1. Always look at competing prices. If you inform your insurance agent of comparable rates from other companies, many will re-work your policy and bring it down to a lower price. Also, be sure to look at all the fine print. The fine print is where you will find your deductible levels and benefit limit which will help you later on if you have an accident.
2. Ask you insurance agency for a list of current discounts and make sure that you are receiving all of the discounts that you qualify for. If you don’t drive often, you may be eligible for a low-mileage bonus on your car insurance. 7,500 miles is usually the cut-off for receiving a price break.
3. Taking a defensive driving class is a good way to reduce the cost of your insurance. If you pass the class, many insurance companies will offer you a discount on your premiums.
4. Don’t take the cheapest quote your find. Many times, these quotes exclude extra charges or full coverage. It is very important to research the company you’re buying your auto insurance from and know what exactly comes with your quote.
5. If you choose a high deductible, your insurance premiums will be lower. If you can need to save some cash and you can put aside some money for a deducible in case of an accident, then this could be a good approach
6. If your really struggling with insurance prices, remember that you have the power to alter some of the factors the can increase pricing. Your driving record, location and the number of miles your put on your car can all influence how much money you pay for insurance.

www.adostrategies.com

With the price of gas soaring, it’s important to know which vehicles will provide you with the best mileage for your money. Fueleconomy.gov has made a list of the most fuel efficient cars to help you ease the pain at pump. These results have been garnered from the national average price of gasoline, which is currently $3.97 per gallon.

 Best Two-Seater: Honda CR-Z

The Honda CR-Z is a hybrid electrical automobile created in 2010. For only 38 dollars, this cars tank can be filled and then be driven 353 miles until its next fill time. This means that annually, this car will only cost you $1,600 in gas cost. Compare this to the 2012 Bugatti Veyron. This gas-guzzling two-seater will cost you $6,300 annually in fuel.

Best Compact Vehicle: Ford Focus BEV

The BEV is a five door hatchback electric vehicle and it’s Ford’s first electric car. To drive 25 miles with this electric car will only cost you $0.96 which adds up to an annual fuel cost of about $600. Compare this to the Mercedes Benz CL600, the compact vehicle with the worst gas mileage. To fill this tank would cost $90.00 which in the end leaves you with a $4,600 annual gas bill.

Best Midsize: Nissan Leaf

The leaf is another 5 door hatchback created in 2010. A 25 mile drive will only run you $1.02 so your bank account can breathe again with an annual rate of about $620. This is a big change from the 2012 Ferrari FF which will set you back $91 dollars just to fill the tank. Annually, you’ll be spending about $4,600 to keep this car filled.

Best Large Vehicle: Hyundai Sonata

The fill up the Sonata’s tank is going to set you back about $66. This may seem pricey in comparison to the other vehicles above but this is a great price for a car that isn’t electric. The Sonata can get you 466 miles on one tank and will cost about 2,150 annually. That is a $3,100 dollar difference from the 2012 Maybach which will cost $8.73 every 25 miles.

When buying a new car, it’s important to know not only the up-front price but how much that vehicle is going to cost you in the long run. Just because a car may seem pricey at first, don’t forget to estimate how much you could end up saving in the end.

Some may find this shocking, especially since Mazda’s release of the new SkyActiv technology which claims to deliver all of the benefits of a hybrid car without the hefty prices. This new technology may be too late though and Mazda CEO’s are discussing sharing the SkyActiv system in return for a little pick-me-up.

“We are considering every option,” says Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda CEO.

This isn’t the first time that Mazda has come close to folding. In the 1970’s, a problem with the rotary engine almost caused the companies demise. However, an investment by Ford helped raise the company up again. Ford held a 33% stake in the company but has decided to forgo their relationship with the Japanese carmakers.

Without any kind of partnership, it is difficult to imagine Mazda digging themselves out of this economic hole. However, the SkyActiv technology may be just what they need to keep the company afloat.

http://www.nevadalexusdealers.com

The world of extended warranties is a confusing and daunting one. The idea of purchasing something without knowing if it will be used an often be hard to swallow. The biggest question when it comes to extended warranties is “Is the price really worth it?” Here a few facts to help you out.

To begin, a Consumer Reports article recently reported that about 65% of their 8,000 readers have spent more on their new-car warranties then they have saved on vehicles repairs. Does this mean that extended warranties aren’t worth it? No. It just means you have to smart when buying them. Here are a couple of tips when looking into your cars extended warranty plans.

• Don’t buy the extended warranty right away.

If you plan on keeping your car past the point of when the factory based warranty is up, an extended warranty may seem like an attractive deal. However, first take a look at the reliability history of the model car you are purchasing. Does it have a history of breaking down? If so, you may want to look further into purchasing an extended warranty. Also, many dealerships will try to trick you into buying the extended warranty when the car is brand new, offering you a cheaper price than you will pay later. However, if you drive the car for a year or two, you will be more familiar with how it runs and the repairs it needs which may save you more money in the long run.

• Don’t get wrapped up in independent companies warranty deals.

Many independent companies will try to offer warranties at a cheaper price then your dealership. These are often called aftermarket warranties or extended service plans. Though it may seem like a good deal at the time, many of these companies are known to hit you with extra charges after you have already paid. If you feel you would rather purchase from an independent party, make sure you always read the fine print and try to look up the companies financial strength so you have faith in there ability to keep there promises. Not all of them are bad, you just have to make sure you find the right company for your car.

• Make sure your warranty isn’t a cash layout system.

In some cases, the extended warranty will state that you must lay out the cash for all repairs and then mail in the receipt and wait to be reimbursed. The reimbursement process may take months ,which is way too long to be waiting to get money back that you shouldn’t have even been spending. Also, some companies may require you to get your repairs performed at the dealership in which it was purchased. Try to buy a warranty that isn’t as limiting and inconvenient.

And finally, always keep in mind that extended warranties may only be sold by the original manufacturer. Everything else is an aftermarket service plan, also known as an extended service plan.

If you do your research, buying an extended warranty could be a really helpful way of insuring you cars life last a bit longer. Just make sure you have all the correct information so you don’t get hit with a bunch of extra charges later on.

http://jalopnik.com

Most people expect when they buy a luxury vehicle for $100,000 or more that it will last them the rest of there life…or at least over 180 miles. However, the Fisker Karma, the newest in a line of plug-in hybrid luxury sports cars have been recalled for dying during a Consumer Report speed test this week.

The Fisker Karma rose to fame recently when both Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Bieber received the car as gifts. However, when engineers are Consumer Reports purchased the vehicle, testing didn’t go as expected. When driving the Karma at 65 mph, a light on the dashboard came on showing that there was something wrong with the car battery. After it was parked, the engineers were unable to restart the vehicle.

Trying not to damage the hype, the company is doing its best to keep people interested.  “It’s important to note that with more than 400 Fisker Karma sedans already on the road in the U.S., we also have many satisfied customers who are enjoying daily commutes in cars,” says Fisker in a recent statement.

However, this isn’t the first time that Fisker has had an issue with its luxury vehicles. In December, 239 Karmas were recalled due to a defect in the battery that could cause coolant fluid leak and electrical short-circuiting.

Though this may seem like an important issue to most, the problems with the Karma will not affect Consumer Report’s reliability rating for the vehicle because scores are based upon customer feedback, not actual testing.

Just in case you already drained your bank account on this luxurious lemon, run a free warranty check or learn more about lemon laws.

http://factinisfactomelettes.files.wordpress.com

 Though many people know what a lemon is, few know how state lemon laws can help if they find themselves driving a clunker.

So what makes a car a lemon? Usually, if the car has needed more then 4 repairs for the same defect within the warranty period, it is considered a lemon. However, these rules differ dependent on the state so be sure to check your state laws before making any moves.

 With that said, all lemon laws are based on a few conditions:

• The problem must have started early in your ownership of the vehicle.
• You must report it your manufacturer and make sure it was addressed under your warranty.
• The problem must continue after a repeated amount of repairs
• The problem must cause substantial impairment to the use of the vehicle.

Sound familiar? You’re probably lugging around a lemon.

In most places, the best thing you can do to get your money back is to hire an attorney. A lawyer should be able to get your money refunded, however, be aware that you may be charged for how many miles you drove your car before you reported the problem.

If your defect does not meet the lemon law criteria, you are not completely out of luck. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is another option. This law states that by not fixing the problem, the manufacturer is violating repair warranty.

If you find yourself in this situation, here are a couple of tips that will simplify your case.

• Make sure to keep a copy of all vehicle documentation including repair orders, contracts, warranty books and the owner’s manual.
• Keep track of all conversation had with the dealership. The best way to do this is to keep a notebook outlining the date, time and what was discussed each visit.
• Don’t forget to keep track of your repairs including how many times your car was in the shop and how many totally days your vehicle has been out of commission.

By doing this you can save time, money and precent a very large headache.

http://fiat2america.blogspot.com

Chrysler Group LLC recently commissioned a new program that will enable people to buy competitive-make, pre-owned vehicles at all FIAT dealerships. All vehicles purchased will be backed with a Chrysler Group warranty.

The new certified pre-owned (CPO) program is called Diversified Certified will include Dodge, Jeep and Ram Truck vehicles that are 2008 models or above and have less then 48,000 miles.  With the ability to purchase these cars comes a Chrysler Group warranty that which is good for 5 years or 60,000 miles from the original in-service date. Essentially, it is a bumper-to-bumper warranty, which includes towing and roadside assistance.

“Just because we didn’t build the vehicles, doesn’t mean we won’t back it with a Chrysler Group warranty,” says Eric Swanson, Head of Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles at Chrysler Group LLC, in a statement on media.chrysler.com. Of course, we always want our customers to visit our dealers and purchase a new or certified pre-owned Chrysler Group model, but now we have given them another option to consider.”

Many people believe that new CPO program is a way to boost FIAT sales, which haven’t had the quite the same impact in the United States as they have overseas. Diversified Certified is set to launch in FIAT dealers and then extend to Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealers in May.

http://www.oranges-world.com

Car warranties are excellent protection against manufacturing defects or workmanship errors. With a car warranty, manufacturers promise that within a certain time frame, your new car purchase will function as promised. But car warranties are not blank checks from the manufacturer to pay for any necessary repairs. Certain things you do can cancel the agreement of the car warranty.

1. Don’t use the right fluids in your car.

When your car manual says to use a specific type of oil (or any other type of fluid) in your car, use that type. They spend lots of money to figure out what will help the car work most efficiently, and they aren’t just “suggesting,” they are insisting. You might find a better deal on a cheaper type, and in the interest of saving money, you could be tempted to go against the manufacturer’s instructions. But here’s a warning for you – if you use the wrong type of oil and your engine seizes up, your car warranty won’t cover the repair.

2. Don’t install the right tires on your car.

You might think it’s really cool to “pimp your ride” by adding some special modifications to your car, like “dubs” or special lifts that change the height of car with lift or lower kits. Unfortunately, your car was not designed to ride like that. Modified tires or a different center of gravity in your car can drastically alter the torque on your chassis and axle bearings. If your modifications can be traced as the root of a problem, your repair won’t be covered by your car warranty.

3. Don’t save your receipts.

You probably know that you aren’t required to go to your dealer for regular maintenance. What you may not know is that every time you take your car to another service center, you absolutely need to save your receipts. And not just your credit card slip. Make sure you leave with a detailed list of all the fluids, filters and other parts that were used during service. If there’s a contest over coverage on your warranty, the manufacturer can 1. claim that you didn’t service the vehicle according to maintenance instructions or 2. the service center didn’t use the correct parts. Save your receipts. If you’re not sure, go to the dealer. They are required by their contract with the manufacturer to keep very detailed record of any services performed.

4. Tow something.

Unless you own a heavy-duty truck that has a guaranteed capability to tow specific weights, don’t try it. If the manufacturer can prove you towed something, either a trailer or another vehicle — even a short distance — that could void your car warranty. Your car’s engine is probably not built to handle the strain of the extra weight, and any damages that occur after the tow would probably not be covered by your car warranty.

http://www.caranddriver.com/

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is considered by many to be the most important safety feature on vehicles since the seatbelt. At the very least, it has reduced fatal crashes by 35%. This blog post will explain a little bit about how it works.

Yaw Rate Control

The yaw rate of a vehicle is the rotation of the vehicle around a vertical axis. This physics term describes the dangerous situation that occurs when the car skids around a turn. This sensor measures the steering wheel angle (where the driver intends the car to go) and at what rate the car is actually rotating to get there. Yaw Rate Control uses the functions of the Anti-Lock Brake System to correct the vehicle’s trajectory.

In essence, it corrects a probable loss in steering control. In addition to controlling the brakes individually, it can also modify the transmission and throttle output to slow the car down and increase torque in cooperation with the brakes to correct the path of the car.

Because of its effectiveness, ESC is now required to be standard on all vehicles from 2012 and beyond. It is known by several different names across the range of manufacturers, including the following:

• Electronic Stability Program (Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, Suzuki)
• Dynamic Stability Control (Land Rover, Mazda)
• Vehicle Stability Assist (Honda, Acura, Hyundai)
• StabiliTrak (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac, Saturn)
• Vehicle Dynamics Control (Subaru, Fiat, Infiniti, Nissan)
• Precision Control System (Oldsmobile)

https://wwwx.cs.unc.edu/~hays/

It seems like such a rarity these days – a car with a severe rust problem. Perhaps the manufacturers have developed better paint or sealers. For whatever reason, it usually takes years for rust to develop on vehicles. If rust does develop in the first few years, usually 3-5, the damage might be covered under your standard car warranty, specifically the corrosion coverage.

Like most car warranties, they offer protection against manufacturing defects, but only for a certain period of time. Just like when you buy a CD, the store won’t replace it for you when the disc gets scratched. Cars are a little different, though. They have car warranties, and consumers are offered a baseline of protection for this very large purchase they made.

Corrosion, or rust, is usually caused when the paint has been chipped due to debris, gravel or pebbles. When the raw sheet metal is exposed to the elements, it can oxidize, causing unsightly rust that will only spread to surrounding areas. Surface rust can usually be remedied by sanding the rust and surrounding areas down to the raw metal and repainting and resealing the area.

But that’s not what corrosion coverage in a car warranty will cover. The vast majority of car warranties offer corrosion coverage, but only for perforations, not simple surface rust along the edges.

Preventing Rust

• You can prevent rust by following a few simple guidelines:
• Wash your car often – every two weeks in the winter especially if there is salt on the roads
• Wax your car every few months to protect the finish
• Examine your car carefully every few months for nicks or scratches. Don’t neglect the undercarriage and trunk areas.
• If you find a nick or a scratch, seal it as soon as you can. The best choice is touch-up paint, but clear nail polish will also offer protection.

If you think you might have a claim for corrosion based on your car warranty coverage, see your car dealer as soon as possible to speed up the claims process.