Your vehicle is your second largest investment next to your home. Everyone has fire insurance on their home, and yet the chances of using it are far less (thank goodness) than a warranty for your vehicle.…

There Are Different Types Of Extended Warranty

Your vehicle is your second largest investment next to your home. Everyone has fire insurance on their home, and yet the chances of using it are far less (thank goodness) than a warranty for your vehicle. It is vital to prepare for any emergency.

Extended warranty on your car is important because there are many expensive replaceable items on your vehicle. While the average vehicle has about 30,000 components if you count every nut and bolt, not all of these will be covered. Also, extended warranty will typically not cover wearable items such as brake components, air filters and fluids designed to wear as you use the vehicle and are considered regular vehicle maintenance.

There are different types of extended warranty, one is from the manufacturer of your vehicle that you can purchase from your dealership, the other is warranty from a third-party provider, though I am not as familiar with these options.

Mechanics repairing a car
A mechanic with a clipboard inspecting the suspension

I choose to buy my extended warranty from my dealership at the time of my purchase, although you can buy it any time as long as you are under the manufacturers’ original warranty. 

There is a fee the longer you wait, so it’s best to buy straight away if you want to extend your warranty.

If you choose to sell the vehicle prior to the extended warranty running out, you can in most cases transfer the balance of that extended warranty to a new owner.

Mechanic with a clipboard

So essentially you can sell that insurance with the vehicle and regain back some of your money while still having that full protection.

Today’s vehicles are truly a technological marvel. With the amount of sensors, safety systems and even the media options, the costs of repairs have risen dramatically. Most basic manufacturer warranty will include a longer powertrain, but if you plan to keep the vehicle beyond three years it’s so important to buy extended warranty, particularly just for oxygen sensors, CO2 sensors, the screens that runs your navigation, etc.

Lastly, an extended warranty from your dealership will ensure you get the manufacturer parts back on your vehicle and that it is worked on at the dealership by trained professionals who are skilled on your brand and model.

Important note, doing the regular maintenance on your vehicle outlined by the manufacturer will help keep both the warranty that came with the vehicle and the extended warranty valid. Think about how long you plan to keep the vehicle you buy and decide which extended warranty is right for you.

Until next time, drive safe.

Sincerely, The Car Lady.

Christine Mitchell, owner and principal of The Car Lady,  spent many years in the automotive industry as a technician, service advisor and salesperson. In 2001, she put her knowledge and experience together to start The Car Lady brand. She has driven hundreds of thousands of kilometres to help dealerships across Canada build customer relationships that increase both customer retention and customer satisfaction.

So, you are ready for a new vehicle. Great! But where to start? Here are some questions to consider for a clear understanding of the basics and differences that will help save you both time and money.…

The Right Car For The Right Purpose

So, you are ready for a new vehicle. Great! But where to start?

Here are some questions to consider for a clear understanding of the basics and differences that will help save you both time and money.

The number one thing you must ask yourself when buying a vehicle is “What are you going to use it for?” The second most important question, which many believe should be the first is, “How are you going to pay for it?”

Let’s save that for another time.

What are you going to do long term with that vehicle? Do you have mobility issues? Are you planning to have more children? Do you have a pet as a passenger (dog hair is an ongoing issue in my car)? Is it a passenger vehicle for scooting around town as a grocery getter? Is your daily commute a longer commitment? Do you plan to use the vehicle for long-distance trips during holidays? Do you need more cargo space? Are you going to be towing anything or hauling around gear? My husband’s truck was vital for dump runs during our home renovation.

2025 Honda CR-Vs on the lot

Think about what you are going to use this vehicle for daily and that will help you to determine which features you need inside the vehicle for your comfort.

Someone who drives a car 10-15 minutes each way in the city every day probably doesn’t need as many features compared to someone such as me who drives a lot and often travels long distances.

Volkswagen Tiguan Side Profile

Most vehicles come with a standard suite of safety features. The two safety features that I love the most are lane keep assist and auto high beam headlamps. I love the lane keep assist because it reads the lines of the road and keeps my vehicle stationary within those lines with a camera system. That reduces my arm tension on the steering wheel. I’m a commuter who lives in rural Southwestern Ontario, and the lane keep assist feature reduces the amount of grip strength that I need to use to hold my vehicle on the road for longer periods time. The same with the auto high beam feature. While on my county roads during a commute, it does the work of turning my high beams on and off as other vehicles approach. You normally can’t buy those add-ons, so it’s best to do some homework.

Consider also the trim levels (the equipment or special features for a particular model). For example when I bought a Lexus, I wanted a car that had Navigation built into the car. Ten years ago there was no such as Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Today if you buy a vehicle that does not have Navigation built into it, most people use their smartphone to project the apps of Waze or Google Maps onto their media screen to use for maps and directions. 

You may not need the top tier package because of the advances in technology. You could move into a lower trim level if you are price conscious. 

Most vehicles now have dedicated apps for your smartphone as well, allowing you a free trial for remote start, and many other safety and convenience options.

Different trim levels of the same vehicle will have different options, so it’s best to examine the levels and their costs to determine what you need and what is in your budget.

I always recommend you test drive several brands and styles of vehicle before deciding. I have had a two-door coupe, a minivan, an SUV and a convertible at different times in my life to suit what I needed at the time. 

Until next time, drive safe.

The Car Lady.

Christine Mitchell, owner and principal of The Car Lady,  spent many years in the automotive industry as a technician, service advisor and salesperson. In 2001, she put her knowledge and experience together to start The Car Lady brand. She has driven hundreds of thousands of kilometres to help dealerships across Canada build customer relationships that increase both customer retention and customer satisfaction.