Novice Drivers Introduction to Auto Transmissions 101

Basically your vehicle has to roll down the road towards your ultimate destination. Yet some mechanical device has to convert the power that your auto engine or motor produces and convert it into motion - either forward or reverse direction.

This is the job and function of your transmission - a most unsung and taken for granted workhorse of any car, truck or sports utility vehicle.

If you know and understand the basics of automotive transmission products - their types, components and how they work, then you are in a much more favorable situation when it comes time for breakdowns or potentially very hefty repair bills.

To begin with transmissions that you will encounter in most of the vehicles currently on the road and that you may purchase or drive, fall into two types or classifications. These are automatic transmissions (the more popular run of the mill variety) and manual or standard transmissions.

Manual transmissions can be distinguished by the automotive novice or neophyte in that they have a clutch whereas automatic transmissions do not. Manual (often referred to as standard transmissions) have three pedals in the drivers' foot area - accelerator, clutch (in the middle) and brake pedal (on the right). Automatics on the other hand do away with the clutch and you will spot only two pedals. The accelerator (gas) pedal on the left and the brake on the right. Due to the space available and logistics the brake pedal on automatics is much bigger and larger than the ordinary sized pedal for braking with manual versions.

What is the general and overall function of a clutch in a standard setup?

Clutches are used to uncouple the transmission from the engine so that the gears can be shifted, whereas in the automatic version hydraulic pressures are used to control the shifts. Instead of flowing through the clutch to the gears, the power in an automatic-transmission engine flows from the crankshaft to the torque converter.

What is a torque converter? What is its' role and function? How can you describe it in the event of a mechanical breakdown or need for repair? How does it fit in the scheme of things so that you do not get bulldozed or bamboozled by a mechanic or technical service adviser at times of repair or maintenance? After all if you are forearmed with knowledge you will be a position advantageous to yourself both for discussion, need for repair and the presentation of your final bill and invoice.

Simply put and explained the torque converter is filled with oil and acts as either a fluid coupling or alternatively described "fluid clutch". This device allows gear shifting while power is flowing though the transmission. The way in which shifts are made (through what are called or referred to as planetary gear sets) also allows shift in a vehicle being driven with an automatic transmission to be generally very very smooth.

On the other hand a professional driver utilizing a manual transmission type can be said to have a greater range of specific control and in exceptionally experienced hands can be said to provide and produce an even silkier smooth ride than that given in most cases by an automatic.

Thus forearmed with a basic understanding of the two transmission types and how they work and function, as a driver or vehicle owner you are in a much better situation to be able to intelligently discuss issues of your transmission with your mechanic or dealership service adviser and as well be in a better situation to discuss and evaluate service or repair proposals and even demands.

Situations That Demand Brand Specific Collision Repair

Lighter weight and fuel efficiency are the two main concerns currently topping the list of considerations for most car manufacturers. This has resulted in a situation where steel is no longer the first choice material in making car bodies and parts. Despite their varying benefits, the materials currently being used and developed are however, less malleable and more difficult to repair as compared to steel.

Aluminum alloys are one of the most popular materials currently being used in car production. Looking at the 2013 Mercedes SL, it would be difficult to imagine that this magnificent piece of engineering has been mostly put together using recycled high strength aluminum. The use of these materials has however resulted in greater performance and fuel efficiency in this car despite having a smaller engine.

The use of aluminum in cars is not an entirely new affair. The material was previously used for bumpers, some engine components, deck lids, hoods, cylinder heads and intake manifolds. Weight savings were noted to be between 40 to 50 percent when using aluminum.

Today's engineering advancements have seen the production of aluminum intensive automobiles such as the 2013 SL Mercedes which has its structural components made from this material. Collision repair for cars that have aluminum structural components is one of the situations that demand brand specific collision repair.

Due to the special qualities possessed by aluminum, this material does not respond in a similar manner as steel when being worked on. Special equipment and techniques need to be used so as to successfully straighten, weld and repair it. The fact that there are different types of alloys, with a variety of strengthening treatments applied only serves to further complicate the repair of vehicles with aluminum structures after a collision.

Something as simple as applying the wrong temperature could easily lead to the material becoming brittle and the car losing its structural integrity. To avoid this, most car manufacturers advise collision repair shops to use rivets and structural adhesives when working on aluminum structures in vehicles.

With these developments, there has been a trend where car makers certify particular collision repair shops as designated for the vehicles they produce. These brand specific collision repair shops are certified after fulfilling certain requirements which prove that they have the requisite skilled labor and equipment to effectively repair the cars produced by the particular manufacturer. While this has seen some repair shops lose business, the car owners have greatly gained since their cars are repaired to factory standards.

To ensure that this trend does not kill competitive business, car makers need to be compelled to freely distribute repair information to any parties that request it. With some car manufacturers such as BMW, planning to begin the production of cars that have carbon fiber structures which have been proven to be much stronger than steel, collision repair shops will need to keep up with the fast paced developments of automobile engineering. This is the only way to ensure that your collision repair business remains competitive now and in the future.

Corvette Body Shop - Pick the Right One

There are different Corvette body repair shops that assist in rendering the best services available. However there are some auto body repairs that are in fact reasonably priced and offer quick time service for the elite customers. Here are a few auto body repairs that one has to bear in mind to beautify the vintage corvette body once again.

If your vehicle has dents or dings you should think about getting paint less dent removal. Paint less dent elimination can be done swiftly, typically in just under a few hours or less. Also it is very much within your means irrespective of the budget you have reserved for the corvette body repair. Paint less cavity removal is where dents are massaged out using weighty sources, rods and other special tools that are meant for this purpose. No artificial paints or fillers and other makeweights used in the whole process of patching up, so the original finish of your corvette stays intact and will not be endangered.

If your windshield is splintered or knapped, you need to get the windshield repaired. Most times people think they will need to replace the whole windshield and hence has to shell out extra bucks. However if you get the corvette body repair finished in a little while after the crack or chip occurred, it can be revamped without difficulty.

It really takes no time for a specialist to mend, and at times special auto body shops that are registered with special corvette clubs offer a mobile service, where they will come up to to you and restore your windshield. It is almost affordable, and most times the car insurance provider will pay for most of or the entire repair. People believe that almost all bumpers are irremediable. If your bumper is made of plastic, it can easily be repaired, as the degree of complexity does not require minute artistry. Getting your bumper repaired is a quick process and won't be demanding too much money from one's end.

Paint touch up is also a fix that should be completed on your visit to the Corvette body shop, when the paint is found to have withered off or scratched. If the coating is detached the vehicle is open to numerous problems. Many interior repairs can be completed so as to make the corvette look better. If your headliner is descending, if you have any rips in the upholstery, you should contact an auto body shop to complete that Corvette body repair for a lesser charge than going for substitution.

Auto Windshield: Easy Repair and Replacement

Auto Windshield is not only there to protect us from the wind when driving, but also to prevent any type of debris coming into the car. The windshield is there to support most of the weight of the car roof too. Although this glass is made to withstand heavy stress and to resist heat, it also has its limitations. When driving at a reasonable high speed, it can happen that a pebble or small gravel can hit the glass and cause a crack in it. This maybe very tiny or even unnoticeable at the moment, but develops into something very big as the time goes on. Driving causes vibration in the car and so the windshield. This causes the vein to grow eventually affecting the glass and thus causing it damage.

Auto Windshield services:

Servicing your Auto Windshield gives you benefits in many ways. Not only it is economical, but also saves time and energy.

There are different ways to fix your glass. In case of a crack, you can repair the crack itself instead of replacing the glass. Replacing the Auto Windshield normally costs around $300 to $500. This is rather expensive as compared to $60 spent on filling up the crack and getting the glass fixed. In this way, one saves money and also gets the required work done. This not only helps in clearing the cracks but also improves the vision from the car.

Many auto windshield companies also offer home repair options. You don't need to take your car to the shop. You just call them and they come to fix your glass. Apart from saving your fuel, you also save your time. This is very convenient on account that you would not have to miss your regular curriculum just to fix your Auto Windshield. Time spent on fixing the glass can be spent on any job you would be planning to do.

Adding to its services is their door to door mobile service. Whenever your car goes off the road, you will definitely need to hire a cab just to get to the repair shop. Several auto companies offer to help in this case as well. With their mobile service, they come to you and fix your car without you having to hire a car.

These services offered by auto companies provide lots of relief and convenience to the customers. Apart from being economical, this is also a very reliable firm. Maintenance of the glass plays a key role in ensuring driving safety to a very great extent.

Should You Have Your Engine Rebuilt or Buy a New Car?

With the rising cost of new cars in this crumbled economy most people are keeping their older cars. A warranty is offered on a new car, but considering the high payments, one's choice is to get the old car fixed.

It is obvious that the older car will need more repairs and maintenance, but for most there isn't much choice. So your car is losing oil at a quart or two a day and the smoke pours out of the tail-pipe. You are most likely having engine problems, so now you wonder if you should have your engine rebuilt or buy a new car.

You need to take your car to four qualified repair shops that specialize in engine rebuilding. Check them out first and make sure they are highly qualified with ASE Certified technicians.

Make sure they give you a complete break-down of what they need to do to rebuild the engine. Find out how long it will take for them to start the work and how long before you can take the car home.

You need everything in writing such as the price for each part, price for the labor and a guarantee in writing. Do not wait until the work is done on the car to get a written guarantee. Always request it when you are getting estimates. After you get your written estimates, check them out with the local BBB.

Talk to others that's had car repair and find out who they used, were they happy with the service, were their prices reasonably and how long was their car in the shop. Word of mouth is always the best way to find a good auto repair shop.

After you've done your research on your old car, it's now time to check into new cars. Go to 3 different car lots. You need to decide on a good used car or a new car. Sometime buying a new car offers better interest rates and a better warranty, but you need to consider the total price of the vehicle.

You need good credit to get a low-interest rate with no down. Keep in mind when you trade in a car, they jack up the price of the car you are interested in buying. Compare the payments each month with a down payment versus getting your engine rebuilt in the older car.

If the old car is in great shape except for the engine, then the wisest choice is to keep it and have the engine rebuilt. There are good engine repair mechanics that can work out a payment schedule with a sufficient down payment. You now have enough information to make an informed choice to have your engine rebuilt or buy a new car.

Alignment Issues - What to Do If Your Car Wobbles When Traveling Slowly

When your car is wobbling at slow driving speeds (or even fast driving speeds for that matter) it is time to have your alignment checked because that is the number one source of trouble when it comes to wobbling at any speeds.

Other common issues to blame may be that one or more of your tires is running low and that is the cause of the wobbling, rather than the alignment. In other rare incidents it may be that one of the tires is not on as securely as it should be and has so begun to wobble. This is a very bad thing and hence the reason that no matter what the wobbling is you should pull over and take a look yourself to try and identify the problem.

If you are not able to identify the problem yourself then you should take it to your mechanic or the closest shop near you if the problem feels bad enough. If it is only a slight wobble then you might be more than okay to just wait until you have the time to set an appointment and visit your primary mechanic.

An alignment issue with your auto is not generally a serious concern, however, left unattended for many weeks or months, can produce undesirable results and might even begin to shake your car loose around its 'seams.' Just like any mechanical device that is being vibrated violently will have a greater chance of breaking, your car is somewhat similar. Cars are made extremely durably but they have limits and a constant, extreme vibration is not a good thing for the vehicle. Have it checked as soon as it seems good to you.

How To Find A Reliable and Trustworthy Collision Repair Body Shop

A big collision repair job can be very costly. You not only need the best possible workmanship for the job, but you need to be sure that the work being done is absolutely necessary, and it is done with the best intentions of getting your vehicle back on the road in a timely manner, and safely.

Provincial law, along with insurance regulations in Canada, require that a repair facility provide written estimates, and be accountable for them. They are also obligated to notify the customer of all increases over and above the estimate, if additional problems or complexities are discovered. Customers are also allowed to request that original parts be turned over to the owner when they are replaced.

If you are facing a major restoration job or are in need of collision repair, it is always wise to get a second or even third opinion from another repair shop. There shouldn't be any large discrepancies between estimates. Go with your gut on which body shop you think is the most trustworthy, reliable, and honest.

If they all seem that way, don't pick the most expensive, and don't pick the least expensive. If a quote seems really low, be very careful. Either you're paying for sub-standard workmanship, cheap parts, or the body shop is being untruthful. Remember, you always get what you pay for.

Technology is beginning to play a role in helping out with collisions. Outer city roads are typically traveled less than inner city roads. In the event that an accident happens on low traffic roads, or in remote locations, and everyone involved are immobilized, use your smart-phone to find a collision repair facility. Actually, first call the police to report the accident, and then find a collision repair facility.

Don't rely on the tow truck driver to take you to his preferred choice. He gets paid commissions for bringing in wrecked cars. So you aren't necessarily getting the best auto body shop to do the repairs. Instead, Google "body shop" followed by your city name. Find a list of collision repair shops in your city that's relatively close to where the accident occurred.

Don't take too long picking a shop. Pick the first one in Google's results and call them. Call two or three body shops, and find out what type of service they offer. The body shop that you choose, you want them to be honest, reliable, and efficient. They don't have to be a preferred supplier for your insurance company.

Some insurance companies will tell you that you have to use one of their preferred vendors, otherwise the repair work won't be warrantied. Sadly, that's a myth. The insurance companies don't warranty the work regardless of where you go. The repair shop is the one that warranties the work. Therefore, take it wherever you want and don't be bullied by your insurance company.

At the time when you need a collision repair business, you might be a little shaken up from the accident that you were just in. That's not the ideal time to be looking for someone to repair your vehicle. Google a phrase such as "body shop", followed by your city name, to find a list of the local repair businesses.

Call two or three places and let them know that you're looking to create a relationship with one collision repair business. That way, in the unlucky event that you're involved in an accident, you'll know exactly who to contact. Make sure that the business you choose is both friendly and clean. They should also be helpful and responsive to your request to meet with them.

How Laminated Glass Is Created

Laminated glass is probably the most significant safety development in the auto industry since the seatbelt. It prevents more injuries than seatbelts each year. Laminated glass is used in a variety of industries around the world, but the most well-known is the auto industry. Laminated glass is used in windshields primarily because it is nearly impossible to break into shards or splinters, thus keeping the driver and passengers safe from flying shards of glass.

Structurally, there are three layers required to make laminated glass. There are two sheets of everyday glass, just like window glass, and the third layer, which is sandwiched between the two layers of glass, is a substrate which adheres to the glass. Both pieces of glass must be cut to the proper size, then be perfectly clean, free of any dust or debris. Dust or debris of any kind will compromise the integrity of the laminated glass, causing it to break, or even impairing the view of the driver when it is used in a windshield. There are often many more layers of glass and substrate used in applications other than the automobile windshield.

Only after the two pieces of glass are perfectly clean is the substrate heat-bonded to them. A substrate is a type of plastic, known as Polyvinyl Butyral, or PVB. There are two less well-known types of substrate used in the manufacture of laminated glass, Polyurethane and Ethylene Vinyl. The first substrates used to create safety glass were cellulose based, and darkened in the sun, thus impairing the driver's vision. There have been many attempts to use liquid substrates, but the cost of using chemicals to harden them or exposing them to UV light is very expensive, and is currently not a solution for use in the auto industry due to its cost-prohibitive expense.

Substrates must be applied to the glass in a climate-controlled environment. Temperature and humidity play a large role in whether the substrate adheres to the glass. Amazingly, the substrate is applied by hand, one of the few jobs in the auto industry that are less mechanized. The substrate is glued to the bottom sheet of glass, and then the top layer of glass is laid on the substrate and the bottom layer of glass, making a sort of sandwich. Any excess substrate is then trimmed off the glass around the edges. In order to make the clearest and safest windshield possible, the auto industry requires only three layers to a windshield, the two layers of glass and one layer of substrate. Other industries require more layers of glass and substrate.

Air bubbles are a problem which must be addressed when creating laminated glass. Air bubbles form no matter how perfectly the lamination process is done. The method of getting the bubbles out is to heat the glass, and then press the bubbles out with a huge press roller. This pushes the bubbles out to the edge of the glass, where they are released. This process is usually repeated several times before the glass is free of air bubbles.

The final step in the creation of laminated glass is to place the object, in this case, the windshield, into an autoclave. The heat of the autoclave further bonds the layers together with heat. The windshield must stay in the autoclave for the entire indicated time to ensure proper bonding of the glass and substrate. The heat-rolling and autoclave processes will force some of the substrate out around the edges of the glass sandwich. This excess is then trimmed from around the edges of the glass.

After the windshield comes out of the autoclave machine and the excess substrate is trimmed off the edges of the glass, it is inspected. Inspectors search for any imperfection in the glass, such as a dark spot, an air bubble, or a crack in the glass. If the windshield passes inspection, it is then ready to be shipped to auto manufacturers all over the world.

The Windshield Replacement Survival Guide - Consumer Auto Glass Education

Replacing Your Vehicle's Windshield? Here is Your Windshield Replacement Survival Guide.

Safety First

A vehicles windshield provides the occupants a barrier from road debris and the outside elements. But most people don't know a windshield is designed for structural safety in case of an accident, especially a rollover. A windshield is a vehicles third most important safety feature behind the seat belts, and air bags.

Windshields are like basketball backboards for air bags. So if you have a damaged windshield your air bag may not function correctly. It actually may inflate out the windshield cavity, rather than towards you. Or it won't adsorb any pressure because your windshield simply pushes out.

Most consumers are not aware that when technicians replace your windshield, there is significant scratching to the "pinchweld" where the glass bonds to the car. These scratches must be prepped using paint and rust prevention steps. They should not simply leave exposed scratches where moisture from the exterior side can cause rust to develop.

Here are some questions you should ask your auto glass company:

• Is the new glass OEM?


• Did they remove the brand label on the windshield?


• Does the new glass have a shade band that matches your old glass?


• Is the new windshield the same color glass? (glass is actually colored, not clear)


• Does your windshield have a rain sensor?


• Is your windshield heated? (companies will install non-heated and charge for heated)


• Does the windshield have the right bracket for your rear view mirror?


• Does the new windshield have the same third visor as your old glass? (the painted black design which you can see around the rear view mirror on most cars)


• Are they using a universal trim molding, or the actual trim molding part for your vehicle?


• Does the company pay to fix paint scratches, if made by the auto glass technician?

Always inspect a piece of glass for scratches and distortion before it's installed.

Types of Automotive Glass

A windshield is actually two layers of glass with a laminate material between the layers, what is called "laminated glass". Laminated glass is extremely hard to puncture or break apart. That's why a large object like a stunt man, can impact the windshield without breaking through. The strength of laminated glass combined with proper adhesion of the windshield to the body of the car provides massive strength against the roof collapsing in a rollover.

All of the other windows in your vehicle are "tempered glass", which means they break into tiny fragments to reduce injury to the occupants. (a small fraction of vehicles have laminated side and rear windows also)

Windshield Urethane

Today's vehicles use urethane as the adhesive to bond the windshield to the vehicle, like a glue. Some urethane after complete hardening which can take 2-4 weeks, can hold 500 pounds per square inch of pressure. That's one reason why you could never simply push your windshield out. Impossible! Some urethane allows you to drive away within one hour after installing the windshield, hardening just enough to withstand vehicle accidents. When your replacement has been completed, make sure to inspect the inside of your vehicle around the edge of the glass. Make sure no urethane has oozed out into view or onto your vehicles interior. This is more common then people realize and needs to be fixed immediately before the glue hardens!

The urethane is normally heated, then applied to the glass or car body at the raised temperature. Depending on where you live or the application, they can use different kinds of urethane, even a cold temperature apply that is not heated. Temperature has a huge impact on the adhesion qualities of the windshield. I would recommend never getting your windshield replaced in temperatures lower than 55 degrees, or higher than 105 for the best results if possible. This is easy if you have the glass replaced inside of a shop or in a shaded area. Direct sunlight can heat the windshield to over 125 degrees!

Urethane does have an expiration date, so make sure you ask about this before a technician begins replacing your vehicle glass. Using expired urethane means minimal bonding power and the windshield has a chance of coming out during an impact. All urethane is made with an expiration date printed on the tubes, and if they don't call someone else!

Paint Scratches, Rust, and Proper Windshield Installation

Deep vehicle scratches can turn into major problems later. Moisture will enter through a scratch and attack your vehicles body causing rust later. For people who live by the ocean, this can be disastrous for the structural integrity of your vehicle down the road near the windshield. If you are buying a used vehicle, make sure you check around the edge of the glass and under the trim molding for evidence of rust. Rust will spread under your paint, it is amazingly aggressive.

If the rust spreads to the "pinch weld" which is where the urethane is placed, the urethane will not bond and a windshield will leak or can even be pushed out. This can cause thousands of dollars in damage from water leaks or can even can cause death in an accident! If the rust moves into this area the technician must remove it before applying the urethane, or the vehicle must be sent to a body shop for repair.

Make sure the technician takes steps to prep and repair scratches to the pichweld. There is primer paints, metal rust prep chemicals, and other ways to cover scratches to reduce the appearance or spread of rust. The most important areas are where water will contact your vehicles body, especially under the exterior trim molding. That trim is not water sealed between the body and glass. The water seal comes from the urethane bead.

It is very important that you watch the installation of your vehicle glass if possible, DO NOT just walk away. If a professional technician can not perform the job while you watch, they shouldn't be working on your vehicle and call someone else. A technician can cause significant paint scratching to your exterior paint job with improper techniques. Some even use nail polish or paint to hide the damage. Some even rub dirt into the scratch to make it look old! Ensure that the technician is using vehicle protective equipment like seat covers, floor mats, tape on the car body where it's close to the glass, and a protective mat over your hood.

Make sure the technician removes body parts like windshield wiper arms and the cowling (located beneath the wipers) are removed, if the glass edge is covered by these parts. Most technicians will simply shoot a ton of urethane under the cowling area and "stuff" the glass, sliding it into the glue and under the cowling. This is extremely unsafe! A technician doesn't even know if the urethane has created a proper seal, or if it is bonded safely. A proper windshield installation requires that the glass be place straight down onto the urethane bead. Also this ensures the urethane is not shot all over parts beneath the cowling like wiper assemblies and wiring.

OEM Windshields and OEM Equivalents

OEM means, original equipment manufacturer. So if your vehicle is a Honda Civic, OEM glass would be purchased from a Honda Vehicle Dealer. Auto glass installers can simply order OEM glass from the dealer. Make sure the glass has the OEM label. The windshield label which is about a square inch in size, normally is located in the lower corners of the glass. Sometimes OEM glass says the actual glass manufacturer rather than the Car Dealer name. Call your local dealer on what to look for.

A lot of auto glass companies will tell you they are installing the "OEM Equivalent" part. Because consumers don't know what to look for, most times a glass with no label or an aftermarket part is used. Do not buy a glass when the label has been etched or removed. No one knows where it came from! Always check the label.

The only scenario in which you may find an equivalent glass, is purchasing a windshield produced by the same manufacturer which produced the OEM glass. It may even be from the same production line and mold from the OEM manufacturing!

Aftermarket Automotive Windshields

Do not be fooled into thinking an aftermarket windshield is the same as an OEM glass. Aftermarket windshields are made using reverse engineering instead of the original OEM mold and production line.

Aftermarket glass tends to have more visible light distortion when viewing the glass at an angle, and the dimensions are not exactly the same as an OEM. All glass that is bent has some level distortion yes, but it is considerably worse with aftermarket manufacturing. You may even see distortion when looking straight through aftermarket glass.

Aftermarket glass is transported through different processes than OEM glass from a dealer. A lot of OEM glass is transported covered by plastic wrapping and using strict shipping techniques, and the windshield's edges are protected by foam wrapping. But Aftermarket glass is transported by much different practices. Most auto glass companies use no protection covering all surfaces of the glass for transport. And sometimes pieces of glass have been taken to customers locations and returned to the distributor or shop. So aftermarket glass has been handled many times!

Now I'm not saying aftermarket glass is unsafe or unfit to use at all. I'm simply stating the facts about the truth, for your education and insight. I feel you should be educated about this part of your vehicle which essentially protects your family on a regular basis.

Rain Sensors and Other Accessory Plugs Such as Heated Glass

If your vehicle has a rain sensor it should be located near the rear view mirror. A lot of times it looks like a circle, square or triangle. This option allows the windshield wipers to speed up or slow down depending on the amount of rain automatically. Make sure you get the same designed glass. If the rain sensor involves a gel patch, make sure the technician does not leave lots of air bubbles when installing it. Those air bubbles can cause the sensor to malfunction.

Some vehicles like a Land Rover, have plugs located under the interior a-pillar trim. On some convertibles like a newer Ford Thunderbird, a large portion of the interior may need to be diss-assembled to remove the interior a-pillar trim. On the Honda Ridgeline, the heater plug is located behind the glove box. Some new vehicles also have Lane Departure sensors located near the rear view mirror.

You can always find out what you need by calling your local dealer and giving them your VIN Identification number from your vehicle. If your car is important to you and you want to maintain the investment, always call your local dealer and ask for advice about your specific vehicle.

Windshield Shade Bands and Windshield Color

All auto glass has a shaded color. No windshields are completely clear. Typical shading colors are blue, green, bronze, and grey. Be sure sure to get the same color. You will see that all pieces of glass in your vehicle are the same color, excluding privacy glass and tinting.

A windshield may have a shade band across the top near the roof of the vehicle. This area is preferential. You should decide if you like it or not. It does tend to hide the edge of the interiors headliner when looking at the vehicle from the exterior. Shade bands do come in different colors but not all windshields

Most windshields can be ordered without a shade band at all. But you may find the part is actually more expensive because less people order it. Having a shade band does provide some shading in between your sun visors but it does little to drastically shade the sun. Take note the shade band will be darker at night.

Exterior Trim and Moldings

Your vehicle may have exterior trim or moldings cover the edge of the glass and/or covering the edge the car body. If the trim molding is just rubber, make sure you know what the technician is using to replace it. Some companies are now requiring that technicians use only a universal type aftermarket molding, rather than one that is specifically designed for your car. There should also be an OEM molding part available which is exactly the same as your original molding. Do note that cost for OEM is always more.

You may see plastic and/or metal trim moldings covering the edge of your windshield on the exterior. Normally these have some type of plastic or metal clips that attach them to the glass or vehicles body. Make sure the company replaces any broken clips or parts from removal of these parts. If your vehicle is older than 3 years, these parts become very brittle and damage easy. You may be warned about parts that always break, in which the company may request you also purchase that part ahead of time. You may find a lot of companies simply glue those parts back into place, rather than replacing the broken parts.

Vehicle Windshield Logo and VIN Window

On vehicles like a Ford Mustang and Ford F150, you may have a logo in the third visor above the rear view mirror. These windshields can be ordered with out the logo and are cheaper that way. Make sure you ask about your options.

Most windshields have a small narrow window for viewing of the VIN identification number near the lower drivers side portion of the glass. Make sure this window is in the right location on the glass. When the job is completed, make sure that glue has not covered the VIN, the VIN number plate has not been cut off, or that it has not been badly damaged. Police or the DMV will give you a hard time if the number is not legible or is completely missing from that location.

Transmission Repair Specialists For All Vehicle Types

Transmission repair is something you may not want because it can be costly, but it might be a necessity. There are many mechanics that offer services for these parts, but it is best to go to a place that specializes in this one specific task. Before you bring your car in, there are some things you can do first. If your fluid level is low, this might be what the problem is. In fact, if your fluid level is low, your car should be having problems. The transmission in a car needs fluid in order to operate correctly. While there are many components in a car, this is the part that communicates between your engine and your wheels. If it is not working correctly, the car will not move.

Fortunately, a car will usually begin to warn its owner of problems before transmission repair is needed. These warnings should be taken seriously, and the first step is to check the fluid. This fluid should be checked while the car is running, and the car should be at ground level. To check the fluid, you must first locate the correct reservoir. Once you do, you can pull the dipstick out and look at it. It should be a transparent red color and it may look similar to the color of cherry cough syrup. If the fluid is not this color, it may just need to be changed. You will know if it is a muddy color and if it has a burnt smell. You may be able to get by just from adding more of it or by having it flushed.

In a car that is automatic, one of the first symptoms you will notice is that the car is having trouble shifting gears. You may have to let up on the accelerator to get the car to shift into the next gear. The other common symptom is when you are driving the car might suddenly act like it is in neutral. You will press the gas and nothing will happen except that the engine will rev up. Your car may also be prone to stalling when you initially take off. All of these are symptoms of a problem, and they may be able to be corrected just by adding fluid.

If this doesn't solve the problem, you should find a transmission repair shop. Make an appointment and let an expert mechanic look at your car. They will troubleshoot it to determine exactly what the problem is. If they can get by with just performing minor repairs, they will. This is not always possible though. In some cases, the transmission repair turns into replacing the entire component. This is the worst case scenario, but it is common. It can happen to any car, no matter what the age of the car is. Most people think it only happens to old vehicles, but this is not true. It can happen to any car, but there are shops that can fix these problems for you.

YJ Jeep Wrangler Front Speaker Replacement

If you have a YJ jeep that means it naturally has some age on it. I know that when I got mine the speakers were old and deteriorated to the point that they weren't even listenable. You could hear sound, but it wasn't a pleasant experience.

I began searching the web and I found a really good value on a new set of speakers that worked perfectly for my YJ Jeep. For the YJ you need a set of 4"x6" speakers. I was able to locate a new set for a very good price on Amazon.

They arrived in a couple days and now it was time to install them. That's the tricky part. It requires quite a bit of work to install the front speakers on the YJ model Jeeps. Once I got it figured out it wasn't all that bad but it takes a little effort and it helps if you have a little knowledge of what you're going into.

In this article I'll show you how.

1. First you want to remove the parts of the dash panels that are on the steering column. There are two pieces. It may make it easier if you take off the piece for the instrument panel and the head unit as well. These are all fairly easy and all you should need is a Phillips head screwdriver.

2. Now you want to locate the T-40 Torx bit bolts that fasten the roll cage to the top of the YJ's windshield frame. To get to the ones on my YJ Jeep it was much easier to take my sunvisors off first. It just gets them out of the way. They are also Torx bit size T-20. Remove the bolts that hold the roll bar and windshield together on both the driver and passenger side.

3. Next move down to the T-40 and T-45 star bit bolts located at each side of the dash. There are 3 per side. These hold the dash onto the Jeep and also attach to the YJ's windshield frame. Remove these from the driver and passenger side. From there you should be able to carefully fold the windshield down and let it rest on the rubberized brackets located on the hood.

4. There are some fasteners that will now be exposed along the top of the dash that are usually hidden under the YJ's windshield when it's not folded down. They are T-25 Torx bits. You'll also need to remove the last Torx bits along the sides of the dash that actually hold the dash to the YJ Jeep's body.

5. From here you should be able to maneuver the Jeep YJ's dash out a bit to give yourself some room to get to the speakers from behind. Even then it is no easy task. maneuver it out as far as possible then get ready to do a little bit of a contortion act. I hope you don't mind bad language because even if you don't normally use it you will during this next step.

6. To get to my speakers I moved my seats to their furthest back position and laid down so that my legs were in the seat and my head was positioned under the dash. The speakers are usually bolted on with wing-nuts so you should be able to remove them by hand with a little bit of work. It's practically impossible to get a tool in there to help.

7. Once the speakers are out get the new ones ready to position. I found it a little easier to kind-of position them and then attach the speaker wires before getting the actually bolted back in. Your call here.

8. After that all there is to do is test it out. If everything is working, reassemble and you're good to go.

Installing front speakers on this model is no easy task. Using these instructions you will be prepared for the job before you begin so that the procedure will be as smooth as possible. When you're finished the best reward is a scenic drive with the top off enjoying some good tunes on your new speakers.

How Does Paintless Dent Repair Work?

Have you ever wondered how does paintless dent repair work? For many of us, we never would have imagined that we'd ever learn to rely on the phrase of paintless dent repair, but in this busy world we live in, from Mother Nature throwing hail stones to impatient kids pushing their shopping carts into our vehicles, dent damage is sure to happen.

The Problem

We've all been there, or I'm betting you know someone who has: You're out enjoying yourself, maybe shopping at the mall, enjoying the greatest game of your life, or just simply enjoying time with your friends and colleagues. But then it happens - you return to your car just to find a fist-sized dent in it!

Looking closely at the dent (after thoroughly cussing out whoever or whatever may have did this attrocity to your car) you notice that the paint was not damaged - that at least is a relief because you certainly can't go throwing next month's mortgage or rent payment into an auto body shop for repairing your vehicle...

So if you're like me you call a friend or family member, or perhaps even your insurance agent, and ask for some advice. The person at the other end of the phone recommends you take your car over to a PDR Technician. "PDR, what's that?" you ask. "Why paintless dent repair!" they respond.

"Oh, well how does paintless dent repair work?" you inquire.

The Method

Maybe you heard of PDR before, or maybe you haven't. But knowing how does paintless repair work would make you feel more at ease with trusting your pride and joy with a PDR Technician. So your contact oblidges and goes on to explain:

There are two different ways that the dent tech will choose to remove the dent from your vehicle. First is the most common method where the tech uses a set of tools to get behind the metal, accessing the dent and pushing it gently back to the surface. After a short while, and by careful scrutiny, the tech is able to make the dent disappear.

And yet if the dent tech cannot access the dent from the underside, then they will use another technique where the dent will be pulled out from the outside. To do this the dent tech takes a plastic tab that is coated with a hot-glue which will not harm the exterior paint when used and attach the tab to the dent. Using another tool the technician carefully prys the tab upward/outwards, removing the dent.

But this method has a side-effect: Pulling the dent out this way causes the metal to bulge into a "high area" (sometimes looking like a small hill or volcano). To correct this, the dent technician uses another tool to tap down the slight bulge to make it lie flat once more, not once damaging the vehicles paint job.

The Solution

After learning what I could on how does paintless dent repair work and the benefits of getting it done (often costs much less than traditional auto body shops, and takes less time, too) I took my vehicle to a qualified dent technician and have been happy with them ever since. Perhaps you, now knowing what I was able to learn, will now be able to do the same.

Crack Or Chip in Your Windshield? Repair it Yourself!

If you've been a driver for any length of time, you've inevitably been in this situation: You're driving down the highway, and a rock from the car or truck in front of you kicks up and hits your windshield, leaving a tiny crack. Chances are, you grumble in disgust as you think about when you're going to find the time to have the windshield replaced. And if you don't have glass coverage, you probably figure that crack will just have to stay until you can come up with the money to replace it. But what you may not realize in this scenario is that your windshield does not have to be replaced at all.

Car glass repair has become quite popular, and for good reason; it's safe, affordable, and actually so simple that most drivers can fix cracks or chips in their windshields themselves with a car glass repair kit.

First let's clarify something about chips and cracks on windshields. Most of the time, small cracks and chips under a foot long do not require complete replacement of the car glass. In fact, repairs are usually preferred, because the rigid tests on the bonds of windshields in brand new cars are not performed on replacement windshields. Using a car glass repair kit, therefore, allows you to retain the bond of the windshield's factory seal.

Replacing an entire windshield can be expensive; most start at $300 and go up from there. But a do-it- yourself car glass repair kit is often less than a third of that price. There are quite a variety of kits available that are quite simple to use, with repairs taking up very little time.

Don't let that chip or crack go on for too long-

It is advisable to repair any damage to your car glass as soon as possible-even the same day, if you can. Ignoring a crack or chip in your windshield is not advised, for several reasons:

o Ignoring a small crack could result in the crack growing until it is too large for repair, and you will have to pay for a complete replacement.
o Small cracks could compromise the integrity of the windshield, causing it to spread completely at the slightest bump.
o Chips and cracks can impede on the driver's ability to see correctly.
o Dirt and grime can seep into your vehicle through a crack or chip.

Electrical Diagnostics Tools

Modern cars come with complex electrical systems meaning that electrical diagnostics tools are needed in the repair and maintenance. That being said, the following are some of the most common auto diagnostic tools you will find in most auto electric repair shops.

1. Digital motor checker

This is a vehicle diagnostic tool used in the maintenance of inbuilt electrical systems without any dismantling having to be done. This device helps in detecting problems that may result in tripping and therefore compromised electrics.

A technician will use it for:

• Insulation resistance testing - This helps in ascertaining insulation integrity and therefore prevent leakages which can result in injuries.
• Detection of rotor bar faults
• Ascertaining the integrity of the of the motor to determine whether more tests and repairs are necessary
• Detections of loose connections and problems in the circuitry in the winding coil

This auto diagnostic repair tool comes with one of these two options: rechargeable batteries or electric chargers.

2. Analog electric motor checker

This highly portable vehicle diagnostic tool is necessary in the repair and maintenance of three-phase machines. A technician will also use this auto diagnostic tool prior to installation to make sure that circuitry is completely sound. Some of the faults that it helps in detecting include:

• Open circuits
• Loose connections
• Faulty installations
• Rotor flaws
• Short circuits

All the above mean that electricity is either flowing inefficiently in the system or not at all. If not detected early on and fixed, the entire machine will deteriorate at a faster rate meaning that more expensive repairs and replacements will be needed.

3. Engine analyzer

This vehicle diagnostic tool is absolutely essential in any car repair shop. It is used to test important aspects of any engine like primary and secondary ignition timing, carburetor integrity, soundness of the battery charging system, emission levels, efficiency of the fuel system etc. The engine analyzer is also called a scope and is very useful in subsequent tuning procedures after a complete overhaul.

This auto electric repair tool consists of many parts that help in completing the above functions as efficiently as possible. The engine analyzer has the following built in components:

• Timing light
• Ammeter
• Ohmmeter
• Vacuum pump and gauge
• Oscilloscope
• Pressure gauge
• Exhaust analyzer etc.

All these components can be used in the most common engine types i.e. both diesel and gas powered.

4. 3D wheel aligner

This auto diagnostic tool prevents accidents and allows more efficient use of tires and fuel. Most car repair shops have one of these because they help in saving a lot of any client's money. This auto electric repair tool consists of 3D cameras that track a vehicle's wheel movement and positioning from any height.

Some functions like rolling compensation can be done without having to lift the car off the ground meaning that readings and subsequent adjustments are done in a very short time.

A 3D wheel aligner has quite a number of components built into it, some of which include:

• Drive on camera aid
• VIN scanner
• Steering angle sensor
• Universal wheel clamps etc.

In a nutshell, electrical diagnostics is becoming more efficient and necessary as vehicle electrics get more complex.

Garage Insurance - Used Car Dealers and Repair Shops Watch Those Symbols

Garage insurance is a much misunderstood policy form. Many professional insurance agents are confused about exactly when to use it and more importantly exactly how. You can use a garage liability policy to protect a used car dealer, often referred to as dealer's insurance, or you can use this same form to protect an automotive repair shop or to set up body shop insurance. The trick is to know the symbols. If you own a car dealership or an automotive repair shop and are purchasing insurance for your business, it is advisable that you find an agent who specializes in the garage insurance form to help you with this purchase so you don't end up with the wrong form and perhaps find yourself without coverage after a large loss.

As I mentioned earlier, both types of businesses, auto repair and or body shops and used car dealers both need the garage policy. But exactly what kind of operations are covered in these policies is driven by the symbols shown on the policy. This is very important. If your business is automotive repair or body work but your policy is set up with symbols that would apply to a car dealership, you could find yourself without coverage in the event of a liability loss.
 
So how do you know if you have the correct symbols and thus the correct form? Pull out your garage policy and look at the first page.   Beside each type of coverage, usually to the left, there will be a least one two digit number between 21 and 31. These symbols will describe what is protected by the coverage shown beside that symbol. Here is a list of the most common symbols and what each one protects:

Symbol 21                 Any auto
Symbol 22                 All owned autos
Symbol 23                 Owned private passenger autos only
Symbol 24                 Owned autos other than private passenger
Symbol 25                 Owned autos subject to no fault laws
Symbol 26                 Owned autos subject to Uninsured Motorists law
Symbol 27                 Specifically described autos
Symbol 28                 Hired autos only
Symbol 29                 Non-Owned autos used in the Garage Business
Symbol 30                 Autos Left for Service/Repair/Storage
Symbol 31                 Autos on Consignment
 
As you have probably figured out, if you are an automobile dealer and you have symbol 30 on your policy, you would find yourself without coverage. So why not just put symbol 21 on all coverages? Well, since code 21 is the broadest coverage, you would have to pay more for this insurance policy and in some cases you might be purchasing insurance protection that you didn't really need.
 
Take some time to look at your policy carefully and review the symbols for each line of coverage to make sure that they are appropriate for the work you do. If you need help with this process, consult your agent. If you agent doesn't specialize in businesses needing garage policy, ie dealers insurance and auto repair shop insurance, then find one who does. This protection is just too important to leave up to an agent who is practicing on the job learning on your policies.

Auto Body Repair Or Just Get a New Car?

It is hard to not be able to think of not knowing anyone who at one point needed auto body repair. That would not surprise you at all since there were 220 million vehicles on U.S. roads in 2003, a figure that had been growing steadily at approximately 5% per year. We can use this figure to project that there will be more than 275 million vehicles on the road in 2008. More vehicles means a larger market, and an increased number of minor accidents as streets and parking lots become more crowded. So, when so many people get left in the situation of needing auto body repair, the thought of just buying a new car comes across their thoughts. Yes, it is hard to find a good auto body specialist and yes it is going to cost you some money. However, it is beneficial to fix your existing car.

So what are some reason why someone would need or want auto body repair? Or may simply consider buying a new car?

o Prevent corrosion
o Reflects on personal image
o Lease end responsibilities
o Inspires safer driving
o Prevent police stop for damaged vehicle
o Prevent spouse awareness of accident

Here are some things to consider before making your decision.

Buying a new car can be an exciting thing! However, once the excitement wears off you still have to make those high car payments for at least four to five years. With our economy not doing so well and many people losing their jobs or taking pay cuts, who is to say that you are safe to commit to a four to five year agreement? Not saying this is true for everyone, just that it is something to consider. Also many people may want to make a life decision such as retirement, a leave of absence from work, or deciding to go back to school. However with a car payment amongst their other monthly bills most would not be able to afford doing that. So this is a decision that requires a lot of consideration.

So, instead of just buying a new car, you should consider auto body repair for your vehicle. Auto body repair is where the existing metal panels on your car are repaired, rather than just buying a totally new panel. Many dealerships and collision centers may only offer replacement and not repair. It is takes a knowledgeable and skilled mechanic to perform work like this. So when choosing an auto body repair shop, you should carefully choose one. This will cost you some money, however not nearly as much as buying a new car would. Also some auto body shops will take most car insurances, and may even help you work out the details with them. This is not only an option for those who are trying to save money, but also for those who simply already like their car!

So in the end most people are choosing the most cost effective option in, you should too!

Auto Glass Repair - Why You Need to Repair the Crack Urgently

If you have noticed a small crack on your car window or, God forbid, on your windscreen, then you need to get thinking of auto glass repair; urgently. The urgency in this comes from at least a couple of factors. One is that unattended auto glass cracks only tend to worsen with time; so that what started as a minor crack soon develops into a huge crevice calling for major repairs or part replacements. Second is that if unattended, car glass cracks, especially on the windscreen, can cause accidents. The latter fact - about unattended car glass cracks causing accidents - would sound unbelievably funny; if were not something we have witnessed before.

Of course, if there is one aspect of auto repair that suffers most from 'motorists' procrastination,' then it has to be auto glass repair. Many of us tend to put it off until it is absolutely unavoidable; possibly for fear of the (imaginary) costs we associate it with. Yet the truth of the matter is that repairing of car glass need not always be so expensive; especially if undertaken in a timely manner. Furthermore, unknown to many people is the fact that such repairs are among the items covered by their auto insurance. Even where the repair is not covered by insurance, there is still a possibility that one could chance upon one of those Do-It-Yourself car kits; and thereby get to undertake the necessary auto glass repair very cost-effectively at home.

With the advent of the Internet, shopping for car glass repair services could never be more convenient (as you can nowadays get 'instant' quotes online); so that the question of putting off the repairs because 'you don't have time' to go looking for quotes does not arise. As you discover when you start looking at those quotes, the cost of car glass repair varies considerably from service provider to provider. Ultimately, you should aim to go for the most cost-effective service provider, rather than the cheapest. This means looking for among other things, reliability and the warranties the providers are willing to offer.

A commonly asked question in all this is as to how to avoid the whole auto glass repair business altogether; as a motorist. The answer to this question is that there is no foolproof way you can avoid car glass damage; though careful driving and keeping your car safe from the activities of 'naughty neighborhood boys' can truly go a long way.

Starting a Successful Garage - From Vehicle Lifts to Antifreeze, What You Need to Know

As long as there are cars on the road, there will be a need for good garages and great mechanics. Before you open the doors of your repair shop, you will need to know what kind of repairs you want to do. Having a good lift is a must, but automotive lift parts aren't the only thing that goes into starting a successful garage.

Vehicle Lifts

Regardless of your specialty, a good sturdy vehicle lift is a must. They allow you to work underneath a car without having to roll around on the garage floor. Because they will be in near constant use, you will want to make sure you purchase a vehicle lift with good automotive lift parts and study construction.

If you plan to work on large vehicles, like commercial trucks and buses, you will want to make sure to buy a durable lift with extra automotive lift parts. Having extra parts on hand will greatly reduce the amount of downtime if and when your lift breaks down or needs replacing.

Universal Equipment

All garages need the same few parts. Air compressors, ratchet sets, and other air-powered tools are a must to keep your repairs quick and orderly. You will also want to invest in fluids and lubrication tools for oil changes, radiator flushes, and other preemptive measures to keep your client's cars, trucks, and other vehicles running smoothly.

Brake Lathes

If you are hoping to do brake work at your new garage, a brake lathe is a good sound investment. Brake lathes allow you to do complex brake work, which will give your customers more efficient brake systems and better stopping in rough road conditions.

Which brake lathe you purchase depends on a number of factors. If you purchased a vehicle lift and extra automotive lift parts, you will want to make sure to match to the amount of space left over after installing your lift.

Custom Body And Engine Tools

Getting into the custom game is a great way to make serious money when starting a garage. But it is also a large investment. Having a reliable lift will allow you to do custom exhaust, chassis, and rim work - as well as give you an opportunity to get the vehicle off the ground for custom painting and body repairs. For custom jobs you will need to have a good exhaust system in place, plenty of space, and welding equipment - depending on how much service you intend to offer.

As long as humans take to the road for weekend excursions and evening adventures, good auto repair shops will be needed along the way. Make a strong business plan that outlines the services you wish to offer and go from there. Don't skimp on the essentials like vehicle lifts, automotive lift parts, and tools allowing you to do custom work. From there, it is completely left to your plans and your imagination.

Reasons For Car Accidents Vary - Avoid Mechanical Problems

There are many reasons for car accidents and some of them are very hard to prevent. One cause of accidents relates to mechanical problems which can easily be prevented.

The first step to avoiding mechanical problems is to have your vehicle maintained regularly. Checking the condition of your brakes, tires and steering system will help ensure your vehicle is safe to drive.

Reasons for car accidents are diverse but these mechanical issues are common culprits of an automobile accident.

1. Tires that are under-inflated - Keeping tires adequately inflated will help keep you safe. Under-inflated tires can cause a car to rollover and the risk of your tires overheating is increased when the tires do not have enough air in them.

2. Bald tires - When tire treads become worn down they are referred to as bald tires. When your tire treads wear off you lose protection during inclement weather. Treads help your car navigate smoothly through puddles in the road and prevent hydroplaning. When your car hydroplanes you run the risk of losing control of your car until you regain traction. You can check your tires yourself or have a mechanic check them to be safe.

3. Worn down brake pads - Overtime your car's brake pads will wear down and eventually they will need to be replaced. You will know you need new brake pads if there is a noise of metal rubbing together when you press on the brakes. You also may experience your car pulling to one side of the road when you hit the brakes or a brake pedal that engages very close to the floor.

4. Rusted vehicle - When you live in a place that gets a lot of snow in the winter you run the risk of getting rust on the under carriage of your vehicle. You are at a higher risk for rust if you drive an older vehicle. When to much rust builds it can lead to the car's suspension breaking down.

Regular visits to a trusted mechanic who will preform the necessary maintenance to your vehicle and spot any potential problems should be enough to keep these problems from happening.

There are far too many reasons for car accidents to happen that you cannot control. Taking proper care of your vehicle and making sure it's well maintained is a must. Proper maintenance will help you reduce the likelihood that you will be involved in an automobile accident.

Dealing With Water Damage To Your Car

Water damage to a car can be a real problem. Here are some tips on how to deal with this problem if you are unfortunate enough to have to.

There is a big difference between a car and a boat. There was a time when a combination car and boat was developed. You could drive it right up to the lake, and go for a cruise. The idea did not catch on it a very big way. So, now when you car acts like it is a boat and gets involved with a great deal of water, it usually is a bad thing.

Water damage to a car can come from many things. Flood damage is one example. Flood damage is usually very serious because it can often involve the car being submerged in the water for a long period of time. Other water damage can result from driving through a flooded area. Although the car does not remain in the water as long, and may not have been as deeply submerged in the water, the damage could still be serious. Water damage could be caused when a car is not properly protected from the outside elements. Body damage, an open hood, or open windows during extended periods of heavy rain or snow can result in body damage.

The first area of concern when dealing with water damage is the engine and the transmission fluids. They should be checked with the dipstick. If you observe fluids that appear milky, beige in color, or appear diluted, there is a good chance water is in the pans. In this case, the auto should be towed to a repair facility. If you attempt to drive it with water in the oil or transmission, the damage will quickly become much more serious. If you have any doubts, have it towed. Once the car is in a safe place, the transmission and oil pans can be completely drained, and the fluids replaced.

The next area of concern is the brake system. This important system does not react well to being submerged in water either. As soon as possible the brake system should be inspected. Then it should be dried completely, and fluids replaced. Once the car is dry, a complete re-lubrication should be done.

The interior of a car will not react well to be submerged either. Although fabric will dry on its own, moisture will seep into the material. It will pool underneath against the firewall and you will have a mildew smell in the car for the remainder of its life. It is the potential problems from water damage to the interior that leads insurance companies to tend to declare flood damaged cars a total loss. It is the best approach to have the interior torn out, completely dried, and replaced by a professional.

Auto Glass Replacement and Auto Glass Repair Tips

A vehicle's auto glass is a very integral part of the safety of the car, truck, or SUV, and can very quickly become a safety hazard, especially when there is an obstruction of vision. An accident, such as a semi-truck kicking up a rock can cause the issue, but sometimes it's Mother Nature, which happens during hail storms, or during extreme cold. These issues result in an auto glass replacement or repair being an urgent need, and usually are an inconvenience to the customer.

Being pro-active with regard to the glass can also save customers a lot of money, which is crucial in such economic times. A simple fix of a chip or a crack is a lot cheaper than having to have an entire windshield replaced.

Many window experts provide a full mobile service, as well, which is really convenient for customers. An appointment is made and glass professionals come right to the customer's house or place of business and are able to quickly take care of any auto glass issue on the vehicle. Many, also, are capable of doing both domestic and foreign vehicle's glass, and specialize in any make or model. It could be a simple chip or crack on the windshield, or some damage to one of the side windows. It also could be an entire windshield replacement.

Another feature which is very beneficial to customers is the simply filling out a free Auto Glass Repair & Replacement Quote form online. All that needs to be provided is a name, phone number, email address(sometimes optional), zip code, year of the vehicle, make of the vehicle, model of the vehicle, body type of the vehicle, and which part of the auto glass is damage. That quickly gets a customer in touch with a local glass professional with the specific information for the car, truck or SUV, and is a great means to not only get a quote, but also is a great way to get a price comparison. The ability to compare prices gives the customer an opportunity to find which place is the best fit to get their vehicle repaired.

Another tip is to get in touch with the insurance company after an accident or damage to see if the auto glass is covered, which many times it is, under comprehensive claims. This can be done by reading the car insurance policy or by calling the car insurance agent or representative to determine the level of glass coverage. It should be noted that when a comprehensive claim is made that there usually not an insurance rate increase.

These are quick tips that can help the consumer when dealing with their auto glass issues. A simple filling out of the quote form can lead to a quick fix, which gets the consumer back on the road in a timely manner.

Questions To Ask To Make Sure You Choose The Most Reliable Windshield Replacement Service Provider

The auto glass industry has grown quite rapidly over the last decade, so that you can now find a vehicle glass company or a small windshield shop on virtually every corner. Nonetheless, since you have so many options to choose from, how do you make your decision? Every driver wants to find the most reliable windshield service company when it comes to handing over their precious car for repair or replacement. Here are the most relevant aspects and factors you should look for, and some great questions that you can ask the company personnel in order to determine how stable and professional their services really are.

The first question that you might want to ask is whether their offer any installation warranty and what are the warranty options and conditions. Any reputable auto glass shop should have some kind of guarantee on their quality of work. However, keep in mind that the warranty applies only to the actual installation, so it is not a guarantee against breakage or any type of damage inflicted due to other causes. The installation warranty covers problems such as air or water leaks in the seal, or peeling and detachment of the auto glass moldings. Some window replacement companies offer lifetime warranties, which is usually an indicator of high quality services.

Aside from the installation warranty, you may also be interested in obtaining a glass warranty. Therefore, you can ask if they can provide you with a manufacturer's warranty that covers further damage such as chips, pits, air bubbles, or lamination defects. Make sure you know exactly what is covered and how much time you can wait before you need to report the problems so that you benefit from the coverage. You should know all these things before you decide to use a certain window replacement service provider.

Lastly, before you decide on what auto glass company to choose, you should also ask whether you get any warranty against other types of breakage. Some shops offer a special type of warranty that covers the forms of breakage that are neither due to the quality of the installation, nor due to a manufacturer's defect. Such forms of damage include breakage due to acts of vandalism, theft or rocks from the road hitting your windshield while driving. Even if you will have to pay some extra fees, you will save yourself from the anxiety of constantly wondering whether your auto glass will get damaged or broken shortly after the windshield replacement.

Windshield Repair, Are All Chips and Cracks Repairable?

Smack! A loud noise, sounding like a bullet, just hit your car. Once your nerves recover, you realize, you have been hit by a stone and the damage is evident.

Now what? Many people have never even heard of a windshield repair. They assume they have to live with the damage or pay the high price of getting a replacement.

The problem with ignoring the damage is that it will grow worse with time. Replacements have their downsides as well. Besides spending up to $350, you lose the original manufacture seal. Many replacements are done incorrectly and can leak and crack. What is the alternative?

A windshield repair, when done correctly, is the safe choice. But not all damage is repairable. For as many types of debris that exist to damage your windshield, there are as many types of chips and cracks that can result. Some of the most common types of chips have been named.

Looking for these common types of chips and following some other guidelines are a good place to start in evaluating if the damage is repairable. Always consult a Certified Windshield Repair technician to evaluate the damage. There are guidelines to follow but there are times when experience is invaluable.

There are five types of stone chips that are so common that they have been named. The two most common are the Star Break and the Bullseye Break. The Bullseye Break can be identified by a dark colored circle on its impact point. The Star Break displays a series of short radial cracks or legs coming off of the impact point, resembling a star. Another type of stone chip has been named the Half Moon. You can identify this type of chip by the half circle separation around the impact point. A Daisy break is a series of radial bullseyes around an impact point. Lastly, a Combination Break is a break that includes multiple types of the other kinds of breaks. An example would be a series of radial bullseyes around an impact point.

Any of these stone chips can be repaired. Beyond looking for these types of common chips, it is important to take into consideration the size of the damage. If the damage cannot be covered by a half dollar, the chip is too large to be repaired. Another important piece of information to consider is the acute area. The acute area is the area of the windshield directly in the drivers line of vision. It is the same size as a piece of paper being held horizontally in front of the driver. In this area, the National Glass Association does not recommend a repair being done unless it is no greater than .95 of an inch. An easier way to imagine this is that a quarter should be able to cover the entire area of damage in the acute area.

Cracks are a single line of separation in the outer or inner layer of the windshield. A crack that originates in the inner layer of the windshield can never be repaired. A crack that breaks into more than one crack can also never be repaired. A single crack that originates from the outer layer is repairable based on where the crack is located on the windshield and how long it is. Most insurance companies will only pay for a crack up to six inches long. Many technicians, based on their experience and type of tools, will fix cracks that are longer than 6 inches. Some technicians will repair a crack as long as 24 inches. It is recommended to get a repair done as soon as possible from the date of damage. The longer you wait, the more the area will become contaminated with dirt and debris. The cleaner the area of damage can stay, the better the visual outcome for the windshield.

Not all chips and cracks can be repaired when windshield damage occurs. It is definitely worth the time to have any damage evaluated by a professional to avoid further cracking and damage and eventual replacement.

Top 3 Ways To Improve Customer Service At Your Auto Repair Shop

As you already know, running an auto repair shop is a competitive business.

In order to stay ahead of the competition, you need to keep your customers happy. To do this, you need to ensure your customer service is top notch at your auto repair shop.

Communication is at the heart of good customer service. You want to train your mechanics and staff to treat customers as if they would treat family members.

If you're looking for ways to improve your customer service at your auto repair shop, we've come up with three important tips that you'll want to follow. Here are three ways to improve customer service at your auto repair shop.

1. Listen To Your Customers

Listening to your customers is one of the most important things that you can do to improve customer service.

When a customer comes into your shop with a car problem, take the time to listen to them. Customers do not like it when you just ask for the keys. Hear them out, just like you would listen to a family member that came to you with a problem.

Listen to their problem and then follow up with questions to help identify the problem. This is all part of the listening process.

2. Tell Them About The Wait Time

Customers hate it when they don't know how long it's going to take for car repair service. With every customer, be sure to tell them the estimated wait time. This means:

• Telling them how long it will take until you can get the car into the service bay


• Telling them how long it will take to get parts


• Telling them how long it will take to repair the problem

We know these aren't meant to be exact times, but it helps to improve the customers experience at your shop. For a lot of people, going to the mechanic is a lot like going to the dentist. They don't want to be there and they're a little unhappy about spending money.

It's your job to keep them happy so they will return for more repairs.

3. Show Them The Problem

Once you have identified the problem, take the customer out to the vehicle to show them what is wrong. They will appreciate this.

For instance, if the car has brake trouble, take the customer out to the car and show them the brake pads. Show them how the pads are worn and need to be replaced. Tell them how long brake pads typically last.

This helps to show them that you're a car care expert. It also shows them they're not wasting their money on needless repairs. They'll appreciate the extra information as well as the service.

Car Dealership Insider Lingo!

Car dealerships have their own language when referring to various aspects of a car deal. Here is a rundown on some insider car lingo:

• An "Up" is someone who walks on the car lot . . . or a customer!
  
  


• A "Be-back" is a customer who leaves without buying, and comes back at a later date.
  
  


• A "Lay-down" is a customer who buys at whatever price the sales person quotes without any resistance.
  
  


• A "Roach" is how car sales people refer to people with bad credit!
  
  


• A "Get-Me-Done" is somebody who has borderline credit at best, and will take almost any vehicle at any terms just to get financed.
  
  


• The "Bump" is where the Sales Manager sends the sales person back out to get a higher price, or to "Bump" the customer for more money!
  
  


• A "Lowball" is an unrealistically low price that the salesperson gives the customer before the customer leaves to shop price at another dealer.
  
  


• "Upside Down" is when a person owes more money on their trade-in then the vehicle is worth.
  
  


• "Negative Equity" is related to "Upside Down." It is the amount that you still owe on your car loan after subtracting how much you are actually getting for your vehicle.
  
  


• "Positive Equity!" This is when your trade-in is actually worth more than the amount you owe on it. Needless to say, this doesn't happen very often!
  
  


• "Croak and Choke" pertains to the Finance Manager selling Credit Life Insurance and Disability Insurance on the car loan!
  
  


• To "Brick" somebody, or to "Spot Deliver!" Car salespeople are so worried that you'll change your mind once you buy a vehicle, that they want you to take it NOW! Very often, the dealer will have the customer sign bank papers before the loan is officially approved, just to get the customer down the road.
  
  


• "Buyers are Liars!" Every car salesperson is instilled with this belief!
  
  


• The "T.O." If one salesperson can't close you he or she will "T.O." you, or turn you over to a Manager or a Closer, who in turn might "T.O." you to someone else, and someone else again until you buy.
  
  


• "A Packed or Loaded Payment!" Packing or loading payments is a slang term used to describe a practice that gets customers to agree to purchase additional products, such as credit insurance, service contracts, chemical protectants, and security devices, without revealing their true impact on the monthly payments.
  
  "Packing!" is played out when a customer finances their vehicle through the dealer. A customer agrees to purchase the car at a monthly payment that is much higher than what is needed to cover the price of the vehicle. That creates a "pack" or room in the payment to add in the optional products . . . of course without the customer knowing he's actually paying more for the extra stuff!
  
  


• "Buyers Remorse!" This is when a car buyer starts having second thoughts about the car purchase. Once the euphoria of getting a new vehicle wears off, a person begins wondering if they got ripped-off, did they do the right thing, can they really afford the payments and on and on it goes. There are countless reasons a person second-guesses themselves.
  
  Car sales people call this "Buyers Remorse" or "Coming Out of the Ether!" This is the sales person's worst nightmare, because this is when the buyer starts looking for ways to back out of the car deal.
  
  


• "A Today Buyer!" This is a customer who is prepared to purchase a vehicle the same day they enter the dealership. The large majority of buyers are not in this category. Most people want to think it over and look around before making a decision.
  
  However, it is the car sales person's job to turn you into a "Today Buyer!" They are trained in techniques that do just that. They have a "Selling System" in place that is designed to take control of you, culminating in you taking delivery of your new or used vehicle before you leave the dealership. They will go to great lengths to put you in that vehicle "today" including doing a "Spot Delivery!" BEWARE!
  
  


• "ACV!" This stands for "Actual Cash Value." This is what dealers use when referring to the amount of money they are actually putting in a trade-in. They have to differentiate this number from what they tell the customer. Very often the customer is led to believe that he is getting more for his trade than what the "ACV" is!
  
  


• "Quarterback!" Car salespeople hate it when you bring someone with you to the car dealership to help you negotiate a deal. For example, a young woman may bring her father to help her, or she may bring another relative or even worse, a boyfriend. They call these people "quarterbacks!"

There is Water Coming Out The Tailpipe of My Car First Thing in The Morning

I was letting my car warm-up I notice that what I thought was water moisture coming out of the tailpipe was not a solid mist but litlle drops blowing out.

I held a paper towel in front of the pipe and had someone lightly punch the gas then it was a little more of like if you did a light spray of window cleaner on a paper towel.

How serious is now that I have notice I have been going through oil more often?

Thanks!

Good question,

Some water droplets and some white steam coming from the tailpipe on first start up...usually worse on humid days, is normal. Once the engine heats up to normal operating temperature (about 210 degrees F) the water should dry up and go away.

If there is water or steam from the tailpipe after you have been driving around awhile and the engine is at operating temperature....then you might have a problem, but from what you told me I don't think you have a problem.

If the engine is using or "burning" engine oil, you should see BLUE smoke coming from the tailpipe. If you don't see any smoke out the tailpipe, but still feel oil is being consumed, ask your mechanic to use a thicker weight engine oil and see if that helps slow down oil consumption.
Austin

Follow up

Thanks for getting back to me, I forgot to mention that above on the bumper is an oily residue i though at first was maybe road grime...I'll wipe it off then see after driving how much residue builds up.

Thanks again,

Response

You might want to talk to your mechanic about using thicker weight engine oil from now on. Thicker engine oil helps to slow down oil leaks and internal engine consumption...commonly referred to "burning oil". You see this oil residue on the bumper because the engine is blowing it out the tailpipe, probably because an internal oil seal inside the engine is worn causing oil to slip past the seal and out the exhaust.

Thicker oil will help to slow this process down. There are also a few oil additives that might help as well, your mechanic might have one he feels would be worth a try depending on the climate in your area.

Blessings,

Austin Davis

Passenger Comfort and Safety is Important Too

Keeping your vehicle running smoothly is always a smart move, however interior comfort and over all ride experience is equally important to the passengers. Who of us remembers riding in a friend's car in the midst of winter only to discover (much to your horror) the cabin heater was not working! Brrrr.

Canada gets cold, it's not uncommon for temperatures to drop 20 or 30 degrees below freezing. There are even parts of Canada where it gets colder still -- so much so, people need block heaters to pre-heat their engine before starting it in the mornings. That's why it's important to ensure your block heater is working. Do you know the last time you had yours checked?

Along with maintaining the interior heat and temperature of your vehicle, you need to consider the integrity of the vehicle panels. What do we mean by this? Simply that you need to ensure there are no holes where water can leak in.

Of course leaks are just one way water can get into your car. When there is snow and ice on the ground it gets "walked into your vehicle" where it collects in the floor pans. If it were only ice that would not be so bad, however in North America we use salt to reduce the freezing point. An excess of salt quite literally "eats" or rots fabrics and metals.

One way to protect your vehicle is to use good-quality rubber based floor mats -- the special kind capable of capturing quite a bit of water. Your automotive service provider can advise and supply the perfect floor mats for your vehicle. If they need special installation (and some do) they will be happy to help with that also.

Ensuring your vehicle is warm and dry is important, however ensuring you can see out the front and rear windows is vital. Traditional Winter washer fluids do an acceptable job of keeping the windshield clean, however there are ways to improve -- even beyond those fluids designed for subzero temperatures.

Special window or glass treatments provide an exceptionally slick surface which prevents ice from sticking to the glass. These treatments are inexpensive and don't damage the glass, your professional service advisor will be happy to answer any question you may have. A typical window treatment lasts about six months.

Replace your windshield wiper blades at least once a year, a perfect time is when you are having an application of a seasonal window treatment. If you've never seen one of these window treatments in action it's a little hard to explain, however ice quite literally slides off the glass because it never gets a chance to bond. It's the same window safety science they use on jumbo jet windshields to stop ice buildup at 30,000 feet.

This winter remember maintaining your vehicle is important however passenger safety and comfort are critical. If you'd like to know more about window treatment options and other ways to ensure a comfortable cabin experience, talk to your preferred automotive service professional today.