“We are increasing the coverage for our most popular contracts by a whole year, and providing additional options for others, to make our coverage an even better value in the current economy,” said Tara Williams, Executive Vice President of Warranty Direct in Charlotte. “We have had numerous customer requests for these options, and we are very pleased to make them available, effective Sept. 12.”

“With several comprehensive policy options, coverage for new cars has been increased by one year, to a maximum of eight years, and for used cars up to a maximum of 11 years of vehicle age,” Williams explained. “For one of our popular economical products, which just covers major components such as engine, transmission and drive train, we have expanded it to cover electronic components as well, for just about 10 percent more.”

Warranty Direct is also offering the extended warranty industry’s first “disappearing deductible.” It will waive its normal $100 deductible whenever customers have their cars repaired at two major approved suppliers, Firestone Complete Auto Care with 1,500 stores nationwide and AAMCO Transmission Repair with 750 locations.

Additional information on the coverage improvement options are available on the company website, www.warrantydirect.com.

For more than 30 years, Warranty Direct has been part of one of the largest and most established vehicle service contract companies in North America. Today Warranty Direct operates primarily on the Internet, providing full transparency for the consumer so they can see all options, prices and contracts online prior to purchase. The company respects consumers by never engaging in unsolicited phone calls (telemarketing). Warranty Direct is one of the few auto warranty companies rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.

Take advantage of our Daylight Savings Sales Promotion to save on your vehicle service contract (extended auto warranty).

• $100 Off all plans we offer
• Upgrade to a $0 Deductible from a $100 deductible for FREE

This offer is available  until March 15th, 2010 at 8:00 PM EST. (Discount offer not available in Florida or California.)

Call 800-632-4222 or visit Warranty Direct today!

Take advantage of our March 8th Sales Promotion to save a lot on your vehicle service contract (extended auto warranty).

• $500 Off all plans we offer
• 5% Down (normally 10% down is required)
• 0% Financing

This offer is available today only (March 8th, 2010) until 8:00 PM EST. (Discount offer not available in Florida or California.)

Call 800-632-4222 or visit Warranty Direct today!

Take $100 off all coverages we offer or receive a free upgrade to a $0 deductible (when upgrading from a $100 deductible plan)! Call 800-632-4222 to find out more.

Offer expires 8:00 PM est March 5th.

Call 800-632-4222 to take advantage of this last chance offer!

* Offer valid On First Phone Contact only. Offer not valid in California or Florida.

Dear Tom,
I own a ‘99 Chevy 1500 Suburban 4×4 with 102,000 miles. There is a whining sound coming from the rear when driving 55-65 mph. I had all the bearings replaced, and the ring & pinion gears show normal wear. Any suggestions?
Thanks,

Eddie from Miami

Eddie,
You failed to mention the rear pinion bearing. Have the lash and the up and down play checked for wear. Also, check the tire wear pattern on the rear tires. They could be cupped, which could also cause the whining.
Tom

Want a little cheese with that whine? (just a little bad humor here) On to Eddie’s question in detail.

What causes whining?
Whining can be caused by worn transmission or differential bearings or races (the surface the bearing rides on), a worn power steering or front transmission oil pump. A simple thorough inspection of the transmission, differential, and power steering system will reveal if there are any bad bearings.

Cupped tires can also cause whining. When tires are left unattended the balance goes out resulting in wheel tramp. In this condition, the heavy spot in the tire gains inertia as it spin causing the tire/wheel to bounce as it spins down the road. The tires develop a cupped tread wear pattern from this bouncing (or tramping). Ultimately it results in a whine. Sometimes rotating and rebalancing the tires will correct the whining problem over time.

Another cause of whining
Worn differential lubricant is another cause of whining. Some carmakers have come out with semi-synthetic gear lubricants that have a specific life and need to be changed according to schedule. If left in too long, they lose their lubricating properties and heat, friction, and whining ensue in the differential. Major gear damage will occur if left in too long.

Mechanically the truck is fine. You’ve rotated the tires, but still have the whine. Now what?
If you are sure the transmission, differential, and power steering are fine and you rotated the tires, it may be time to replace the tires if the noise is too much for you. Some tires have such an aggressive tread lug design that they simply cannot be quieted, so it may be time to buy a tire with a less aggressive tread. Light truck tires tend to be made of a stiffer, heavier rubber compound that lasts longer and is durable. However, the downside is that they are noisy and offer stiff ride characteristics. A less aggressive tread design in an all season or highway tire might be the ticket for you. But there are tradeoffs in making this move. Specifically, these types of tires don’t last as long as the heavy-duty truck tires, although they are much quieter and deliver a nicer ride. It is an individual’s decision. How much noise can you tolerate?

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, Edmunds.Com, At Home Portals and many other websites. Torbjornsen is the auto expert of record for Channel 4 WIVB TV, Western New York’s CBS affiliate. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com

According to US News & World Report, you don’t need to purchase a warranty the moment you buy the car. If you want one, you can easily buy it later from a reputable third-party company. “The dealer’s extended warranty isn’t necessarily the best deal; in fact, it usually costs more. Plus, you’re in a high-pressure situation at the dealer and might not be able to read the fine print. Finally, if you buy the dealer’s extended warranty, you might be required to return to that dealership to get it honored – which could become a problem if you move.” So contact Warranty Direct and buy direct from us and save.

If you need a vehicle service contract (generally known as an extended warranty), call Warranty Direct first and let us help you get protected  from unexpected repair bill costs when a break down occurs. You can reach us at (800) 632-4222 or visit www.warrantydirect.com to find out more.

What do you do now? The future of Saturn is bleak to say the least. A deal to sell the division of General Motors fell apart on September 30th and it was announced that production of the brand would come to an end.  The ability to go to your local dealership for repair work may not be possible and where does that leave your factory warranty?

“After months of negotiations aimed at saving the Saturn brand, General Motors said Wednesday it will stop making Saturn vehicles this year and wind down the brand by the end of 2010.” (see below for a link to the entire story at USA Today)

We understand your concerns and we have a solution for you. A vehicle service agreement provides protection against the ever increasing cost of repairs your vehicle will need. You work hard and deserve better than this and from Warranty Direct, you will get it!

Warranty Direct is the direct to consumer division of Interstate National Dealer Services, one of the oldest and largest independent automobile vehicle service agreement providers in the US. Our expertise is unmatched with nearly 30 years of experience, nearly 2 million vehicle service contracts sold and over 1 billion dollars paid in claims. In addition to offering our vehicle service contracts direct to consumers, over 2,200 manufacturers, dealers, banks and credit unions choose to market our coverage. Here are just a few of the many benefits that we offer:

• Coverage available for every budget and every car
• Insured by an A-Excellent AM Best insurer
• A+ Rated by the Better Business Bureau
• Use of the repair facility of your choice
• Claims paid directly to your repair facility
• Complimentary roadside assistance and travel interruption protection provided with every plan
• Car rental reimbursement
• Satisfaction guarantee

We are confident in our financial strength and automobile knowledge to service your vehicle. You can still protect the investment in your Saturn, it’s not too late.

Warranty Direct and the family of Interstate National Dealer Services have been providing services to automobile owners for 30 years.  You will be protected and you will be taken care of. We are sincere in our approach to offer you the best value, while ensuring you the stability and strength of a leader in this industry. Don’t put your trust in just any company. Let us earn your business today!

Read more about Saturn at USA today: GM to shut down Saturn after deal with Penske falls apart

In order to circumvent these special licensing requirements set forth, there has been a recent influx of product warranties being offered on the internet by a variety of extended warranty brokers. Product Warranties are not licensed, are not closely regulated, and do not have to be guaranteed by an insurance company. Even if a product warranty purports to be backed by an insurance company, the insurance company may not be licensed, financially strong, or actually back the warranty.

Warranty Direct has been licensed as a warranty provider in all states. In addition all of our plans are insured by an A- Excellent AM Best rated insurance company. For further information, please call one of our Certified Advisors at 1-800-632-4222. Click here to update and view your quote.

Some questionable terms found in product warranties are as follows:

• Vehicle Protection Kit ? The administrator will ship the Vehicle Protection Kit to the purchaser of this product warranty upon remittance of this agreement from the seller. The kit contains products for vehicle protection with instructions and other important information pertaining to this product warranty.
• The total of claims paid shall not exceed the wholesale value of the vehicle at the time of claim initiation.
• Purchasers may not perform their own maintenance for product warranty requirements.
• Pre-Existing ? A condition to a covered component of the vehicle, whether known or unknown to the purchaser, that existed prior to the product warranty purchase date or which may reasonable be assumed to have existed prior to the product warranty purchase date.

Sadly, unlicensed warranty sellers have become epidemic. Buying from an unlicensed warranty seller is risky as they do not meet the high standards required by your state. In order to be licensed, a warranty firm must be financially viable, operate within the laws and file their rates with the state. Unlicensed firms may offer no protection to you should the company go out of business. A licensed seller will be audited annually to make sure their finances are in order.

Many of the unregulated companies offering these plans are referring to them as bumper to bumper coverage, even though they only cover a short list of items. A lot of this misinformation is causing consumers a lot of confusion about the coverage they actually have. Sadly, most people won’t realize that they bought a worthless plan until they have a major claim denied.

Read more about product warranties at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Warranty Direct is now available within various areas of the NADAguides.com website, offering consumers convenient access to free online warranty quotes. Visitors to NADAguides.com simply input their state of residence, the make, model and year of their car and their preferred contact information to receive a fast and secure competitive warranty quote.

Damon Bennett, Director of Business Development for NADAguides.com, says this partnership is the joining of two, highly-regarded automotive organizations to benefit consumers across North America.

“NADAguides.com is the world’s largest publisher — and industry leader — of vehicle pricing and specification information,” said Bennett. “Warranty Direct is a 27 year-old company with numerous industry credentials and accreditations. Together, we’ve joined forces to bring millions of monthly NADAguides.com visitors easy, fast and secure access to the most competitive and comprehensive warranty programs on the market.”

“We’re pleased to partner with NADAguides.com to jointly offer consumers outstanding coverage at reasonable prices,” said Warranty Direct’s Vice President, Randy Downs. “Warranty Direct and its parent company have successfully administered nearly two million extended warranties and paid over one million claims since being founded in 1980. We have a long and reputable history in the warranty industry.”

According to Bennett, the NADAguides.com and Warranty Direct partnership provides consumers with easy access to some of the most comprehensive programs being offered today, with coverage that includes mechanical breakdown and wear and tear protection, full seals and gaskets coverage, no exclusion for damage caused by overheating, an unlimited number of claims, transferability of coverage to new vehicle owners, claims that are paid directly to the repair facility, free roadside assistance membership for the full term of coverage, car rental, travel interruption coverage and much more.

About NADAguides.com

N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides (NADAguides.com) is the world’s largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and manufactured housing. The company’s consumer website, NADAguides.com (http://www.NADAguides.com), offers a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information. Throughout its 74-year history, N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides has earned the reputation as the recognized authority for vehicle valuations. Its website, NADAguides.com, is the most comprehensive vehicle information resource on the Internet today.

About Warranty Direct

Founded in 1980, Warranty Direct is the direct-to-consumer division of one of North America’s leading providers of service contracts and extended warranties for automobiles. Through its automobile extended warranty portals, http://www.warrantydirect.com, http://www.carwarranty.com, http://www.warrantyinfo.com and http://www.warrantydirect.ca , Warranty Direct leads the industry in efficient and expedited claims handling, impeccable customer service and a technology infrastructure that far surpasses the industry standard.

Website: http://www.nadaguides.com/
Website: http://www.warrantydirect.com/