CARCHEX and Pat Goss Offer New Year’s Resolutions for Drivers to Take Control

To Rebound from 2009’s Automotive Obstacles, Consumers Can Save Money and Reduce Stress with Simple Driving Resolutions

Baltimore (Vocus) January 7, 2010

CARCHEX, the industry-leading provider for extended service protection and national mobile vehicle inspections, along with spokesman Pat Goss, America’s trusted mechanic and segment host on TV’s MotorWeek, today showcased drivers’ three most important New Year’s resolutions to take control, save money and reduce stress in 2010.

Says CARCHEX CEO Jason Goldsmith, “2009 was a tumultuous year for the automotive industry given the major automaker bankruptcies, Cash for Clunkers and thousands of dealerships closing around the country. We saw more drivers keeping their older cars on the road, and our resolutions help drivers make sure they’re running properly.”

1. Be Proactive with Preventative Maintenance

“Get in the habit of popping the hood regularly,” says Pat Goss. “The owner’s manual will give you a list of things that you can inspect yourself. At least once a month, perform the check-it-yourself items listed in your owner’s manual. It’s as easy as two and a half to three minutes per month. Don’t wait for something big to happen and don’t wait for a warning light to come on. Warning lights and service reminders are there as a last line of defense; they should not be considered your primary source for information.”

2. Extended Service Protection Plans

“Taking just one stressor away can improve your quality of life,” says Pat Goss. “Imagine being able to remove the stress of major car repairs from your life. Repairs are expensive including parts, labor and testing. And much more than just engines and transmissions break. There are many other systems that go wrong and believe me, they will. An extended service protection plan will insulate you from these unforeseen costs and hopefully reduce some stress this New Year.”

3. “Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst”

“Every year I remind myself to manage expectations,” says Pat Goss. “It’s a philosophy that’s served me well and one that should be applied to how you care for your car: hope for the best but plan for the worst. By planning for the worst, or what I call ‘pessimistic maintenance,’ you take care of little problems before they become big ones and you guarantee a longer lasting, more economical car.”

About CARCHEX
Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Md., CARCHEX is the trusted online resource for vehicle inspection and protection. An innovator in pre-purchase vehicle inspection programs, CARCHEX provides consumers with the information and tools they need to purchase or protect their vehicles and gain peace of mind. The company’s commitment to protecting automotive consumers translates into an intuitive process for comparing extended warranties quotes. In addition to Pat Goss, CARCHEX has partnered with Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX and LendingTree. To inspect and protect your next car and learn valuable car-care tips from Pat Goss, visit CARCHEX online at http://www.CARCHEX.com.

About Pat Goss and Goss’ Garage
As co-host on the acclaimed weekly television series MotorWeek, Pat Goss’ expertise and common sense approach to car care has helped millions of owners better understand and gain confidence in their vehicles. Goss also hosts two live, weekly Goss' Garage programs in the Washington, D.C. area. His call-in radio show is broadcast Saturday mornings at 7 a.m. on WJFK 106.7, and a 30-minute television show on NewsChannel 8 airs Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. For more information on Pat Goss and Goss’ Garage, please visit http://www.goss-garage.com.

Media Contact
Mike Faherty
Abel Communications for CARCHEX
410-843-3820
mfaherty(at)abelcommunications(dot)com

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