It starts with merging traffic.  I guess the permit process would expect that we would understand what the heck that is

–verb (used with object)

1.

to cause to combine or coalesce; unite.

2.

to combine, blend, or unite gradually so as to blur the individuality or individual identity of.

I guess that’s why they make that long lane (the on – ramp).  The idea would be to match the speed and blend in.   Maintaining your individuality might be better served in another venue.

Another of the freeway drivers permit class objectives would be to understand that at 55 mph (how fast were you driving today?) you travel about 80 feet per second, if it takes you a couple seconds to react to what is happening in front of you (think: radio, phone, coffee, drowsiness), you’ve flown 160 feet (how close were you to the car in front of you today?).

Since traffic won’t allow you to leave 6 car lengths between you and the car ahead, you absolutely must be paying attention first of all, but very importantly: paying attention to what is happening a car or two ahead.

The newer cars have brake lights mounted high in the center of the car so that you can see what’s happening ‘a ways up there’ and here’s the kicker: take your foot of the gas.  Your car will slow down so that you can adjust your speed to most conditions without your pressing on the brake.  That is a key point because the guy behind you is daydreaming (at 80 feet per second) and will hit the brakes then the daydreamer behind him has travelled far enough that they really need to hit the brakes…and now you know why traffic comes to a complete stop for no apparent reason on what you thought was a freeway.

And since our freeway driving permit will require paying attention, not many of us will have them…it’ll be nice to drive the freeway when there are less cars and all the drivers are actively driving!   As a side benefit, we will all be getting better fuel milage in the process!

Such contracts do offer benefits, like a little peace of mind.  They can also help you even out the expenses of car repairs – by adding to the monthly car payment of the car or through the checks you mail the warranty company each month.

You should know that a salesperson might “inadvertently” give you the impression that the car will be covered “bumper to bumper”, but be advised that most every contract has listed coverages and has exclusions beyond the deductable, often thinks like the fluids required to complete the repair or hoses and mounts and charges for things like environmental fees and shop supplies.

It seems to me that the smart money is to set aside what you would have spent on the policy and then – invest it instead of investing in someone else.  Let it grow ‘til you need it.

The people you trust with your car care should be expected to help you, the best that they can, to predict both short term and long term repair and maintenance expenses.

Oh, and unlike casinos, you never get to say “at least we had some fun” when paying for a warranty contract!

• Ask Questions
o Ask if the posted certificates are for someone who will actually be working on your car.
o Does the “Service Advisor” promise to keep your best interest in mind?
o Ask to tour the facility.
o Ask if the equipment used to diagnose and perform the service is up-to-date and are the technicians educated in its proper use?

• Have high expectations
o An estimate (written, if you request) should be agreed upon prior to letting the business begin the repair. The estimate better be “out the door” (no hidden fees, charges or surprises when you come to pick up your car). And the shop should contact you if the services are coming to more than 10 percent over what you originally authorized.
o The whole job (diagnosis, parts and labor) should be under warranty for as long as (or longer than) the industry standard of 12 months or 12000 miles.
o You should receive an itemized invoice of repairs performed.
o They should help you budget for future needs, not rebuild your car every time they see it
o The shop should have some form of customer satisfaction survey.

Answer: When you don’t think you’re spending enough each year and really want to spend more!

But Seriously, If your current car meets your needs (size and other performance factors) you can plan on it being cost effective for 20 years and one, two, three hundred thousand miles. With the kind of care we provide most cars can last that long. Taking proper care of a car has been shown to save you thousands!

Sometimes though, your needs change (your family grows or you buy a boat to haul) and you may need to consider another car. Sometimes a car is totaled in a collision or is stolen and not recovered – both good reasons to shop for a replacement :>)

Until then, expect your car guy to let you know if it’s no longer a good idea to keep your car and to help you invest appropriately in the car you own: it’s a “known quantity” that can last for many years.

You can shop for subcontractors and supplies and deal with research and problems and warranties yourself -and you may save some money…if nothing major goes wrong.  Or you can have a professional do it.

Same goes for your car.  You can shop for the cheapest spark plug at one place and have someone install it (since you can’t even see the plugs anymore to do it yourself).  Or you can have your car guy take care of it and he’ll use his experience of which spark plugs work well in your particular car (and which plugs he wouldn’t trust farther than he could throw them!).  He’s also the one to stand behind those parts (and the labor).

I’ve found that it’s usually cheaper to do it right the first time:  After all, if you don’t have the time or money to do it correctly now, how are you ever going to be able to do it over again?

Now, don’t let your contractor build you a condo complex when what you want is a vacation home.  And the same goes for your car contractor: he should be trusted to know not only what is best for a particular car, but what is best for the way you intend to use your car.  For instance, you need to care differently for a short term lease than a car that is expected to give its real life expectancy of 100, 200 or 300,000 miles.

Think of the relationship this way a “contractor” is “contractually bound” to providing you with a service and you expect service that is in your best interest.  Since you don’t want to build your own house, all you need to do is choose your contractor.