Car Parts Plus

How To Select An Extended Warranty

When you purchase a new car, it comes with a warranty that covers service, parts, and repairs in the event a problem occurs. For example, if the transmission fails 12 months after driving it off the dealership lot, you’ll be able to take it back to the dealer in order to have the problem corrected. And it won’t cost you a dime.

Eventually, warranties expire and your recourse options become limited. This is the gap into which extended warranties fit. In effect, they’re service contracts – or, insurance policies – that cover the cost of parts and repairs when your original warranty expires. In today’s article, I’ll explain how to select the right service coverage for your vehicle, given your needs.

Identifying Your Coverage Needs

First, you need to determine what your current warranty already covers. For example, if you purchased a new car during the past 12 months, it’s probably already covered under a comprehensive 3-year, 36,000-mile policy from the factory. If you only drive 12,000 miles a year, you don’t need an extension for awhile; the original factory policy will cover any problems. However, if you drive 20,000 miles each year, or you plan to keep your vehicle for several years, an extended policy may come in handy.

Also, if you’re buying a used car that’s only a couple of years old, ask the owner about the current warranty and any extended policies that he’s invested in. And keep in mind the miles on the odometer; a 2-year old vehicle with 40,000 miles on it may have already outlived the original factory policy.

Choosing The Underwriter

Extended warranties are similar to life insurance policies: your recourse depends on the financial stability of the issuer. Most warranties that are underwritten by automakers are financially solid. Toyota isn’t going out of business anytime soon. Policies that are underwritten by independents are comparatively less-expensive, but may not be as reliable several years down the road. Bottom line: choose a stable underwriter, even if that means spending a little extra money.

What Coverage Is Included?

Reading coverage contracts is as exciting as watching a weed grow, but you need to find out what is covered and what isn’t. All extended warranties are different. Some only cover car parts that fail while others cover components that wear down under normal driving conditions. Some won’t cover anti-locking braking systems (odd, but it happens). Don’t assume something is covered in the policy. Check the contract and ask if you have questions.

Sometimes, They’re Valuable

Extended warranties can add value, depending upon how you use your car. People who seldom drive probably won’t need one (at least, during the first few years of ownership). However, others who drive more miles than covered on the factory warranty should consider investing in one. It’s basically an insurance policy that provides recourse if something goes wrong with your vehicle. Examine your needs, choose a stable underwriter, and carefully review the items that are covered. Long-term peace of mind may be worth the extra expense.

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Diagnosing Problems With Your Car’s Fuel Injectors
Your engine’s performance is dependent on the air-fuel mixture that fills each cylinder’s combustion chamber. An optimal blend helps to ensure peak efficiency. Gas is delivered through a set of fuel injectors (FIs); the amount is controlled by data sent to your vehicle’s computer (i.e. engine controller) by a number of sensors.

Assuming the sensors are working properly, the correct amount of gas is normally sprayed through the nozzles of the FIs. However, problems can occur that lead to a lean mixture (i.e. too little fuel). If the mixture leans out, you may experience misfiring and even detonation, which can eventually damage your engine.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons this problem occurs. I’ll explain why fuel injectors can become clogged over time and how you can keep them clean for better engine performance.

Deposits And Clogs

Clogging occurs due to the buildup of deposits within the nozzles of the FIs. It doesn’t take a large obstruction to have an impact on your vehicle’s performance. If one of the nozzles suffers a 10% blockage, it can cause a misfire.

The most common cause of clogging is the presence of hydrocarbons within gasoline. Hydrocarbons contain a waxy material called oilfins. During operation, heat is generated around your fuel injectors as the hydrocarbons burn. When you turn your car off, residual heat cooks the oilfins and hardens them. As the heat dissipates, the oilfins form deposits within the openings of the nozzles. These deposits block the passage of gas.

On most small 4-cylinder vehicles, the second and third FIs are exposed to the most heat. As a result, they are the most susceptible to clogging. In larger engines, the fuel injectors in the middle are likewise more vulnerable to clogging.

Gasoline typically contains detergents that are designed, in part, to wash the injectors and keep them free of obstructions. However, some gasoline companies cut corners to save costs and under price their competitors. They do so by reducing the level of detergents in their gas, or by using lower-quality detergents.

Keeping The Injectors Clean

It’s worth having the FIs checked every 30,000 miles to ensure that the nozzles have not become clogged with deposits. If they have become clogged, your mechanic should be able to connect them to a cleaning machine and run detergents through them. It’s a simple procedure and should take less than 30 minutes.

If you were experiencing misfires due to a lean air-fuel mixture, the cleaning procedure should be able to resolve them immediately. If the deposits are stubborn, your mechanic may need to perform multiple cleaning cycles.

There may be times when your fuel injectors are so badly clogged that the detergents are ineffective for removing the deposits. If that’s the case, your mechanic will need to remove the FIs and clean them using specialized equipment.

Keeping your fuel injectors clear of obstructions will improve the overall performance of your car’s engine. If you notice misfiring or signs of detonation, ask your mechanic to check for clogs within the nozzles.

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