If you own a recreational vehicle, RV Lemon Laws are something you should know about. Find out what to do if your RV has problems that don’t go away, even after repairs.

Owning a recreational vehicle (RV) can be a great thing. They’re a home on wheels, letting you get away without leaving behind all the creature comforts you’re used to having in your house. But they are expensive to purchase and to repair. As with cars or any motor vehicles, some RVs are lemons. That is, they do not perform to the expectations of the purchaser, caused by defective parts or poor design.

If you’re RV has required two or three trips to a mechanic to repair the same problem, you could own a lemon. Thankfully, consumers in the United States are protected by federal and state lemon laws. RVs are covered by some of these laws. At the federal level, recreational vehicles are covered by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (which also covers cars and other motor vehicles), providing the purchaser with significant rights when dealing with manufacturers of lemon RVs. These rights include guaranteeing minimum repairs and providing a written warranty that outlines the responsibilities of the manufacturer should the purchaser discover any defects or should the vehicle not perform up to expectations.

Lemon laws ensure that manufacturers complete repairs in a timely manner, so that any problem is resolved quickly. This only happens if the RV is still under warranty.. Normally, the law allows repairs to be attempted twice before the purchaser can ask for a refund or some other compensation, such as a replacement vehicle. The purchaser can also ask for monetary damages to compensate for the warrantor’s (the manufacturer) failure to perform.

Both major and minor problems and faults are covered by the act. Even a number of small impairments that add up to a substantial problem can be claimed under the act. Any court of general jurisdiction in the United States will hear a lemon law case should the purchaser choose to pursue legal action. If the purchaser prevails, legal fees will be paid by the warrantor.

US states have different variations on the Magnuson-Moss statute and some, like Nevada, do not cover RVs. If you suspect your RV to be a lemon, do a little research online to see what is covered on your state lemon law.

When pursuing a claim against an RV manufacturer, make sure you have documentation for everything. Records of repairs, the bill of sale, all warranty information and even the manufacturer-supplied manuals that came with the vehicle are necessary. Document any phone calls you have with manufacturer representatives, be it in person or over the phone. These documents create a record of your inconvenience as well as create a timeline showing how often the RV has been out of service.

Are you replacing your air filter too often? Find out what AAA says about air filter replacement and how often you should do it.

(NewsUSA) – For years, experts including the Environmental Protection Agency told motorists to change their car’s engine air filter frequently for maximum fuel economy. However, a recent study funded by the U.S. Department of Energy found that air filter condition has no significant effect on the fuel economy of modern fuel-injected engines.

Automakers used to recommended air filter replacement at regular mileage intervals, but that practice failed to take into account the wide variety of real-world driving conditions. Two months driving in a dusty rural environment can cause the same amount of air filter restriction as a full year of vehicle use in a relatively clean urban setting.

Today, most automakers recommend that the air filter be inspected regularly, but replaced only when needed. More frequent replacement wastes money without improving fuel economy.

How do you know when a filter needs replacement? Visible dirt on the filter surface is not a good indicator. Instead, remove the filter and hold it up to a 100 watt light bulb. If light passes easily through more than half of the filter, it can be returned to service.

The light test only works with conventional pleated paper air filters. Some cars have extended-life factory filters with dense filtering media that are highly effective but do not allow light to shine through. Replace these filters at the mileage interval specified by the manufacturer.

A few vehicles, primarily pickup trucks, have a filter service indicator on the air filter housing. Check the indicator at each oil change, and replace the filter when the indicator says it is time to do so.

For non-do-it-yourselfers, the certified technicians at more than 8,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America will be happy to help with air filter inspection and replacement, along with any other automotive maintenance and repair needs you may have. AAA Approved shops can be identified by the Approved Auto Repair sign, or by searching online at www.AAA.com/repair.

John Nielsen joined the AAA executive management team in 1998 as national director of the Approved Auto Repair network. Nielsen has 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. He has held an ASE Master Automotive Technician certification, authored the book “Making Sense of Car Care,” given testimony to the state and national legislatures, and now serves as Editor in Chief of AAA’s new car and truck reviews. He is a regular guest on radio and TV shows throughout the country.

Easy-to-do maintenance helps extend vehicle life and changing your motor oil is one of the key car maintenance services.

(ARA) – After their homes, most Americans’ largest financial investment is their vehicle, so helping it stay in good working order for as long as possible is a high priority.

In fact, the average age of a passenger car in North America has grown to more than nine years, according to R.L. Polk and Co., which indicates that motorists are looking for ways to help extend the life of their vehicle.

Even so, today’s tight budgets leave some motorists reluctant to spend on services or maintenance that they think can be delayed, at least for the short term.

However, compared to the cost of engine repair, spending a little today on the right maintenance routine performed by trusted service technicians using quality products makes sense. Mark Ferner, Pennzoil technical specialist and ASE-certified master mechanic, offers some simple, cost-effective tips for helping to protect the performance and longevity of your vehicle:

Replace Dirty Air Filters.

A dirty air filter will restrict airflow to the engine, which may reduce power output. If the filter fails, it will allow unfiltered air into the engine, which can be abrasive inside an engine. To avoid these issues and help promote long engine life, check your engine’s air filter regularly and change it when it is dirty.

Use High-quality Fuel.

Several automotive manufacturers (BMW, GM, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi) have published technical service bulletins recommending the use of top-tier fuel. Top-tier fuel contains more additives than is required by the industry’s Lowest Additive Content (LAC) treat rate. Regular use of fuel that only meets LAC requirements may cause deposits to form on engine intake valves and fuel injectors.

Change Your Oil.

Regular oil changes are one of the most important steps to maximize the life of a vehicle. Oil change intervals vary by vehicle and driving conditions, so follow the interval and oil specifications found in the owner’s manual.

Also, be sure to use quality motor oils in your vehicle. Properly functioning motor oils help prevent sludge and neutralize and disperse harmful deposits, and using the recommended viscosity grade of motor oil may also help enhance fuel economy. If you are having the oil changed for you, ask for quality oils by name. Quality motor oil will maintain its effectiveness throughout the oil change interval, allowing it to help keep the engine clean.

As a bonus, some motor oil brands offer lubrication warranties at no additional cost. For example, the Pennzoil and Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty Programs protect qualified engines for 300,000 miles, whether their owners use conventional, synthetic-blend or full synthetic motor oils meeting their vehicles’ requirements. Participants can enroll online, and maintaining eligibility is easy: simply get an oil change with the specified brand, change the filter, perform regular maintenance and keep the service receipts.

To learn more about the Pennzoil and Quaker State lubrication limited warranties, visit either www.Pennzoil.com or www.QuakerState.com, or speak with an automotive professional at a participating automotive dealership or oil change facility that features Pennzoil or Quaker State products.