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We’ve been asked the question both ways – Are extended warranties good? Are they bad? In reality, they’re a bit of both. One thing for certain, we’d never recommend buying one from a phone solicitation. Here are some things to know before you consider buying an extended car warranty for your vehicle.

Understand Your Vehicle’s Current Warranty

Although most people think that their car comes with a three year or 36,000 mile (or something similar) new vehicle warranty, there’s a lot more to it than that. Your new car actually came with several types of warranties. The comprehensive one is the one we referred to above which is usually the three year/36,000 mile warranty. However, most vehicles also include a powertrain warranty and restraint system warranty. Both average five years or 60,000 miles. Some manufacturers offer corrosion and emissions warranties. Hybrids and electric vehicles may have a battery warranty. Remember, there are lots of things you can do that could void your warranty and regular maintenance isn’t included.

Extended Car Warranties Are Also Limited

They don’t cover regular maintenance. Their may be other exclusions. They also come with a monthly or annual fee. We recommend you do your research before purchasing an extended car warranty. Look at the following:

• How long they’ve been in business (a new company is likely one who operated under a different name and then closed only to reopen under a new name.)
• Their Better Business Bureau rating
• What they cover and if you have a deductible
• How much it will cost
• Exclusion period
• Which repair shops you can (or must) use and their proximity to your home and work

Once you evaluate the cost and coverage, look at the option of simply opening a savings account and having the same amount direct deposited into the account each month. How many months of the premiums will it cost to get to $600? Why that number? That is the average cost of a car repair according to AAA. You may be better off starting a savings account that you can use for repairs, maintenance, and, if you don’t need the money for repairs, eventually a down payment on a new car.

Oldsmar Automotive is Your Local Trusted Mechanic

Although we don’t file claims for you, we will provide you with the documentation required by extended car warranties to file your claim. And, of course, we perform vehicle services for non-warranty related items too. If you have an issue with your car, or it’s time for regular maintenance, come by our convenient location at 3166 Tampa Road in Oldsmar or call us at (727) 784-3501 to schedule an appointment.

Here we are just more than a week before the holiday season gets underway. If your holiday plans include trips out of town or just lots of trips around town, you should make sure to take care of any car maintenance. Not only can proper maintenance keep your car running efficiently, but it also keeps you safe and helps you reach your destination on time. Here are a few things you shouldn’t overlook.

Your Tires

Although you may not need new tires, when was the last time yours were checked? Proper air pressure contributes to a smooth ride and better gas mileage. Rotating them about every 7,500 miles helps them last longer and keeps you safer on the road.

The Brakes

Few components that require regular maintenance keep you safer than your brakes. It’s also one that people tend to overlook in their car maintenance. They assume that if they’re not hearing any squealing or grinding when they stop that their brakes are just fine. However, other signs that your brakes need attention include a steering wheel shaking when you apply the brakes and when your brakes begin to feel different when you depress the pedal.

Fluid Levels and Color

Because you don’t often need to replace your vehicle fluids, you may not think much about them or the car maintenance they require. We recommend that you check all fluid levels prior to setting out on a road trip of any duration. You should also know what color they should be and what may indicate it’s time for a system flush. Of course, you can also consult your vehicle manual for your specific vehicle’s recommendations.

Lights & Wipers

It only takes a moment to walk around your car and make sure all your lights are working. They keep you safe on the road and you can be ticketed for a brake, headlight or turn signal that isn’t operational, which could ruin your road trip. Replace your wipers if they’re cracked or don’t clear your windows well. You want to see clearly in all weather conditions, day or night.

Need Car Maintenance or New Tires? Call Oldsmar Automotive

We offer vehicle maintenance, repair and new tires. Call (727) 784-3501 or come by 3166 Tampa Road in Oldsmar for your car maintenance, whether it’s before a road trip or just a regular maintenance need. Of course, we can handle repairs, check your fluids, rotate your tires or provide you with a competitive price for your new tires. We want to help you have a safe and happy holiday season!

When everything in your car is working as it should be, it’s easy to drive. The car stays in its lane with little effort from you. However, if you’re driving and your car feels like it’s pulling to one side, you may have an issue. Although the most common thought is that there’s an issue with your car’s alignment, that’s not always the case. However, that can only be confirmed by a mechanic in Oldsmar. However, there are many reasons that a car pulls to one side, here are a few common ones.

Your Tires

You actually don’t need an affordable mechanic to help you with this one. Improper tire pressure is something you can check yourself. Don’t just look at your tires, use a tire gauge to ensure that your tires have the proper air pressure. Not sure what the proper air pressure is for your vehicle? Look at the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door. Properly inflated tires do more than aid in your fuel efficiency and keep you safe, they help your car drive easily.

Wheel Bearing

If your car not only pulls to one side, but the steering wheel also shakes, you need to see a mechanic in Oldsmar for repair immediately. Your car is actually unsafe to drive. The wheel bearing greatly impacts tire rotation and if it were to fail while you were driving, the wheel could seize up leading to a serious accident.

Brake Problem

When your car pulls to one side only when you’re braking, it’s likely one of your braking components. However, a grinding noise often accompanies stuck calipers which are a common brake issue that leads to a car pulling.

Come to Oldsmar Automotive – Your Affordable Mechanic in Oldsmar

If your car is pulling and you’ve properly inflated your tires, you need an affordable mechanic in Oldsmar you can trust with your vehicle maintenance. We’re conveniently located at 3166 Tampa Road in Oldsmar and ready to help you with all your automotive needs from regular maintenance to repair and new tires. You can also call to schedule an appointment – (727) 784-3501.

We receive this question on a regular basis. Unfortunately, we can’t answer that over the phone. The first thing we say is that you should check your battery – specifically the terminal connections. The terminals are where the cables connect to the battery. If they’re corroded or not tightly connected, you may have saved yourself a lot of hassle and expense. You can easily clean the terminals and reconnect the cables. However, if that’s not the problem, here are some other things it may be.

A Dead Battery

In Florida, batteries just don’t last as long as they do elsewhere. Especially if you don’t have a garage for your car. Wonder where to get your battery checked? There are several options. First, you can remove it and take it to an automotive parts store or repair shop. Second, you can jump the car and drive to one of those places where they can advise you as to the health of your battery.

Bad Alternator

The alternator charges the battery. If your battery tests as good but your car didn’t start, the alternator may be the reason. If your car has been slow to start recently or you’ve noticed your lights are dim, it’s likely the alternator. The good news is that you can replace yours with either a rebuilt alternator or a new one.

The Starter

Starters aren’t perfect. Although they’re designed to last the expected life of the car, if you notice a clicking sound when you try to start your car, it’s likely the starter. You’re going to have to have the car towed to your local mechanic for repair.

You’re Out of Gas

Although our most common piece of advice is that you should check your battery when the car won’t start, you may be surprised at how often it’s actually an empty tank. Although today’s cars have warning lights and fuel gages, they’re not fool proof. Sometimes they fail. Sometimes someone syphons the gas out of your car. If you don’t recall the last time you filled up or think the issue may be an empty tank, see if a friend can deliver some gas.

Poor Maintenance

Your car needs maintenance. If you’ve not brought your car to your local mechanic ever or recently, it may be something else. Regular maintenance helps ensure that you’re not stuck somewhere asking why your car won’t start. Before you go to the expense and hassle of a tow, you should check your battery and fuel. If both of those seem fine, have your car towed to Oldsmar Automotive at 3166 Tampa Road in Oldsmar. We’ll determine what’s wrong and get it fixed as quickly and affordably as possible. You can also call us at (727) 784-3501 to schedule an appointment.

Recently a customer came into the shop with the complaint that their AC went out a few days ago and now the battery light is on. He thought that the timing was suspect, but that it was a coincidence. Afterall, batteries tend not to last all that long in Florida anyway. However, after checking his car, we realized it wasn’t a coincidence at all. It was a case of neglected maintenance of a serpentine belt replacement leading to an expensive repair job.

What We Found

Our ASE certified mechanic quickly determined that the reason the battery light came on was because the serpentine belt broke. The serpentine belt transports power throughout the engine cavity to things like the water pump, power steering pump, AC compressor and alternator. The car’s air conditioning can’t work when the compressor doesn’t turn. The battery can’t charge when the alternator isn’t working. He also later confirmed that the car had become harder to steer as the power steer was also impacted. However, unfortunately for this driver, the belt did more damage when it broke. One of the lines heading to the car’s AC was broken leading to a leak in his refrigerant.

Serpentine Belt Maintenance

Although some parts of your car can go a lifetime without needing to be replaced, your belts aren’t one of those parts. Most serpentine belt replacement needs to happen around 75,000 miles. However, depending on your manufacturer’s recommendations, it may be as soon as 60,000 miles or a long as 100,000 miles. You can check for signs of wear like cracking or fraying. If you notice a squealing sound from your engine, chances are the belt is slipping and should be replaced.

Repair Vs. Maintenance

Had this customer scheduled a serpentine belt replacement as recommended (he was about 15,000 miles over), he would have had a maintenance bill of no more than $200. Instead, once we replaced the belt, performed the AC repair and recharged his refrigerant, his bill was over $800. Plus, he was out of a car for just over a day as we had to wait for the part for his air conditioner repair. A serpentine belt can be replaced in less than an hour.

Oldsmar Automotive Offers Vehicle Repair & Maintenance

Whether you need vehicle maintenance or repair, or a little of both, call (727) 784-3501 to schedule your appointment. You can also come by 3166 Tampa Road in Oldsmar. We’ll provide you with a quote for your maintenance or repair. We’re ASE certified and work on all vehicle makes and models.