Road Service

If you’re dreaming of purchasing a new vehicle, but can’t afford the high payment, you’re in luck.  You can switch out your car without going into debt.  To get more value for your money buy pre-owned.

The second that a new car rolls out of the dealership, it drops in price.  In fact, you will lose around 25 percent of the price of the car in the first year, and the value drops drastically as the years go by.  A rule of thumb for people to consider is that a 3 year-old vehicle is worth half of its sticker price.  So, if you’re considering a vehicle that is a 2010 for $50,000 realize a ’07 is worth $25,000.

Americans trade in their automobiles every 3 years.  Coincidentally, there is a large pool of quality pre-owned vehicles.  There is a great deal of cars with less than 30,000 miles on them that are only two years old.  They are practically new.  This, an auto warranty, and auto road service should eliminate the fear of buying used.

To get the best deal on a pre-owned car, educate yourself.  On the Internet you can find out the worth of a used car, and the cost for a dealer to buy it.  With used cars make sure you purchase used car warranties to protect your car in the event of a breakdown.

It can be tempting to text-message in your car, especially if you’re stuck in traffic.  You assume that there is little risk involved, however, if the person in front of you stops a little faster than you intended, all of a sudden you may find yourself calling your road service program.

Recent studies show that avoiding texting in the car will drastically reduce your chances of getting into a car accident.  In fact, four states are making an attempt to ban driving while texting (DWT).  Washington put a ban earlier in the year on texting while on the road.

Statistics suggest that DWT is a danger that is growing.  In drivers ages 16 and 17, 46% admitted that they have texted while driving.  A study by Nationwide Insurance indicates that DWT is a generational activity.  Out of people ages 18-27, 37% admit to texting while driving, meanwhile, only 14% of 28-44 year olds admit to this.  Also, only 2% of 45-60 year olds said they texted on the road.

Cities around the nation are passing text-message ordinances because of the danger that it poses.  It is best to just refrain from this activity, otherwise you might find yourself calling for emergency roadside assistance.  Drivers should protect themselves by practicing safe driving habits and making sure they have good used car warranties.

Often, drivers who have a big SUV feel a false sense of security.  People feel that just because they are in a large vehicle nothing can happen to them.

Yet, the truth is that SUVs are much more likely to roll in an accident than other cars.  And approximately 35% of fatalities in car accidents occur because of rolling.  Also, it was recently discovered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that the strength of a SUVs roof is directly correlated to the risk of injury to the occupants.  In other words, if a vehicle’s roof is made stronger, it can reduce injuries.

The U.S. government currently requires cars to be able to withstand a force 1.5 times the car’s weight before it reaches 5 inches of crush.  For safety reasons, the government would like to change that to 2.5 times the weight of the vehicle.

Drivers never know if they are going to be involved in a car accident.  Drivers should protect themselves by buying a safe vehicle, having a road service program, and taking safety precautions while driving.

Automakers have been redesigning vehicles so that they are stronger than ever.  They have achieved this by using lightweight materials, allowing cars to be more fuel-efficient. This technology makes vehicles more durable, cutting down on road service calls.  Also, it is saving numerous lives.

The only disadvantage to these new, stronger materials is that rescue workers are having a difficult time cutting into vehicles that are mangled from wrecks.

According to experts and rescue officials around the nation, vehicles designed with safety measures, such as reinforced steel, are creating a challenge for rescue workers to get motorists out of cars.

One answer to this problem is investing in rescue equipment that is better.  Heavy-duty cutters are necessary to release motorists.  A cutter such as this from Hurst costs approximately $25,000.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it is well worth the tradeoff of tougher cars because many lives are saved.  In fact, the rate of fatalities for passenger cars is lower than it has ever been in history.

Most people would agree that shopping for tires is not one of the most fun things to shop for.  Basically, we would just like to find a set of tires that will fit our car and keep us from calling for road service.  Nevertheless, there are a few things that you should be aware of before going tire shopping.

First of all, you should buy new tires.  Saving a few dollars is not worth sacrificing traction and performance.  Your safety should be your first priority, so don’t buy used tires.

Next, you need to know what the factory size of your tires is.  You can find this out by looking on the inside of the door hinge located on the driver’s side.

Do your homework and shop around for good tire deals.  It is easy to make price comparisons online, just make sure you factor in shipping and installation costs.  Tiretrack.com is a good website that has practically every tire and they offer good deals.  Also, you can read reviews from other customers who have bought the tires you plan on buying.

Finally, do some research on different tires before you make a purchase.  All tires aren’t created equal and the expensive ones aren’t necessarily the best.

Although tires aren’t most people’s favorite things to shop for, they are an important part of your car.  Following these tips will allow you to get good tires at a low price.  After all, nobody likes to be stuck with a flat tire calling for emergency roadside assistance.

After a vehicle accident, it is as important to find the right auto body shop, as it is to find the right contractor for home repairs.  You can have your road service program tow your vehicle directly to the repair shop that you choose.

There are over 34,000 auto body shops in the nation, which makes choosing the right one confusing.

Insurance companies often make recommendations, yet drivers are ultimately responsible for choosing the auto body repair shop.  To get the best result, motorists need to find a shop that is trustworthy and does quality work.

The National Auto Body Council and the CBBB have joined to offer consumers some much needed tips on choosing the right auto body shop, finding a deal on a rental car, and settling disputes.

To find a trustworthy repair shop, first inquire about the shop’s qualifications.  You can do this by asking questions about advanced technician training.  There are national organizations that you can find this out from such as I-CAR or ASE certification.

The average car will be worked on for about two weeks, so you will need to find a rental car.  Many times the shop will make arrangements for you if you ask them, or for a few dollars a month you can have a rental covered under your insurance.

Finally, make sure to get everything in writing.  You need an estimate of the price of the repairs to be performed.  Also, reputable shops might offer a warranty on their work.

Many drivers are leery about buying a used car because they are afraid of inheriting old problems that a vehicle may have.  Unfortunately, this instinct is sometimes correct.  If you were considering buying a used car, it would be worth your while to place a call to the Better Business Bureau.

The Better Business Bureau claims they get tons of complaints from drivers who have purchased used cars, just to discover that their car breaks down three weeks later.  Placing this call can keep you from having to call for emergency roadside assistance.

The large amount of consumer complaints has led the Better Business Bureau to make a buyer beware packet and a presentation that will explain things you should know before you buy a car.  Things on the list include buyers’ rights, things you should check out, and things to ask for in writing.  Also, fuel-efficiency should be a consideration when purchasing a pre-owned car because of high fuel prices.

It’s unfortunate that some people experience breakdowns not long after buying a used car.  In order to protect yourself, it is essential that you have a road service program in case of breakdowns.

The heart of the cooling system in a vehicle is the water pump.  It serves the purpose of circulating engine coolant through the entire system, starting with the radiator, then to the engine and back.  The water pump allows you to use air conditioning when it’s hot out.

The vehicle’s engine powers the water pump so that it works correctly.  It uses either a gear and chain system or a belt and pulley.  The pump generates power that goes to a shaft with an impeller.

The impeller circulates the coolant throughout the vehicle.  The impeller can be compared to a propeller that makes a boat move.

The impeller and shaft spin on a sealed bearing.  Checking this part of the water pump is essential because it wears out easily.  You can look for coolant that is leaking and an odd noise.  Also be aware that a wet engine is an indicator that you should replace your water pump.

If you notice any of these signs, it is time to replace your water pump.  Also, it is a good idea to have a road service program just in case of emergencies.  After all, you can’t always foresee when your car will fail you.

Choosing a roadside assistance program that is right for you can be challenging.  Drivers should do their homework and find a company that they feel is reliable and trustworthy.  In addition, motorists should know what services they are paying for.

Recently, a Toyota customer purchased an extended warranty that has free roadside assistance with it.  This is supposed to give drivers help in the event of a breakdown or if they run out of gas.  Unfortunately, this customer ran out of gas on a freeway in Cleveland, but didn’t experience the emergency auto assistance desired.  The rescue driver didn’t even bring the gas initially, he had to run out and get it.  Then, he only put one gallon of gas in the car, when you are entitled to 3 gallons.  The one gallon wouldn’t even start the car, and when asked if he would go get more gas, the driver said, “No. They don’t pay me enough for that.”  Then the driver drove off!

This is a prime example of why people need to feel good about their road service company.  Make sure you know what services you are entitled to, and search the Internet for blogs about various companies.  You can learn a lot by customer comments.

Modern cars provide safety for adults, but it is up to parents to provide the special protection needed for children.  However, there are many different types of Child seats out there today, which can make it confusing for adults to know what to choose for their child.  There are three different types of seats.

Infant car seats are designed to be rear facing.  These seats are for infants that weigh less than 20 pounds and are less than one year old.  One advantage to this seat is that you can unclip it from its base and carry your baby in it.

Convertible seats offer versatility.  These seats can be used with infants that are rear facing, or children less than 40 pounds that are forward facing.  You can purchase these seats in various configurations; so make sure you do your homework to secure your child correctly.  These seats are cost effective because with this type of seat you don’t ever have to purchase an infant seat.

Booster seats are intermediate seats between the infant or convertible seat and a seat belt.  These seats are designed for kids between 40-65 pounds and face forward.  These seats come in low-back and high-back models.  You don’t want to buy a low-back type if you have a child whose head is above the top of the back.

Don’t get overwhelmed with the child safety seat options.  Do your homework so you know what to look at when you go to the store.  It is important for you to be responsible for your child’s safety.  This includes purchasing an appropriate car seat and having a road service program so that you don’t find yourself stranded on the side of the road with your child.