Q. I have been trying to find a source that can give me information concerning After-Market Auto Warranties. There is a great deal of information that anyone would need to make an informed decision about purchasing this product and no place to find it, Can you help? Specifically, I have a 94 Infiniti Q-45 with 69,000 miles on it. I would like to locate providers that can offer up to 150,000 Mile warranty protection. I have heard they are out there, but where? Are any of these providers rates as to their performance and universal acceptability?

A. In the years I have been in the Auto Repair business, I have never seen an extended warranty plan that covers over 100,000 miles. I have searched out many companies offering extended warranties and have yet to find one that offers anything over the 100,000 mile mark. (Look for links on extended warranty companies in the next week or two)

Not being in the extended warranty business, I would guess the most likely reason for this is most cars are designed with built in obsolesce. That is to say they will incur more frequent and more costly repairs as they get older. An extended warranty is an insurance policy. When you buy life insurance, most companies require you to take a physical before they will sell you a policy. The same holds true for your car. When you go to buy an extended warranty, most companies will require a "physical" on your car before they will sell you the warranty. If the car is in good shape with no history of serious problems, they will sell you a policy. On the other hand, if the car has been poorly maintained and/or has had serious problems in the past, they will most likely decline. When you go to buy an extended warranty there are some things to look for.

1. What is covered? Does it just cover power train or "bumper to bumper"? Before you sign, make sure you know exactly what is covered.

2. What is the deductible? A 50.00 deductible is common but as the deductible rises, the cost of the warranty will go down. Thus a warrant with a 100.00 deductible will be cheaper than one with a 50.00 deductible.

3. How does the company pay for a covered repair? Do they pay the repair facility directly or do you pay the bill and they reimburse you? A direct pay is desirable because the repair facility will do all the required paper work leaving you free to pick up the car and drive away. Also, if there is a problem with the repair not being done correctly or not lasting, the warranty company will, most likely, take steps to help you resolve the problem.

4. How long has the extended warranty company been around? Look for a company that has been around for a while. That will give you a good indication that they will not close up shop tomorrow and leave you with a worthless policy.

5. Compare prices and plans. Look for reasonable rates, not the cheapest. As with anything, if it's to good to be true, it probably isn't.

As with any car, the best insurance is preventative maintenance. And the best PM is changing the engine oil frequently. Infinity recommends an oil and filter change every 7500 miles under normal driving conditions. Nobody drives under "normal conditions" I would highly recommend changing the oil and filter every 3000 miles. I have seen Q45's, and many other makes of cars, go 150,000 - 200,000 miles with no major problems with 3,000 mile oil changes.

I hope this has been of some help to you. I am always doing research on this, and many other subjects and if I should come across a company that offers a 150,000 mile plan, I will surely let you, and all my readers know.