When you go to purchase a used car, you likely have a specific budget in mind. It’s simple to show up, talk to the financial experts at Auto Simple and agree to terms that leave you with an affordable monthly payment. It’s not that this approach is wrong, but it’s worth considering your different options. Before you decide on a car, we’re here to help you learn how to get the right auto loan for your finances. Read the rest of this entry
One of the biggest risks associated with buying a used car is that you don’t know as much about the vehicle history as you would like. Of course you have the CarFax report to tell you if services are up to date, but you still weren’t there to reassure yourself that the previous driver was gentle on the vehicle. It only makes sense that you would want to hedge your bets by picking from the top-rated used car brands. These are the automotive brands with the best reputation for long-term reliability. Read the rest of this entry
Gas mileage is a primary concern for those shopping for their next vehicle. Concern for the environment and personal finance considerations are both major reasons for more drivers making the switch to vehicles with better fuel economy. Regardless of motivation, many drivers are asking the question: What used vehicles have the best mileage? We’ve created a list of tips to help you find used vehicles with great fuel economy. Read the rest of this entry
Is it time to say goodbye to “old faithful”? Like everything else in this world, cars don’t last forever. While you may be proud of your faithful 200,000-mile vehicle, it could be more trouble than it’s worth.
There are many reasons why you may want to replace your vehicle, including practical, financial, safety, drivability, and pleasure motives.
If you are thinking about repairing or replacing your car, this post will teach you how to save money when making your next car repair or car purchase. However, nobody knows your vehicle better than you do. Use the following tips as a guide not a gospel.
Car maintenance and repairs are unavoidable, but sometimes there is a major repair that gets you wondering if you should simply invest in a new car.
Small repairs and regular maintenance aren’t anything to worry about. It’s the costly repairs that start you thinking about whether you should replace the car or not.
Although it’s almost always cheaper to repair a car than to buy a new one, some repairs, such as replacing a failed transmission can run upwards of $3,000. At this point, you could buy a used vehicle for the same amount and probably save a lot of money in the long run.
Keep in mind that math can only take you so far. In addition to the price of repairs, you’ll want to take other things into consideration, including what you still owe on the vehicle, type of repair, repair frequency, and your vehicle’s worth.
If you want to find the estimated value of your car, visit Kelley Blue Book* or contact Auto Simple to find out the sale and trade-in values of your vehicle.
You can even find out what your vehicle is worth without leaving the comfort and convenience of your home. Fill out our online form and we’ll send you an estimated appraisal within 48 hours.
As soon as you start considering a repair that is more than half of the vehicle’s market value, you should start comparing the pros and cons of purchasing a vehicle.
For instance, if your car is only worth $3,000 and you are faced with repairs that are over $1,500, it may be time to start looking for a trade-in deal at your local used car lot. But, if your vehicle is worth more than $4,000, you may want to research the matter further to make the best decision.
It doesn’t make much sense to pay for a repair that is over half of the value of car when there is a high likelihood that another costly repair will soon be on its way. But first, you need to know the value of your vehicle (as is, without the repair(s)) and the likelihood of future repairs.
If your repair is more than 50% of the cost to replace, start researching sale and trade-in values to see how much your old car can serve as a down payment for a new one.
The choice is simple when faced with a repair that equals or exceeds the market value of your vehicle. Find out what your vehicle is worth and if your repair is close to or exceeds that amount, you should definitely look into replacement options.
Use the money you get from your car sale or trade-in toward the purchase of your next vehicle.
Will your repair be the last one for a while? If you have a reliable mechanic who is warning you of likely upcoming repairs, you should take those recommendations into consideration. If this big repair seems like the beginning of a whole host of new problems, consider replacement.
A vehicle can be as much of a money pit as a home. Be wary of vehicle troubleshooting and diagnostics that warn of impending problems for your vehicle, such as new tires and brakes. Take the time to get a second or third opinion on the matter so you know if these forecasts are reliable or not. Factor them into your decision.
We’ve already shared some tips for finding a good, honest mechanic, but it’s worth going over again to get the most accurate representation of your vehicle’s state.
Even if you’ve found a mechanic you can trust, before you make a decision on whether you should repair, replace, sell, or trade in your used vehicle, get a second or third opinion on the recommended service and repairs. For any major decision like this, don’t rely on one opinion.
Your mechanic may also be able to provide information on whether or not the repair or upgrade will significantly increase your selling or trade-in value. You may be able to get a return on investment.
Create a calendar and plan for future repairs so you know what to expect and when. It can help you budget for future repairs and give you an idea of the cost and likelihood of future car costs.
Consult your owner’s manual and past maintenance/repair history reports to create a calendar of likely repairs over the next couple of years.
Are you spending more than $300/month to keep your car running? If so, do the math on getting a more reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle.
Personal safety and job security also rely on a dependable mode of transportation. If you are worrying about your car starting every morning, consider the added benefits of safety and reliability.
For many people, not having a reliable car means missing work and possibly losing a job. If you have been late or missed work too often, you may want to consider the extra benefit of reliable car for work and career purposes.
Lifestyle changes often dictate the need for a new vehicle, such as longer/shorter commutes and the need for more space. If your family has expanded in size or you have a new job that requires a different vehicle, a more suitable vehicle type is probably needed.
The older your car is and the older your car gets, the less fuel efficient it is likely to be. While there are some things to increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, if it’s a gas guzzler, you may want to consider purchasing a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
Add up your monthly operation costs and use this fuel cost calculator to compare it with the estimated monthly fuel costs for your new vehicle.
If you want the newest car technologies and features, such as cameras, sound systems, and GPS, you may want to look for a new vehicle that satisfies your requirements.
Sometimes, you just want a change. If you are looking for a big change in your life, a different vehicle can make you feel like a brand new person.
New car depreciation is shocking! A new car loses around 10-15% of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot. New cars lose around 20-25% of their value within the first year.
According to CarFax, “new cars continue to lose value for four more years, averaging a decline of 15-25 percent per year. On average, a new car will lose 60 percent of its total value over the first five years of its life.”
Keep in mind that older and foreign cars tend to have higher repair costs. When shopping for a new vehicle, factor in operational and depreciation costs.
There are many risks involved with private car sales. We recommend either avoiding the situation entirely by working with a used car lot or being extremely careful and diligent when dealing with private sellers or buyers.
Avoid the hassle of posting on Craigslist and simply visit one of our locations in Tennessee and Georgia for a quick and easy transaction.
The best way to replace your current car is by selling or trading in your current vehicle in order to pay for a used car upfront. By choosing a car that you can afford to pay for upfront, you will own the car rather the car owning you. Then, save the money that you would have spent on your monthly car payments for future repairs and/or your next vehicle.
The worst (most expensive) way to purchase a car is to lease a new car. Not only will new cars lose around 22% of its value over the first year, your lease payments will also be covering the car’s depreciation and the dealer’s/loaners profits.
Try not to go into debt over a car. Use cash if you can for the best deal. If you must “rent” a car, lease a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle instead.
First, you should know your credit rating. While your credit rating will affect your loan approvals and interest rates, there are some car dealers, such as Auto Simple that provide competitive financing ratings for any approval rating.
Still, you want to make sure you can afford the car. Use a car affordability calculator or contact your local Auto Simple representative. If you are trading in your vehicle, get a quote from us so you can subtract the trade-in value from the estimated car budget.
Read our Used Car Buyer’s Guide for more tips on shopping for a used vehicle.
If you aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the car that has served you so well over the years, then here are some tips for extending its lifespan and stalling some of those common repairs:
The decision whether to repair or replace your vehicle can be difficult. It involves math, your current situation, and many other factors.
Before you sink more money into your vehicle, contact Auto Simple for a free vehicle appraisal.
Not only do we pay top dollar for your used vehicle, we also can get you a better deal on trading in your old car for one of our Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles.
Related Posts:
Contact Auto Simple or visit one of our convenient locations:
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 476-4600
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-CARS (2277)
Follow us for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.
* We provide the Kelley Blue Book link for research and reference purposes only. Kelley Blue Book is not affiliated with this site in any way. Representations made regarding products and services provided by third parties are governed by the policies and representations made by these third parties.
We’ve already written up guides for how to buy a used vehicle, how to buy a used vehicle with bad or no credit, and what to do after buying a car. But since there are a lot of specifics unique to each state, today we’re discussing what you need to know about buying, titling, and registering a vehicle in Tennessee.
If you are purchasing a vehicle in Tennessee, you will need to know some specific information for the proper transfer of ownership into your name.
Instructions for buying a vehicle in Tennessee differ depending on if you are purchasing from a dealership or a private seller.
While it can be more expensive to buy a car from a dealership, it is a much safer and easier process. It can also be cheaper to purchase from a dealership depending on the private seller and common private seller scams. Still, there are many steps to take before you sign the final papers. Read our Car Buyer’s Guide and do your homework first.
If you are purchasing a vehicle from a dealership, here is what you’ll need to successfully transfer ownership in one go:
The dealership will provide you with:
Buying a used vehicle from a dealership is a lot easier and less time-consuming than purchasing from a private seller. When you deal with a dealership such as Auto Simple, we will handle all of the DMV-related paperwork including title transfers, registration, and any related fees.
After all questions are answered and the paperwork is signed, you will receive the keys and copies of all the documents. You simply drive away in your new certified pre-owned vehicle, with all the important documents in the glove box.
Before you think about purchasing a car from a private seller, make sure you are aware of all the risks.
You will need certain documents and assurances from the private seller before you can properly transfer ownership.
Here are the TN Department of Revenue (DOR) requirements for titling and registering your vehicle after purchase:
Never purchase a vehicle from a private seller if they don’t have a title. If they don’t have a title, they must apply for a new title by completing a Duplicate Title Application (Form RV-F1321801).
For more information on transferring title information, read the DMV Guide to Title Transfer in Tennessee.
Here are the steps for transferring a title from a private seller (via DMV.org):
If you are new to the state of Tennessee, you will need to title and register your car with the Vehicle Services Division (DVS) at your local county clerk’s office.
Make sure you bring:
Registering your vehicle is necessary whenever you purchase a vehicle or move to a new state, such as Tennessee. If you are purchasing from a dealership, they should be able to title and register your car for you.
Requirements for registering a new vehicle:
Requirements for registering a used vehicle:
If you are transferring a vehicle title from a private Tennessee seller, visit your local county clerk with the following information:
Note: If you are purchasing your vehicle from a private seller and the vehicle is up for registration renewal, then you will want to have the car inspected and give the paperwork to the buyer before purchase. Or have them get the car inspected themselves.
Never purchase a vehicle from a private seller or used car dealership without obtaining a vehicle history report (CarFax) first. This document will tell you all the information you need to make sure the car isn’t a clunker.
Residents of Tennessee who already have a registration should check out the registration renewal page.
Visit DMV.org for more information on title transfers and registrations in Tennessee.
You may be able to complete many of these tasks without leaving the comfort of your home. Visit the Tennessee DOS online services page for more information.
Remember, the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR) is the place to go to complete most processes that involve your car, truck, or motorcycle:
Looking to sell your used vehicle? Check out our guide for selling your used vehicle to a dealership.
If you have any questions about the requirements for titles, registration, license plates, and more, contact the Tennessee Department of Safety and Tennessee Department of Revenue:
Main Office: (615) 251-5166
Mailing address:
Tennessee Department of Safety
P.O. Box 945
Nashville, TN 37202
Mailing address:
Department of Revenue
Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243
Auto Simple makes it easy to buy, title, and register your new Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle in Tennessee (and a new location in Dalton, GA).
We carry a large selection of hand-picked used vehicles, all of which come with a 6 month/6,000-mile powertrain warranty. We also own a private track for test driving!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 476-4600
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-CARS (2277)
Follow us for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.
Car technology is moving at a pace we’ve never seen before. Self-driving cars will inevitably take over the roads, but not for a while. In the interim, we can learn important safety tips from self-driving cars to make our world a lot safer.
There are many reasons why self-driving cars are safer than humans behind the wheel. We text, talk on the phone, get distracted, let emotions take over, nod off, fail to signal, drink alcohol, take prescriptions, and much more.
Since cars were first invented, we have added safety features that help reduce the chance of accidents, injuries, and fatalities—seat belts, anti-lock brakes, air bags, etc.
But no matter how safe we make cars, the least safe variable is always the driver.
Over the last two decades or so, engineers, scientists, and car manufacturers have focused on removing the human element completely.
In doing so, we can learn many tips for improved driver safety.
1.3 million people die on the world’s roads every single day. That’s equivalent to over 8 commercial jet airliners (Boeing 747s) crashing every single day and killing everyone on board. In the United States alone, 37,000 people die in road crashes every year (ASIRT).
Traffic is also a huge problem. It’s substantially worse than it was just 10 years ago. According to 2014 Census data (The Washington Post), American workers spend 29.6 billion hours commuting every year. That’s a collective 3.4 million years driving to and from work. Wow!
Google’s self-driving car project, now called Waymo, has published reports based on its tests of over 3 million miles of self-driving vehicles on real roads in cities like Mountain View (CA), Austin (TX), Kickland (WA), and Phoenix (AZ). This is in addition to the billions of miles driven in simulation.
Source: Waymo/Google
The millions of miles driven on real city streets have taught Google a lot about driverless vehicles and have taught us a lot about how drivers can improve their driving habits for increased safety on the roads.
This technology will come to market soon. Watch this video to learn what a driverless world could look like:
Self-driving cars will make the world a safer place, but it will be a long time before prices drop low enough for the majority of people to be able to afford one.
Luckily, there has been a lot of information gathered from driverless cars that can make our own driving behaviors a lot safer.
Self-driving vehicles create a rich, logic-filled map of their surrounding area using 360-degree sensor systems, including lidar (laser and radar), GPS, odometry, and cameras. They not only see what’s around them, they also anticipate what’s going to happen.
“The two red rectangles are cyclists; the red trails behind them indicate the path they’ve just traveled. The cyclist on the left had entered the left turn lane, but veered back into our path to continue straight across the intersection. At the same time, the cyclist on the right entered the intersection, traveling against the flow of traffic. That cyclist then took a sudden left turn, coming directly at us in our lane. Our car was able to predict that cyclist’s path of travel (turquoise line with circles) so we stopped and yielded. This happened at night, when it would have been very difficult for a human driver to see what was unfolding.”
Source: Waymo Team/Medium
This map not only knows where things are at the moment, it also works with other complicated parts of the car to predict what might happen in the near future.
It’s extremely complicated how these pieces of machinery can detect different types of objects—cars, bikes, cones, debris on the road—and anticipate and react to what’s going to happen 1 second, 3 second, 10 seconds from now.
Not only does the self-driving car need to know about the lane change up ahead and what the truck in front is going to do (quickly merge), it also needs to know about the goings on of everything else.
After taking everything around it into account, the car then needs to know how to act—which trajectory to take, how slow or how fast it should move. Then, the car must make the executive decision to steer left or right, press on the brake or hit the gas.
While you don’t have the amazing ability to detect objects in a 360-degree radius, you still have an amazing amount of computing power in your head. Use it to keep track of the objects around you and what they are going to do.
For instance, a vehicle inching out of a driveway may not be able to see you. A vehicle at high speeds is approaching a red light—you can guess that it will barrel through the light.
Despite what’s supposed to happen, you can tell what actually is happening and prevent an accident by anticipating future actions.
Forget about what’s supposed to happen, anticipate what actually is happening.
This isn’t a judgement of how good or bad you drive—we all make mistakes. Driverless cars assume this as fact and so should you.
For at least the next decade, most drivers will still be human and like you, they want to arrive at their destination as fast as possible. Mistakes will be made.
You are a human, not a robot. Emotions are deeply imbedded into your decision-making process. But, prioritize your emotions of fear over aggression, and love over anger. Learn from self-driving cars and always rank safety over timeliness in your algorithm. Cutting a few minutes off your commute or trying to beat the GPS’s estimated arrival time is never worth the potential ramifications of a deadly or injurious accident.
When self-driving cars hit the market, we’ll have some available for you. Until then, shop our huge inventory of Certified Pre-Owned cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, and more.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277
Follow us for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.
Perhaps you’ve heard the term drivetrain when shopping around for a new car. Simply put, a drivetrain is the series of parts in your car that work together to make your wheels turn. A powertrain, on the other hand, is basically a drivetrain plus the engine and some other parts.
While some praise the advantages of four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, most cars are two-wheel drive (2WD), in which power is either transferred to the two front wheels (front-wheel drive) or the two back wheels (rear-wheel drive).
For off-roading and getting out of sticky situations, 4WD and AWD may be your best choice. In nearly all cases, however, 2WD gets the job done. But, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of your two 2WD options before making a decision.
Front-wheel drive vs. rear-wheel drive—which one is best for you?
In rear-wheel drivetrains, power is transferred to the two back wheels. There are many benefits to having power transferred to the rear wheels, including superior handling, acceleration, and braking.
This setup transfers power to the front wheels, giving them the responsibility of moving and steering the vehicle. They are typically cheaper to manufacturer and are more space-saving than rear-wheel drive.
While there are important differences between the two, both 4WD and AWD are drivetrain types that transfer power from the engine to all four wheels of your vehicle. All-wheel drive is typically applied to drivetrains that include a differential between the front and rear drive shafts.
We recommend 2WD for most drivers who drive in mild climates without a lot of snow. Whether or not you should buy a 2WD or 4WD vehicle depends entirely on your driving conditions and how you intend to use the vehicle.
Drivers who go off-roading or live in areas with a lot of snow may want to think about the added benefit of 4WD and how comfortable they feel driving in snow without the assistance of 4WD or AWD.
For most drivers in most conditions, however, 2WD is all you need. Click here for more information on the advantages and disadvantages of four-wheel and all-wheel drive.
As mentioned before, most vehicles are 2WD, which can come in one of two setups: front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD).
Since the engine only needs to power two wheels, they are cheaper to purchase and get better fuel economy than either 4WD or AWD.
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Diagram
Source: Wikimedia Commons
If most of your driving is in dry or rainy conditions, a front-wheel drive system is all you need. Most modern front-wheel drive systems contain anti-lock braking (ABS) and traction control, making them perfectly suitable for light snow conditions as well.
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Diagram
Source: Wikimedia Commons
We sell a large inventory of front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles. Shop our complete online inventory.
If you have any questions about front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or any other drivetrain setup, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277
Follow us for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.
Is more always better? When shopping around for a new or used vehicle, you will undoubtedly come across different drivetrain options, such two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD).
But is 4WD always better? Is it worth the extra expense? Learn whether or not 4WD is right for you by going over the advantages and disadvantages.
The powertrain is everything that makes a vehicle move, including the engine and the drivetrain, while the drivetrain is everything that makes the wheels move minus the engine.
There are three common types of drivetrain arrangements: rear-wheel drivetrains, front-wheel drivetrains, and four-wheel/all-wheel drivetrains.
Although 4WD and AWD are different, they both transfer power to your front and back wheels, which can be beneficial during muddy, snowy, rocky, and other difficult driving conditions.
You typically see 4WD systems on larger vehicles that are designed with all-terrain abilities, such as trucks, SUVS, and off-road vehicles.
The main difference between 4WD and AWD is that four-wheel drive vehicles use two differentials and a transfer case while all-wheel drive vehicles employ a front, rear, and center differential.
When 4WD is engaged, the engine sends power to the transmission, which is then split into the front and wheel axles. The torque gets transferred to the wheels, but the wheels must have traction on the road in order for the vehicle to move anywhere. Otherwise the tires will merely spin as you have probably experienced when stuck in mud or sand.
Let’s say that you get your rear wheels stuck in mud. If you have two-wheel drive (2WD), then your wheels will probably spin and spin. In this case, it might be extremely useful to have four-wheel drive so that your front wheels could get some traction on the road. If power was transferred to the front wheels, where the traction is, you’ be able to successfully get your car out of a sticky situation.
This is essentially what four-wheel drive does. It gives you traction where and when you need it. Although 4WD is a bit more complicated than that, it’s essentially a way to increase traction and power on the road.
Most of the time, all you need is 2WD. 2WD is used for regular road driving. When you need extra power and traction (deep mud, soft sand, ruts, steep inclines and declines, rocky surfaces, etc), you can engage 4WD by pressing a button. The process for engaging 4WD, however, depends on your vehicle.
It’s important to know exactly how your 4WD system works. For older vehicles, you may have come to a complete stop first and put your vehicle in neutral or park before engaging 4WD.
Newer vehicles, however, can normally activate 4WD with a simple push of a button. Some modern 4WD systems turn on automatically whenever it detects one or more of the wheels slipping.
Each system—part-time, full-time, manual shift, on-the-fly, and fully automatic—all have different requirements for engagement and disengagement. It’s important to check your owner’s manual, consult a dealership, or look up your vehicle online using its VIN.
The main benefits of 4WD are traction and power. Have you ever seen those commercials where the Jeep is climbing over boulders and rocks? That’s 4WD in action.
If you are climbing a steep hill or are off-roading, you will want increased power in order to get over obstacles and climb steep hills. While 2WD will get you over even the steepest hills of San Francisco, if you are off-roading you will probably want the extra power that comes with 4WD.
If you frequently drive in conditions where there is low traction, or if you enjoy off-roading, you will greatly benefit from four-wheel drive.
In most cases, 4WD is not necessary. It uses more fuel and can also lead to overconfidence, leading to more situations where you can get stuck. Save money and fuel by only using 4WD when you need it.
We sell a large inventory of front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles. Shop our complete online inventory.
If you have any questions about 4WD, AWD, or any other drivetrain setup, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277
Follow us for more useful information on buying, selling, and maintaining cars: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.
When shopping for a used car, if you are offered any warranties at all, it will most likely be a powertrain warranty. But what does it actually mean?
In short, powertrain warranties cover everything that makes the vehicle move, including the engine, transmission, and all the parts that connect the power to the wheels.
Powertrain warranties are designed to provide peace of mind for consumers when purchasing a vehicle. They are offered by the seller and/or manufacturer to repair or fix an issue with the powertrain if it is not performing properly.
The “powertrain” of a vehicle combines many different components, including:
Engine coverage normally includes:
In addition to the main parts listed above, some powertrain warranties also cover things like:
Basically, the powertrain system provides and converts power to the vehicle. The term “powertrain” can also be applied to motorcycles, boats, airplanes, and other pieces of machinery that use an engine for power.
In order for your vehicle to run, the engine has to create power for the car, which is then transmitted to the transmission. Learn how a transmission works.
The transmission takes the power that is created by the engine and transfers it to different gear ratios, transmitting is as torque.
Through the driveshaft in the vehicle’s transmission, the engine’s energy is transmitted to the wheels, which of course, moves the car forward or backward. Computer sensors help to transcribe information to the output sensors.
A powertrain warranty usually covers everything that is involved in the process of providing power to the wheels of your vehicle. This includes the most important and expensive parts of the vehicle: engine, driveshaft, and transmission.
If you are wondering if a part is covered by your powertrain warranty, ask yourself “does it make the car run forward or backward?” If you answer “yes,” it is probably covered by the powertrain warranty.
If your engine, transmission, or any other part that powers your vehicle stops working, a powertrain warranty will replace or repair the part at no cost to you.
Purchasing a used vehicle with a powertrain warranty gives you peace of mind that you are not buying a lemon. The powertrain warranty covers the vehicle’s most expensive equipment.
Often, they are also the longest lasting warranties. If a mechanical problem should arise, the powertrain warranty will normally cover it.
When shopping around for a used vehicle, always look for powertrain warranty information.
Anything that does not directly affect the power of your vehicle is not covered by a powertrain warranty. This includes parts such as radios, air conditioners, windows, and add-on features.
Additionally, powertrain warranties don’t cover normal wear-and-tear parts that are expected to be replaced at regular intervals. Things like brake pads, clutches, and CV joints may be considered part of the powertrain, but since they are wear-and-tear items, they normally aren’t covered by the powertrain warranty.
Keep in mind that powertrain warranties also don’t cover anything associated with accidents, collisions, theft, vandalism, glass breakage, flooding, fire, and other things that are normally be covered by insurance.
Of course, you always want to make sure to read the fine print to make sure that all aspects of the powertrain are covered. This applies to all warranties. Read the fine print first!
Contact the team at Auto Simple for more information on our powertrain warranty and any other warranties that may be associated with your certified pre-owned vehicle purchase.
A drivetrain warranty is very similar to a powertrain warranty, but it does not cover anything related to the vehicle’s engine. Your vehicle’s drivetrain contains the components that transfer the power from your engine to the wheels on the ground.
As with powertrain warranties, never assume that some part in your vehicle will be covered. Warranties vary significantly, so read the fine print first.
A bumper-to-bumper warranty is sometimes offered when you purchase a new vehicle. It’s basically a comprehensive warranty that covers anything that could go wrong with your vehicle.
It is normally the shortest coverage warranty that you can get. Powertrain warranties, on the other hand, typically have the longest coverage.
Besides routine maintenance, insurance, registration, and other costs associated with owning a vehicle, car repairs can get incredibly expensive. And the most expensive repairs are associated with your car’s powertrain.
If you are purchasing a new or used vehicle, it is extremely important that it comes with a powertrain warranty. Warranties for sound systems, electrical components, and other aspects of the vehicle can be nice, but they pale in comparison to the costs associated with powertrain repairs and replacements.
Almost every single part of your powertrain will cost you at least several hundred dollars to up to several thousand dollars to repair or replace. A powertrain warranty is basically saying that the vehicle is solid and the main parts will be backed up if anything goes wrong.
A powertrain warranty should be one of the first things you inquire about when shopping for a vehicle. Learn more car-buying tips.
Typically, powertrain warranties from the manufacturer last around 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Sometimes, however, powertrain warranties last much shorter or longer than this.
If you are purchasing a used vehicle, the manufacturer’s powertrain warranty may not be in effect any longer. Luckily, the seller will sometimes offer their own powertrain warranty; however, these offers will normally be much shorter than if you bought a new car from a dealership.
Powertrain warranties usually last much longer than other manufacturer’s warranties, such as comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranties.
While the duration of powertrain warranties varies, they all get discontinued eventually. Make sure you get the duration of your powertrain warranty in writing before purchasing your next vehicle.
We offer a 6 Month / 6,000 Mile Powertrain Warranty on all of our Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles. This is in addition to any existing manufacturer warranties that may be attached to the vehicle already.
Additionally, if you are unhappy with your vehicle for any reason, you can return it within 48 hours. No questions asked.
If you see a vehicle you like on our Online Inventory, don’t hesitate to contact us about any additional warranties that may be attached to your vehicle of choice.
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 476-4600
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-CARS (2277)
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The debate over manual versus automatic transmissions is largely subjective. As a country of car people, there are many opinions about what makes the best ride. It really depends on what you need and how you want to feel when cruising in your vehicle. Some people describe feeling powerful while driving stick shift, while others find it difficult and appreciate the ease and safety of an automatic.
These days, most people buy a car with an automatic transmission. Manual vehicles, however, have a certain allure to them—images of fast cars roaring along an open road. Or, if you were given your mom’s hand-me-down vehicle as a teenager, manual cars can remind us of learning to shift, but mostly stalling, in an empty parking lot.
Why are manufacturers and consumers ditching the manual for automatic? What are the key differences between the two? We explore the manual vs. automatic debate.
Almost all car manufacturers offered a choice between automatic and manual drive trains. Many consumers preferred manual transmissions because they ran up to $1,000 cheaper and usually got better fuel efficiency.
As the years went on, however, car makers were able to make the automatic transmission better and drivers began to get used to the ease of automatic shifting. As the advantages began tipping in automatic’s favor, they became the preferred choice. Sales went up and manufacturers started to save money by only offering one drive train option.
For young people, knowing how to drive a manual transmission is nearly unheard of. Driving schools that offer instructions on manual transmissions are rare. That’s unfortunate because there are still many reasons to choose a manual transmission.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is resale value. According to a report from U.S. News and World Report, only 18% of Americans know how to drive a stick shift. This limits your pool of buyers when looking to sell your car or trade for a new one.
Click here if you want to learn how to drive a manual transmission.
A car transmission uses the ancient concept of a lever, in the form of gears and gear trains, to provide speed and torque conversions, which is applied to power your vehicle. Transmissions are used in mechanical engineering to improve mechanical efficiency and make the most use of an engine’s torque.
A gear is basically a collection of levers that rotates. Larger gears take longer for a full rotation, but provide greater force. The transmission, composed of many interlocking gears (levers), is located right underneath the gear shifter.
Here are some of the gears that you shift in your motorcar:
The main difference between manual and automatic transmissions is that the manual transmission uses multiple sets of gears to the drive shaft while an automatic transmission uses a planetary gear set to produce different gear ratios.
The drive shaft going to the wheels is in mesh with another gear on the countershaft. These gears, also called dog teeth, are always in mesh and turning when the engine is running.
The clutch sleeve cannot turn on the drive shaft but is free to slide back and forth. On the sleeve, a large gear is mounted that can move from the drive shaft to the engine shaft. The sleeve gear can move in order to create different gears for higher or lower speeds.
A large vehicle takes a large amount of force to start. The power goes through the gears in the transmission. The gears help regulate the power for maximum efficiency.
Here’s a problem: An automobile must be able to go backward and forward so another set of gears is added, called reverse idler gears. The power travels through the transmission. Now, there are multiple sets of gears for going forward and another set for going in reverse. Noise and wear are common.
Your car’s internal combustion engine creates power and torque, but it is only really useful during a certain speed range. Instead of connecting the drive wheel directly to the engine, the transmission, or gear box, controls the engine’s speed and torque (RPM).
The transmission makes sure the engine’s RPM is always within the maximum efficiency range, taking care of the speed variations in the drive wheel.
A manual transmission, also known as a stick-shift, requires the driver to use a stick to change gears. Manual transmissions are based on a collection of simple gear pairs and uses a clutch pack.
Automatic transmissions are based upon a planetary gear set and uses a torque converter. An automatic transmission shifts the gears on its own.
Fans of the manual transmission always boast of greater efficiency and fuel economy. In the past, this would have been true nearly every time. But as technology improves and automatic transmissions get better, you are starting to see the automatic version beat out the manual version in terms of fuel economy.
Manual transmissions are cheaper to install and the sticker price reflects that. However, if you do not know how to drive a manual vehicle and aren’t looking for that type of driving experience, then the generally lower cost isn’t helpful.
Although fewer and fewer cars with manual transmissions are made each year, there is a wide variety to choose from, including trucks, sedans and sports cars. Automatic vehicles are the new norm. Every company will provide you with several automatic options with modern technology and safety features to encourage that smooth ride.
Before purchasing a manual or automatic vehicle, there are some basics to consider:
Auto Simple is your source for both manual and automatic vehicles. We can offer support in your search for a new vehicle, and provide the information you need to make the best decision for you and your daily needs.
Stop by any of our locations for the best deals on used vehicles:
Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600
Cleveland, TN – (423) 476-4600
Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600
Dalton, GA – (706) 217-CARS (2277)
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