Will Warrantywise Cover Worn Parts?

January 13, 2012 by Admin LKF · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Insurance, Used Auto Parts 

In the United States there was an extremely popular television show in the 1950’s called ”The $64,000 Question” which then became an idiomatic answer to any question with problematic or multi-tiered answers. If the question “Will Warrantywise cover worn parts?” had been asked in the United States, the answer would have been, “That’s the $64,000 question.” However, here in the UK it is sufficient to say “Some are and some aren’t, depending on the level of cover and any special options chosen when purchasing cover.”

As a general rule of thumb, any part that is at or nearing its useful lifespan will most often not be covered but that isn’t exactly the whole answer either. It depends on the level of cover and whether or not that worn part causes a vehicle to fail the MOT testing. If a Mazda Warranty is purchased with optional MOT cover, and the part that fails is covered by the MOT plan, then it doesn’t matter if it is worn or not – it will be covered. This is why it is so vitally important to carefully consider both the level of cover and the optional cover available for any given vehicle.

A Honda Warranty, for example, can be offered under Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze plans. Each of those levels provides pre-specified cover for mechanical, electrical and electronic breakdowns or failures. Even so, keep in mind that any warranty company would go broke providing cover on worn parts that are beyond their useful lifespan, which is why in many cases they are not covered.

Even a Platinum Lexus Warranty would not cover worn parts but a Lexus Warranty with optional (at extra cost) MOT plan would most often cover the part that caused the failure as well as covering the cost of re-testing. The point is, choose your cover wisely based on the year, make and model of the vehicle as well as in terms of what you can afford within your budget. When purchasing a used vehicle, things are bound to fail so it is always safest to get the broadest cover within your budget.

Sim Card Contracts

August 23, 2011 by Admin JHS · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Auto Parts 

This is a guest post from the folks at www.simsonlydeals.co.uk/ which looks at sim only issues. Whilst we usually blog about car and vehicle related issues we thought that as all vehicle drivers and people generally use mobile phones that this would be an informative post that our readers would find useful.

Sim Card Contracts

There are two main types of sim card plans available in the UK. Let us take a look first at the monthly contract option. With a monthly contract you are locked into a certain amount of minutes with a set payment per month. If you go over those minutes you are charged for the additional minutes. The contract is usually set up on a yearly basis, though you may find something for six months to 24 months. A contract is often cheaper per minute because the company knows you are in a contract and will have to pay the amount or pay for breaking the contract. In either case the phone service provider gets the money for the contract. It is the least flexible option when you are changing providers, but keeping your phone.

Pay as you go options with SIM only deals are highly flexible. They make the most sense if you have yet to find a phone service provider that you are happy with. A pay as you go sim only plan provides you with a set amount of minutes for 30 days of use. You can use the minutes up before 30 days and purchase more for an additional 30 days. However, you cannot let the pay as you go minutes lapse beyond 30 days as you will lose them with most phone providers.

Since you pay in advance for the minutes, the phone will not allow you to make a call unless you pay for a new plan or pay for the amount of minutes you feel you will use. You are not locked into a contract with the provider. Instead, you are sent a SIM card for that provider which you put in the phone and then use the minutes. At the end when all the minutes have been used you can switch providers.

Even if you are happy with the phone provider it can make sense to stay on a pay as you go plan. Often times with SIM only deals you get to take advantage of special promotions. In other words, you may spend less on pay as you go plans because of the special deals available. One month you may go with Vodafone, but in the next month Orange may have a better SIM only plan.

This is why you should compare the available options out there in order to determine what is best for you. If you are searching for the perfect mobile phone provider checking out each one with a SIM only deal and then signing a contract is still an option.

In Car Entertainment Essentials

July 8, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Interior Car Parts 

These days it’s no longer just about getting from A to B, but how you do it. With the lastest audio technology there are great ways to improve the journey for you and your passengers. Adrian Flux Insurance Services have come up with the top must-haves in the way of in car entertainment this summer.

  • Car head unit. If you want to listen to music you must have a decent radio and CD player to appreciate modern recording techniques. Over at Car Audio Centre there is a great selection of head units – whether you want to be able to play cds, mp3 CDs or just listen to the radio then you will find what you are looking for here. There are also head units available that enable you to directly connect your MP3 player, iPod or Laptop.
  • iPod and MP3 players. Or if your head unit doesn’t have direct connections for your iPod or MP3 player then you can buy special adapters so you can still listen to your favourite playlists where ever you are. Over at Dynamic Sounds they have an extensive range of adapters for many different car models to ensure that you get the right one.
  • Speakers. Of course no head unit is complete without a quality set of speakers to accompany it. Bass Junkies have a great selection of speakers, amplifiers and sub woofers. Or if you fancy letting someone else do the hard work then Ice Beat do the lot – they design and make customised boot builds, and even install it all for you.
  • Audio Visual. An audio visual unit has many different functions, such as to see what songs are playing, to allow passengers to watch dvds or to be used as a Sat Nav. Of course safety is an important aspect of all these clever bits of gear so choosing a handsfree unit is also advisable. You can go one step further by kitting out your car with DVD headrests to keep the passengers in the back happy on longer journeys.
  • And something extra. To gain a rep for having the coolest car to travel in, there is a package available from In Car Electronix  that allows your passengers to play their favourite games on the PS3 while on the move.

For safety it is important to remember that unless the accessories are handsfree, they should only be operated by the passenger, or by the driver when the car is stationary.

It is also worth checking what your car insurance will cover you for in terms of in car entertainment and you should inform them of any modifications you make. If you dont declare them and you have to make a claim your insurance company may not pay up as you wont be covered.

Racing Games of Years Gone By

June 30, 2011 by Admin 4 · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Auto Parts 

If you’re an avid gamer, you’ll definitely have a favourite car racing game. For the more old school gamer, it might be something from way back when, and for the younger gamer, it will probably be something a bit more recent.

Who remembers Ridge Racer on the PlayStation? This was actually the first game to come out on the original PlayStation, and boy it was good. If you were to look back at it now, the graphics would seem a little primitive but, come on it was 1993!

Need for Speed will go down as an all time classic. They are still being made today and there are all sorts of variants of the game. As with many modern racing games there is an ‘underground’ version, inspired by the Fast and Furious movies. They are always great fun and the gameplay, particularly on the more recent versions, is superb.

Gran Tourismo is another racing game that first came about many years ago, but continues to be successful today. This is one of the more realistic of the games. It is quite difficult as there is little room for error, yet this makes the game all the more addictive. A range of cars are available to choose from, including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Mercedes export.

On the complete other end of the spectrum, the might Mario Kart. This game has gone from strength to strength since it began life all those years ago on the NES. The latest version of Mario Kart can be bought for the Nintendo Wii and lives up to its massive reputation.

Keep Your Vehicle’s Carpets Clean!

June 20, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Parts 

Your $30,000 car has come equipped with all of the latest bells and whistles: traction control; Sirius satellite radio; side curtain air bags; Onstar; and power everything. Well, there is one thing that is curiously left out of many new car purchases and that is floor mats. You would think that matching floor mats would be standard equipment on all vehicles, instead it is an aftermarket purchase for most motorists. Selecting the right type of floor mat is essential to preserving your cars interior. The wrong type of floor mats can look terrible and cost you plenty of money in the end. Please read on to find out why this is so.

Floor mats are the Rodney Dangerfield of automotive accessories. They just dont get any respect. If they did, your car would come outfitted with a set of high quality, matching mats. Almost a universal oversight, owners routinely pick up their showroom new cars with just a solitary paper mat in place for the driver. Sure, you could run into the dealers parts department and pay $200 for a nice set, but you already paid through the nose for your car. Besides, you want a better selection than what your dealer sells, right? I think so!

When selecting automotive floor mats, naturally you will want a complete set: two in the front and two in the back. On some vehicles, including the Chrysler Pacifica, the Chevrolet Suburban, and the all new Mercedes R Class, your set should include six mats for three rows of seating.

The mats you choose should blend in with your vehicles interior. Match your mats to the carpeting or at least select neutral colors that wont make the mats stand out. In addition, the material should consist of heavy duty rubber with deeply sculpted channels for increased durability to avoid cracking and to hold water, mud, salt, and stones in place. Finally, a nonskid bottom is essential to prevent dangerous and untimely movement of the mats.

Some premium floor mats come with carpeting, which can be an attractive option as well as a way for passengers to safely remove outside debris from their footwear.

I hinted earlier about a financial reason as to why quality floor mats are essential for your vehicle. If you lease your car, then you know that you are responsible for any wear and tear that occurs. Investing in a quality set of floor mats can save you unnecessary wear and use charges that will be assessed to you if the leasing company decides that your carpeting has worn to the point that it must be replaced. This chargeback can amount to hundreds of dollars, so play it safe and invest in a quality set of floor mats for your vehicle today.

Jaguar XK-E: Changing Sports Car Norms

June 10, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Parts 

During the early stages of the Jaguar XK-E, the vehicle was supposedly planned to be marketed as a grand tourer. In fact, it was shown to be public as such. However, changes were made and now, the Jaguar XK-E holds two seats and has been crafted and manufactured to be a coupe, and as a convertible. The coupe body trim is known as the FHC or the Fixed Head Coupe, while on the other hand, the convertible is known as the OTS or the Open Two Seater.

Several years after its release, the Jaguar XK-E welcomed a new version in its line and it was the 2 + 2 version. This new model had a much longer wheelbase compared to the earlier versions. Also, people who have come to be followers of the Jaguar XK-E says that, indeed, there have been three generations of this vehicle and these are called the Series 1, the Series 2, and the Series 3.

The Jaguar XK-E is also known as the Jaguar E Type. Many people agree that it is one of the greatest cars that have been ever built for it holds not only style and performance by also pedigree. By pedigree, it means that it was exquisitely and carefully done that each part has a specific job to do. In fact, the shell of the Jaguar XK-E has been designed and is the brain child of one very good aerodynamics engineer. Also, it held the engine that had high specifications and features. This engine held greater power and capacity compared to the famous Jaguar XK engine.

From 1961 and up until 1974, the Jaguar XK-E roared on the streets and made heads turn. It was actually manufactured by Jaguar Cars. Going back to automobile history, this vehicle and sports car was very much responsible for paving the way in revolutionizing and changing the sports cars designs as well as the sports cars performance, and handling. This vehicle was also marketed to be one of the not-so-pricey and that certainly helped the Jaguar XK-E in boosting its sales as well as its popularity.

Jaguar Parts and Jaguar Auto Parts high quality Jaguar parts, body parts, replacement parts, performance parts, and Jaguar accessories can maintain all of the impressive qualities that all Jaguar vehicles, like the Jaguar XK-E, holds. Years of delivering superior products lines have made Jaguar Parts and Jaguar Auto Parts a favorite among Jaguar car enthusiasts.

All genuine quality Jaguar air intake system parts, brakes, climate control, clutch parts, cooling system parts, exhaust system parts, fuel injection parts, fuel system parts, service tools, steering parts, suspension parts, and transmission parts to name a few are available to Jaguar enthusiasts and customers in great discounts and wholesale deals. These exceptional arrays of finely crafted Jaguar XKE parts and Jaguar parts are online. Also, these parts are guaranteed to be durable and made from premium and quality materials.

Is Your Cars Brake Light Stuck?

June 5, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Parts 

When your brake light seems to be always on, then you might want to check it. You see, your cars brake light may be stuck. You should first check the brake pedal switch. If you do not know where to find this, it is actually that small button that you can find behind the brake pedal. When you press the brake pedal down, this button is actually activated and makes your brake lights go on. Try checking the switch manually. If this seems to be the problem, then you can try giving it more force for it to become unstuck and solve the brake light problem.

Or you can check other parts of your brake system to see which one might be the culprit for your cars eternally on brake light. You can check the fuse of the brake light and see if there are any damages to it. Also check the light bulbs of the brake light itself. If you simply are stumped, you can bring your car to your trusted mechanic so he himself can diagnose the problem for you. And when he does, he also could expertly find the solution so as to get rid of your brake light problem.

So why is it important to fix your cars brake light problem? Well, according to automobile experts, when you drive around in a car that has brake lights that do not work perfectly, you are increasing your chances of being in an accident or even of being the cause of other motorists accidents. That certainly would not be something you would not like to be caught in the middle of.

Your brake lights are there not just for aesthetic purposes. They serve as a signal for other motorists on what you are doing. These brake lights also send out information to other drivers that you are slowing down or are doing to stop your vehicle.

Is Your Car Leaking?

May 31, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Parts 

Your car is able to perform well because of the many components that it has. Of course, it needs not only the metal parts for it to run smoothly. It also does need fluids for it to work well. An example of an essential car fluid is your fuel. If there is no fuel, your car would not even run or go a certain small distance.

The very thing about car fluids is that they do not get used up, with the exception, of course, of fuel. Fuel is the only car fluid that is used up. As per the other fluids which comprise of oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, gear oil, and automatic transmission fluid, all of these remain in their containers. Now, according to automobile experts, if you do notice that there is a low level or amount of the various fluids in your car, it may be an indication of a leak.

Oftentimes, leaks are easily detected and there is no need for you to rush to a car service shop or garage just to see if there is indeed a leak going on. Anyhow, you should first open the hood of your car and inspect the engine and the engine compartment. You should also go underneath your car and see if there are areas that are wet or if there are some places dripping. While doing this, you should use a flashlight to help you out.

To help you out know which fluids are leaking, you could use the following information: Coolant looks green and sticky. If it is the windshield wiper fluid that is leaking, you would find this to be bluish and kind of watery. Your cars engine oil would seem to be honey-colored or dark-colored and it is greasy. As per the automatic transmission fluid or the power steering fluid, it would be slippery and reddish. The brake fluid would look clear or even yellowish at times.

How To Get Your Car’s Engine To Temperature

May 27, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Parts 

One of the most common mistakes made by a lot of people is to put a lot of stress on a cold engine. It’s always best to leave the car running for about a minute or so, before applying some throttle. Don’t let your engine run to optimum temperature, DRIVE your car to get on temperature. If you start the engine on a cold winter day and wait inside your house for it to warm up, the gearbox and drivetrain is still untouched and cold. Only five minutes of normal driving is what it takes to get to the normal running temperature, and your car’s components will live a lot longer.

In cold temperatures it will take a little longer but it’s essential that you have a good working battery installed. Moving all the cold parts requires greater energy, so a 3 year old battery can give you trouble in the winter. Don’t run the electric defroster if it’s not needed anymore. The battery transforms electricity to heat and while this is comfortable in the winter, it drains extra energy from your battery. It won’t do any harm to use it when needed, but when the window is clear simply turn it off. Winter is hard enough already for the battery. The car only regenerates some power back to the battery, it will not fully charge it. Also a common misconception.

As a last tip for the freezing weather, when you want to start your car, refrain from using your wipers to wipe away the last snow. Instead wait until the glass is defrosted so you won’t tear up the blades, the wipers are resting on the glass and the blades will probably have frozen up onto your windshield. Winter is hell for cars so if you have any appreciation for your vehicle you’ll put it somewhere inside, away from the rough elements.

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