A rear-wheel drive connects the engine and transmission to the rear wheels via a central driveshaft that runs the length of the vehicle to a rear differential. Rear-wheel drive is normally preferred in sports cars and high performance vehicles because the weight of the drivetrain is distributed more evenly front to rear, which improves handling.

Four-wheel drive has two differentials, front and rear, and a transfer case to send power to all four wheels, providing traction. Transfer cases typically have special low gearing that the driver can select when traction is particularly challenging, such as off-roading.

All-wheel drive is much like four-wheel drive but is designed for a lighter-duty,, on-road driving.  Typical all-wheel drive systems automatically distribute power to the front and rear axles as needed to give the best traction, without driver involvement.

Four-wheel drive has two differentials, front and rear, and a transfer case to send power to all four wheels, providing traction. Transfer cases typically have special low gearing that the driver can select when traction is particularly challenging, such as off-roading.

A front-wheel drive vehicle is a little more complex. The front wheels do double duty, steering and putting power on the ground. With a front-wheel drive it eliminates the long driveshaft used in rear-wheel drive, allowing for a bit more room in the interior.  It also puts everything, engine plus transmission, differential under the hood, making the vehicle front heavy. That is good for traction on slippery surfaces.

A rear-wheel drive connects the engine and transmission to the rear wheels via a central driveshaft that runs the length of the vehicle to a  rear differential. Rear-wheel drive is normally preferred in sports cars and high performance vehicles because the weight of the drivetrain is distributed more evenly front to rear, which improves handling.

Question: I understand that my vehicle insurance premiums will go up with adding my teenage driver to my auto policy. What steps can I take to help reduce the higher cost?

Reply: One of the first steps you may want to take is to talk to your insurance agent about any available discounts, such as good student or discoutns for completing certain driver safety courses.

To help keep a lower premium, you may also want to consider a higher deductible on your teen’s vehicle. Don’t  buy your teen a new car an older vehicle as a starter will cost less to insure then a new car.

Question: Will my teen need her own auto insurance policy, or should I just add her to mine?

Reply: Generally most parents simply add their teen driver to their auto insurance policy. One benefits of doing this, helps them take advantage of various discounts such as multi-policy or multi-vehicle and also ensure appropriate coverage levels until the child reaches adult hood and leaves the household

Question: When should I consider coverage for my teen driver.

Reply: Rules about adding your teen driver to your vehicle policy dose vary from state to state. Some required new drivers to be added once they received their permit, while other states wait until a driver license in issued. To be safe, you should contact your insurer to find out the requirment before your teen gets his or her vehicle permit

Anti-Perforations or corrosion warranty covers serious ruts, these days, they are not that important because most modern cars generally have good rust protection

Emissions warranties, is a federal warranty that runs eight years/80,000 miles covers the catalytic converter, engine control module, and on board emissions diagnostic device. In CA a variety of components that affect emissions are covered for either three years/50,00 miles or seven years/70,000 depending on the component. And for CA Vehicles rated “partial zero emissions vehicles” all emissions-related components are covered for 15 years/150,000 miles.

A powertrain warranties typically cover such thins as the engine, transmission,transfer case, and axle assembly, all potentially costly components to replace or repair. They run longer then the basic warranty normally as long as 10 years/100,000 miles.

A basic bumper to bumper  warranties covers defects on most components, from the audio system to universal joints (note: tires may have their own warranty) if there is such a thing as a basic warranty, it is likely to run three years or 36000 miles, whichever come first.

You maybe able to add an uninsured collision deductible waiver to your policy. While it is not free, it dose means you will not have to pay your deductible if you are involved in a collision caused by an uninsured driver.

A deductible is your share of your auto’s repair bills if you file a claim with your insurer after an accident. If your deductible is$500.00 and repairs  cost is $3000.00, you will pay $500.00 and your insurance company will pay $2500.00. The a mount varies from carrier to carrier, but these days, a typical deductible is between $500.000 and $1000.00.  If you have both comprehensive and collision coverage, you will carry a separate deductible for each coverage.