We all have personal attachments to car companies. There is just something about a certain make or model that speaks to us. It could be the perceived rugged dependability of an American truck, the eco-friendly nature of a Japanese import, or the sophisticated styling of a high-end German luxury vehicle.
Pat Goss discusses why we feel so strongly about our cars and how to protect a vehicle to which you have such a personal connection.
So, if you’re a life-long Audi owner, or feel like it is the next car for you, make sure you keep in on the road with an Audi Extended Warranty from CARCHEX.
Most of us are not auto mechanics or professional drivers. The knowledge we have gained about taking care of our vehicles was passed to us from parents and grandparents. A lot of that information is true and helps keep our car or truck operating at peak performance. But, there are instances when that “knowledge” is based more on incorrect tradition than fact.
Now, it doesn’t really hurt if you believe the old wives’ tale that you should fill your gas tank only at night (which is not true). But it can hurt you, and badly damage your car, if you believe that hot or boiling water should be used to deice your windshield or door locks. Pat Goss explains why this is such a bad, dangerous, and potentially costly mistake.
So next time your kindly grandfather or grandmother suggests that you don’t need an ice scraper and that you should just dump some hot water on that ice, please share this with them. It could save them a lot of time and money and perhaps cement your status as their favorite grandchild.
What has happened to the concept of Customer Service? We at CARCHEX remember a time when you didn’t have to spend 20 minutes pressing buttons on the phone just to talk with a live human being. Or even worse, spending 20 minutes in public shouting “OPTION ONE” into your phone, which makes you seem a tad bit crazy. Our promise of “Customer Experience Above All” means we will not let this happen to you.
We hope you never will have an issue with your extended warranty, but we want to make sure anyone who might have a complaint can be quickly and easily heard. Pat Goss explains what this CARCHEX Complaints difference entails.
Even though we don’t think it will happen, if you ever have an issue with CARCHEX, please visit CARCHEX Complaints for a fast and easy resolution of your problem.
“It will never happen to me,” you say. “Why would I get stuck in my car during the winter? I’m a good driver and know how to handle my car in the snow and ice. I don’t need to carry around a winter emergency kit!”
Well, you might be right. You might be the greatest winter driver of all time. But, that does not mean that the person driving next to you is. What if they hit a patch of black ice, which sends their vehicle careening into yours, and you end up in a ditch? Or, what if you are driving and what should have been rain turns to freezing rain and all of a sudden the road home is too slick to navigate?
Mother Nature is unpredictable, so it is best that you prepare for whatever she might throw your way. For winter driving, this means having a winter emergency kit ready and in your car at all times. What should you have in that winter emergency kit? Funny you should ask, as we just spoke with Pat Goss about what he thinks should be in there.
Is there anything else you would add to your kit? Please stay prepared and safe this winter!
Christmas has come and past and New Years is but a few days away. Now is the time of the year when you are enjoying all the new gizmos and gadgets you got for the holidays. It is also the time of the year when you are planning out resolutions for the year ahead. We at CARCHEX want to have you around for a while, so think of making one of your New Years resolutions be to a less distracted driver.
Cars with the latest technology are amazing. Voice recognition. Voice to text. GPS voice guided navigation. Wi-fi hotspots. Built in satellite radio. All amazing things that ten years ago seemed to be in the realm of science fiction. But, as cool as these technologies are, they can cause distracted driving which is a leading causes of injury and fatal crashes. In fact, according to the NHTSA, 36% of these crashes were caused by distracted driving. And the University of Utah has concluded that talking on a cell phone while driving, hands-free or not, is equivalent to driving drunk.
Not all new technology in cars is bad. Blind spot detection, accident avoidance warnings, and driver alertness alarms all help make you safer while driving. But, can you rely on technology too much behind the wheel? Pat Goss takes a look at new automotive technology and gives his take on if it makes you a safer or a dumber driver.
From all of us at CARCHEX, have a Happy New Year and a safe, productive, and prosperous 2012!
Yesterday was the official start of Winter. While this means many good things (the days are getting longer again, Christmas and New Years Eve are days away, and the start of the NASCAR season is right around the corner) it also means that we are entering the coldest driving months of the year. Just like in Summer when heat can negatively impact your car’s engine and performance, the cold of Winter can be just as damaging. What should you do to make sure you get where you need to go this Winter without breaking down and huddling for warmth on the side of the road while waiting for a tow truck?
Many people believe the key to Winter driving is to warm up the engine before hitting the road. We’ve probably all heard this advice from our fathers and grandfathers. Who hasn’t slipped out to the car a few minutes before the morning commute to turn it on so that you didn’t freeze your fingers or bottom off? But, it turns out, letting the engine warm up before driving doesn’t do any good, at least for anything other than your frozen fingers. Watch this video and hear Pat Goss explain why letting your engine warm up can actually harm your vehicle more than help it.
CARCHEX wishes you and yours a Happy Holidays. Be safe on the roads and enjoy what time you have off.
Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go…
‘Tis the time of year when many of us are gearing up for long road trips to visit friends and family for the holidays. Or, perhaps, we are spending way too much time stuck in our cars trying to get out of the mall parking lot. Either way, in the rush to remember all the presents, diapers for the baby, medicine for Grandpa, and whether or not you left the oven on, the condition of your vehicle often is overlooked or forgotten.
Winter driving can be some of the most stressful for you and your car. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice, fog, and cold temperatures can wreak havoc on the traction of your car’s tires. The longer nights mean you will be running your headlights more often and therefore draining your battery at a faster rate. Before you make that drive to the office Holiday Party or to your aunt’s house in Ohio for Christmas, make sure you winterize your vehicle. Pat Goss explains what you need to do before you hit the road this winter and how to easily prepare your vehicle for the long, cold drive ahead.
Happy Holidays from everyone at CARCHEX. To learn more about CARCHEX and to Get Protected, visit www.CARCHEX.com.
People associate sports cars not only with exhilaration and speed but also with dollar signs. Sports cars differ from other vehicles in weight, performance, and handling. Loaded with luxury features, sports cars are not only expensive to purchase, but expensive to maintain and repair as well. When it comes to sports cars like Porsche, replacing breaks, tires, and suspension can run up a pretty high tab. According to automotive.com, the Porsche Boxter has an estimated 5-year repair cost of $2,386.
“America’s Trusted Mechanic”, Pat Goss advises Porsche owners to protect themselves from these costly repairs with a Porsche extended warranty from CARCHEX. With a Porsche extended warranty from CARCHEX you can enjoy the thrill of driving an amazing sports car without worrying about what it will cost you down the road.
To learn more about CARCHEX and to Get Protected, visit www.CARCHEX.com.
According to Consumer Reports, a leading product testing publication, Mercedes-Benz ranks near the bottom of their vehicle reliability survey. Despite being good performers, Mercedes-Benz SUVs in particular have many reliability issues.
In this week’s episode of “Wondering About Warranties?”, Pat Goss gives us some more insightful information about Mercedes-Benz. Goss talks about the reliability issues related to Mercedes-Benz and his experience working with these cars. He also tells you what you can do to drive a great looking vehicle while protecting yourself from repair costs with a Mercedes-Benz extended car warranty.
To learn more about CARCHEX and to Get Protected, visit www.CARCHEX.com.
Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday of the entire year. The airports are packed and the roads are even more congested. As you get ready for the long drives ahead of you this Thanksgiving, you may be bracing yourself for reunions with in-laws and distant relatives whose names you don’t remember, or would rather forget. CARCHEX reminds you that, while you can’t prepare for everything the holiday might bring, you can at least prepare your car for the road ahead.
Here are several precautionary measures you can take to help ensure a safe and pleasant travel experience this Thanksgiving.
Try to plan your trip for off-peak hours so to avoid some of the holiday travel congestion and delays.
Get enough rest before hitting the road.
Check your car’s wiper-fluid levels and tires for proper inflation.
Pack an emergency car kit with key items such as jumper cables and an ice scraper.
Take breaks every two hours or 100 miles and rotate driving responsibility
CARCHEX wishes you and yours a happy, safe, and tasty Thanksgiving weekend!
This blog is designed to provide entertaining and informative news to car owners everywhere. Each week, we'll post new entries with updates from Pat Goss of TV's MotorWeek, and the CARCHEX family of employees and partners. We look forward to your feedback. Thanks for visiting!
Endorsed by Pat Goss from TV's MotorWeek, CARCHEX is your trusted provider of extended vehicle protection, which some refer to as extended car warranties. We have an A+ rating from the BBB and always provide friendly, trustworthy, and professional service.
