Apr
We’ve all had it happen, and it’s always at the worst possible time. You get in your car on a blistering summer day with temps creeping toward 100 degrees. You flip on the car’s air conditioning and get a blast of hot air. You expect it to turn cold any second, but it never happens. Now you’re driving around with the windows down, sweating through your clothes on the way to work or the store. You don’t even want to think about how much the repairs would cost, but you don’t want driving to be miserable all summer long either. What do you do?
If your car’s A/C unit is cover by an extended warranty, all of those concerns instantly melt away! But what if you don’t have coverage? Consider the following stats about car A/C repair costs.
How Much Will It Cost to Fix My Car’s Air Conditioning?
Car air conditioning systems are complicated, and the problem can be anywhere in the unit. As a result, there’s no way to guess what repairs will cost until you see a mechanic. The price range of the repair bill can vary wildly from $150-$200 for a lead to as much as $2,000 for major repairs due to compressor failure or system contamination.
The main problem is that A/C issues often happen on older vehicles. If your car is only worth $2,000-$4,000, do you really want to spend $2,000 to repair the A/C? For many people, that kind of repair bill means making do without air conditioning. While that may only mean a few months of discomfort in some northern areas, in southern states, it can make driving a terrible experience most of the year.
Purchasing the Right Extended Warranty Gives Peace of Mind
If you purchase the right extended warranty that meets the needs of your vehicle and your budget, you can have real peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to deal with repair bills that cost more than your vehicle may be worth. Vehicle Service Center provides high-quality service plans that meet every sort of budget. Just request a free quote online or call 1-800-280-6708 to get started today.
Apr
Even a basic warranty package should cover transmission repair. Why is this so important? How much does it cost to repair the average transmission? How long should your transmission last? Read on to learn the facts about transmissions.
How Long Does a Transmission Last?
According to one transmission remanufacturer, even when a transmission receives the minimal care it should last 100,000 miles. There are a few factors that can affect this figure:
- Manufacturer Defect – If a defect exists in the transmission, it may last significantly less time.
- Proper Care – Minimal care of a transmission includes things such as transmission servicing, fluid flushing, and the like. The number of miles between services depends on the manufacturer and should be included in your car’s manual.
- Pre-Owned Vehicles – When you buy a pre-owned vehicle, you may not know how well the previous owner cared for the transmission. You may not even know if the transmission in the vehicle is the original or if it has been rebuilt. This can make the life of the transmission difficult to estimate.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair or Replace a Transmission?
The cost of transmission repair depends on many factors. If you have a manual transmission and you just have to do basic repairs to the clutch or solenoid, the price range could be as little as $500 to $1,500. However, if the entire transmission needs to be replaced, average costs range from $1,800 to $3,500. What accounts for such a wide range?
A transmission replacement costs between $2,500 and $3,500. Some may opt to save a little money by going with a rebuilt transmission. This can reduce costs to $1,500 to $2,500. While the primary advantage is about $1,000 in savings, there are also disadvantages to a rebuilt transmission.
Avoiding the Headache of Transmission Repair Costs
Rather than guessing how long your transmission will last and potentially ending up with a huge repair bill, protect yourself in advance with a warranty that covers your engine, transmission, drive axle, and differential assembly. Vehicle Service Center will be happy to help you select the extended warranty that meets your needs and budget. Call 1-800-280-6708 for a free quote.
Apr
Roadside assistance is such an important factor in car ownership that some manufacturers now include it in a package when someone buys a new car. Unfortunately, there usually is no such deal for a pre-owned vehicle, or you may have purchased your car new but are now beyond the time or mileage of your roadside plan. Here are a few reasons to purchase roadside assistance if you don’t already have it.
#1: When You’re on “E” and There’s No Gas Station in Sight
The worst feeling is when you see the light come on to warn you that gas is low but you know you can’t make it to a gas station from where you are, or even worse, you never see the light come on and run out by surprise. If you’ve had this happen, you’re far from alone. Recent reports indicate that incidents of running out of gas are up by 18%. If you ever get caught without enough fuel to roll up to the pump, you’ll be happy to have roadside assistance.
#2: You Find Yourself Locked Out of Your Vehicle
Unfortunately, most towns don’t have a 24-hour locksmith available anymore. But roadside assistance should be able to get someone with the skills to help you as fast as possible. Most of us leave a spare key with someone for emergencies like this, but we never seem to lock our keys in the car when that person is available or when we are within reasonable driving distance. Especially if this occur on a long trip, roadside assistance can be invaluable.
#3: The Dreaded Flat Tire
Whether you don’t have a spare or simply don’t have the physical ability to change a tire yourself, being able to call for help from the side of the road and knowing it will be on the way can provide peace of mind. Roadside assistance can be a real lifesaver, because driving on that flat tire, even for a short distance, can end in disaster.
#4: Roadside Assistance Gives You Peace of Mind
Vehicle Service Center is your source for extended auto warranties, and we are happy to offer roadside assistance packages to boost your peace of mind even more. Not only do you know that help will be on the way if you get stuck, but you can minimize those massive repair bills through our warranty services. Get a free quote right now by calling 1-800-280-6708!
Mar
Extended vehicle protection on both new and pre-owned vehicles is more important than ever before, with garages and dealers charging outrageous repair fees for both parts and labor. How can you be sure that you are really getting what you pay for rather than falling into an extended warranty scam? Read on for 5 tips on choosing the right extended warranty provider.
#1: Find an Experienced Company
Look for a company that has been in business for at least several years. Scam companies close relatively quickly once claims start coming in and complaints spring up over a lack of payment. Plus, companies that have been around for a few years are established and will still be in business if you need to make a claim several years from now.
#2: You Should Be Able to Get in Touch
Look for companies that give you a phone number or a way to contact the company online. Warranty services that are tough to get in touch with when you have a question will be impossible to get in touch with when you need them to make a payment.
#3: Find Out What Is Covered
You don’t want to wait until you get a huge repair bill to find out that you had work done on a part of the vehicle that isn’t covered. Even if the company says you’re getting full coverage, you should ask for the warranty provider’s definition of full coverage.
#4: Can You Just Buy What You Need?
Don’t get roped into an expensive plan if you only need to cover catastrophic repairs. A warranty company should be able to provide a customized package that provides you exactly what you need in order to keep the warranty affordable.
#5: Discuss the Deductible
The expense of your plan may also be determined by a deductible, so don’t automatically take the cheapest planning thinking it’s the best. You may find it just means you’ll still get hit with a big chunk of the repair bill.
The Vehicle Protection Service That Meets Your Needs
Vehicle Service Center has been providing quality extended warranties for years. You can easily contact us by calling 1-800-280-6708. We’ll be happy to discuss what is covered by our full coverage plan or help you to develop a custom warranty that meets your vehicle needs and your budget. In the end, you get peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is protected and that you paid the best price. Customer satisfaction is the lifeblood of our business.