Second of two parts

Last week this column distinguished between an auto service contract and a manufacturer’s warranty.

We will continue today, touching on “used car warranty” protection, length of service contracts, claim handling, your responsibilities, and tips on how to avoid problems.

When shopping for a used car, look for a buyer’s guide sticker posted on the car’s window. This sticker is required by the Federal Trade Commission on all used cars sold by dealers. It tells whether a service contract is available. It also indicates whether the vehicle is being sold with a warranty or with implied warranties.

Warranty. If the manufacturer’s warranty is still in effect on the used car, you may have to pay a fee to obtain coverage, making it a service contract. However, if the dealer absords the cost of the manufacturer’s fee, the coverage is considered to be a warranty.

Implied warranties only. There are two common types of implied warranties. Both are unspoken and unwritten and based on the principle that the seller stands behind the product. Under a “warranty of merchantability,” the seller promises the product will do what it is supposed to do. If the car doesn’t run, implied warranties law says the dealer must fix it.

When your new car needs to be repaired or serviced, you may be able to choose among several service dealers or authorized repair centers, or you may be required to return the vehicle to the purchasing dealer for service, which could be inconvenient if you bought the car from a dealership in another town.

Find out if your new car will be covered if it breaks down while you are using it on vacation of if you take it when you move out of town. Some auto service contract companies and dealers offer service only in a specific geographical area.

For any repair work or towing services, you may need prior authorization from the contract provider. If so, be sure to ask:

How long it takes to get such authorization.

Whether you can get authorization outside of normal business hours if, for example, your car breaks down on a weekend.

Whether the company has a toll-free number or if you must call long distance for authorization.

You may be required to pay for covered repairs and then wait for the service company to reimburse you. If the auto service contract does not specify how long reimbursement usually takes, be sure to ask.

Check to see if new or reconditioned (“like”) parts are authorized for us in covered repairs. Some consumers are disappointed when they find out “reconditioned” engines are being used as replacement parts under some service contracts.

Your responsibility under the contract is that you may be required to follow all of the manufacturer’s recommendations for routine maintenance, such as getting oil changes and tune-ups every three months. Failure to do so could void the contract.

Find out if the contract prohibits either taking the car to an independent station for routine maintenance, or performing the work yourself. The contract may specify that the selling dealer is the only authorized facility for servicing the car.

If the service contract lasts longer than you expect to own the car, find out if it could be transferred when you sell the car, or if a shorter contract is available. There may be a fee for transferring the contract to another owner.

Consumer Forum is a collaborative effort of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT. Send your questions to Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. COMBAT is a membership organization with basic dues of $10 a year. For membership information and a free copy of the COMBAT newsletter, write to the above address. Please enclose a large, stamped, self-addressed envelope.