Dear Tom,
I purchased a used ‘09 VW Jetta, with 8,000 miles. The car has a 2-yr/24k mile warranty, and I was offered an additional warranty of 5 yr/75k miles for an additional $1900. Should I buy the extended warranty, or is the standard one enough?
Arika from San Diego, CA

Arika,
It all depends on how long you are going to keep the car and what is covered in the ‘standard warranty.’ If the standard warranty covers the car bumper to bumper and you’re going to keep the car beyond the two years and 24K miles, then buy the extended warranty after the present warranty expires. If the present warranty lacks coverage on items you would like covered now, then buy the extended warranty now. Before you buy, make sure the warranty company is a solid one. We recommend Warranty Direct.Com on my national radio show and on the show’s website because they have an impeccable history on customer service and claim payouts. Make sure you check this warranty company out before making a decision. I wish you success.
Tom

Michael,
The transmission in your car is shifted via cables between the shifter and the trans. My first guess would be that one of the cables has popped off the linkage or shifter. There is a Technical Service Bulletin from Jaguar (# XT308-04) referring to revised shift cables to correct a noise concern. I suspect you need to have this service performed to correct the problem.
Tom

Paul,
First, I have one question: are you talking about a car or a woman? Wow… talk about having a relationship with your car! I would start by rechecking the battery connections. Check the ground wire at the battery as well as engine and body connections. Check the positive cable at the battery and down at the starter. It could be that the starter went bad or a fuse blew. Oftentimes the starting system on European models is fused with a large fuse under the hood. I also checked my database on your vehicle and came up with recall# 06-01 Group# 27 that was done on March 29th of 2006. It addresses a concern with the alternators on that particular year, make, and model vehicle. Under certain operating conditions, the alternator may discharge, resulting in a dead battery. Have the dealership check your VIN to see if your vehicle is involved in this recall from VW. Good luck!
Tom

Robert,
You have an intake leak. This is common on GM 3800 engines. Have the gasket replaced and make sure, from this point forward, that you have the coolant serviced every 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. Your vehicle uses Dexcool as a coolant. When the level gets low, oxygen chemically reacts with the coolant forming an acid. This acid eats away at the intake gaskets causing a leak. If you keep the cooling system clean with fresh coolant every two years or 24,000 miles this will not happen.
Tom

Nancy,
It sounds like a relay is shorting internally. Also, check the brake pedal linkage to see if a wiring harness has chaffed through and is grounding on the pedal arm. I wish you success.
Tom

Susan,
The best scenario for your “less experienced wintertime drivers” is to put four snow tires on the vehicle. This will ensure maximum traction in all inclement weather. There are many excellent winter tires on the market. I like Hapikolita, Nokian, and Hankook, just to mention a few. Winter treads are designed with special segmentation (and often ice cleats) that aid in winter traction. As for your son being in a hurry because of his sister’s problem with time management, tell him to leave without her a couple of times and she will mend her ways. If he does slide off the road, make him pay for the tow job. We learn best when we get hit in the wallet! Best to you.
Tom

Find Tom’s new book, “How To Make Your Car Last Forever” in local Barnes & Nobel, Borders, and Walden booksellers. Find it online at Amazon.com. Great holiday gift for anyone who wants his or her car to run efficiently and last longer

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, At Home Portals, and many other websites. 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. You can hear the live stream of the show at www.americascarshow.com Saturdays at Noon EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com.

It was an interesting chat, in which Kelly gave some compelling reasons to buy an extended warranty for your vehicle, including the fact that car repairs now average $600 a pop.

You can listen to the interview by clicking the link below:

America’s Car Show Interview with Kelly Levine from Warranty Direct

We understand that you may have a warranty from the manufacturer. Our coverage is simply an extension of that, not double coverage. The manufacturer’s warranty has been factored into your price quote. The more factory warranty you have remaining, the lower the cost and greater the length of the warranty extension. In other words, you are paying for tomorrow’s coverage at today’s rates. In addition, our Roadside Assistance benefit, with $100 towing limits may prove to be invaluable during the Manufacturer’s Warranty period.

FACT: The newer your vehicle, the lower the rates for extended coverage.
Please click the link below to view a chart that illustrates this:

http://www.warrantydirect.com/when_to_buy_your_coverage.asp

Waiting may also carry other risks. Coverage costs rise as repair rates do. Labor rates have been steadily rising over the past few years. It is not uncommon for a repair facility to charge $100 or more per labor hour. As more repair data becomes available for your vehicle, its costs may also rise. These factors can cause the rates for your vehicle to rise should you elect to delay purchasing coverage.

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, www.warrantydirect.com, www.carwarranty.com, www.warrantyinfo.com and 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.

Warranty Direct does NOT have an overheating exclusion in its contracts. While many warranty providers shy away from damage caused by overheating, Warranty Direct takes a much different approach. Although damage sustained when a vehicle overheats can be severe, we take care of all repair costs for covered components provided the vehicle does not overheat due to negligence and provided you act immediately to prevent unnecessary damage when your vehicle overheats. In fact, if your vehicle overheats and you require a tow or fluid replacement, Warranty Direct’s FREE 24×7 Roadside Assistance makes sure you get taken care of… fast!

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, www.warrantydirect.com, www.carwarranty.com, www.warrantyinfo.com and 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.