Why doing it yourself might cost you the most

The days when you could teach yourself how to service a car by hanging out at the local garage are gone. Where once many regular drivers prided themselves on the ability to fix most car problems on their own, we have now entered a time where the sophistication of vehicles has gotten to the point that even minor problems require a trip to the service center.

If your manufacturer-issued auto warranty has expired and you find yourself strapped for cash, then you might consider making repairs by yourself in order to save money. Before you even attempt to fix any vehicle component by yourself, you should remember that reputable modern day service centers employ specially educated mechanics and use extremely specific tools and equipment, even when it comes to the most rudimentary of maintenance.

Far from being dubiously educated “grease monkeys,” today’s service center employees are often required to receive vocational technical training before they can enter the field. In fact, many auto manufacturers stipulate that while under warranty, their vehicles can only be serviced by a suitably educated technician.

The rapid pace at which technology is evolving is largely to blame for this phenomenon. As more and more computerized-components find their way into cars, it is imperative that qualified technicians handle any and all repairs because any mistake made in the process of the repair can lead to an even more expensive repair in the future. So while you think you might be saving money by fixing your car yourself, you may be setting yourself up for a financial disaster right around the corner.

Even the classic oil change, which many car-owners used to be able to accomplish by themselves in the comfort of their driveway, has now become complicated to the point of being nearly impossible, without the assistance of a pit crew.

Because the market is flooded with a great variety of synthetic and other types of motor oil, it’s crucial that you or whoever is servicing your car knows exactly what kind of oil your vehicle requires.

If you’re looking for a service center you can trust, the first thing you should be looking for is a certification sticker issued by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This will be your indication that the technicians inside are up to date on the latest in car maintenance.

While all this talk of service centers might sound pricy for the vehicle owner who’s auto warranty has just expired, they should keep in mind that vehicle service contracts (VSCs – often referred to as extended auto warranties) could help remove the financial burden of a major repair via modest monthly payments.  

Tire maintenance tips from OmniGuard

Getting an Omniguard VehicleService Contract is a great way to protect your vehicle and yourself from hefty repair bills that can accumulate over time. But even before the manufacturer’s warranty expires, there are plenty of things you can do on your own to ensure as smooth a ride as possible, starting with proper tire maintenance.

If a car were a person, then the wheels would be its feet and the tires its shoes. If you do a lot of walking then you know that having a pair of shoes in good condition is crucial to your overall comfort. With that being said, here are a couple of tips on how to look after your tires.

Under pressure … 

At least once a week, you should check your tire pressure. If you think that tire pressure can’t possibly affect the performance of your vehicle in any significant way, you’re wrong. If your tires aren’t inflated to the recommended point, you’re leaving yourself open to wasted fuel, compromised handling and an overall unpleasant ride. And if you are going to check your tire pressure on a regular basis, don’t cheap out on a shoddy gauge. Spend a bit of money and buy a gauge that you are confident will give you an accurate reading. Remember, the gauge you got for free at the dealership was free for a reason…

Check for warning signs

While you’re down there anyway checking your tires’ pressure, you should take the time to check out the surface of your tires too. You might be surprised by what you find. If you notice any kind of wear on your tires, take note of the exact nature. If the outer edges of the tire look more worn out than the centre tread it may be an indication that the tire is under-inflated, too often subjected to taking corners at high speed, has been equipped with the wrong type of rims or hasn’t been rotated recently enough. If the centre of the tire, meanwhile, seems more worn out than the sides, your tire may be over-inflated. Other more specific wear patterns can be symptomatic of other car problems. Consult with a reliable specialist for more information on tire-wear patterns and what they mean.

In addition to balding treads, you may be able to spot more obvious signs of wear and tear on your tires such as splits in the side wall of the tire, torn out chunks of rubber and even foreign object such as nails sticking out. Anything you do find stuck in your tire, however, should not be pulled out as whatever is in there is actually serving to block a hole. If you should discover this or any type of damage, bring your car in to find out if a patch or any other kind of repair is necessary.

A vehicle service contract (VSC) is often referred to as an “extended warranty,” but it is not a warranty.  A VSC does, however, provide repair coverage for your vehicle after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.  A VSC is a contract between you and a VSC provider or administrator that states what is a covered repair and what is not.  OmniGuard is a marketer of VSCs and does not sell warranties.  VSCs sold by OmniGuard are agreements between consumers and third party VSC providers, not OmniGuard.

Qualifying your vehicle for protection

Protecting your vehicle against unpredictable and undesirable repair and replacement costs is a great idea if you don’t want to spend every last bit of your disposable income at the mechanic’s. A great way to protect your wallet is with a vehicle service contract (VSC).

OmniGuard offers a series of individualized service contracts after your manufacturer’s auto warranty has expired. Each plan is customized to best suit your car, ranging from the Ultimate program, specifically designed to cover newer vehicle models, to the Power train program, which is better suited for vehicles starting at more than 100,000 miles.

There are several factors to be aware of when looking into vehicle service contracts (commonly referred to as an extended warranty).

When a company like OmniGuard is coming up with a quote, it will tend to look primarily at the vehicle’s manufacturer, model and age or mileage in order to come up with a figure.

If you’re looking for a vehicle service contract, (also known as an extended warranty), you should keep in mind that certain vehicles may be excluded based on their make or model, or may only qualify for a limited term option (i.e., a short period of protection). OmniGuard, however, offers a wide range of vehicle service contracts, (f/k/a extended auto warranties) to most car owners.

Vehicle Service Contracts (commonly referred to as extended warranties)

can be useful when purchasing a new car. If your new car is being purchased under a finance contract (an agreement between the seller and purchaser as to the frequency and amount of payments), you should take care to verify the duration of the warranty that comes with purchase from the dealership. If the dealer’s warranty does not cover the full duration of the finance contract then it may be wise to purchase an extended service contract.Another factor to consider when purchasing an extended service contract for a new car is how long you think you will be driving the car in question. If, for instance, you feel that you will only be hanging on to the newly purchased car for a few years (three or four) before trading in for a newer model, then the factory warranty that came included with purchase may be enough.

Before buying a warranty directly from the dealer, remember that some of these contracts can be very restrictive when compared to a vehicle service contract purchased from a company like OmniGuard.The dealer’s warranty often specifies that all repairs and services on the car need to be done at the dealership where it was purchased. If the dealership is far away from your residence or, in cases of long distance car travel, this type of warranty may not be convenient.

When it comes to used cars, the purchase of a vehicle service contract (f/k/a an extended auto warranty) is highly encouraged. Because unexpected repair bills are much more of a reality with a used car than with a new car, monthly maintenance costs can add up quickly. Although it would mean that you would be paying a regular fee every month, it would save you the astronomical cost of having to pay for a major repair.

A vehicle service contract (VSC) is often referred to as an “extended warranty,” but it is not a warranty.A VSC does, however, provide repair coverage for your vehicle after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.  A VSC is a contract between you and a VSC provider or administrator that states what is a covered repair and what is not.OmniGuard is a marketer of VSCs and does not sell warranties.  VSCs sold by OmniGuard are agreements between consumers and third party VSC providers, not OmniGuard. 
    
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