subject: Powertrain Auto Warranties And All You Need To Know About A Powertrain [print this page] In the automobile world the Powertrain consist of all the components of a vehicle's drive system. This includes the engine, the transmission, and any separate driveshafts, differential etc. Sometimes, "powertrain" is used to refer to simply the engine and transmission, including the other components only if they are integral to the transmission.
When you buy a new or used car you must look over the auto warranty for powertrain coverage. Make sure you read the entire contract before the 30th day after you made a down payment. New Car Warranties are very clear on what the driver must do. Is the Powertrain covered and for how many miles and for how many years? Be clear on how long the new car has been on the lot. Drivers are not aware that factory warranties do not start on the sale date but when the car came off the factory floor.
Stay clear of any extended powertrain warranties that do not allow you to use any certified facility that you choose. If you can only use the policy at a handful of repair facilities it does you no good if your out of town or have you own mechanic that you always use. Also make certain the policy will pay the mechanic directly and not require the driver to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed.
Very few Manufacturer's Warranties go past a 3 years 36k miles. However, to compete more and more Car Makers are raising the Factory Powertrain coverage to 5 years with an additional 100k miles. Experts believe in years to come it will be the standard for new car powertrain coverage. That being said it is sometimes prudent to purchase an extended warranty to cover repair bills. As you will find when your shopping there are a large amount of Extended Car Warranty Companies with many levels of coverage. Depending on your mileage you may qualify for more than just Powertrain coverage but Powertrain components cost the most when a breakdown does occur. Transmission, drive axel , drive shaft and engine are main parts of the Powertrain. As with any Automotive contract have the agent go over specific parts that are covered in detail.
If you have an older model vehicle or high mileage an extended warranty (also known as a Vehicle Service Contract) is really the best purchase you can make to protect your vehicle's powertrain. Most companies will offer policies that are anywhere from enhanced to premier to platinum depending on what you want to spend. Whichever one you decide, especially for a used vehicle make sure the powertrain is included, it will save you from an unexpected large out of pocket repair bill.
Make sure you go over all of the requirements with your VSC agent that are mandatory items on all Vehicle Service Contracts like a waiting period. Not all policies have roadside assistance or towing. So if you don't have other roadside like AAA you need to have this in your Warranty. Some Powertrain Warranties also cover a rental car and towing. You need to no how much they will cover and for how many days. If you shop around long enough you may find some extra feature's like Auto Deductible and ICE.
One important factor that a car owner must do to qualify for coverage is all of the recommended maintenance. All of this is listed in your car's owner manual. Most Powertrain Warranties outline that a driver must replace their timing belt at specific mileage as well as regularly changing oil and other fluids. Hurricane's floods and other natural disasters are not covered with a Powertrain Warranty or any other car warranty for that matter.
Prior to purchasing your car warranty do some research on the internet which provides the best place to obtain information about the company. They also have consumer ratings or contain content as to problems that may have occurred. In any event purchasing the right extended auto warranty to protect your vehicle and especially the powertrain will be the best investment you make.
by: David Cunningham.
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
