Maintaining Your Vehicle Like New

Remember that old saying, “A stitch in time saves nine?” It doesn’t apply just to clothes. Taking a few minutes regularly to perform some simple maintenance, can keep your car or truck looking and running like new for years. Here’s a quick checklist.

Check the vehicle’s “vital signs” every time you gas up.

When you fill the gas tank, pop the hood and check the levels of oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. You’ll need a paper towel for the oil; most of the others can be checked at a glance in most vehicles. If the vehicle has windshield washer fluid, check that level also.

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Getting the Longest Service Out of Your Vehicle Saves $$$

May 2008

Many people are keeping their cars longer. According to a recent report by the research company R. L. Polk & Co., the median age of operational passenger cars in 2007 was 9.2 years. Take good care of your car or truck and it will give you many years of service. Extra service years can save you money long-term. In the current economic climate, all of us are looking for ways to trim our spending. Here's how to stretch the good life for your wheels.

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Trading Cars? Don't! How to Sell Your Old Vehicle Yourself and Make $$$

Dealerships just love it when you trade in your old vehicle. Why? They give you "wholesale" for it (if you're lucky) then "retail" it to another customer, charging that customer thousands more.

Why should the dealership make that extra money? Why not pocket that money yourself by "retailing" your car to an individual rather than trading it? You may particularly wish to consider selling your vehicle if it's older but nice and reliable. Many people are looking for very affordable, but reliable transportation. So you can take a vehicle that a dealer might give you just a few hundred or thousand for and make more money. Both you and your buyer can come out ahead. Of course, you can also do well selling a newer vehicle.

Tips for Finding an Auto Service Center

Next to a home, automotive vehicles represent the largest expenditure for most consumers. Keeping those vehicles well-maintained and, when necessary, properly repaired can ensure many years of reliable service.

Types of Auto Service Centers

Dealerships. The service centers of new car dealerships provide warranty service and repairs for the models the dealership sells. (Some dealerships may also service other make vehicles.) Positive reasons for choosing a dealership may include: they should be thoroughly familiar with your vehicle, they should offer factory-trained technicians, and original factory (OEM) parts are usually quickly available. Repairs under warranty must usually be performed by an authorized dealership. Most dealerships offer decent guarantees on parts and labor. On average, however, dealerships tend to charge a bit more than other types of service centers.

Pros and Cons of Automotive Extended Warranties, a.k.a Service Contracts

Consumers buying a new or used vehicle at most dealerships will face pressure to purchase an "extended warranty" on that vehicle. Extended warranties are also known as "service contracts." Dealerships like to sell extended warranties because they make good profits for the dealership. But do they make sense for you? And how do you use one, if you already purchased it?

What are "automotive extended warranties"?

In simple terms, they are service contracts with a warranty company that agree to provide, under certain conditions, certain repair services for a certain period of time from an identified provider. As you might assume from the very general terms of this definition, the provisions and quality of extended warranties can vary greatly. Some are provided by national manufacturers or companies who stand behind their agreement; others are provided by fly-by-night companies based in states with weak consumer protection laws—companies that often take the money and fold before consumers can make many claims against their "warranty." As a consequence, consumers must examine any contract carefully and look at all the pros and cons for their individual situation.

Auto Contracts Requiring Mandatory Binding Arbitration Limit Consumer Rights

More and more automobile dealerships across the country are adding mandatory binding arbitration clauses to contracts for new and used vehicles as well as to financing contracts. By signing the contract, the consumer is agreeing to binding arbitration to settle any future dispute and also waiving the right to sue or appeal—even if the dealership committed fraud.

Although voluntary arbitration can be a good tool for some disputes, mandatory, pre-dispute arbitration poses several real dangers to consumers. In fact, the dealers must agree it poses dangers—after all, they fought hard for a federal law that prohibits automotive manufacturers from requiring dealers to accept mandatory binding arbitration in contracts between the manufacturers and dealers!

Money-Saving Tips to Lower Your Auto and Gas Costs

As if the economic times haven't been tough enough, gasoline prices hit record highs in recent months. Even a few extra cents a gallon can add up quickly into lots of dollars. But, with some attention to the following tips, you can keep your costs for gasoline and for operating your vehicle as low as possible.

Saving on gasoline

No matter whether you drive a compact that averages 30 mpg or a SUV that averages 13 mpg, you can cut gasoline costs by paying attention to where you buy gas, how you maintain your vehicle, and how you drive it.

Why Not Buy a Car on eBay or Another Online Auction Site?

August 2007

eBay has become the gorilla of vehicle sales virtually overnight—they’ve facilitated over two million vehicle sales since starting their program. What’s not to like about that?

A lot of things. Before you even head to the eBay site to simply poke around, think about this:

• When you buy on eBay, you’re typically buying “sight-unseen.”
• You usually don’t get to drive the vehicle.
• You’re typically buying from total strangers, and they are usually far away.

Thinking of Donating Your Used Vehicle to Charity?

December 2006

Dozens of radio and TV ads from many different charities are currently flooding the airwaves suggesting that you donate your used car or boat. Are you considering it? If so, then you need to know how the 2005 changes in IRS rules might affect the tax deductibility of your gift. You also need to know how to check out the charity you're considering. This month's review will help you do these things wisely. Planning to donate to a charity but not necessarily a vehicle? You'll want to read this review too. I'm going to start with the most important thing—how to check out the charity so that you know your dollars will go where you want them to. Then, I'll share the technical details about vehicle donation.

Take Five Steps to Save BEFORE You Shop for a New Vehicle

July 2006

Yes, you read that headline correctly. If you are thinking of buying a new or used vehicle and you want to save money, I recommend first taking five steps before you even think of heading to a dealership showroom or website to shop. When many of us feel that first itch for a new vehicle, we think first about dropping by a dealership to browse—look at a few models, lift a few hoods, check out a few prices. Not a great idea—dealerships love to see innocent browsers pull on to the lot. Or maybe, you just like to cruise the local dealership websites. That's a better idea, but still not one designed to save you money or to really help you find the right car for you and your family. Instead, when that itch strikes, stop and take these five steps. Your wallet will thank you.

Energy Conservation Moves that Could Save You Money at Tax Time

January 2006

With the big spike in gas prices in the autumn and higher winter heating costs predicted for the rest of this winter, consumers everywhere are looking for ways to save on energy costs. In past reviews, I've offered you tips for saving on fuel costs. Now thanks to some old and new tax incentives, you may also be able to benefit from specific tax deductions or credits for purchasing "clean-fuel" vehicles or taking certain energy conservation measures at home.

An Oasis Amidst All The Hype

Auto Dealership Pressure on Customers Never Goes Away

February/March 2005

Here’s a piece of StraightTalk: Stop right now if you’re thinking about buying or financing a vehicle. More than ever, everything in the car business has become negotiable: the price of the car; the price of the loan; the value of your car; the cost of “add-ons” — even the cost of insurance or service agreements. Quite frankly, you can’t relax for a minute if you want the best deal or the best vehicle.

That’s why we want you to stop and visit StraightTalk before you start the car buying process.

Ten Tips for Getting Good Automotive Service

May 2004

Consumer Affairs agencies across the country get more complaints about poor auto repair service than almost any other area. Repair services and the skills of mechanics can vary widely. But in addition to selecting a service center wisely (see StraightTalk tips), using these ten tips can help you get satisfactory results working with automotive service centers and technicians.

Car Shopping? Consider the Cost to Insure and Drive That New Vehicle

April 2004

If you're in the market for a new or used car, then you're probably spending a good bit of time trying to discover what vehicle's right for you. If you're shopping the StraightTalk way, then you've figured what you can afford to purchase and are previewing models and makes in your price range in the ads, on the Internet, and down at the dealerships. In the shopping excitement, however, many buyers overlook one crucial question: Can you afford to drive the vehicle after you bring it home?

Would it surprise you to know that even if you are looking at two vehicles in the same class—say two compact pickups, midsize sedans, or minivans—that the cost to own the two similar vehicles can vary widely. Smart buyers will check out the cost to own and operate that great set of wheels. You'll need to consider these factors.