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 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.

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

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.

Independent Research Firms

A company’s transparency with their customers is key. During online research, searchers are bound to come across web sites that profess to perform “independent” research, when in actuality they are simply a portal site for an extended auto warranty broker. They’re easy to spot when they conveniently recommend only one “Editor’s Top Choice” throughout the site or blog while claiming to be an independent research firm. Often, these sites print misinformation about other warranty companies in an effort to fool the consumer.

Become a Well Informed Auto Warranty Buyer

WarrantyInfo.com has always clearly stated that we are the official blog of Warranty Direct. We use this blog to give you clear, factual information about extended auto warranties so you, the consumer, will be well informed and able to make the best decision on your extended vehicle warranty purchase.

What You Need is the Truth

We were shocked and dismayed that one new “independent research” site printed several pieces of misinformation about Warranty Direct. One of our loyal customers let us know about a disengenuous site, AutoWarrantyResearch.com. The site states inaccuracies and deceptions that we feel we must respond to.

1. Warranty Direct plans are backed by insurance companies that have A- Excellent ratings with A.M. Best. Warranty Direct is NOT “self-insured” nor are our plans backed by a Risk Retention Group. 
2. Warranty Direct is the direct-to-consumer division of Interstate National Dealer Services, Inc. Interstate has been in business for over 28 years and supplies extended warranties to car dealers, financial institutions and leasing firms across North America.
3. This disingenuous web site links to an erroneous business report about Interstate/Warranty Direct despite being told that it contains errors. While we are a privately held company, our sales last year were well in excess of $100 million and our asset base is in excess of $350 million. Our 28 year track record of paying claims and customer satisfaction are well documented throughout this site.
4. Several of the pages on the WarrantyDirect.com web site have a counter that ticks off the amount of claims we have paid since the inception of our business. Today, it stands at over $600 million and increases by almost $100,000 each day. The “independent research” site would try to have you believe that we are claiming to have paid that amount this year. We find that notion plain silly.

Of course we hope that you’ll decide Warranty Direct is the right company for you. As our customer, we pledge to give you the best value and service in the industry.

Give us a call, we’re happy to answer any of your questions about our coverage, the claims process, etc… You can also get a free extended auto warranty quote on our website at WarrantyDirect.com.

There are many different levels of coverage available.

Exclusionary Warranties – These are the highest level of coverage one can obtain and are often referred to as bumper-to-bumper warranties. Like a new car warranty, they will cover ALL parts of your vehicle except a small list of exclusions. The exclusions are typically for routine maintenance (oil changes, tune-ups), cosmetic items (seat fabric, carpeting, body molding), and consumable items (battery, brake pads, wiper blades). Read the exclusions carefully as they can differ widely among warranty contracts. Some companies will exclude commonly repaired items like stereo systems, oxygen sensors and more.

Named Component Warranties – These types of coverages will provide a list of the parts covered and are available in many different levels. In order to do a proper comparison, you must read the detailed list and not just the system categories. 

Roadside Assistance – Better extended warranties will provide complete roadside assistance membership with each contract. Membership will provide you with 24×7 access to a toll free number to call for help for such things as towing, flat tire assistance, lost key and lockout service, battery jump start, fluid delivery and more. These plans have no deductible and are not tied to covered repairs only.

Lesser warranties provide limited towing benefits (often $50 or $75) that are only available to you for a covered repair. These will require that you arrange for towing on your own and seek reimbursement for the fees you pay.

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.

There are as many variations in warranty contracts as there are models of cars.  If you know where to look, comparing them is quite easy. Never take the marketing hype on a web site or the explanation of a salesperson as to exact coverage details. Read the contract – the devil is in the details.

Definitions…

Each car warranty contract will have a section called “Definitions”. The terms defined here are used throughout the contract. Knowing what they mean and what to look for will allow you to judge the level of coverage offered.

The warranty administrator will be named here; now you know what company to research.

How a contract defines what it will pay for is often found here. Look for the term(s) failure, breakdown or mechanical breakdown. Read these definitions very carefully as they determine the type of coverage you will be receiving.

The broadest and best level of coverage, commonly referred to as wear-and-tear is what you want. Wear-and-tear coverage will often be defined as “a Failure will be deemed to have occurred when a covered part has worn beyond the manufacturer’s tolerances”. Few warranty companies offer wear-and-tear coverage for the full term of the warranty. Some offer no wear-and-tear coverage and others only cover wear-and-tear failures until the odometer reaches 50,000 miles.

Lesser coverages will only pay for mechanical breakdowns. These extended warranties define “mechanical breakdown” as a defect in parts and workmanship as supplied by the manufacturer, or a defect that makes the part unable to perform the function for which it was designed. Often, they will state that the gradual reduction in operating performance (wear-and-tear) is not covered. Service contracts that exclude wear and tear will not cover repairs needed because a part’s performance has gradually deteriorated because of normal wear and tear, unless a mechanical breakdown has occurred. As vehicles age, most repairs fall into this category.

The more miles on a car when a repair becomes necessary, the more likely it is that the repair will be needed because a part wore out, rather than because the part broke due to poor manufacturing.

Terms and Conditions…

Term of contract – Does coverage start the day you buy coverage or the in-service date (the original purchase date of the vehicle)?

Parts and Labor – Does the extended warranty contract restrict payments to national labor guides? If so, plan on sharing in the cost of each repair needed. Does the warranty contract allow the use of new parts or does it call for used and recycled parts? Will diagnostic charges be paid for? What about sales tax?

Deductible – If you select a plan with a deductible, how is it applied? The best extended warranties will apply the deductible on a repair visit basis. In other words, no matter how many items need to be repaired, you will pay only one deductible. Beware of plans where you are required to pay a deductible on each part needed for a repair.

Complaint Resolution – The best extended warranties will offer third party (often the American Arbitration Association) complaint resolution if a dispute can not be handled between you and the warranty administrator.  Beware of warranty contracts that severely limit your rights should a dispute arise. Often, you will be required to handle disputes in the county the warranty company is located in.

Exclusions- It is vitally important to read through the list of excluded items. This is an area where many things can be hidden.

Some companies hide their wear-and-tear exclusion in this section of the contract (i.e. the gradual reduction in operating performance is not covered).

Common parts and repair costs can also be excluded from repairs (CV boots, seals & gaskets, stereo systems and speakers, shop supplies, fluid removal fees, nuts/bolts/fasteners [often a cause of the failure], repairs where a Technical Service Bulletin has been issued,

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.

As more consumers learn that there are alternatives to the high price of dealer sold extended warranties, the number of companies and web sites offering them have exploded. How do you know which companies you can trust? How can you research the companies? What resources are available to you?

Warranty Direct, the oldest and largest provider of direct-to-consumer automobile warranties provides you this comprehensive guide to researching and selecting your warranty provider. We understand how difficult a process this can be. We welcome your phone calls to discuss the issues below in even greater detail.

Warranty Pricing…

A question we are often asked is why there is such a wide range of prices for extended warranties. The best advice we have heard to date is this, “Good extended warranties are not cheap; cheap extended warranties are not good”. As you read this White Paper, you will see the many areas that coverage costs can be lowered. Bear in mind that lower cost coverages cover less and will leave you paying out of pocket on most claims.

The Warranty Company…

Warranty Seller – In most instances, this company is a broker offering coverage(s) from regional, third-party warranty administrators. Once the warranty is sold, you will not deal with the seller again. You want to make sure the warranty seller remits payment to the warranty administrator and your coverage is in force. Warranty brokers typically look for the cheapest coverage available so their markups can be higher. Often, they are not concerned with the quality or level of coverage. As they frequently change the companies they represent, they do not develop long-term business relationships that are most beneficial to consumers.

Few warranty sellers are direct administrators of their warranty coverage. Purchasing direct from an administrator is beneficial because you know where your money is going. You maintain the relationship with the company throughout the life of your extended warranty; in other words, the direct administrator will sell you coverage, provide customer service, offer financing and handle all your claims. Buying direct from an administrator also makes it easier to properly research the company that will be responsible to pay for your repairs over the next 3, 4, 5 years or longer.

Administrator – This is the company that actually issues the warranty and is responsible for paying any claims. This is the company that should come under the closest scrutiny by consumers. Buying coverage direct from an administrator offers the most security as your money goes directly to the company responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the warranty contract. You will also be able to obtain the same coverage they sell through car dealers and avoid the car dealer’s markup. Administrators will offer you pre-sale counseling and after sale support.

There are many warranty administrators (national and regional) with varying business models. You should select a company that offers their coverage through many different channels and not just the Internet. Like insurance companies, the larger the pool of warranty holders, the more likely the company is financially stable and has adequate funds to pay future claims.

Regional warranty administrators tend to be small and have a smaller base of customers. National warranty administrators will offer coverage through car dealers, financial institutions (banks, credit unions) and may even handle warranty programs for manufacturers. With a larger, more diverse customer base, these companies are more financially sound. When a warranty administrator handles coverage for banks, credit unions and manufacturers, you can bet those companies did a lot of research before selecting a warranty partner.

More and more states are regulating the sale of extended warranties. Larger states like California, Florida and New York have licensing requirements and have done the homework for you. If a company is licensed in all of these states, that is a good indication of a stable company and one dedicated to compliance.

Internet Only Warranty Companies – Based on our 14 years of selling coverage direct to consumers on the Internet (and 28 years through car dealers, banks and credit unions), we have seen companies with this business model come and go. While the Internet allows consumers to buy products at more affordable prices than traditional selling channels, companies that only do business on the Internet present a risky business model.

Internet only companies are loosely regulated and some are not regulated at all. As they do not sell through car dealers or other channels, they are able to bypass the regulatory requirements that more and more states are implementing to protect consumers. These regulatory requirements most often deal with the company’s financial health.

By only selling warranties on the Internet, these companies are not able to amass a large customer base and often are not able to set aside appropriate funds to pay future claims. They take in money on Monday to pay claims on Tuesday. Couple this with a lack of regulatory over-sight and you have a recipe for disaster.

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.