know what are you thinking right now "why should I do that, I spend top dollar on the best car and it's equipped with the latest technology in breaking systems and skid control" but this isnt enough. Remember that your tires are those who put you and your car in contact with the outside world and I think you agree with me when I say, it should stay that way. You probably think is the same rubber with a better configuration so it can grip better in the snow, but this isn't all. Winter tires are made from a special rubber that have a highly adhesion to cold, wet, slippery, icy and/or snowy asphalt, notice that all tires producers recommend that you should equip your vehicle with winter tires when the temperature drop below 10 degrees Celsius.

Let me tell you a little story, last winter I bought a set of winter tires because I went on a ski trip and I told myself "just in case". After I equipped my car, on my way home, I had to brake hard to avoid hitting one clumsy driver, it wasn't snow on the road, it was a slippery slimy mud or something like that, but the car stopped faster than I expected, avoiding a trip to the police station. After this I was more attentive to how my car responded, I was astonished when I observed that even the control was better.

After this experience I recommend to all my friends and family to use appropriate tires for each season.

By switching between tires you protect yourself and your car. Note that summer tires used in cold weather tend to age and wear off faster, so you are doing a good investment by having tires for summer and winter time.

Some tips when you buy tires

* You should buy them from a specialized shop that can also equip your car on the spot, in this way you avoid unnecessary trips from the shop to a service where you could find a long waiting line.
* Try to do this before winter holidays, this way you'll get a lower price and a shorter amount of time spent by doing the switch.
* Think that you'll be going home with 4 more tires and you'll need a transport for them, if you don't have the required space available in your car ask a friend to come along.
* And on your way out grab some garbage bags, you don't want those used, muddy tires to make a mess in your trunk.

What brand of tires should you get, I can't say, just ask the salesman from the shop what he recommends depending on your budget, preferences or available sizes.

Remember, winter fun is on the snowy trails not on the slippery roads.

Police Seized Car Auction

If you are planning to buy a car through police auction, then I am here to share with you this article where I am going to provide the information on how police seized car auctions work and how they offer you the best deal. Some facts may differ from auction to auction. However, this article covers almost all the areas with important and helpful guidelines.

Some people think that the cars offered at the Police Auctions are actually the police cars only. But they also include additional vehicles being used by local police departments and cars that have been confiscated due to asset forfeiture. The police department seizes the assets of the criminals who are associated with a crime and place those vehicles in an auction.

So people can get the finest deal while picking up the used cars from there. To be updated about the events, you can read local newspapers or search from the online auction site. It will keep you acquainted with the time, date and place of the event as well as the list of the cars that are going to be auctioned off.

However you always need to inspect the condition of the car yourself at a police seized car auction because seized cars are sold "As-is" without any warranty or guarantee. So you have to be responsible for your own decision and rely on your inspection.

Sometimes the car you bought from there may still have a lien on it. On such conditions, you need to make preparations to pay off the finance corporation. It's always a better option to go through the police auctions if you are opting to buy a car with the best deal. You can really save a lot of money with it.

About Tire Sizes And Tire Size Conversions

About Tire Specs
There is definitely more to tires than just being round objects connected to cars to permit them to go places with ease. Tires need to have the right size and specifications to suit certain types of vehicles. Here is a quick note about a it's specs:

1. Size - This, of course, speaks of the size of the tire, and is usually seen on the sidewall. For the convenience of motorists, tire manufacturers have listed tire sizes by width, height and diameter.
2. Temperature - This, on the other hand, indicates the tire's resistance to heat. It is usually represented by the letter A, B, or C, with A of course as the highest and C as the lowest.
3. Traction - Traction describes the tire's capacity to respond to the vehicle brakes even when wet. Like temperature, it is also graded with letters, this time AA, A, B, and C, with A being the highest and C the lowest.
4. Treadwear - Treadwear, meanwhile, is about the capacity of the tire to endure wear and tear in comparison to other tires. Normally, tire treadwear begins at 100; so, if a tire has a grading of 150 for treadwear, it means that the tire can last about 1.5 times longer than tires with a 100 grade.

About Tire Size and Tire Size Conversion

Right now, we'll be focusing more on how to deal with size and size conversion.

As mentioned a while ago, tire sizes are usually imprinted on the sidewall of the tire in a sort of format, with the width shown first, followed by the height of the entire sidewall, and then the diameter of the tire rim. Here is a representation of how tire size is specified on the sidewall:

WIDTH/ HEIGHT/ DIAMETER

For the width, of course, all we have to do is to get the measurement of the tire in terms of how wide it is, and it should be in millimeters.

The computation begins with the second element, the height. That is because the height is usually listed on the sidewall in percentage, and not in millimeters. So, if we want to get the exact tire height size conversion in terms of millimeters, all that needs to be done is to multiply the tire height, converted into decimal form, to the tire width. For example:

300 /60/ 20

This means that the height is 60% of the 300 mm width. In other words, we have a tire that has a height of 180 mm.

On the other hand, the diameter is usually designated in the sidewall in terms of inches. To convert to millimeters, the typical formula is as follows:

(SIDEWALL x 2) + WHEEL

So, if, for example, we have a wheel that measures 406 mm, then we convert as follows:

180 mm x 2 = 360
360 + 406 = 766 mm

Meanwhile, here is another interesting fact about tire size conversion is the fact that one could also measure how far the tire can travel per revolution through the figures listed. This is also called the tire circumference. This is measured as follows:

DIAMETER * pi

If we will use our example, the tire circumference would be about 107.358 inches.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Tips for Purchasing Used Cars and Used Trucks at Different Venues

Buying a brand new car in this economy is a rare reward for one’s self; however, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a good, quality mode of transportation. Shopping the auto sales can be a fun thing, especially if you know what to look for and what to avoid. Used car salesmen are infamous for their sales talk and in such situations, having a checklist of dos and don’ts would be wise.

First thing to know is where to look for used cars or used trucks. Well, there are two main venues—(1) new car dealerships, and (2) used auto sales lot. New car dealerships are vendors that work with trade-ins and they usually get used vehicles at really low prices. And just in case you are worried about purchasing a trade-in car or used truck; you should know that most car dealerships sell certified used cars that have been thoroughly inspected and are backed by attractive warranties. If you’re buying a used car from a dealership, take a chance at a low offer, but make sure they still make some profit from the transaction.

Used car lots, on the other hand, is a more overwhelming environment because there are usually so many vehicles to choose from. Rental car agencies usually manage used car lots, which should be some assurance because rental agencies do have good warranties for their units. Former rental cars have between 15,000 and 25,000 miles on them and are usually just one year old. Most rental car lots offer no-haggle buying, and their prices are very competitive. Furthermore, the factory warranty on these used cars is still in effect.

Once you’ve decided on a place to shop the auto sales, the next thing to do is to know the vehicles the vendor has to offer. Save legwork by going through the internet and make a list of vehicles you think you can work with. Most car dealers today have their own websites with an inventory of available used cars or used trucks, so you can save energy on running around the lot to look at too many cars. There are also auto review sites which have helpful tips on which brands to go for especially in the case of used cars and used trucks. These sites will tell you a vehicle’s performance after being used for a span of time.

When it comes to choosing the right vehicle, one should know the standards of a quality used car or truck. One should also know the scope and limitations of their own needs and capacities in order to make the right choice. Of course, cost would be one of the initial considerations of purchasing a used car. Following this is: knowing your money’s worth. Does the cost reflect the vehicle’s actual worth? Nobody wants to spend money on a lemon so quality checks are essential once a price has been disclosed.

Quality checks should not only cover hardware and the used car’s or used truck’s exterior, but also its warranties and certifications. One useful auto sales tip is to go for vehicle’s that have only had one previous owner (even if it has only been a year or so). Keeping track of a used car’s history is easier when there has only been a single owner before yourself.

Purchase Skills for Automobile Accessories

Correct automobile maintenance should be carried out after buying an auto. It is sure that there are still many car owners relatively blind on buying car accessories, in this respect, some useful information is offered for people as reference.

Steering wheel cover purchase

The reason why people should buy this is that some plastic steering wheels in the dry season will be a bit slippery hands. It will have a better effect if put on a wash-leather or corium steering wheel cover.
Products Category: soft leather, common types of leather and better types

Seat Cover purchase

The car's seats are stained easily and have not good abrasion resistance, for this reason, it is necessary to buy car seat cover. Silk fabric seat covers in hot day can come in handy, and the general fabric or linen fabric car seat covers also have good effects in cold weather.
Products Category: ordinary fabrics, linen fabrics and silk fabrics

Foot cover purchase

Cleaning up car's interior floor is too much trouble, while plastic foot mat could clean up easily. This is good for those economy cars. Fabric mats present higher level which are suitable for mid-range cars.

Products Category: plastic mats and fabric mats.

Car curtains purchase

This kind of accessories is not only for decorative effect, but for block windows. Fix them would not destroy the original car's structure. In addition, with the use of rail section, it can be easily contracted curtain.
Products Category: This should depend on the different cars' specification to select the fittest curtains.

Duster purchase

Cars often fall more dust, and clean them with a duster without causing damage for car. Oil duster are not used now, the main using type is wax duster. For normal condition, the more wax contains, the better effect for the car.

Products Category: oil duster and wax duster

Decoration accessories

Cars also could be decorated with variety gifts, such as some auspicious hangings, small toys or rosemary.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Undecided : Honda Legend canceled worldwide , and Japan all gasoline Civic

As much as I try it seems that Honda does not get hit the mark with Legend. The large saloon Tokyoites manufacturer is really comfortable and in some respects to toe ( here the example of their speakers with noise -canceling technology ) , but in a world where luxury is a matter of brand , Honda is struggling to put to its derivative with the seal of AcuraWhen the U.S. (in theory) should be more responsive to markets like Europe. registrations are so slow that during the first half of the year has sold only 872 units RL in the country of Uncle Sam, and if we speak of Europe would have to get into the sewers to find the numbers.

So, it seems that Honda did not want to keep in suspended animation in this dead man , and according to Japanese newspaper Nikkei, cancel Legend globally, freeing up some precious resources that may be invested in models with greater potential . Confirmed the news, I doubt very much that Honda thinks covering his void with another model, especially taking into account that now all their efforts are in reducing consumption.