What is a Lemon in the first place? Well, determining that can be tricky. Your State's Lemon Law defines when a manufacturer has breached its written warranty and what the victim is entitled to for such a breach of warranty. In addition, there are various other warranty laws (or Lemon Laws) within each state and on the Federal level which can be used to recover money for consumers who do not meet the strict definitions contained in their state's Lemon Law.

Here are some important things to remember to avoid a problem car and protect yourself should a serious problem arise:

• Prior to delivery of your new vehicle, complete a visual inspection in order to detect any problems or issues. Refuse delivery of the vehicle demanding correction. A major "don't" is accepting a dealer's promise that all issues will be fixed during a future service appointment.

• Keep copies of all of your repair orders any time your vehicle is taken in for service. Be sure to request a detailed repair order each time your vehicle is worked on, even if you are told that "no problem was found" by the dealership. You never know when you might need these down the road. No one expects to have a lemon when they begin taking their vehicle in initially.

• Make sure you have receipts for all oil changes! Follow the maintenance guidelines provided within your vehicle's owners manual.

• Retain copies of literature provided by the vehicle manufacturer for your specific vehicle. This should include brochures, warranties and advertisements. This will assist you in providing proof of any statements or claims a manufacturer makes about your vehicles performance or features.

• Don't take the dealer's word for it that the problem you are experiencing is "normal". Go to another dealer, find out from others online or call a lemon law firm to find out if other people are having this problem.

• Try a different dealership if the one you are taking it to cannot fix your problem satisfactorily. Your warranty usually says that you are entitled to take your vehicle to any authorized dealership, not just the selling dealer.

If the unfortunate situation should arise that you are stuck driving a Lemon, don't go it alone. An experienced lemon law attorney can accurately assess your case and give you the satisfaction you deserve.