Buying a new car involves making several decisions, some of which can be expensive. But just when you think you’ve picked the right make, model, color, and options and researched pricing, a prominent decision still remains: whether to buy an extended warranty or not. (Chrysler helped make the decision for its customers, unveiling a new 7-Year/70,000-Mile Limited Powertrain Warranty to motivate buyers to its dealerships.)Extended warranties are available for both new and sometimes late-model used vehicles. These policies’ value depends on numerous variables. We’ll briefly sort through some of the major concerns here News source: Autos AOL Beyond BasicAnyone who buys a new vehicle will likely be offered an extended warranty during the paperwork portion of the purchase process. Ideally, your new-car research should anticipate this so you’ll know 1) whether you want the warranty and 2) if so, the type of coverage and from whom.More Autos StoriesOther auto articlesfrom Automedia.com:2007 Toyota Camry Gas Saving Tips College and Auto Insurance Aftermarket Vs. OEM Warranties Extended warranties aren’t for everyone. First, consider how long you’ll likely own the vehicle. If you’re doing a 3-year lease, the regular manufacturer’s warranty will likely cover the major parts, so the extended warranty might be a waste of money. Similarly, if you get a new car every three to five years, balance the cost of an out-of-warranty repair against the price of the extended coverage.Which leads to the next topic: Research the reliability record of the vehicle you intend to purchase. For example, if the car has a history of transmission problems, then a single beyond-warranty major repair could exceed the cost of the extended coverage. On the other hand, models that have good reputations for enduring reliability might not need the extended coverage if they’ll be traded in on a new car shortly after their basic warranty period expires. Several web sites list recall and service-bulletin information to help assess a given model’s reliability.OEM or IndependentIf you plan to keep the new vehicle for a number of years and are seriously considering the peace of mind provided by an extended warranty, realize that the coverage doesn’t have to be purchased from the same dealer where you buy your car — or even at the same time you sign the papers. Remember, this coverage kicks in after the manufacturer’s warranty expires, so don’t feel pressured into buying something that you wouldn’t use for three or more years anyway. In fact, extended warranties can often be purchased within 24 months or 24,000 miles at no additional surcharge.Also, dealers set their own prices on everything, including extended warranties. Although the dealer might push an “aftermarket” warranty that’s underwritten by an independent company (because the dealership likely makes the highest commission on this policy), it should also offer a factory-backed warranty. If the dealership claims to have no knowledge of the automaker’s “extended service plan,” remember that the only advantage to buying the coverage at the same time as the car is that the price can be added into the financing. Another dealership will probably be happy to sell you the automaker’s extended coverage.New CarsPowered by Get multiple dealer quotes Select Make Select Model ZIP Generally, the factory-backed extended warranty has fewer restrictions than an aftermarket one. For example, the factory policy might allow service at any of its dealerships while the aftermarket one might stipulate that repairs can only be done at the dealership who sold you the car (or the extended-coverage policy). Also, the factory and its dealers already have business relationships that include reimbursement for warranty work. An aftermarket policy might require that the failure be inspected and approved before service can be authorized. Or, the customer might have to front the entire repair bill, then get reimbursed by the insurer (less the deductible) once it’s satisfied that the claim meets all of the policy’s criteria. Incidentally, independent insurers can be researched at A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. Companies that have less than an “A” rating often have inferior claims-resolution records. Internet research will also provide an idea of the cost of various extended-warranty policies.In a nutshell, an extended warranty shares many similar components with a car-insurance policy. Make sure to read all of the fine print. For example, deductibles might either be applied per visit or per repair. This means that if multiple problems are solved in one session, you pay the deductible only once under per-visit coverage; if air conditioning and the transmission are fixed during the same visit, you still pay two deductibles under a per-repair policy.Know what parts are covered and under what conditions. Competent home mechanics may want to save a few dollars by buying extended coverage for major powertrain components only and fixing any minor problems themselves. Extended-coverage policies might also address the circumstances under which the problem occurred. “Breakdown” failures might be covered but not problems that resulted from normal wear and tear. Some policies might also stipulate that manufacturer-recommended service intervals be documented for the claim to be honored. If this is the case, save all service records and even parts-store receipts if you decide to change your own oil or perform other routine maintenance yourself.But wait, there’s still more: For one, the terms of the policy might differ based on time and mileage. If you figuratively live in your car, opt for a policy that covers fewer months but more miles. Other features can include emergency towing, reimbursement for some costs if stranded away from home, transferability should you decide to sell the car and even partial or full reimbursement if you never use the coverage. In general, the better the coverage and lower the deductible, the more expensive the policy.So forewarned is forearmed, both when buying a new vehicle and an extended warranty. Just remember that everything is negotiable at a car dealership. If you want extended coverage and identify the policy that suits your projected needs, haggle the actual cost of the premium — don’t be smoke-and-mirrored by the “few extra bucks” it’ll add to the monthly payment. Also remember that the dealership is trying to make as much money as possible. Its first offer is seldom its best. As the consumer, you should ultimately control what best suits your needs.

It doesn’t matter how good your used car warranty may be, maintaining your car properly just simply has to be the first rule of the road. It’s preferable never to see the inside of a car repair shop, warranty or not.You were admonished in the fall about winter prep. Well, cars need some spring cleaning too.Car Max provides the following tips.1. Take your car to an automatic car wash that has an under-carriage wash. This can help remove corrosive residues left behind by winter road treatments used to melt ice and snow.2. Wash and wax your car. The wax will protect the paint from damaging UV rays.3. Change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles, and have the air filter and PCV valve checked and replaced if needed. Winter temperatures can cause the formation of harmful condensation and acids in the engine oil.4. Have a qualified automotive technician check the following:The condition of the engine coolant, belts, and hoses; hoses deteriorate from the inside out and summer driving gives your cooling system a workout. All the lights and lenses for cracks; you should also replace wiper blades each spring and fall to ensure optimum visibility in all weather conditions. The tires for any abnormalities; the tire pressure should also be set at the level specified for your vehicle. All the wheels and inspect the brakes thoroughly; during this process, it is also a good idea to have the tires rotated. Your vehicle’s steering and suspension for loose, worn, or damaged components often caused by potholes and other road irregularities. The air conditioner now so you can avoid the wait if you need to have it repaired during the summer. 5. Have your vehicle diagnosed by an automotive professional if the engine is not running smoothly or any other conditions arise. Preventive measures can help extend the life of your vehicle and improve gas mileage. News source: Auto Warranty

While much of the auto world concentrates on the fate of Chrysler, half a world away from Auburn Hills, Mich., China has taken another step toward becoming a global automaker.On Tuesday, Nanjing Automobile Group, on the occasion of its 60th birthday, announced it had started local production of two MG cars: the MG 7, a midsized sedan, and the MG TF, a two-seat convertible. State-owned Nanjing Auto bought the storied MG brand name and production lines for £53 million at the fire sale of the bankrupt MG Rover in 2005 (see “MG Overtaken By China”). The first “made in China” MG TF was painted British racing green. Initial sales will be focused on China, where the market is dominated by Japanese and German models.Both Nanjing Auto, China’s oldest automaker, and the rival it beat out for MG Rover–the bigger Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., which owns the rights to sell the two main Rover models in China–made no bones at the time about the fact that buying MG Rover was a way for them to start fulfilling their ambitions in the global car market.Last year, Nanjing Auto said it would join with two U.S. investment funds to build vehicles under the storied British marque MG at a new plant in Oklahoma. It would be the first Chinese carmaker to open a factory in the U.S. It expects to start producing a coupe in Oklahoma that would sell for up to $20,000 in late 2008. (See “China Plans An American Coupe.”)Nanjing Auto also plans from May to build a convertible version of its coupe at the Longbridge plant it acquired in the U.K., as well as ship some Nanjing-built vehicles back in kit form for final assembly and sale in the U.K. The MG Rover assets give Nanjing Auto the capacity to make 200,000 cars, 250,000 engines and 100,000 gearboxes a year.For all their ambition to be global players, these are still early days for China’s carmakers. The country became a net exporter of cars only in 2005, and export volumes last year were less than 300,000 vehicles. News source: Forbes.com

Finally a list fo sources for wheel repair they are not cheap but neither are new wheels or some are no longer available[url”>http://www.automedia.com/Aluminum/Wheel/Repair

Antifreeze or for that matter all fluids. Use ONLY THE RECOMMENDED fluids for replacement or topping off. The only exception would be GM lifetime apparently it works fine unless you have a low coolant issue then it causes a fine powder to form on certain metals and this in turn will plug some parts of the HVAC system. So I would top it off with GM but for replacement I would use a suitable replacement IE good old green.There are a number of new vehicles and innovations coming out and it seems as if each has its own quirks. also do believe the pitch that if you add an additive to a fluid it will replace the correct one this usually does not save any $ and also does not work have seen numerous claims about Chrysler trans fluid lately and they do not work. More on additives later.

Last year we discussed a few ways to avoid the mechanic by completing your own simple auto maintenence. Today, MSN in Seattle adds 20 ways to waste money on your car.Can you add to to this list. To me it’s pretty good.Premium gas instead of regular. Buy the cheapest Fuel that doesn’t make your car engine knock. All octane does is prevent knock; a grade higher than the maker of your car recommends is not a “treat.”3,000-mile oil changesTaking false economies. Better to replace a timing belt on the manufacturer’s schedule than to have it break somewhere in western NebraskaUsing the dealer’s maintenance schedule instead of the factory’sUsing a dealer for major services. Independent shops almost always will do the same work much cheaperUsing a dealer for oil changesNot replacing your air filter and wiper blades yourselfGoing to any old repair shopChanging your antifreeze every winterReplacing tires when you should be replacing shocksLetting a brake squeal turn into a brake jobNot complaining when your warranty claim is rejected Not keeping recordsBuying an extended warrantyOverinsuring. Never skimp on liability, but why buy collision and comprehensive insurance on a junker you can probably afford to replace?Assuming the problem is majorNot changing the fuel filterNot knowing how to change a tire. Have you even looked at your spare?Not keeping your tires properly inflatedCar washesI personally agree with all of these. If you don’t let us know. For some reason auto maintenance myths always bring out the aggression in people. News source: dumblittleman

If you take your car to a shop for a routine oil change you have a high probability of being told your car needs one or more of its critical fluids flushed, changed or serviced. This started originally at the quick-lube shops and spread to the whole auto repair industry, including the dealers.Part of the reason is technology. New machines have made it possible in most cases to change the fluids quickly and easily, or so the sellers of the machines say. But the real driving force is profitability.Today I’m changing a timing belt and water pump on a Dodge Caravan. It will take all of five hours of bay time, a lot of parts and a lot of potential liability. In half the time I could do a series of flushes with little effort or liability and make much more profit. Since most people, mechanics and shop owners included, respond to economic incentives, it is coming to pass that every car going to every shop needs every fluid flushed every day.In short, what is really being flushed is your wallet. It is straining the credibility of an industry that rightly or wrongly has always had credibility problems News source: AOL Autos The Four FlushesOld-timers from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s always knew it was a good idea to periodically drain the radiator, put a bottle of flush chemical and water in, run it a half-hour then wash it out again with plain water before refilling it with the proper mix of antifreeze and distilled water. Or if you wanted to do a really nice job you could cut one of those plastic flush tees from a Prestone flush kit into the heater hose, allowing you to hook a garden hose up and run a continuous flush.Now these old-timers are being told their transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and who knows what else must be flushed on a yearly, monthly, or even daily regimen. Strangely, their ’77 Olds Cutlass managed to run 180,000 miles without all this attention.Now don’t get me wrong. I am in favor of changing most fluids at 30, 60, and 90,000-mile intervals, regardless of what the owner’s manual says. But that is not what’s happening. These services are being oversold to a degree that is bound to damage the reputation of our industry to the net result that consumers will not believe any of us, even when we are telling the truth.The RundownLet’s start with the automatic transmission — the most frequently flushed fluid besides the radiator. The advent of the transmission fluid exchange machine was a great step. In the past, automatic transmission fluid could only be changed by removing the transmission oil pan, which only holds three to six of the eight to 10 quarts in the transmission. The second you started the car, the new fluid mixed with the old, eliminating much of the benefit of the service.The fluid exchange machine, which some people choose to call a flush machine, cuts into the transmission cooler line at the radiator. As the car runs, old fluid goes out into the waste tank while new fluid is simultaneously pumped in. If the shop is really thorough, the car is lifted and actually driven through all the gears while the exchange is taking place. And if the service is done properly, the transmission oil pan still has to be removed and cleaned and the filter replaced — a solid hour and a half of work. So if a quick-lube shop is offering it to you in 35 minutes, something’s not being done.Now, as to checking the dipstick for color or smell to determine if your fluid needs to be changed: At the extremes (not changed for 100,000 miles or changed yesterday), you can tell. But as far as whether it was changed 3,000 miles ago or 20,000 miles ago, no one can know, and if they say they can, they are lying.Power steering fluid in general is not listed in most maintenance schedules as needing periodic replacement, although there are some exceptions. But we have a machine for that now too, so expect to be told you need your power steering fluid flushed. Look, if every three to five years (45,000 to 60,000 miles) you change your power steering fluid, that’s not a bad idea. And replacing it with synthetic fluid, if allowable, is even better. But you certainly don’t need to do it yearly or even every two years.Brake fluid lives in a sealed environment because exposure to moisture will ruin it. No one ever dreamed of messing with it until Hondas became popular, and Honda for some reason does call for brake fluid replacement. Now we have (you guessed it), a brake fluid flush machine. If your factory manual calls for it, by all means, change your brake fluid. Other than that, leave it alone unless you are having brake repairs done, in which case changing it may not only make sense but be necessary if the hydraulic system has been compromised.It is not enough that you are changing your oil every 3,000 miles. Now when you go for your oil change they want to hook up a motor flush machine to clean your oil system out. Strange, my ’63 Valiant didn’t need that. Look, this goes under the category “If you need it, it won’t help” — and thus sales are being encouraged on vehicles that really don’t need it. If an oil system is dirty enough to have deposits of sludge forming, you’re only going to get the sludge out by removing the valve covers and oil pan and scraping it out. Any stirring up of the stuff without removing it is likely to do more harm than good.Stocking StuffersI had an oil-change guy who lasted about a month. Every time a truck or sport-utility vehicle came in (the only vehicles left with a classic differential), he would call me over, waving his finger at me after having dipped it in the differential oil, saying “it needs a differential service,” as if he who barely knew how to open a hood would know. Evidently it was a service heavily pushed at his last place of employ.Autos Article Archive On a military 6×6 doing heavy duty in Iraq, differential oil needs constant attention. On a domestic SUV whose only off-road experience is driving onto the grass at the soccer field, just follow the owner’s manual or change the fluid every 60,000 miles. The exception would be if you tow things or if you submerge the differential by backing a boat into the water.Oh, and the transfer case fluid need only be changed at the required mileage or 60,000 miles.Avoid the Wallet FlushThe easiest way to avoid having your wallet flushed is to try to stay with one shop that you trust, and keep good records. Now I know that even my best customers occasionally go elsewhere for an oil change when my shop is not convenient. So if you find yourself in a strange shop being told that the very lives of your children depend on your getting a particular service at that moment, just walk away.Well, actually, that would be a tough one. But a new customer is often viewed as fresh meat, since all their existing customers have been flushed into the next galaxy. The harder the sell, the more you must resist. And believe me, the sell can be pretty rough. They can come at you with test tubes of fluid samples, and with pH strips whose color change indicates you are seconds from disaster (all provided by the flush machine manufacturers). Even my sister-in-law, whose toughness and command of Arabic swear words sent Egyptian border guards scurrying for cover, succumbed once.And to the people in my industry, the owners and shop managers, I say, “What is it going to take? Another ’60 Minutes’ or ‘Nightline’ exposé where they go shop to shop and find out how many flushes they need after chemically certifying the fluids as new? Do you know how tough business is gonna be after that happens? Try thinking a little farther ahead than next week’s bonus check.”

When General Motors unveiled its new Buick Enclave crossover SUV to the media in Pasadena, Calif., last month, it did so with the help of one of the biggest American sports stars.Golfer Tiger Woods made all the right noises about the new luxury vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show, calling it “stylish” and “elegant.” But the future of GM’s 103-year-old brand may hinge not on the face of an iconic sportsman but because of China, which this year will pass Japan as the world’s second-largest vehicle market after the United States.This year, the Buick brand looks set to sell more cars in that country than in the United States, according to Automotive News. News source: MSNBC The industry publication calculates that Buick sold 206,582 vehicles in the United States in the first 10 months of this year, down 15.4 percent from the same period of 2005. During the same period, Buick sold 218,603 vehicles in China, an increase of 27.4 percent. Why the Chinese interest in Buick? While it has seen its status fade here in the United States, the longstanding American brand has never lost its reputation in China. And GM has managed to build on that status, selling vehicles under four major brands – Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and Saab – through Shanghai General Motors, a joint venture between GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry.The Sino-U.S. joint venture sells Buicks such as the LaCrosse, the Excelle and the GL8 to Chinese consumers, and it has overtaken German rival Volkswagen AG to become the top automaker in China in 2006, where it has 13 percent of the market. China is now GM’s biggest market after the United States.The growth comes as GM focuses intently on the growing Chinese market, investing $3 billion over four years ending in 2007, building a network of dealerships and factories.The thinking is that as GM works to revive its flagging business, which posted a worldwide loss of $10.6 billion for 2005, the booming Chinese economy is a significant new source of revenue that can provide the company with the sort of strong growth that isn’t found in the United States or other Western markets.Automotive analysts have long said that big U.S. automakers like GM have too many brands to support. Two years ago, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz unforgettably described Buick and its sister brand Pontiac as “damaged,” triggering speculation that they would soon be killed off.Yet both Buick and Pontiac have endured, even though their U.S. sales have lagged in recent years as Japanese and Korean automakers have chalked up significant market share gains. In the face of such fierce competition, many have questioned whether these brands – and others like GM’s Saturn brand and Ford’s Mercury nameplate – can survive in the long term.GM is working to reverse the staid, old-fashioned aura that surrounds its Buick, Pontiac and GMC brands in the United States through an aggressive restructuring campaign, consolidating dealer networks and focusing on fewer models, making Pontiac its sporty car line, GMC a truck product and Buick a more upscale brand.The Enclave, which will hit dealerships in late spring or early summer, follows the new GMC Acadia crossover, which is now on sale. Both are based on a unibody platform, offering a smoother ride and better fuel economy than the body-on-frame construction of older SUVs.

Top 10 Fastest Cars of 20061. 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 2. 2006 Saleen S73. 2006 Ford GT4. 2007 Lamborghini Murciélago LP6405. 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo6. 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano7. 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z068. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren9. 2006 Dodge Viper SRT 10 Coupe10. 2006 Ferrari F430 Spider News source: Autos AOL

Gassing up your car is about to take on a new meaning.Fill your tires with pure nitrogen and you’ll get better gas mileage, advocates of the practice say. Your tires will be safer, and they’ll last longer.A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that makes up about 78 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere, nitrogen could cost you as much as $10 a tire. But what you save on gas, tire replacement and peace of mind will make up the difference, according to the pitch.Already, retailers like Costco and Olin Mott stores offer nitrogen, and Pep Boys has test-marketed it.Starting Saturday, buyers of all new cars sold at select Crown dealerships in the Tampa Bay area will find their tires filled with nitrogen. Eventually, all 13 dealerships will offer it.The thinking is that nitrogen’s larger molecules prevent it from seeping out of a tire as quickly as air. So inflating tires with nearly pure nitrogen – which has been done for years in race cars, commercial airliners and long-distance trucks – allows them to retain correct pressure longer. News source: SP Times Pressure is vital because a properly inflated tire is a safer, more efficient tire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says most drivers can improve gas mileage by nearly 3 percent by keeping their vehicle tires within the recommended pressure range. The government also estimates the nation loses more than 2 million gallons of gas every day due to underinflated tires.Enter nitrogen. Chemical No. 7 on your periodic chart of the elements. At anywhere from $2 to $10 per tire.Besides attracting customers and addressing safety concerns, it’s a way to fight inflation. Or rather, the lack of it, said Jim Myers, Crown’s chief operating officer.”The whole theory is that air bleeds through the tire slowly,” Myers said. “And if someone isn’t diligent, any tire will lose air over time. But because of nitrogen’s properties, that doesn’t happen as quickly.”Myers said Crown will also offer to replace air with nitrogen on any vehicle for $39.What happens if tire pressure drops and the driver is not near a garage or tire store that sells nitrogen?Topping off with compressed air won’t hurt, tire experts say, and the tire can be purged and refilled with nitrogen later.So should motorists feel … pressured to put nitrogen in their tires?”It sounds like it has mostly positive points,” said Randy Bly, director of community relations for AAA Auto Club South in Tampa. “Nitrogen helps keep tires cooler under open highway conditions, and it’s less likely to leak out, so that would help with fuel mileage.”The only negative would be the cost. But it may well be worth it.”Nitrogen-filled tires stay inflated about three times as long as than air-filled tires, advocates say, and while a typical tire inflated with compressed air might lose 2.7 pounds of pressure monthly, one filled with nitrogen loses 0.7 pound.But Jim Davis, public relations manager for Goodyear Tire and Rubber, says replacing air with nitrogen is “a tough call.””The objective is to have the correct air pressure,” Davis said. “And over time, minute amounts of air do leak out.”There is no harm to the tire from using regular air. But we urge people to check their tires monthly.”What happens, Davis said, is that decreased air pressure flattens a tire, creating more surface area between the tire and the road. That added friction can make the engine work harder and cause tires to overheat, possibly leading to a blowout.”More tire surface means it takes more power to roll that tire,” Davis said. “A correctly inflated tire is going to roll more easily.”Checking tires for correct pressure also has a side benefit.”When you’re down there, look at the tires,” Davis said. “You may notice a nail or tread that is wearing abnormally, and you can catch it before the problem becomes worse.”At least one tire manufacturer is even more skeptical about the advantages of nitrogen in the family car.Michelin officials recommend nitrogen only for tires used “in a high risk environment and/or when the user wants to reduce the consequences of a potential abnormal overheating of the tire-wheel assembly (for example in some aircraft applications),” according to a company statement.But for all other tires in normal use, nitrogen “is not required and does not necessarily bring the expected benefit.”It is true that the physical properties of nitrogen reduce the pressure loss due to the natural permeability of the materials of the tire and thus the broad use of nitrogen will in general assist motorists with pressure maintenance.”Nevertheless, the existence of several other possible sources of leaks (tire/rim interface, valve, valve/rim interface and the wheel) prevents the guarantee of better pressure maintenance for individuals using nitrogen inflation.”So we can save the expense if we just check our tires regularly.The trouble is, we don’t.As recently as two years ago, government and tire industry surveys showed close to 30 percent of cars, vans, pickups and SUVs on the road had at least one tire that was substantially underinflated, at least 8 psi below the recommended minimum pressure.But high gas prices and consumer education may be cutting into that number. According to a survey by Uniroyal Tire in mid August, nearly 50 percent of Americans said they are now checking the air pressure in their tires once a month.Still, that leaves millions of unchecked tires.”Most people don’t take care of their tires on a regular basis,” said Dave Zielasko, editor and publisher of Tire Business , an Akron, Ohio, trade publication. “Tires are one of the most underappreciated part of the vehicle. People take them for granted. But the reality is they do need to be checked.”Remember, it’s the only part of the vehicle that touches the road.”