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Car Maintenance You Shouldn't Try at Home

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Car Maintenance You Shouldn't Try at Home

In a troubled economy, many people look for ways to cut costs by doing household tasks themselves. Some automotive jobs can be done fairly easily at home, particularly if you know something about cars. However, taking on the wrong job on your own will only cost you more time, stress and money in the long run. My name is Jill, and I want to tell you about which car maintenance tasks you can safely tackle on your own and which really do require some help from a pro. I'll break down the needs of a typical car and tell you exactly why you might need to ask for help sometimes.

Important Things To Know About Car Warranties

5 February 2016
 Categories: Automotive, Blog

When you buy a car, the salesperson will likely offer you a warranty. Some people jump at the chance to get a warranty, while others are skeptical, especially if it costs extra. Before you make the decision, consider the following information about car warranties.

Warranties Are Calculated Based on Mileage or Time Period

The first thing to know about car warranties is that the terms of each warranty can be completely different from the next. It is important to know exactly how long the warranty is going to last. Even if it says three years, this might not actually be three years exactly from the date you purchase the vehicle. This may be an estimate based on the approximate miles your car may travel in a three-year period. It may actually be for a total number of miles, such as 30,000 miles. Make sure you know how long the warranty is going to last and if it is based on miles or a specific time period.

There Are Exclusions

Most car warranties will be very specific with what they will cover and what types of repairs are not permitted under the warranty. It is important that you not choose to pay more for a car warranty assuming it will cover all repairs, then realize a repair due to a theft or vandalism of the vehicle isn't going to be covered. While all car warranties have different exclusions, it is common for the warranty to not cover repairs due to vehicle collisions, crimes, fire, contamination of fluids, and lack of proper maintenance. If you have been negligent by not getting tune-ups or checking the oil regularly, your repair probably won't be covered by the warranty.

You Can Choose Extras in the Warranty

However, if you want certain things to be covered, you might be able to choose a higher level of car warranty that includes these extras. Many car dealerships offer multiple levels of warranties, going from basic to complex. If you know you want to have roadside assistance included in the warranty, let the dealership know and they will inform you of a warranty that includes tire changing or locksmith services. Some other possible extras include collision repairs, drivetrain warranties, and rust or corrosion coverage.

Extended Warranties Can be Purchased at Any Time

While many people think extended warranties can only be purchased at the time of purchasing the vehicle, this is actually a separate warranty from the ones the dealership offers with the purchase. An extended warranty is more like an insurance policy where you can purchase it at any time for any vehicle. It helps to provide coverage just in case unexpected things happen. It also lasts longer than other types of car warranties and often has less exclusions. It is not uncommon for an extended warranty to pay for a locksmith if you are locked out of your car or need rekeying services, or to help tow your car if it breaks down. It also includes more repair services covered than what a standard warranty includes.