3 Tips to Choose the Best Car Repair Service Centre

Have you been in an instance where you have had a vehicle trouble and you needed anyone to fix it? Almost all people had at one time. It can be very frustrating to have your vehicle fixed especially when you do not have any idea where to go and who will fix it. This is exactly the importance of having a trustworthy mechanic near your place when you first bought your car. Here are some tips on choosing a car mechanic should you need his services.

Tip #1: Get Recommendations:

All the experts agree with this idea: always get recommendations when you are about to choose the best car mechanic. Mechanics operate in the service industry, and they are not just there to service your vehicle, but additionally to service you too, meaning you need to make certain the car mechanic does not only understand how to fix a car, but he also understands how to treat his clients. The easiest method to know this is to buy recommendations prior to your visit to the mechanics service centre. Request family members and friends, as well as co-employees concerning the mechanics that they have worked with. You will likely find great opinions from them.

Tip #2: Take A Look At Their Shop:

Garage centers are not similar. Lot of people thinks that all garages are covered in filth and therefore are much disorganized. That is not the situation. When you choose a car mechanic, make certain that you take time to look at their garage. When the garage is totally filthy and it is disorganized, you might want to search for another mechanic. While a little of grime and grease is anticipated inside a garage, the garage ought to be organized to ensure that the car mechanic will find exactly what he needs. The place ought to be neat and comfortable for waiting while your vehicle gets repaired.

Tip #3: Pay Attention To Their Prices:

Another factor that is vital to look at when you are selecting a vehicle mechanic is the prices. When you are searching for a car mechanic you do not always want to obtain the least expensive mechanic. Sometimes inexpensive kind of mechanic does not possess the experience or training that is essential to get the vehicle in great shape. But neither would you like to discover the most costly. Rather, search for one which has fair prices. A business who hides their prices is not one that you ought to use. It is also advisable to compare their prices with other service centers.

Should you search for a car mechanic, make sure that the mechanic is not just capable of fixing your vehicle but also is capable of examining what needs to be fixed. Get one who knows their profession and is offering their services at reasonable price.

Conclusion:

Make certain the mechanic includes a professional certification from a testing organization. Car service centers only hire licensed mechanics as these types of mechanics demonstrate understanding and professionalism relating to their jobs. Therefore, they are more reliable than those who are not.

Don't Be A Victim Of Car Repair Rip-Offs

Getting your auto repaired isn't exactly a fun occasion. Not only is it time consuming but car repair service can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. If you want to avoid getting scammed, you will need to find a trustworthy mechanic that you can count on to provide honest and competent service. Ask your friends and family for references. Find a facility that is a member of the Business Bureau or local Chamber of Commerce, employs technicians certified by ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) and is licensed. It's better to become familiar with a mechanic that you trust and to visit them on a regular basis for maintenance instead of visiting random places.

Insist on a written estimate which includes the cost of service and parts. Ask if parts used will be new or refurbished. Make sure that no repairs will be carried out without your authorization. If you feel that it's too expensive, feel free to telephone other car repair services and ask for estimates so you can compare prices. Another tip if you're being quoted a high price for a part is to use a search engine and find out how much it is being sold at for both retail and wholesale prices. It may even be cheaper to buy the part yourself and then bring it to your mechanic to have it installed. Knowledge is power and you can also use the internet to perform research in order to find out the specifics of a repair. Call the dealer to inquire if a specific service or part is covered under your car warranty.

Make sure you are familiar with the owner's manual of your car. Have your vehicle serviced at the proper intervals as recommended by the manufacturer. Maintenance such as oil changes and tune ups are important if you want your car performing in top condition for a long time. Other procedures which may need to be performed include changing coolant fluids, replacing the air filter and making sure your tires aren't aged and inflated properly.

A smart trick is to ask for the old part back if your mechanic plans on replacing it with a new one. If they refuse your offer then that's a possible sign of a dishonest business. It's never a good sign if you feel like you're being pressured to get a ton of other stuff fixed right on the spot. The majority of car service businesses will let you know of other problems but they shouldn't be pushing you. Also, make sure that you are aware of the costs of a diagnostic test. Some car service shops may perform this test for free while others do not. Diagnostic tests can be quite expensive and add quite a sum to the bill.

Car repair can be a bit of pain but with these tips you can avoid getting ripped off!

Bullet Proof Glass For The Common Person

Most of us are not important politicians or CEO's of world-wide organizations. This means that our safety is not often jeopardized by crazed assassins with machine guns, and so generally we don't have to worry about cruising around in an unarmored vehicle. Lucky for us!

However, many of us live in cities with high crime rates or often travel to shady areas where gang members and drive by shootings commonly occur. If this is your situation you may want to consider installing bullet proof glass into your vehicle as an extra safety precaution.

What is bullet proof glass made of?

Bullet proof glass can be produced in a variety of ways, but usually it's made by layering a polycarbonate material between sheets of ordinary glass. This creates a glass like material that is thicker than normal glass. The thickness of bullet resistant glass can vary between 7-75 millimeters.

If a bullet strikes

What happens when a bullet strikes this type of glass? Generally, it will pierce the outside layer only. That's where the bullet stops. The reason for this is that the polycarbonate material is able to absorb the bullet's energy and stop its destruction power dead in its tracks (pun intended).

However, if being gunned down in your car is a serious concern, you may want to invest in bullet resistant glass and a fully armored car. These types of cars will stop a bullet from entering your car at all. Contact a reputable Utah auto glass dealer for questions and installation.

How to Find a Perfect Auto Body Paint Color Match

To ensure a perfect color match on your auto body paint spraying projects, there are several key actions that must be undertaken. Although most common car colors will rarely match exactly, finding the best shade could help you avoid blending into an adjacent panel. Choose the right color at the first time of asking, and you will also save money on your paint and consumable costs.

Every mass-manufactured vehicle has an individual color code that can be cross-referenced by an auto body paint supply shop, and this allows a mixing formula to be produced. The mixing formula measures the individual weights of colored tinters and when these are combined and stirred together, the correct color match is achieved.

To find your color code, check the door apertures, engine bay or trunk of your vehicle and locate the relevant stamp, badge or sticker. Usually, the color code will be clearly marked and will consist of a combination of letters and numbers. Write down the color code and take it to your paint supply shop, and it will be matched up to produce an accurate color match.

Prior to painting, it is always advisable to complete a paint spraying test card. Activate a small quantity of paint and pour it into a HVLP spray gun. Apply three even coats of color to the test card, allowing a five-minute flash-off time between each one. Once the base color has dried to a matte finish, apply two full coats of clear lacquer and leave to dry.

Once the test card is touch-dry, hold it against your vehicle adjacent to the panel that is being painted. If the test card matches the existing auto body paint on your vehicle to perfection, there will be no need to blend the panels on either side of the repair. If the color match is in any way inaccurate, it is advisable to rub down the adjacent panels with a soft sanding pad and flatting paste. This will provide a perfectly keyed surface that will accept blended color and clear coat.

When you come to paint the vehicle, use the same spraying distances as those applied during the test card procedure. If different spraying distances are used, the base color can lighten or darken. A superior blend can be achieved if the auto body panels are coated with a clear binder before work begins. This process allows seamless integration of your new auto body paint into the existing panels without the risk of color edges showing.

Car Repair - What Does That Check Engine Light Mean?

Is a car repair in my future? For most drivers, having an engine light come on can cause some initial panic. What does the light mean? Is my car safe to continue driving? What will happen if I ignore the light? These tips will help you know what to do when your engine warning light comes on.

First, make sure you're not mixing up the check engine warning light with a maintenance service light. Most maintenance service lights are triggered by hitting a certain number of miles or using a certain amount of fuel, and its just your car's way of letting you know it's time to get some normal maintenance work done. If it does turn out to be your car repair check engine warning light it means your car's computer is sensing a diagnostic trouble. Your light can be coming on for a variety of reasons including a faulty emission control system which means your car is polluting the air and the diagnostic warning light is coming on to let you know that.

Of course there are other car repair diagnostic problems that can trigger the warning light to come on and you need to pay attention to how your car is operating to decide what the best course of action to take is. Does the warning light flash on and off depending on whether you are driving in the city or on the freeway? When the light is on, does the car drive differently?

If the light stays on constantly and you don't notice any difference in your cars ability to drive, it does not mean you're out of the repair shop- just yet. This could mean you have a permanent fault in your emission control system and your car will likely continue to run but you run the risk of the car dying or not starting. You will need to get the car into a repair shop for a repair and correct diagnostic testing.

If the engine warning light comes on and stays on and your car is showing other problems that make driving more of a challenge you need to stop as soon as you safely can do so and call for a tow. At this point your car could stall or stop without warning leaving you in a dangerous predicament. Your best option is to get to a car repair shop and address what your warning light is trying to tell you.

A flickering warning light is serious. A light that is showing a clear pattern of off and on is your worst case scenario light. This likely means you have a severe emission control failure and every time that light flashes your catalytic converter is being damaged by a misfire. This means your catalytic converter is overheating and can start a car fire. Pull over and get towed. This is not a time to try and make it a few miles to your destination.

How to Fix a Car Seat

If you own a car, chances are you frequently use it. Transportation is a major piece of a person's day to day life. A car is used to go everywhere from work to school to the grocery store and on road trips. Thus, it is normal for a car seat to suffer from some wear and tear. If a seat will no longer let the user adjust it (i.e. sliding it forward or backwards), or feels loose, it should be fixed. Adjusting a car's seat is more than a comfort thing: It's a matter of safety. If a person is too close to the windshield, they could end up really hurting themselves. If they are not comfortable, they may react slowly in the event of an accident.

The best way to fix a car's seat is to remove the seat. This way, the user can inspect the slides, bolts, and control rod. A car seat may be stuck because there's something in the way, because dirt has built up, or because the bolts have become damaged or are loose. Thus, removing the seat is the first piece of the puzzle.

To remove the seat, you first need to lift the carpet, especially if it covers any piece of the car seat track. This will make it easier to remove the seat and to see what you are doing. Next, you want to remove the track to floor bolts. This will help you lift out the seat. If you have owned this car for a while, it may take you some time because the bolts may be damaged or may be very tight from use.

Once the car seat has been removed, clean the area using soap and water. Inspect the track for damages. Once you have cleaned this area, apply some grease sparingly to help the car seat with sliding back and forth.

You are now ready to put the car seat back into the car. To do this, first apply sealer to any hole areas and place the seat back into its grooves and onto the track. Tighten the bolts to 25-33 ft. lbs. Make sure the bolts are as tight as possible and secure. Place any carpeting you removed back into place. Remember: seat placement distance from windshield is important. You don't want it to be too close.

Your car seat should no longer have any problems. If it does, you should see a mechanic as soon as possible.

How Auto Grants Can Help Pay For New Cars and Repairs

By applying for and getting auto grants, individuals can obtain free money to help buy a new car or help repair their existing car. Auto grants are provided by various private organizations and special interest groups to help people who are facing financial hardship or just need a little cash to get them through a rough patch.

What are auto grants?

Grants are similar to personal loans except for a couple key differences. The biggest benefit to obtaining a grant is that the money you are awarded never has to be paid back. As long as you adhere to the terms of the specific grant you receive, generally the money is yours to keep.

Secondly, when you apply for a grant there is typically no credit check, no down payment or collateral required, and no credit needed. Because these are not loans, applying is quite different from your traditional loan application.

The first step to obtaining auto grants is to find the funding that is currently available and that the applicant can qualify for. Grants come and go quickly, and the best resources to find this money can be found by gaining access to a grant search database. The database should be up-to-date and include a detailed list of numerous grant programs that are currently providing financial assistance.

Once you have access to the grant database, you can quickly find the available auto grants and additional financial aid resources that may be available to you. Whether you are seeking assistance to buy a new car or repair your existing vehicle, there could be money available for you to claim. Carefully review the application and qualification process to make sure that you present your grant request in the most attractive manner.

Benefits of Using a Collision Estimating Software

Competition in every business niche is on the rise. Marketers are searching for innovative strategies to promote their businesses. Those who offer highest level of customer service always have an upper hand over the others. Auto body marketing is no longer an easy task. There are small and large auto body shops competing with each other. The strong relationships that you can build with the customers and insurance companies can help you stay ahead of others. As collision estimating is the first step in getting a car repaired, there are numerous prospective customers interested in this. A manual estimation can never be comprehensive, so it is advisable that you do not attempt to create one.

Collision estimating software can be of aid here. There are affordable programs designed exclusively for the licensed auto body shops. The auto adjusters and insurance companies too can benefit from utilizing this, as their profession is closely associated with the collision repair damage. The prospective clients have the opportunity to realize the full extent of the damage with the help of this. Many of the damages are unseen in the initial physical assessment of the vehicle. However, an estimate offers attention to detail thereby providing the big picture. It could even include the cost associated with replacement of wires, welding of the frame or fixing the leaks in windows of the vehicle.

People value the dependability of the auto body shops offering the estimates. It is always better to let the customers know about the intricacy of the vehicle's damage before you actually start the work on the car. This can avoid an unpleasant surprise caused by an expensive price tag for your services in the future. The acceptance rate of the well prepared estimate by insurance providers is high. The customers can claim the amount that they deserve if you help them prepare this vital document. You should not neglect any expense associated with the damage repair when providing the approximation. The customer might not be able to claim the amount from the insurance companies later.

Auto collision estimating is not an expensive process if you are using the right software. There are logic based applications which can be utilized for a minimal monthly fee. Apart from the cost evaluation facility, they come with information on frame dimensions and marketing products. The application is ideal for both domestic and foreign vehicles that have encountered damages in a collision. The business entrepreneurs should be happy that the web-based program can be accessed at any place of convenience.

The collision estimating software is ideal for the small and medium size auto body shops and businesses. A comprehensive approximation of the costs would help you and your customer in the future. Most average individuals would not be able to understand the document due to the presence of jargons. It is your responsibility to explain to your customer every item on the sheet before you hand over it to them. Being honest with the customer would help offer better customer satisfaction. Many customers have the habit of seeking a second opinion. You can always make sure that your estimate sheet is perfect. This would enhance your chances of closing the deal.

Buy and Repair Damaged Cars - Save a Huge Amount of Money on Your New Ride

Do you feel that a brand new car is completely out of your budget? If you really want a vehicle you should consider picking up one of the many damaged cars available in order to repair it. In fact, you could even upgrade the damaged vehicle in order to customize it to suit your requirements in order to make it better than a brand new vehicle.

Salvage or damaged cars are very easy to find and there are plenty of dealers offering these vehicles. These vehicles are generally sold on the basis of an auction. Even so, they are available at really low prices and you can get a whole lot of variety in terms of vehicles. If you want a specific vehicle for yourself then you will definitely find it from one dealer or the other. Bidding for these vehicles is usually very easy and many dealers of these vehicles allow you to bid for them using the internet.

You do need to put in some work in order to ensure that you get the best possible vehicle. Do not buy one until you have been given the opportunity to inspect it. Certain types of damage are very difficult to repair and the vehicle you buy might not live up to your expectations even if you succeed in repairing it. You might actually end up spending a lot of money on repairs from time to time and might wish that you had bought a brand new car instead. On the other hand, you might even pick up vehicles that have been valued by insurance companies at rates far lower than their actual cost. Keep an eye out for these vehicles because they are excellent bargains.

Once you have purchased the damaged vehicle of your choice at a really low price you then need to get it repaired. Many aspects of job repair need to be done by a mechanic but many other things can be done by you if you have plenty of tools handy as well as the necessary experience.

You will save a great deal of money and have a fantastic vehicle to drive as long as you are able to find a really good vehicle to work on. You might also be able to turn repairing damaged cars into a very profitable business once you figure out a way to source the best vehicles and get them revamped for cheap.

Most Common Auto Repairs

Owning a car can be something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you cannot imagine daily life without this source of tremendous convenience. On the other, the repair schedule and expenses can occasionally be brutal enough to send you running back to public transit. Thankfully there is a middle ground, and it relies on nothing more complex than a basic understanding of common car repairs. If you have found yourself wondering whether those mechanics' estimates may be a bit suspicious, some basic education can go a long way toward saving your finances in the future.

Cars are notoriously complex machines, given to wear and malfunction in countless areas. From dings in the body down to the tiniest catalytic converter, the vehicles we drive are as intricate as they are pricey. Only a few main areas seem to require attention year after year, however - master these and you can expect lower bills and a more successful ownership experience.

The most common repair is most likely the brakes. This is, after all, a part that was designed specifically to wear down and disappear over time. Whether your car uses pads or disks, it is important to get detailed information about how much wear you are looking at. Responsible ASE-certified auto shops will most likely give you a percentage of material remaining, making it far easier to decide when it's time for a replacement part. If the problem is something more substantial - blocked fluid lines or a defective booster, for instance - you will want to call around for different estimates before committing to an expensive process.

Engine problems are the second most common type of repairs, especially when you consider just how many parts are covered by this umbrella category. From issues with the fuel lines to a mis-choked carburetor, engine repair can run well into three and even four figures. Taking swift action is inevitably less expensive than waiting, however - that "check engine" light isn't decoration, and it's not unusual for problems such as these to quickly snowball into major mechanical failures. Experts recommend getting off the road and to a trusted mechanic at the first sign of engine trouble.

Countless other problems can arise in the daily operation of your car, from suspension and tire pressure failures to problems with the transmission, electrical system and climate control. Practiced mechanics and savvy customers know the best way to save money on repairs such as these is to do some comparison shopping and keep a vigilant eye out for pricing scams. Speak to friends about their experiences if you are on the hunt for a new repair shop, and be sure to check Better Business Bureau files to avoid sources of common compliant.

One of the few consistent truisms about owner a car is that you will almost never see the same problem twice. Good research, sound preventive maintenance and an informed perspective on the repair business should keep you driving at minimal expense for years to come.

Tips to Find the Best Auto Body Repair Shop

Not everyone will instinctively know where the best auto body repair shop in their local region is but if you are a car owner, it is something that is worth knowing. It's the type of thing and service that you will not need to use unless something goes wrong but when or if it does go wrong, you will need to very quickly. This is why it can be helpful to learn where an auto collision repair shop that you can trust can be located and if the need ever arises, you will know where it can be found. This may be dull but if you ever need to find an auto body work supplier in a short space of time, you will be very happy that you found out where to go in advance.

If an almost seamless transition can be achieved, then most people will be unaware of the fact that you were involved in a collision. A great way of doing this is to ensure that original factory parts are involved in the new part and by ensuring that the color and paint are matched effectively, the new body work will look as great as the rest of the auto. This will help put the memory of the collision behind you and could make life so much easier.

This is obviously a key aspect that an auto body repair shop should be able to provide to their customers and it can be helpful for any consumer to visit a shop or two and get a judge of the level of work they undertake. We are delighted for people to come and visit us and ask us questions about the auto collision repair shop and if we can help you out, we will aim to do so. Having been in the industry for over three decades, we have learned a thing or two about auto body work and we don't mind passing on some of the tips that have made us a success.

Having a great level of experience is one thing but it needs to be balanced with things like service and the ability to move with the times. Modern technology has provided parts like fiber glass body replacements and newer technologies such as oven baked finishes to provide a better look to your auto and even though we have in excess of three decades worth of experience, our staff are aware of the modern techniques involved in auto repair work. This is why we can guarantee you will be satisfied with the finish of your vehicle.

A great look is important abut an auto body repair shop should also be able to provide a great service to their customers and that is why a free estimate service comes as standard with us. These are costly times for consumers so we are trying to do as much as we can to help the cost of auto repair work. This means we will tow your auto to our auto collision repair shop free of charge and if you need to be picked up and brought to your auto body work shop, we will be happy to do this as well. Life without your auto can be tricky so it is important to ensure the customers are being looked after.

Is Your Insurance Company's Preferred Contractor the Best Choice for Your Repairs?

There is no right answer; consider the pros and cons and make the decision that is right for you. Insurance carriers are slowly moving away from developing their own list of preferred contractors. Instead, they are associating themselves with contractor networks. The contractor network acts as a middleman between the insurance company and the individual contractor, verifying the legal requirements, licenses, insurance, and reputation of the contractor, and most importantly, assuming all the liability. So if you agree to have a preferred contractor do your repairs, it will be the contractor network that guarantees the work, and it will be the network that assigns the contractor to your loss. Additionally, the vendor that was sent out for emergency repairs may also be part of a specialty network that supplies mitigation vendors and single-trade contractors, such as drywall installers, masons, etc.

Pros

If you choose to use a preferred contractor, the insurance company or the contractor network or specialty network will guarantee the workmanship and materials. That means if the repairs are done improperly or the materials fail, you have recourse to get it corrected; there is a higher level to go to with your grievances. If the repairs are not progressing as quickly as they should, the work is not what you contracted for, or the contractor's employees are stealing, you would first talk to the contractor, but if he is not responsive, you can go to the insurance company or contractor network with your complaints. Even though the individual contractor is not an employee of the insurance company or contractor network, considerable pressure will be applied if your grievances are valid and provable.

The insurance company has already verified the contractor's license and insurance.

The insurance company and/or the contractor network will probably be around for some time, so fear of the contractor filing bankruptcy before the job is done or not standing behind the repairs is minimized.

If you don't know any contractors, these networks are a good resource to obtain recommendations.

If your damage is due to a catastrophe, contractors are at a premium because so many other homeowners are in the same boat as you are. The insurance company or the networks have nationwide connections that can bring additional resources to the area to meet the high demand for contractors and tradesmen.

Cons

You signed the construction contract, so you are technically the "customer" but these preferred contractors are motivated to please the source that brings them work, the insurance company. This can work for you or against you; in the case where you think the damage is greater than the estimate is addressing, the contractor will more than likely support the insurance company's opinion.

For these types of contractors the work from insurance claims departments is their bread and butter. Even if you have your own contractor, the adjuster will pay one of their preferred contractors to write an estimate. Any estimate they write will probably be favorable to the insurance company.

You still need to do your due diligence and check out these preferred contractors, get recommendations, check with the Better Business Bureau, or, if your state requires contractors to be licensed, check for complaints.

If your insurance company uses a contractor network, the network simply assigns the "next up" contractor in your area. You lose control of the quality of the contractor and, instead, must depend on the quality of the contractor network your carrier is connected with. Find out as much as you can about the contractor network; if the insurance company is not forthcoming with that information, pass on using their contractors.

Bumper Repair - Do You Need To Go To A Body Shop?

You are on your way to the store and your in a bit of a hurry. Your thinking about what you need to get to get dinner put together. When you get to the store you find a parking spot that is super close to the entrance. This is your lucky day. You hurry about in the store. In and out in under 15 minutes. That has got to be a new world record. As you are jogging back to your car you notice something is not right.

You have a big black and red mark on the corner of your bumper. Upon closer inspection you notice you not only have a black and red mark on your bumper but the black mark is actually the bumper cover under the paint.

You look at the parking space next to you and of course it is empty. You walk around the car looking for some kind of note but apparently the nice upstanding citizen who scraped your bumper chose to remain anonymous.

You drive home and are steamed. You would have left a note if you accidentally damaged someone's car. As you start cooling off you start to think about your choices. You have decided that you have three choices.

1. You can make an insurance claim but your deductible is $250 dollars and your insurance will go up from making a claim.

2. You can drive around with a scraped bumper.

3. You can take it to the body shop and pay $600-$700 dollars to get a corner blend done so your car looks like it did before someone so nicely scraped it.

None of those options is that appealing and you really want your car fixed.

So if you need bumper scrape repair is it necessary to get your bumper fixed at a body shop?

No. There are other options.

Importance of a Car Inspection

Car inspection safety is important before you purchase a car. You never know if the parts may come loose while you're on the road and this can be dangerous for both you and other drivers out there. Before you buy a car, you should take the initiative and take automotive inspection services so that you know what's wrong with your car.

Before you want to invest in a car inspection service, you may want to know how the procedure goes. Here is how to check a used car. Auto inspection services usually do a routine inspection of the car from bumper-to-bumper. If you want to know the highlights of the service, then here's what's done.

The exterior is checked for scratches, pits, and cracks that are usually found on the windshield or windows. If you have these present in your car, they can be very dangerous because high pressures can shatter the glass, endangering the passengers. Then, the inspector checks for scratches, dents, and dings on the panels after scanning the car's paint work and body repair. Also, the inspector checks the condition of the tires and the tread depth. After the exterior is done, the interior is then inspected.

In the vehicle inspection process, the interior is first checked for the condition of the upholstery and carper condition. These involve the tears, stains, or burns in them. Then, the electrical components of the car are thoroughly checked. You wouldn't want a car that doesn't have a working radio, would you? These include the radio, power windows, reverse lights, headlamps, and other necessary and extra features your prospective car may have. Next, the inspector makes sure that dashboard features are working. It contains the vital information for your car. Finally, after other checks, the inspector makes sure that a vehicle identification number is present.

This is an overview of the how to check a used car. Before you buy your car, make sure to have it inspected. Car inspection safety is important to let you get the most out of your investment. If you take these measures before purchasing your car, you won't doubt buying your car later on.

Paint Markers For Auto Dealers, Body Shops and Parts Suppliers

Paint markers automotive repair and automotive retail industries.

Windshield paint markers up to 1 1/2" in width were developed as a convenient delivery system. Markers are easier to use and create less mess than brush and bottles applicators. They are also less expensive than the popular vinyl letters which can cost up to 25 cents per letter as compared to 3 cents per letter with paint markers. Tips are acrylic and initially take a few minutes for the paint to wick down and load the tip. Once loaded, they are ready to use at a moments notice. The paints are acrylic, water based paint with UV resistant additives and specifically designed to be rain resistant yet come off easily with mild cleaners or a razor blade. The paint also will not "ghost" windshields. Originally develops as Poster Paint markers, windshield paints are available from manufacturers such as Posca, Artline, and Sharpie.

Body panel markers have become popular with insurance adjusters and collision shop estimators as a means of identifying damage and customer information on body panels and windshields. Similar in characteristics to the windshield markers: panel markers are resistant to water yet removable with most mild cleaners. Tips are available in medium tip (5mm), broad tip (8mm to 12mm) and broad tip (17mm to 20mm) and up to nine colors. The most popular colors being fluorescent orange, green, and yellow. Popular brand names include Posca, Autowriter, and Artline.

Permanent paint markers for permanent marking of parts are used in place of tags and labels and available in felt tip for smooth metal surfaces, solid paint markers for wet surfaces, and steel tip markers for rough surfaces. Permanent markers use oil based enamel paint that have the ability to mark on oily surfaces and resist weathering. Popular brands of industrial permanent paint markers are Dykem, Markal, Unipaint, and Artline.

How to Become an Auto Repair Specialist

Becoming an auto repair specialist is a great option for anyone who has a gift for working on cars. It is also a good choice for those who have the desire but don't necessarily have the gift. However, just having the desire isn't exactly good enough. You must know how to go about reaching your goal. If you aren't necessarily ready monetarily to attend school there are other things you can do to prepare yourself.

For instance, you could try to shadow a local repair specialist. Let them know what you are doing and why it is important for you. You could even offer your services for free as a way to repay them. For instance, you could work as a receptionist over the weekends for a month. You could even work as an assistant for free. By offering your services, you give yourself a better chance of being accepted as an apprentice. If you just go in trying to get help without offering anything in return, there's a good chance you will be turned away.

Once you are accepted you will be able to get hands on experience that wouldn't necessarily be provided in a classroom setting. You would be able to see how a day really goes for an auto repair specialist. You would be able to experience the fun and easy going times as well as the times when they must deal with difficult and unsatisfied customers.

Another way to prepare for a job as an auto repair specialist is to start practicing. Although you would have an opportunity to get experience as an apprentice, it is still good to get extra practice. So, after you have gotten a considerable amount of knowledge, offer your services to family members and friends. Don't try to do something you aren't equipped to do, however. So, in other words only work on things or projects you feel confident about. If not, you could really do damage to someone's vehicle. This could hurt your reputation as a future mechanic.

You could also prepare to become an auto repair specialist by doing your own personal study time. For instance, you could visit the local library and checkout books that relate to your desired field of work. You could also purchase books at a bookstore or online. This will help you to get foundational knowledge before you take your actual classes for certification.

So, before you take the step to become an auto repair specialist, remember that there are several things you can do to make the process easier. The worst thing you can do is try to pursue a career without the proper preparation.

Automotive Repair Shop Recruiting Using Air Conditioning

There is a big debate whether you should grow up and be a white collar worker, or a blue-collar worker. Not long ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop that I was talking to a young lawyer who was obviously stressing out because he wasn't making any money and worried about losing his job. He was talking with me, and an auto mechanic that owned a repair shop. The owner of repair shop was complaining that he had to pay his mechanics over $30 an hour or you couldn't get anybody that was any good. The young lawyer noted that lately he's been barely making $30 per hour.

Interestingly enough, most of the auto mechanics, have received their training for free from the companies they work at. While the lawyer had to spend nearly $100,000 going to law school and he has steep student loans. The lawyer drives a nicer car, has a Rolex Watch and wears nicer close to work, but he has fewer toys, less time to spend with his family, and he is hugely in debt unlike the auto mechanics that work for the auto repair shop owner that was discussing this with him.

The lawyer said he liked to work in an air-conditioned office and that was worth it to him. Then the auto repair person said that he uses air conditioning in his shops also, because it is a recruiting tool to get the top mechanics to come work in a shop rather than somewhere else.

He also noted that there has been a big shortage of car mechanics in the past and without the air-conditioning he probably couldn't get anybody to work there, or least he couldn't get the best mechanics in the area to work for him. In fact, he attributed much of this to the success of his automotive repair shop. Please consider all this.

Repairing a Chip in a Windshield

You're driving down the highway, and come up behind a cement truck. SMACK! A piece of dried cement falls off the truck and hits the windshield, creating a bull's eye crack. Although the windshield protects you from injury, the damage has been done. Since the crack could easily spread, it should be dealt with as soon as possible.

There are a few options when repairing a nick in a windshield, depending on the size of the damaged area. Home repair kits fill the windshield with a clear resin, making it almost impossible to see and largely preventing the possibility of the crack spreading. If the bull's eye isn't directly in the line of sight, this can be a viable option. You can also have a professional do this repair for you. Although the home kits claim to be quick and easy, they don't provide the deft expertise that the practice of hundreds of repairs will provide. A home kit involves the real possibility that the repair will not work well, and then the entire windshield will need to be replaced.

Other options include having a professional fix the crack or pit, or having the professional replace the entire windshield.

In order to fill the crack yourself, get a good resin kit. The key to a successful patch job is to fix it under the right conditions. Make sure the windshield is out of direct sunlight. Clean and dry the surface, since any dirt or water will interfere with the curing of the resin. Before applying resin, the crack will need to be cleaned out. Remove any glass particles with a razor blade. Even better; use an air compressor with a hand-activated nozzle to blow away any glass chips.

A good resin kit will have an applicator that is mounted to the windshield via a system of suction cups. Put this in place, making sure that the tip of the applicator is mounted directly over the center of the pit. The best way to ensure that the applicator is in position is to check through the windshield from inside the car.

Once the applicator is firmly in place, add resin to the reservoir. It's often good to add more than the directions call for, since extra resin can easily be scraped away while insufficient resin will result in a failed patch job. Insert the plunger after the resin, and begin to screw it down. Wait a minute or two, then loosen the plunger to release any bubbles that may have formed. Screw the plunger down again, and wait a few minutes for the resin to penetrate the entire chip.

Remove the plunger, housing and suction-cup mount, and apply the clear finishing film. This will cure the resin and create a flush surface with the surface of the windshield. Apply the film from the center outwards, in such a way that bubbles do not form between the film and the windshield. Use a razor blade or other hard, flat object to fully crease the film to the windshield.

After removing the film, use a hard object that won't scratch the glass to remove excess resin. Something like a plastic scraper or piece of wood, such as a popsicle stick should do the trick.

Auto Glass Replacement is a Matter of Life or Death

For your safety, it is extremely important to have a properly installed windshield. In a collision, an improperly installed windshield can have tragic results. This is not something to cut corners on. Windshields do more than keep out the elements. In 2002 alone, 330,000 vehicles were involved in rollover crashes in the United States. These crashes resulted in over 10,000 fatalities.

To reduce the risk and seriousness of a rollover, make sure your windshield is installed correctly and without defect. The windshield is a vital part of the vehicle's energy management system, which directs crash energy around the occupant compartment. If the windshield was not put in the right way, the vehicle may crumple differently than the manufacturer intended, putting its passengers in jeopardy. The correctly installed windshield provides strength in a rollover accident, keeping the roof from crushing in on the occupants of the vehicle. In certain models, the windshield supplies up to 50% of the vehicle's rollover strength.

The windshield is also a crucial determinant of proper airbag timing. An improperly installed windshield, in a crash, may cause an airbag to deploy too early or too late. That may compromise the safety of the passengers and result in serious injuries. On impact, the windshield acts as a brace to support the passenger side airbag. If the windshield were to separate, the airbag does not have a constrained space, and is no longer effective in protecting the occupant.

Unrestrained occupants are kept inside the vehicle by only the windshield. A person is 25 times more likely to survive a crash if he or she is kept contained inside the passenger compartment rather than thrown from it. Also, windshields keep other things out of the vehicle that could cause bodily injury to the passengers like rocks, dust and other debris, insects, etc.

To see how statistically likely it is that your vehicle will be involved in a rollover accident, look at its NHTSA Rollover Rating. The more stars your vehicle receives, the less likely it is to be in a rollover.

Without exception, you and all your passengers should always wear a safety belt. In 72% of rollover fatalities, the people in the vehicles were not wearing their seatbelts. Also, don't speed. Excessive speeding has been an indicator in 40% of rollover crashes. Also, be cautious on rural roads. Because these roads tend to be undivided and without barriers, nearly 3/4 of rollovers' occur on rural roads.

Learn the proper maneuvering to gain control over your vehicle in case you temporarily lose control. Proper emergency braking techniques can go a long way towards preventing the accident in the first place. And of course, never drink and drive. About half of all fatal rollovers involve alcohol.

Whatever you do, don't cut too many corners when it comes to vehicle safety. Don't skimp on safety considerations by seeking cheap auto glass replacement [http://lasertargeted.com/glassrepair/auto-glass-repair-replacement.html] for your vehicle. It is not worth the risk. Auto glass windshield replacement [http://lasertargeted.com/glassrepair/caught-windshield-replacement-scam.html] is to be taken very seriously. Your life, and others', could depend on it.

Auto Salvage - What to Look For When Buying a Salvage Repairable Vehicle

When searching for a damaged repairable vehicle there are several points to consider - but did you know that buying used car parts could help you to save a lot of cash? Read below how we look at why you should consider replacing used car parts as opposed to new and other ways to save on money when purchasing an accident damaged car.

How buying used car parts help you obtain a much newer vehicle than you may have previously imagined. Buying an accident damaged vehicle can be a daunting task if you don't follow a few pointers, firstly understanding the basics of how intense the damage really is would be the first and foremost factor to consider, also are you going to complete the repairs yourself or have a professional vehicle body repair centre carry out the repairs for you? Obviously making the repairs to the salvage car yourself will greatly reduce the costs to yourself and assist you with more money to spend initially on a newer vehicle. Car Breakers, Scrapyards, Salvage auctions can really help as they showcase many vehicles in one location. Online Auction sites offer a wide range of vehicles in all salvage categories including CAT C salvage, CAT D salvage and unrecorded salvage which obviously usually commands a higher price.

Many people prefer to only opt for unrecorded salvage as this category has no 'bad history' attached with it as it is very unlikely to be placed on the Hpi vehicle alert register. As we previously stated buying car salvage can be a daunting task if you don't follow a few simple rules. Along with the obvious making stringent checks to the extent of the damage can severely cause you to 'go over budget' with your repair costs if you don't allow for unseen breakages and damage that you didn't spot when you first checked over the car.

Another Major factor to consider is the cost of the car parts that you will need to purchase in order to get the vehicle back into a roadworthy condition. Initial checking with manufacturers or Breakers yards for the price of all the car parts required before you commit to any purchase is always good advice. Car Breakers can offer very competitive quotes for car spares as they usually supply parts from a previously accident damaged vehicle. These car parts are usually in nearly new condition and save up to 80% against the cost of new main dealer car spares prices. Generally, New parts are obviously more expensive than used car parts so the cheapest option would be to get online at many of the car breakers websites.

Using 2nd hand car spares for your vehicle repair can often in effect mean you have more funds initially to spend on the salvage car in question, enabling you to buy a newer car than if you were to repair it using new car parts. Many people who buy salvage vehicles use parts locating websites daily as a good source for finding the lowest quotes from a vast network of car breakers as you connect with all the car breakers with only a few clicks of your mouse.

Car salvage as been big business for a few decades due to the rising number of people recognising the savings that can be made in comparison to buying a car from a dealer, not only are you saving the huge profits some dealers roll into their prices but also you pay a substantial amount less than the retail cost due to the damage which can often be repaired for a lot less than the margin you save between the price you pay and car showroom prices. If you Google unrecorded salvage you will find many of the UK's leading salvage companies offering full descriptions of the cars they have on offer with colour photographs showing the damaged areas.

These online salvage dealers can save you a lot of time that you may have previously wasted driving up and down the country looking for your next bargain, some salvage dealers even offer a price complete including repair back to the vehicles former pre accident condition with all car parts fitted and painted if required and still with great savings to you.

The savings that can be achieved are dependent on the category of the vehicle you choose to buy. Cat A & Cat B vehicles are not available to be purchased by members of the public and can only be sold onto car breakers and the car spares sold off to replenish the cost of the car. Cat C vehicles are where the repair costs of the vehicle are greater than the value of the vehicle (in the insurance companies view) Cat D vehicles are categorised by the cost of repair being less than the value of the vehicle.

Unrecorded salvage is exactly as described 'unrecorded' by any Hpi register of the vehicles accident status. However it is paramount that any person selling an unrecorded salvage vehicle should disclose to any potential purchaser of the vehicles true history. More money saving tips on buying auto salvage vehicles. If your unsure of the true extent of the damage in question take a qualified mechanic or better still body repair specialist with you.

Ask questions, do your homework, check dealers forecourts for current market values and make sure you save a little back in your budget for 'unexpected' damage/breakages. Look at using used car parts where possible but always check the condition of any used car spares you use on the vehicle especially mechanical parts, use reputable car breakers to buy your parts from who offer exchange or even better money back guarantees on faulty/unusable car parts. Consider the price cost very carefully haggle where possible, salvage dealers still have a 'mark up' in their price and will often take a lesser amount than advertised.

Don't always think because a car is unrecorded it is the better deal, you will pay more than a Cat C or Cat D due to its no history status but come to the time you want to sell you should make any potential buyer aware of the cars true history. Check online websites for auto salvage dealers, there are many dealers now offering their up to date portfolio of damaged repairables online, also check out salvage auction websites where you actually get to see the true value a car will fetch when offered to public auction.

Why Car Windshield Replacement Is So Cheap

The car's windshield is usually the first to be damaged in the event of an accident or during a riot or robbery for people who live in particularly insecure neighborhoods. However, once a windshield is damaged, immediate Windshield Replacement is a must. A strong windshield ensures that flying objects do not reach you while you are in your car and in case of an accident, the windshield protects both drivers and passengers and keeps them from flying out of the car.

As a car owner, Windshield Replacement is something you have to go through at least once in the lifetime of your car. Luckily, there are thousands of Auto Glass companies that sell and replace windshields and due to the competition, they offer reasonable price quotes. Replacing a windshield is not something everyone can do and thanks to a Glass Company near you, there are professionals that will do an excellent job.

In order to get the best Price Quotes, you may have to call several companies or alternatively visit their websites. In the process, you may ask them about service charges and any deductibles. The make and model of your car will determine the price quote because not all windshields cost the same amount.

Safety is key when replacing your car glass and insurance companies know that. This is why in most circumstances, your insurance company will cover all the expenses, so see if you can get them to pay before you pay out of your own pocket. The glass company will tell you which deductibles can be waived off. Normal price quotes for windshield replacement range from $200-$300 but keep in mind the make and model of the vehicle because that is what determines the cost.

Windshield Cracks

Glass companies offer enough options to make sure everyone has a windshield that will keep them safe. For instance, a glass company will tell you that complete windshield replacement is not always necessary. Some auto glass cracks can be repaired.

Auto windshields crack often, and can be expensive to repair but in some cases, the damage is minimal so car owners may decide to do the repair themselves provided the damage is not extensive. The repair process usually involves using resins, which are injected into the cracks. It is best to have a professional at least check your repair job because a faulty windshield is dangerous.

Windshields crack due to a number of reasons for instance a chip of gravel flying in the air can crack the screen when the car is in motion. Accidents are of course the most common cause, but extremely cold weather is also capable of causing damage to the windshield. Burglars often try to force their way into people's cars and they will break windows to do this, but if the glass is strong enough, it will not break but it may leave a crack.

A number of glass companies offer windshield replacement kits, which also include the repair, resin and can be used by anyone, provided they can follow some simple instructions. More and more, people are opting for self-help methods when it comes to replacing their car's windshield because of the costs. Since there are dozens of how-to videos, it is easy for people to repair minor windshield cracks on their own.

Windshield Replacement

Windshield replacement should not take more than a few hours but it is an important part of upgrading your car to make sure it meets all the auto safety norms. By law, every driver must have a windshield that does not interfere with his navigation in any way. You may contact any glass company online to get their price quotes and figure out which one suits you best depending on your budget. There should be no reason to risk driving with a faulty windshield; many people have flown out of the car upon a minimum impact car collision just because the windshield was either cracked or not properly installed.

Crooked Car Insurance Company Practices

Insurance companies have begun buying or investing their monies into car repair businesses in recent years. Insurance companies that own car repair shops can result in the consumer getting bad service and substandard replacement parts. Many people in the car repair industry have complained of being pressured by insurance companies that own them to keep costs down, and if they do not, they risk losing referrals.

Vehicle owners also have rights when getting their cars repaired following a collision. This applies to regular maintenance repairs as well.

The Automobile Service Association (ASA) suggests that car owners ask insurance companies the following when shopping for an auto body repair shop following a collision.

Do I have to get three estimates?

This is a standard procedure among insurance companies, but in reality you do NOT have to get three estimates. This is only an option and NOT a requirement that puts the burden on the car's owner to get the cheapest price.

Can I choose any repair shop?

Yes. You have the right to choose any auto body shop you like, and any attempt to direct you to a particular shop should raise some suspicions. Many times, the dealership does not have an auto body repair shop, and the vehicle's owner is referred to one with whom they have a contract. It is not required that they have one.

How can I ensure that they are going to fix my car with quality parts?

Any parts used other than Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) car parts must be disclosed in writing by the insurance company. It is up to the owner to agree if the insurance company will install other market parts, rather than be pressured to use OEM parts. In some states, this disclosure is not required.

The ASA recommends the following advice for vehicle owners to maintain their car:

1. Always check your owner's manual for regular maintenance schedules. A good rule of thumb is to change the oil and filter once every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.


2. Check all fluids including brake, transmission, washer, power steering, and antifreeze. These fluids are necessary for the safety and performance of your vehicle.


3. Check tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can waste gas. This is the cheapest form of preventive and safety maintenance. Check tire pressure once a month.

Auto Repair: 4 Signs It Needs to Happen

Sometimes it is necessary to bring your vehicle in to the mechanic between regularly scheduled appointments. Having your oil and other fluids changed regularly is great but there are a few tell tale signs of an issue that should not be put off until the next time you are planning to go in. These are indications that there could be a serious problem. If any of these happen while driving pull over or get to an auto repair shop quickly so that you are safe and you do not further damage anything.

Squealing brakes are a bad sign. If when the pedal is depressed there is a high pitched screech or a whistle it could mean that the pads are incredibly low and need to be replaced as quickly as possible. Additionally, if the pedal feels squishy it is likely that the same sort of problem is happening. In either case pull over or get straight to the mechanic because this is not something to be taken lightly.

Similarly, any time there is a rattling, a clunking, or a grinding coming from under the hood or under the car it may be indicative that there is a need for auto repair. Any number of things could be wrong or in some cases something could have come unattached. One possibility is that the head gasket is blown and that is a serious problem. If you are unsure what is going on or if the sound is accompanied by a decrease in performance have the car towed to the nearest service station.

It should go without saying but if the oil or check engine light come on it is imperative that those things happen. Many think they can ignore these warnings but in reality they are a good indicator, obviously, that something is not right. Quickly and carefully bring the vehicle straight to the auto repair station and have them determine what has caused the warning to illuminate. Often it is not something terribly wrong but rather something that if left unchecked could lead to a more serious issue.

Finally if it takes a long time to start or won't start at all it is necessary to have auto repair done. It may be something as simple as a low battery or an old sparkplug but on the other hand there could be a need for alternator maintenance or replacement. In some cases the belt may have broken and the battery was drained trying to compensate.

Regardless of which of these happen, they are all four a sign that now is the time to go in and have service done, even if it is not scheduled yet. Fixing the problem now can avoid cost and inconvenience down the line and that is not something anyone wants to have to deal with.

Dispelling the 3 Most Common Plastic Bumper Repair Misconceptions

Here is a look at some of the common misconceptions that surround plastic bumper repair.

1. Plastic Bumpers Don't Need to Be Repaired Like Metal Bumpers Do

Because plastic is considered to be so durable in general, many people feel that repairing a bumper shouldn't really be a priority. Additionally, one of the biggest reasons that metal bumpers needed to be repaired quickly was because of the high likelihood of rust forming and destroying it even more. In reality, plastic bumpers cover a metal frame that acts like a metal bumper for safety purposes. The reason that this plastic cover was added, is because plastic can bounce back from small impacts. However, just like any material, bumpers can only take so much damage before they are permanently damaged. This means that bumper paint repair is needed if it does not naturally return to form on its own.

2. Replacing a Bumper is Always the Best Option

For some reason, plastic products in general are considered "cheap". Maybe it is because everything disposable seems to be made out of plastic these days, or maybe it is because plastic seems difficult to repair, but the reality is that replacing a bumper is rarely the best idea. Plastic bumper repair is not only cheaper, but also extremely effective. One of the benefits of using plastic bumpers is that they are more environmentally friendly. This is because they were designed to be easily fixed instead of discarded into a landfill. While there are some instances where plastic bumper repair is impossible, these cases are few and far between. Bumper paint repair is especially cheap when utilizing mobile specialists.

3. Bumper Repair is so Easy That Anyone Can Do It

The fundamentals of plastic bumper repair seem pretty easy. You need to do some buffing, filling, sanding, and a little painting. However the entire process is much more complicated than that. There are a number of problems that can occur during every stage of the repair process. More often than not, people that try to do at-home repairs often do more harm than good.

Now that you understand a little more about what bumper repair is, you can see why choosing a mobile bumper paint repair service is the best idea. Additionally, you know that repairing your bumper should be considered essential; repairs are a better option than replacement; and repairs should be done by professionals, not do-it-yourselfers.

Why are Car Repairs So Expensive?

It is not uncommon for car owners to spend, over the course of several years, almost as much money on car repairs as they spent on purchasing the actual car. Auto service is notoriously expensive in many parts of the country and can be debilitating to one's budget if it comes at an inopportune time. Knowing a little about the auto service industry and why car repair is sometimes so expensive can help you avoid overpaying for car service.

Labor

When you pay for a car repair or a car part replacement, a lot of the times what you're paying for is mostly the labor. The parts required for the job might be fairly cheap, but it is the time taken to complete the job that you're being charged for. One of the keys to saving some money on labor costs is simply to shop around. Not all auto shops charge the same for labor. In fact, labor costs differ greatly from shop to shop. There are some that will charge you $80/hr or more on major repairs, but if you look around, you might find others that charge $60/hr or less.

Another thing to be aware of is that, if your car breaks down on the road and you take it to a nearby, roadside shop, you can be almost certain that the labor costs will be overpriced. This is for the same reason that a glass of beer at a ball game will be overpriced: you're paying for convenience.

Parts

If you buy your parts directly from the shop, they will likely be marked up for profit. Some auto shops raise the price of car parts as much as 30% or more above the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price). Additionally, some vehicles, especially older or vintage cars, will require parts that are harder to find, or are no longer made and have to be bought on special order from the manufacturer.

Now, if you want to save money on parts, it might be a good idea to ask your mechanic, after an evaluation of the car is completed, to tell you what parts will be needed for the job. Then order these parts online for a discount and have your mechanic install those instead of the shop's.

Learn Some Basic Auto Maintenance

One of the best ways to avoid expensive car repairs is to take good care of your car and learn to do some basic auto maintenance. Procedures like changing your oil when required are very easy to learn and anyone can do them. There are even simple online guides that teach you how to do many of these so that you can save yourself a trip to the car repair shop.

Essential Tools for Getting Your Car Unstuck From the Snow

Having a car that is roadworthy during the winter is obviously essential when the snow starts to fall and sticks to the ground. But even the heaviest duty, four-wheel drive toting SUVs can get stuck in the snow. That is why it is important to keep other tools in your car in case you find yourself driving through heavy snowstorms. Having a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive system in your car is very beneficial when it comes to driving in snowy conditions. But though four-wheel drive and all-wheel drives will help you drive better in snowstorms by giving your vehicle better traction on the road, you can still find yourself getting stuck on the side of the road because those features won't help your car stop faster in snowy conditions. According to a report done by Forbes, drivers with four-wheel or all-wheel drive in their cars will drive recklessly because they become overconfident, which could result in your car getting stuck on the side of the road or in a ditch. That is why it is important to keep tools in your car that will help you out if you find yourself stuck as a result of driving in snowy conditions. Read on to see what tools are essential to keep in your car this winter:

Shovel

A shovel is essential to getting your car out of snow. A shovel will allow you to dig away snow from your car, giving it more room to move while you are attempting to get your car unstuck. A shovel can also be used to clear a pathway from where your car is, back to the road.

If you find your car stuck in the snow the first thing you will want to do is dig the snow away from your tires. The snow around your tires will only prevent your car from gaining traction, which is why it is essential to clear the snow away from you tires. You should also use your shovel to clear away as much snow from your car as possible in order to help it gain traction. By clearing away the snow your car will have a better chance of gaining traction, allowing you to get back on the road.

Tools to Facilitate Traction

If using a shovel to clear any snow away from your car doesn't help you get your car unstuck, then you will need something else to help your car gain traction. Laying something underneath and behind all of your tires will help your car gain traction when you are trying to get it unstuck. That is because the tools that facilitate traction for your car creates a layer between your car's tires and the snow and ice that your car's tires can't grip.

A few tools that can facilitate traction are sand, kitty litter or your car mats. Sand, when it is put down beneath your tires, will mix with the snow and create an area that will allow your car gain traction in order to get out of the snow. Kitty litter works in a very similar fashion as sand, creating a surface area that your car can gain traction on. If you find yourself without sand or kitty litter then you can also use your car mats, found on the floor of the interior of your car, to help your car out of a situation where you are stuck in snow. Simply place your mats as best as you can between your car's tires and the snow. This will help your car gain enough traction to get moving and help you get out of the snow.

Getting stuck in the snow is a situation that no one likes to find themselves in. But during the winter, if you make sure to leave a few tools in your car, you can ensure that you will be ready for any situation that the weather throws at you. You may even be able to help out those around you who are unprepared.

Car Repair - How To Change Your Brake Pads

Whether you are trying to save money or are trying to car repair in the case of necessity, it is good to know how to replace your automobile's brake pads on your own. Most people are not aware of how important it is to regularly check the status of this area of their vehicle and see if any parts need maintenance or replacing. Here are some instructions for how to replace the pads for your automobile.

Before getting started with this sort of car repair, secure all materials and tools that will be needed for the job. You will need a c-clamp, a hammer, a small bungee cord, an adjustable wrench, a lug wrench, and allen wrenches. Once you have all of these things, loosen the lugs on the wheel while it is still on the ground. After doing so, it is much easier to remove the lug bolts and the wheel upon jacking the vehicle off of the ground.

It is very important to use jack stands to secure your automobile after you have jacked it up during this car repair. A car jack is in no way a completely secure device and working underneath a automobile can be very dangerous without the proper support to hold it up.

Now that the bolts have been loosened and the car has been lifted, the wheel should be easy to remove. So, slide it off and underneath you will find the break disc. It will be round, shiny, and surrounding the lugs. Be sure to inspect this part and see if there is any wear and tear to be found.

The brake caliper will be found just above where the lugs and disc are. This needs to be removed so the pads can be taken off. Behind this part are the bolts holding it in place. These will either require the allen or adjustable wrenches to remove. After the bolts are removed, it should be able to slide up and be removed. It will need to be secured with the bungee cord, as it will be attached to the brake line. This will most likely be a black, rubber hose and it is very important not to strain it with the caliper's weight, as this can cause serious damage to the line.

Before removing the pads, take a moment to observe how everything is put together, so as to know how to put it back when you are done. The old pads should slide right out, but depending on the age of the vehicle, may require the assistance of hammer. Now install the new pads.

Within the caliper, you will find the brake piston. This adjusts to the level of wear of the pads. As the newly installed pads have no wear at all, this will have to be secured with the c-clamp. Install the side of the clamp with the screw on it to the piston and push it in, so it will fit easily around the new pads and slide the caliper back in place over the disc. Now, reattach the bolts and the caliper. Tighten the lugs around the wheel and then double check to make sure they can't be tightened some more.

It is wise to regularly check your vehicle for signs of wear and necessary replacement, but make sure to call on the help of a car repair business if you are unsure or unable to do the job yourself. Seeking the help of professional mechanics is the safest and easiest way to maintain your automobile.

Doing Your Own Bodywork to Save Money Will Often Cost You More in the Long Run

I am a firm believer in the saying "You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it." I also like to prove that I can fix almost anything. So far I have done a pretty good job at doing just that. The biggest problem with trying to do your own body work is that you will most likely start out by trying to repair a dent. Repairing a dent is the most difficult part of body work to learn or to teach.

I have taught several people that eventually went on to become journeyman body men and women. They all started out removing and installing parts. In almost all cases, it takes several months if not years to perfect the skill of repairing a dent correctly. If you are just going to try to fix a dent to save a little money, you will be much better off working a few extra hours doing the job you earn your money at and use that income to pay a professional body man to do what he does best.

If you are really set on the idea of fixing your car yourself for the shear fact you love the idea of learning the trade or just want to have the pride of fixing your own car, then by all means go for it. Just make sure to research and ask people that are good at it. Many people can do body work but very few can do it correctly.

Now for some of the facts to help you with your decision making process.

1. Most of the repair information you will find on YouTube or in how to magazines is for the most part false or outdated. Check out the author's background to make sure they do full time body work at a quality shop and that they don't just write articles or make videos for a living.

2. Even if you are skilled enough or lucky enough to do a perfect repair job, you will most likely have to paint it yourself because most good auto body shops will refuse to paint over someone else's repair even if it is done by another quality auto body shop. Painting is a whole other can of worms that even the best of us get frustrated with.

3. The cost for the tools and repair materials needed to fix just one small dent will usually cost more then the body shop will charge you. So if you are not repairing a large number of dents it will definitely cost you more to do yourself.

Now let me tell you some of the false information out there and how you can weed out the bad information.

1. If you see someone poking holes in a panel to put a slide hammer and a screw in to pull a dent, throw all their information away. Unless they are replacing the panel and just using the holes to ruff out the panel before replacing it.

2. If they have scratched the paint by hand and not with a grinder or a DA (dual action sander), disregard their information. You will not get proper adhesion.

3. If they put filler on without repairing the metal first, disregard their information.

4. If they use that red spot putty out of the tube (non-catalyzed), they do not do quality work. The problem with uncatalyzed spot putty is it will shrink back in weeks if not days. Look elsewhere for better information.

5. If they mix their filler with the same tool they use to apply the filler to the panel with, they will have uncatalyzed filler mixed in with the catalyzed filler. Again, look elsewhere for better information.

If you do decide to go ahead and do your own repair anyway, please research as best as you can and try to weed out the bad information as much as possible. I believe that more than 80% of the YouTube body tips I have watched are done by people that have little or no knowledge of what they are doing. The good news is there are some very good videos also. I have found the most knowledgeable people are using better safety equipment and informing you to do the same. Today's auto body repair materials can make you very sick and is some cases kill you if you are not properly protected. Please be safe.

Auto Insurance Claim Problems - 11 Steps to Handle Your Claim

Auto insurance claim problems can be handled if you follow these 11 steps which will keep everything organized allow you to flow through the process and not lose a large amount of money due to mistakes. The last thing you ever thought that would happen to you would be to have an accident. You are glad you have auto insurance now that you have had an accident and hopefully everybody is okay, but your car is damaged and it is time to file a claim to cover your accident.

Step 1. Call 911
Get help as soon as possible if anyone is injured. If no one is injured call the police because you are going to need an accident report, filled out by a police officer if there is any damage to your car or other cars.

Step 2. Find witnesses who saw the accident and get their contact information.
Even if they do not want to talk right now, should there be a lawsuit they can be subpoenaed at a later date.

Step 3. Exchange phone numbers.
Make sure you exchange contact information and insurance cards with the other people involved. If they do not have insurance make sure you tell the police officer.

Step 4. Accident report.
Even if the damage is minor, ask a police officer to fill out an accident report and if he does not want to. If the damage does seems to be minor, insist on an report of some kind anyway. It is very important to have a written report by the police officer after the accident. Accidents that seem very minor can result in large lawsuits. I myself was sued after a $100 fender bender and because of the accident report my insurance company handled the whole thing.

Step 5. Notify your Insurance company.
Call your insurance company right away and if you have your cell phone call from the scene of the accident. Give them all of the pertinent information including the name of the police officer, who filed the report. Make sure you get the name and badge number of the police officer.

Step 6. Write up your own report or record it on audio or video.
Write down your total recollection of everything that has transpired and do it as soon as you get home before you talk to anyone. The more people you talk to the more your recollection will change.

Step 7. Contact the insurance company of the other driver and tell them what happened.
By this time you should have the name of their insurance company as well as their insurance ID number. You should also have written down the license plate number of their car. Sometimes, people will not contact their own insurance company because they do not want their rates to go up.

Step 8. Make an appointment with the insurance adjuster and take your car to them or if it is to badly damaged have them come to see you and they will come up with an estimate of what it will cost to replace your car or restore it. Keep in mind the insurance adjuster works for the insurance company and is trying to save them money.
Fact: The insurance adjuster is only interested in saving the insurance company money.

Step 9. Before you accept a settlement from the insurance company to replace or repair your car make sure that auto body shop can and will do the work for that amount agreed to, less the deductible, or you may be left with a huge expense.

Step 10. If there are any injuries, do not release the insurance company and accept a settlement until doctors have signed documents stating that no further treatment is necessary.

Step 11. If the amount offered by the insurance company adjuster does not cover your expenses, you may have to get a lawyer and he or she will deal with the insurance company. You do not have to accept the first offer. You paid your premiums and now you have a right to make sure the damage is covered.

Jimmy says, if you follow the proper steps you can get you can get your claim settled and save yourself a lot of money. If you do not follow the proper steps you may wind up with big problems. Auto insurance claim problems are not difficult if you take your time and follow the proper procedure and do not allow yourself to be intimidated.

Windshield Repair Services

Most auto glass repair companies can provide services either at your own place or at their center. It all depends on the extent of the damage to be repaired. The services they offer include auto glass repair like sealing chips and cracks, eliminating scratches, windshield tinting, window tinting, some even offer car detailing. You can even receive a price quote online.

If the chip is smaller than a quarter and the crack is less than 12 inches long, they would most likely provide service to you at the convenience of your home. The repair kit they will be bringing will contain several materials, tools and equipment. This would include a windshield repair bridge that is self-leveling and is able to reach anywhere on the windshield together with the injector. A crack expander that slides easily and reaches low on the windshield. An A.C. powered ultraviolet curing lamp and a 15 watt, 22 inches bulb for curing long cracks. A drill if the chip needs to be cleaned. A curing film that enhances the ultraviolet rays for faster and complete curing, a UV protected syringes designed to protect the resin from the sun's ultra violet rays, the resin and some other stuff.

The first step the technicians will take is to clean the damaged area of the windshield of any dirt or loose shards of glass and moisture which will throw off the repair process. Then the applicators are secured on the damaged part. The resin is then applied, air bubbles removed and the curing film placed over it. To help hasten the curing time the lamps will be placed over the area being repaired. When the resin has been properly cured the windshield's integrity will be restored. It is then polished to restore the clarity of the class.

Although the process sounds simple enough it may be quite a challenge if the damage is more than a tiny chip. For really big problems never take the cheaper and faster option of simply doing it yourself. Since the windshield's integrity may spell the difference between life and death it is better to always get professional windshield repair. Many car owners make the mistake of not giving any notice to small chips without realizing that this small chip may present a big problem in the future. Chips and cracks that are left unattended will over time develop into a more serious problem especially if the car is always exposed to the elements and pollution.

Find the Best Auto Repair Shop in Your Area

Often times people find themselves nervous to get work done on their car. Not only is it scary leaving such an investment in someone else's hands, but how do you know if you are over paying for their services? Finding an auto repair company that is dependable and trustworthy is important to every automobile owner.

So what are some things you should keep an eye open when deciding on with repair shop to use? A nice family owned business always makes me feel comfortable. I find that when people are working for and with their family they have a lot more passion in their work. You become that much more important as a customer because it directly affects their whole family. They are not just working for some corporate company that they could give two licks about.

Find a company that has been in business for a while! Now I know that new companies can be refreshing and appealing but I also live by the quote, "Why fix something if it ain't broken?". I like to leave my automobile in the hands of well trained and experienced professionals. Not people who are fresh in the business. People who have been around for a long time have built a strong reputation you can rely on.

Another thing I find beneficial in an auto repair company is when they provide full service options. I do not want to have to make two stops for my one car. It is smart to just search around on the internet for the best company to use. For example, if you live in the Tampa Bay area, you might type in "Tarpon Springs Auto Repair Shop".

See, I told you there is nothing to fret about when taking your car in. Just look for some of these key qualities and you are bound to find an auto repair shop you can give your regular business to.

Find the Free Auto Repair Manual You Need Online

You can easily get a free auto repair manual for whichever repair need you might have. You need an internet access and have to follow a certain procedure searching for auto repair manuals, but when you have done this procedure a few times it will be very easy to find the right instructions for do it yourself auto repair and it won't cost you a dime.

There are four types of automotive description documents that you will need to choose from when you want to do a repair;

• General manuals


• Diagnosis descriptions


• Repair manuals


• Maintenance manuals

General Manuals

In addition to some general manuals, most of these are related to the make. Here you can get step by step guidance on how to repair most of the makes in the vehicle market. Let's say you have a Honda Acura 2002 model and you want to find a manual for that make and model. What you do is perform the following search in a search engine: "free car manuals+Honda Acura+2002". Then you will have a long list of sites that provide you with all kinds of descriptions for your Honda Acure 2002 model, and you can choose what you want.

Diagnosis descriptions

Automotive diagnosis manuals can also be sub-divided by make and model. But it can also be divided by the area of the vehicle that is affected, for example engine intake problems, brake problems, cooling problems, exhaust problems, start or stall problems, transmission problems etc. Let's say you have a start problem. Your search would be "car diagnosis manual+ start problem", then you should get more than enough repair information to choose from. You can even get diagnostic trees where all options are covered for nothing.

You have probably more than one time heard some annoying noise from somewhere in your vehicle, without finding the source of it. This is one of the most kinky situations to run into because you don't know if it is a serious signal or just a small thing. Some websites gives you the opportunity to diagnose vehicle problems by the noise, sound and vibrating signals - and that is great. The sooner you find it the sooner you can fix it and then you can relax. When you search, you can describe the sound, for example "whine noise" or "shifter knocks" or "driveline vibration" plus car diagnosis manual plus eventually the make.

Repair Manuals

In addition to regular manuals you can also get very instructive and detailed descriptions in other internet document or websites like articles, etc. The natural way to sub-divide such repairs before searching, is by the area of the vehicle that is going to be repaired, for instance body repair, exhaust repair, suspension fix, interior repair and even general car repair.

You do the search the same way as above; "car repair manual (or description) + the area of repair and go through the list of resources you get.

Maintenance manuals

Though vehicle maintenance is closely related to your vehicle make and model, there are some maintenance issues that are pretty much common whether you have a Cadillac, VW or a Mercedes, for example changing oil, changing air filters, engine wash, fluid maintenance, tier maintenance etc. You can get access to maintenance descriptions by searching for the kind of maintenance plus "car maintenance manual (or description)" plus eventually your make and model.

I think you'll be amazed of the amount of automotive repair free stuff online.

Ways to Prevent Auto Body Damage

With cars being so expensive and the economy in a slump it is important to keep the car's we already own looking and running great! Many times are cars begin looking old and beat up. This is because a lot of car owners to not take proper precautions in preventing auto body damage. Auto body damage can be expensive and sometimes take a lot of time to repair. So, learn how to prevent damage and save time and money. There are many ways you can prevent damage from occurring to your vehicles.

First of all one of the easiest ways to prevent damage is to clean and wax your car. It protects the vehicles paint, and the paint is what protects the steel parts of your vehicle. Without a good coat of paint all over your vehicle would start to rust and become weak in those areas. Also the paint can oxidize without wax which gives the paint a dull look. So with a good wax and wash you can prevent oxidation from occurring on the paint as well. So, you will reduce your chances of oxidation and rust with a simple wash and wax.

Next, Drive safely! Take extra care while driving to avoid running into anything. Whether it be another car or a stationary object. Make sure to use your mirrors and also check your blind spot before merging or pulling into traffic. This is a key contributor to auto body damage. Also do not follow to close behind or tailgate another vehicle. If they stop suddenly you will suddenly find your car and possible another car in need of auto body repair.

Also, choose carefully where you park your vehicle. It may sound a little crazy, but it will help prevent auto body damage. A lot of auto body damage occurs in parking lots. Try to park far out where there are fewer cars around that could potentially cause damage to your car. Also avoid parking near a cart return area. Many times carts are to blame for dents and dings in cars, usually the wind will push them right into your car.

These are just a few simple ways to protect your car against auto body damage. However, we all know that it is impossible to perfectly prevent our cars from any damage. So if damage does occur, make sure to get it fixed right away by a professional before it causes more auto body damage in the waiting process.

If you car is in need of auto body repair make sure that you find a qualified professional at a well recommended auto reconditioning shop to assist you. Do a little research before decided which the right auto body shop is for you and your car. Make sure you are getting a good deal but also great quality work.

So, avoid spending time and money on fixing your vehicle after an incident and start protecting your car to prevent auto body damage from occurring to your vehicle!

Free Online Auto Repair Manuals - Is it Possible to Get Online Auto Repair Manuals For Free?

Free online auto repair manuals are a sought after by many a home or professional auto mechanic. Think about it - you are outside working on your car and run into a snag installing the brakes. The car manual in the glove compartment comes in handy for those minor things (like finding out what the optimal tire pressure is), but for more involved things, you just need a manual to read. Wouldn't it be great to be able to go online and get a repair manual for your car that had just the information that you were looking for at your fingertips? And - wouldn't it be great if it was free?

Well - I hate to burst your bubble so early into this article, but the hard cold fact is that there is no free extensive resource available online to view auto repair manuals. If you want to find out anything that you need for a particular make and model of a car, you can sign up for a subscription service that offers unlimited access to a massive inventory of auto repair manuals. If you have more than one car (like for you, your wife and your teenager) - these online services come in handy when you need to look things up.

One benefit of a online auto repair manual service is that the information is constantly kept up to date. If there are recalls on a given part of a certain make and model of a car, you can also easily access that information. But - sorry I have to repeat that there are no free online auto repair manuals available. But - the wealth of information available for online car manual subscription services does take the sting out of paying the fee. And - keep in mind that if you are doing car repairs yourself - you are already saving money out of pocket from paying a mechanic. So - consider these services as another way to save you from having to bring your car into the garage because you can't find information online that can help you repair your car on the cheap.

What Is Collision Insurance and Do You Need It?

Why buy auto collision insurance? If you get in an accident and it is the other driver's fault, you can just sue or get the money from the other insurance company, right? Well, that may be true, but what if they have no insurance or what if the accident is your fault? You may be the most careful driver in the world, but it is still conceivable that you could cause an accident. If that happens, you will not be able to collect any money from the other driver's insurance company to pay for the damage. This is when collision insurance is needed.

Auto collision insurance is one of the most misunderstood insurance types; many people cannot explain it or know what it does and doesn't cover. Basic collision insurance covers your vehicle's repairs if you are involved in an accident with another vehicle. It does not cover accidents involving structures such as walls, telephone poles, or a house. It also does not cover accidents involving animals. It is also not required by law.

There are a few reasons to get auto collision insurance. The first reason, as detailed above, offers an extra layer of protection if you cause an accident or if the other driver has no insurance. Drivers who own a car that is completely paid off and still has a decent value, may want collision insurance in order to have the complete cost of their car covered in case of major damage. If you finance a car, the lender will usually require you to carry collision insurance to ensure that the cost of the car is covered in case the automobile is totaled in an accident.

There are also a few reasons not to purchase collision as part of your insurance coverage. If you have enough money in the bank to cover any major repairs or the full cost of the vehicle, it might be wise to just keep your own funds as insurance instead of paying them out to an insurance company just in case you get in an accident. However, if you don't have the extra funds, this is not a wise decision. The other reason not to purchase collision coverage is if you have an old car that is not worth very much. Collision coverage is often the most expensive portion of the premium and getting this type of coverage for an old car without much value is not a wise financial decision.

Auto collision coverage is basically a promise made by the insurance company to pay a specific amount of money in case of an accident. The ceiling for that amount of money is the book value of your vehicle minus the deductible. This ceiling decreases every year as your car depreciates. The best way to decide if you need collision coverage or how much your deductible should be, is know what you can afford and take that risk with your own funds, but get insurance coverage for what you cannot afford. Once you take the time to understand what collision insurance is, it is a fairly simple decision to make.

Purpose of Auto Tune-Up

Routine auto repair is necessary to keep your car running smoothly and to avoid costly repairs that can result from major engine components breaking down. Regularly scheduled maintenance is designed to keep the important parts of your car in working order and can save you money in the long run. During an automobile tune-up a trained technician will go through a specific process designed to examine, repair and adjust all of the necessary parts of your vehicle.

A car contains hundreds of components that wear down over time and cause your car to lose performance and fuel efficiency. A tune-up analyzes all of these elements in order to determine what needs to be repaired to make sure your car is running like new. Also, it can catch small repairs before they become big ones so you'll have less break downs and costly overhauls. It is recommended you have a tune-up every couple of years.

If you notice something wrong with your cars performance such as engine stalling or hear an unusual sound it is best to take your car to a repair shop immediately and have it inspected in order to prevent further damage from occurring. In fact, keeping up with routine maintenance is the surest way to keep costly major repairs or overhauls from occurring and save money and time in the long run. You can save money by calling different repair shops and comparing rates to ensure you are getting the best deal. Remember, costly auto repair can be avoided by keeping up with scheduled routine maintenance.

Important Tips on Finding The Right Auto Body Shop

When we feel under the weather, we usually seek out medical attention. If we were experiencing toothaches, we would go to a dentist. If we have a heart condition, we go to a Cardiologist and so on. We seek out the specialists who will take care of our specific areas of concern. The same thing should be done with our cars. People experience different auto trouble on a daily basis. It could be something as simple as fixing a few scratches or something more complex like a full bodywork. But in any case, it is important to find the right auto body shop to do the job for you.

Looking around, you will find a lot of different shops that specialize in a variety of vehicle repair. There are a number of one-stop auto shops that take care of every automotive problem imaginable. Most people, however, prefer to deal with specialists in certain areas. This is quite understandable, as the shops that specialize in a single area of expertise tend to be masters of that field, while the one-stop auto shops that cover a wide range of vehicle issues might not give the same results. You might end up being referred to a specialist afterwards.

Some people like to go directly to their vehicle dealer, but be warned that most of the time, the in-house vehicle repair services can be quite pricy, and usually, they wouldn't cater to older vehicles but mostly just the newer ones. We usually hear about these vehicle centers through word of mouth, either through friends or family. The best idea would be to go around town and scout your local auto repair shops.

Try to see what areas of vehicle repair they specialize in. Some shops may specialize in full bodywork after crashes, collisions or wrecks. Others are experts when it comes to paint jobs or minor scratch repairs and detailing. In some cases, there are shops that only deal with trucks; some just deal with smaller cars and so on. Once you have identified what sort of issue you need to address, you should take them to the specialists in that field. The experts in their areas will quickly determine what solution you need, with a quick and hassle-free turnaround. This would prove to be more cost-efficient as well. Since these experts know what issues they are dealing with, it avoids the trial and error situation, and you don't have to keep getting referred to someone else.

Just like any other services, however, it is best to find an automotive repair center that houses a certified auto technician. Try to find out whether their resident vehicle technician is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified. This would indicate that they have gone through numerous tests and exams gauging their knowledge and expertise in different fields of auto repair. This would also mean that they have had at least 2-year hands on experience in their specific field in the automotive repair industry. To sum it all up, if you need your car or truck repaired quickly and efficiently, you must determine the underlying issue that needs to be corrected. You must make an effort to choose an auto body shop with an ASE certified technician, and then take your vehicle to a shop that specializes in your specific area of concern.