Dear Tom,
In a recent column at AOL Autos you wrote about oil changes. In the feedback I noticed that there weren’t any questions about changing transmission fluid. I also noticed that a lot of automotive shops only want to change the fluid and not the filter. Is this a good thing?
Delilah from New Orleans

Delilah,
First of all, it is not a good thing to change the oil and leave the old filter. Always change the filter too, and use a high quality one. Scrimping is this area is penny wise and pound-foolish. As far as the transmission is concerned, the fluid is usually changed at 30-36K miles with a new filter. A lot of shops today use a flush machine. This device can suck old fluid out and pump new fluid in without taking the pan off. I do not recommend this procedure. As a matter of fact, flush machines reverse-flush the transmission fluid, sending dislodged dirt and wear particles back into the transmission. I recommend the standard method, and when you have it done, follow the maintenance schedule and change the filter along with the fluid.
Tom

Judy,
It could be due to a bad switch, a wiring problem, or a faulty heating element. There is a technical service bulletin from GM on this problem. It is TSB number 01-08-50-012B. They advise that you check the switch and wiring and if all is okay, then replace the heating element. TSBs are not covered under warranty.
Tom

Marcie,
All I can tell you is that the warranty you bought is probably an extended warranty on Powertrain/Drivetrain administered by a private company. I would closely check the warranty info and contact the warranty company. They should be able to answer any questions you have. I wish you success.
Tom

Pete,
First off, the carmaker doesn’t mention a light that you describe so you’re probably seeing the “Maintenance Reminder” light, which reminds you that it’s time for an oil change. I see nothing in my data that even remotely refers to a “check with dealer” indicator lamp. Read your owner’s manual on the topic “interior information system.” It should tell you what that light indicates. Best to you.
Tom

Randy,
The GM Oil Life Monitor is accurate to within five percent (5%) of oil life; the algorithm monitors engine crankcase temperature, moisture, and combustion chamber events. Monitoring of these areas accurately predicts oil life, so go ahead and follow its recommendation. Just make sure that you properly reset the system it after changing the oil. Success to you.
Tom

Ethel,
Sounds like the compressor is low on refrigerant and oil, or an idler pulley is going bad on the automatic belt tensioner. It shouldn’t cycle so frequently; you probably have a refrigerant leak that is causing the excessive cycling.
Tom

Milt
Power windows have an electric motor, a wiring harness that feeds the motor, and a switch that controls the motor. Either the motor is bad, or there are bad connections, or the wiring harness is broken to that door, or the switch is faulty. My guess? A faulty switch. Have it checked out by a pro to determine the cause.
Tom

Deb,
How ‘bout them Packers huh?! Cooling systems can be checked with a pressure test. During this process, the tech applies air pressure to the system, trying to force a leak at the weakest point. If it’s the radiator, a leak will spring as soon as the pressure gets beyond the radiator’s capacity to hold it. It’s a pretty simple process. Get a second opinion and have a shop perform the test to see what they come up with. Good luck.
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.

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) and MPG (Motor Press Guild), 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 SSI Radio Network Saturdays at noon and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday afternoons – 5PM EST, listen to the show on the live stream during regular show times at www.americascarshow.com. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com.

Dear Tom,
I own an ‘04 Chrysler Town & Country and the corners of the hood just above the headlamps are rusting through the paint. The dealer says there is nothing they can do because the paint is warranted for three years. I had the van for three years as of this past April. Is there a recall on this rust problem? I have seen this occur on 2000-03 vans and just noticed it this week on my van.
Darren from Depew NY

Darren,
Unless you can prove that the rust is from inside of the panel, you will get nothing from Chrysler. The position of carmakers is that rust occurs from stone chipping or some other means originating from the outside. No car manufacturer or paint manufacturer will guarantee rust from the exterior chipping of paint. The prognosis? It will only get worst if you don’t get it corrected. And now that you have rust on the exterior of the panel, most body repair shops will not guarantee the rust repair. The most effective method of repair at this point would be to replace the rusted body panel. Success to you.
Tom

Winston,
Most problems encountered with outside temperature readings can be attributed to a faulty outside temperature sensor. This sensor is located directly behind the front grill and gets pummeled with all the rain, snow, ice, bugs, road projectiles and any other debris that finds its way through the front grill. Try unplugging the sensor and then start the car. The temperature reading should read –40 degrees. If it does not, this will verify that the sensor is faulty and should be replaced. If the sensor checks out okay, then trace the wiring for a short. If the wiring checks out, then the gauge inside the cluster is bad and the cluster needs replacing. Good luck.
Tom

Barbara,
This light is a “Maintenance Reminder Light.” The light comes on for two reasons: (1) As a maintenance reminder: You can expect the light to come on every 4,800 miles to let you know you are due for an oil change. (2) The brake pads are worn out. The pads have wear sensors on them and when the pads get down to the point of replacement, the sensors make contact with the rotors which turns on this light.
Tom

Ruben,
The window motor has a plastic tape drive. When the switch is depressed, the motor(which has a gear that is meshed with the tape) moves the window up or down. The reason why the motor continues to run? Because it has to sense resistance from the window seating either in the up or down position to turn off. The tape is broken and doesn’t sense resistance, hence the constant running of the motor. Replace the window motor and your problem will be solved.
Tom

ASH,
Most likely when the engine was washed, some sparkplug wires got soaked, which resulted in cross firing. Try driving the vehicle for about 100 miles to see if the miss goes away. If it doesn’t, get the car into a shop to track down the cause of the misfire.
Tom

Joe,
I hate to burst your dream world, but there is no “Reprogram Procedure” for this problem. A blower resistor regulates the fan motor speed on your van. The resistor steps voltage up and down, resulting in variation of fan speed. When the resistor blows or burns up, then there is only one speed left … high. Replace the blower resistor and you restore multiple fan speeds.
Tom

Linda,
The heater box will need to be disassembled and the blend doors checked out. There could be a duct door stuck in the heater box due to a broken door or shaft, a faulty vacuum motor that controls the door, or vacuum loss to the control box. As for the growling fan motor, have the fan case checked for leaves or organic debris. If the fan case is clear, it could be that the motor shaft bearings are worn and the fan motor needs replacing.
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

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.

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.

Dear Tom,
I own a ‘07 Honda Accord, Hybrid. I’m very pleased with the overall performance of the car, but I am disappointed with poor gas mileage in colder weather. I’m maintaining proper tire pressure. I assume it has something to do with dense air. Can you give me some guidance?
Don from Memphis, TN

Don,
It has everything to do with the colder temperatures and nothing to do with “dense air.” The performance system senses when the coolant is cold due to colder ambient temps, so it richens the fuel mixture which is necessary to start a cold engine. The fuel mixture stays rich until the engine reaches operating temperature. At this point, the fuel mixture levels out to a normal, leaner mixture for operating temps. Have a scan done of the system to make sure there are no codes. However, I think you’ll find that lower gas mileage is due to the colder weather.
Tom

Tim,
There is no such thing as a “stall code.” I checked and there are no recalls on your vehicle for this problem. The diagnostic procedure involves scanning the computer for trouble codes and then running the proper pinpoint tests necessary to track down the defective part. Is the ignition switch bad? Possibly, but the cost of diagnosing the problem is cheaper than replacing parts hoping to hit on the right one. The horn going off occasionally when locking the vehicle could be an indication that the alarm system is malfunctioning, so have this checked out. Success to you.
Tom

Lynn,
Without proper cooling system diagnostics it is impossible to answer your question. A cooling system pressure test will help to pinpoint the source of the coolant leak. It could be a hose or head gasket. Sometimes the source of a coolant leak is hard to find and a coolant dye test is necessary to track it down. A fluorescent dye is added to the coolant and then a fluorescent light (black light) is shown on the engine. The coolant becomes visible (a bright yellow color) under the light so you can identify the source of the leak. If I had to guess as to what the leak was I would say the head gasket. But have it checked out. Good luck.
Tom

Pete,
Vacuum pump? Gas cap replaced? What are you talking about? Have your tech scan the system for codes. It sounds like the IAC motor is acting up or the car could have a vacuum leak at the intake manifold. Now I hope you are not going to go out and replace the parts that I just mentioned without testing. If you do, I can’t say I didn’t try, but it’s your money! Good luck.
Tom

Ralph,
Hyundai will not help with this cost because brakes are considered a wearable item. Brakes are expected to wear out and therefore not covered under warranty. There is one exception … if the brakes wear out due to a faulty part like a master cylinder or pressure equalization valve, which IS covered under warranty. In the case of such a part failing, then the brake pads may be affected as a result and thus covered under the warranty.
Tom

Lauren,
If I were pressed to describe your diagnostic technique in a phrase, I would describe it as “Squirrel Automotive Diagnostic Technique” because you seem to flit to and fro without rhyme or reason, replacing parts and coming up with new diagnostic scenarios. Based on what? Moon phase? Dreams? Drivability problems like you are describing can only be diagnosed one way… by a computer scan of the system. In addition, you might want to have a flight test performed so the tech can see exactly what is going on at the time of the failure. Finally, a fuel delivery analysis is in order as well, to make sure there is no drop in fuel pressure. This is the most efficient and effective way to accurately pinpoint the problem. To indiscriminately replace parts hoping to fix the problem is a waste of time and money. I wish you success.
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.

Tom,
I own a 2007 Chrysler Town & Country and the corners of the hood just above the headlamps are rusting through the paint. The dealer says there is nothing they can do because the paint is under warranty for only 3 years. I have had the van for 3 years and 5 months and I just noticed it this week on my van. Is there a recall on this rust problem?
Darren from Depew NY

Darren,
Unless you can prove that the rust is coming through from inside the panel, you will get nothing from Chrysler. The position of carmakers is that rust occurs from stone chipping or some other exterior cause. No car manufacturer or paint manufacturer will guarantee rust from the exterior chipping of paint. The prognosis? It will only get worst if you do not get it corrected. And now that you have rust on the exterior of the panel, most body repair shops will not guarantee the rust repair. So what is the most effective method of repair at this point? Replace the rusted body panel. Success to you.
Tom

Lois,
This condition is not safe. Get your Jeep into a shop ASAP. They should put it up on a lift and check out the steering linkage. It sounds like the vehicle has a loose steering component such as a drag link assembly or a tie rod. Aftermarket companies make a device called a ‘drag link shock.’ This component is like a shock absorber and it attaches to the steering linkage (specifically the ‘drag link’). When the vehicle gets up to a speed where the linkage might start to jump, the ‘drag link shock’ absorbs the oscillation and stops the shaking of the steering wheel. This device is commonly used on 4WD vehicles such as your Jeep. It is often used in cases where the drag link is worn, but not worn enough to need replacing. I wish you success.
Tom

Karen,
At 330,000 miles it’s not surprising that the vehicle is experiencing low oil pressure (caused by engine wear). Your question is impossible to answer without an internal engine inspection. At the very least, have the crank, oil pump, and oil pan inspected for evidence of internal wear and proceed from there. This procedure requires removing the oil pan and measuring the crankshaft journals, oil pump, and inspection for evidence of metal in the pan from engine wear. At this mileage I am quite sure that the engine will need to be rebuilt or replaced with a re-manufactured unit. I like the Jasper re-manufactured engines; they have the best warranty and are high quality. Good luck.
Tom

Way,
you are probably correct in assuming that the fuel pump is failing. This is not a do-it-yourself job because it requires special tools to remove the sending unit retaining ring, and it also requires a lift to get the van up in the air to drain and drop the fuel tank. Get it into a shop to replace the fuel pump.
Tom

Jason,
There is a fairly simple procedure to reset this system and it’s outlined in your vehicle’s owner’s manual under ‘Oil Changes and General Maintenance.’ Otherwise, you should call your local dealer for the procedure, or go to your local shop. They should be able to access this procedure in their auto repair database. If they don’t have such a system, perhaps it’s time to find another repair shop.
Tom

Scott,
Either the parking pawl is not holding in the transmission, or the transfer case is sticking in neutral, or the shift linkage is not shifting the transmission into park all the way. This is dangerous! Have it checked out immediately. If you bought the truck at a dealer, get it back to their service department and have it fixed under warranty. Good luck.
Tom

David,
Sorry, you cannot replace those bulbs. They are LEDs built into the radio set, so you will have to replace the radio. This is a great excuse to buy a better radio for your truck. Take advantage of it!
Tom

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.

You can also download the file by clicking here: Tom Torbjornsen Explains How To Purchase A Used Car Warranty

To hear the entire show visit America’s Car Show’s Sirius/XM Radio Archives and select the July 4th’s show.

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!

Dear Tom,
Two weeks ago I inadvertently filled my 2004 Toyota Camry’s gas tank with half a tank of diesel fuel. The dealer drained and cleaned the tank and replaced the spark plugs and air filter. The day after I got the car back, the “check engine light” came on, and the dealer said the catalytic converter was gummed up and should be replaced, along with the oxygen sensors. I haven’t had this work done yet. Is it necessary since the car is running well (and there is no rotten-egg smell)? It would cost me over $2,000. Yikes!
Patricia from Vera Cruise, CA

Patricia,
First and foremost, next time you fill up make sure the pump nozzle fits into your gas tank filler-neck before pulling the pump nozzle trigger. The diesel nozzle is larger than the gasoline nozzle; therefore it can’t possibly fit into your gas tank filler-neck. As for the lit check engine light, try running the vehicle for a few weeks in an effort to burn any remaining diesel fuel out of the system. Then have the system reset to see if the light stays off. If it doesn’t, you have done irreversible damage to the catalytic converter and O2 sensor/s and they will have to be replaced. If you don’t like the price quoted at the dealer, get a couple more estimates from reputable independent shops. Good luck to you.
Tom

Carlo,
If I had to cite a weakness on these engines (not the car; overall the car is great), I would have to point to the soft camshafts. The cams in these engines are prone to wearing prematurely. If this was in fact a police car, the engine might be a high performance engine, which would probably have a hardened steel cam and crankshaft. Run the numbers on the engine before buying to verify this. And, as always, have a Carfax Report and a pre-purchase inspection done by a trusted tech prior to plunking down the cashola. Good luck.
Tom

Robert,
Prolonged use of regular gas in an engine designed to use high-test gas will damage the engine over time. A condition called pre-ignition occurs. When the low octane fuel enters the combustion chamber, it pre-ignites before the top of the compression stroke when ignition is supposed to occur. Pre-ignition damages the tops of pistons, face of cylinder heads, and valves. Advise your girlfriend to run the high test; it’s cheaper than engine repair/replacement.
Tom

Sandi,
It could be rod knock inside the engine or it could be an exhaust leak. Open the hood and locate the origin of the noise. Is it coming from the exterior of the engine or from inside the engine? If it is from the exterior, check the exhaust flange where the pipe connects to the exhaust manifold, and check the exhaust manifold itself. It could be a bad flange seal at the pipe, or a blown manifold gasket, or a cracked manifold. If the noise is coming from the inside of the engine, then I would start with an oil pressure test and proceed from there with partial engine disassembly and inspection. Good luck!
Tom

Buddy,
There’s not much you can do other than appeal to the local Ford Zone Rep. Call Ford customer service and contact the Zone Rep directly, because they have the authority to make a decision. Sometimes they are willing to pay for part of the repair. If you have to pay for it or part of it, then get a couple of estimates for the repair and then make your decision. I think you will find that the dealer offers the cheapest deal and the best warranty. Best to you.
Tom

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

1. Rust-Proofing: Some dealers charge up to $800 for this service, which sometimes amounts to no more than spraying a coating from an aerosol can in the wheel wells.
2. Fabric Protection: For a couple of hundred dollars, some dealers will try to sell you fabric protection for your car’s interior that will repel stains. You know it as Scotchgard.
3. Paint Sealant: This is another instance where the dealership hopes the car buyer will be gullible enough to believe that it’s using some special technique and material that’ll keep your car’s paint looking factory fresh
4. Window Etching: Another easy-money markup for car dealers; they etch your vehicle’s VIN on a window so that your car can allegedly be tracked in case it’s stolen.
5. Alarm System: Many cars come with a basic form of security, such as coded keys, but many dealers will also try to sell you a full-featured alarm system.
6. Extended Warranty: Since vehicles come with longer and more comprehensive warranties these days, extended warranties are usually not worth the extra money. If you plan to hang onto the vehicle for a long time, an extended warranty can be a good investment if and when your car needs major repairs. But don’t buy it from the dealer, since you can often get a better deal through independent insurers, such as Warranty Direct.
7. CD Changer: The price of a CD changer at a dealership can be twice what it is at a car stereo shop or electronics store.
8. Rear-Seat Video: Whether to choose this dealer option is not as easy to decide as the ones above.

Consumer Reports says almost the same thing:

“Dealerships often try to sell you extras that boost their profit margin but are a waste of you money. They can include rustproofing, fabric protection, paint protectant, or VIN etching, in which the vehicle identification number is etched onto the windows to deter thieves. Don’t accept those unnecessary services and fees. If you see those items on the bill of sale and you haven’t agreed to them, simply cross them out and refuse to pay for them. Vehicle bodies are already coated to protect against rust. And recent CR reliability surveys show that rust is not a major problem with modern cars. You can treat upholstery and apply paint protectant yourself with good off-the-shelf products that cost only a few dollars. If you decide you want VIN etching, you can buy a kit to do it yourself for less than $25, instead of the $200 that some dealerships charge. Also think twice about an extended warranty. It can cost hundreds of dollars. But if you buy a model with good reliability or if you expect to have the vehicle only for five years or less, it often isn’t worth the cost.”

Regarding Car Warranties, US News & World Report says:

“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 save yourself some money:

• Skip the rust proofing
• Buy your own can of Scotchguard for your cloth upholstery as well as the carpeting and matting
• Say no to paint sealant which is often just a wax job that you can do yourself or pay the neighbor’s kids to do
• For your alarm upgraded stereo and video systems you can often find a better system cheaper at your local car stereo shop or a big box retailer like Best Buy
• Window Etching – check with your local police or sheriff department – a lot of them hold free etching days like the Amhearst Police Department
• Car Warranty or Vehicle Service Contract – contact Warranty Direct at 800-632-4222 for your best deal on an Auto Warranty

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

The $1,800 extended warranty will end up costing you about $2,650 with a 5 year loan at 8% interest. And, that figure doesn’t even included the commission that you will be paying to the salesman, the finance guy and the dealership for acting as the broker!

The Alternative to High Priced Dealer Sold Extended Warranties.

Buy direct and buy smart. Take advantage of Warranty Direct, offering consumers the same extended warranties sold by dealers without the middleman markup. Even better, you can read the actual warranty contract before you buy. With a track record that is second to none, why not get a free quote today?