Auto Repair Service - 30k, 60k, 90k, Automobile Dealership Rip-Offs

I had a friend call me recently because he brought his 2007 Nissan in for a 90k auto service (90,000 mile service). Most of these services are the biggest scams I have ever been apart of (yeah sorry). As a flat rate mechanic I absolutely loved them (back in the day). My friend paid through the nose for crap, he knew it after wards, and at least declined the BS up-sells.

Thirty thousand mile services are a glorified oil change with a tire rotation. I used to get paid 3 or 4 hours to do a 30k service (Done in 1 hr tops). Oh, you sure inspect a lot of stuff, stuff that does not need inspecting. The original 30k's, before we had 100,000 mile fluids and spark plugs, you actually had to do some work.

Here's the deal! You go in for an oil change every 3000 miles, and a oil change and tire rotation every 6000 miles or so. If you need repair work, like brakes or front end work, they will notice. They crawl all over your car looking for an up-sell, you don't have to pay them for these routine inspections, that's all these services are, routine inspections. Most shops give you free 16 point inspections for free with an oil change.

I recommend getting your oil changed and tire rotations by "certified mechanics", not jiffy this, or sooner that. whether in a dealership or private auto repair facility they have "guys", they give this easy work to. Don't let sub par mechanics work on your car. The labor rate does not change depending on who's working on your car, so ask for a certified mechanic (your already paying for him).

Fiberglass Basics - Easier Than You Think!

Does the word fiberglass intimidate you? When you think of fiberglass maybe you are thinking you need a whole new set of skills. If you have ever used, or should I say mixed bondo, you are halve way there. Working with fiberglass can be very effective and very simple. The key to a solid fiberglass repair is to plan ahead of time. Make sure you have the proper equipment. You will need:

* Fiberglass mesh, or preferably a fiberglass kit. It includes enough material to fix a rather large area
* Get yourself a decent pair of rubber gloves
* Depending on the size of the repair you'll need a piece of cardboard, for mixing the resin/hardener
* Another piece of cardboard and some duct tape, (read below)
* A good industrial or at least a sharp scissors
* A old small paint brush, or some cheap acid brushes for applying the resin

When preparing to repair fiberglass, and you have your supplies as far as fiberglass necessities, of course you'll want to analyze the damage very good. This gets overlooked very easily. When fiberglass is damaged in an accident it usually cracks, even if they are hair line cracks. They may not seem like much, but when it comes time to paint and certainly over time they will show up. You cannot build a bridge over cracked fiberglass with primers nor does bondo (body filler) hold forever. You will need to grind down all the damaged areas!

To Start wipe the area off where you are now going to grind. You'll want to grind the area and all the little cracks down, at least a 1/16 of an inch. If you can grind further go ahead. If you can get behind the damage like say on a hood of a semi, then you can grind the inside as well. This is the proper way to do it, but I have had great success either way.

Take a tape measure and measure the area you have ground. If it's ten inches then you will need 30 inches of fiberglass matting. When repairing fiberglass it is essential to lay down 3 layers of mesh intertwined together to get the proper strength to hold the repair together, forever. You do not want vibrations or minor bumps to crack your repair again. Of course you cut it wide enough to fill the hole. Most fiberglass repairs will need some sort of backing plate behind the huge hole. This is where the other piece of cardboard comes in. Cut the piece an inch or so larger than the damaged area all the way around. Now the duct tape. Tape it in there real good for now. You are gonna have to find a way to get behind it. Use what works. I have had it where I can't get behind So I tenderly have had to nurse it from the front side, holding it tight in place until it is set up, wear your gloves, you'll be in good shape..

Now for the mixing of the fiberglass with the resin. Resin is the bonding agent, mixed with the hardener so it sets up. It is somewhat like mixing body fillers. It basically uses the same hardener, same principle in mixing. There are a few different ways to do the next few steps:

* Pour out enough resin to be sure to coat all the pieces of mesh completely. You'll normally need a 1/2 cup or more for most repairs. Don't be skimpy here, you want to have enough to coat the glass. If you pour it in a container try to keep an idea how much is in there. Apply a few inches of hardener in the container and get mixing. If it's hot you have about 10 minutes to to work so again have your fiberglass mesh ready to go. Take your mixture of resin over to the vehicle you are working on and brush liberally around the damaged are with the resin, put it as thick as will hold, but try not to let it go running onto the floor or the tires:)

* Another more messy technique I've seen is to pour out the resin on the cardboard and mix it there. Take your mesh and dredge it in it till it is coated... like chicken. Caution though, this is very messy, I shake my head when I see this, but it will coat the mesh and probably the work bench and you really well. Use the first method and paint it on.

* Take the cut mesh and press it around the outside where you put the resin, you want it to soak in there together. Apply one piece of mesh at a time, this will allow you to soak each piece real good for a strong fix. If you have your cardboard backer it's probably gonna be a permanent part of the repair. If you want it off you have to work at it carefully before the resin is set, but avoid allowing the fiber glass to fall in the hole, so let it set up a little and work quickly. Once you have the first piece on apply resin over the entire mesh, do these steps with all 3 pieces. Don't worry if the fiberglass matting seems to be falling apart, it's a good thing. The more intertwined the pieces are the stronger the repair.

* Let the repair set till it is hard as a rock. You want to grind on it or use a sander with 36 grit sandpaper to begin to flatten and form it out. DO NOT sand through the fiberglass around the edges of the repair, that's why we ground it down another 1/16". It should hold and be able to sit there without any problems, you'll be grinding and finishing off with a couple coats of bondo.

* With the repair set up and ground down it may not hurt to test the strength of the repair. It should not give in, you should be able to push on it and see the rest of the panel moving in and out with you. If not repeat the fiberglass steps again, add a few more pieces and bond it to the strongest areas.

* If you feel the repair is strong enough, blow it off good and begin with the bondo. If you haven't read Bondo Basics - The Art Of Bondo, now would be a good time, you'll want to read that before you begin with fiberglass.

Those are the basics for you, you can repair almost anything with fiberglass. Done properly you'll patch boats, be able to put a front end on a Corvette, fix or replace a headlight bucket on your beloved Semi, I've even fixed bumper covers with it, to hell with the bumper repair kits!

Make Your Automotive Auto Body Repair Franchise Dreams a Reality!

So many people today want to own and operate their own business today. One great way to achieve this goal is to invest into a franchise. Most times franchises are more successful than independently started businesses. There are also so many different franchise companies to decide to own that the possibilities are endless. One of the best franchises to invest in is an automotive auto body repair franchise. Find out how to make your dreams a reality.

The first step is to find out which automotive auto body repair franchise you would like to invest in, own and operate. There are many different automotive auto body franchises available. You will want to choose one that has a great franchisor with lots of support for you as a franchisee. You will also want to choose a franchise company that has a good franchise contract that will benefit you in many ways. Also it is very important that they franchise company offers great quality products or services; otherwise you will have a limited chance at success. You may also want to contact other franchisee from each particular auto body franchise you are considering to see what they have to say. They will be able to provide you a great look into the franchise.

Usually franchises are more successful than independently started business. This is because the franchise has already been opened before and they have already worked out many of the bumps along the way. Also they have already established working systems and procedures which you will not have to figure out as a new franchisee. There is also a high level of support in franchising from the franchisor and other franchisee when you need it. They can offer advice and tips as you develop your automotive auto body franchise.

Auto body franchises are a great choice when it comes to franchising. So many people get auto body repairs because there are so many vehicles on the road which leads to more accidents, which in turn leads to more auto body repairs. That is great for auto body repair shops. The best part is that the number of vehicles on the road is steadily growing each year, which means you will continue to grow in an automotive auto body franchise.

Once you have found the automotive auto body franchise that you would like to join you would begin the process. You would meet with the franchisor and go over the franchise contract they have available. This contract is extremely important as it will tell you what the franchisor expects from you, what you can expect from the franchisor and the costs associated with franchising with them. You may want to have a franchise attorney there to represent you and look over the document before signing it. Once you have signed the franchise contract you are on your way to owning and operating your own automotive auto body franchise!

Start looking today for an automotive auto body franchise to make your franchise dreams a reality!

Car Repair and Maintenance Tips

Car repair and maintenance are important facets to owning and driving a vehicle. It is just not a matter of putting fuel in the vehicle and driving around with it. The responsibilities of an owner extend to making sure that the automobile is safe to drive as well as up to date with the maintenance works and registration.

Car Repair

Repairing the vehicle means that something has gone wrong with it. Either there has been an accident involving the automobile or there has been a lack of maintenance which has resulted in its break down. A mechanic is usually needed because most of these cannot be easily fixed by the owner since the engine is a complicated machine that needs to be studied in order to be fixed. When engine trouble comes, a garage that offers several services including body repairs and engine fixes is the most logical answer.

Body repairs will have something to do with dents, accidents, scratches, or change in automobile body color. When these are done, the repairs are not really done by a mechanic but instead by a body specialist. These may be more expensive especially when an accident has occurred and several pieces of the vehicle may need to be changed or repaired. Lights, fenders and others are usually included in this field. The lights may need to be repaired or changed when they are damaged or have reached the end of their service.

Maintenance

There are several things that need to be kept in mind when owning a vehicle and foremost is that the gauges in the dashboard are early indicators that something may be wrong. Some cars also have computerized reminders that will remind the driver that a checkup may be coming soon or when something is amiss with the car. Car repair may be minimized when the driver or the owner takes heed of the gauges on the dashboard as well as the computerized reminders that many vehicles now have.

Keeping the vehicle in good shape will help to minimize expenses. Fluids such as the oils for the engine and the fluids for the brakes, wipers, steering and many others need to be monitored. Some of the newer vehicles will not run if one of these is diminished or lacking. Other automobiles will issue reminders and recommendations which will not stop reminding until it is achieved.

The tire pressure for all four wheels is also something to monitor. It is not only the comfort of the driver and the passengers are at stake but also their safety. Too much pressure may cause an accident, while too little may do some damage to the tires and the rims. Alignment of the wheels and tires is also important. Although this is not necessarily under car repair, it is important that they are balanced and monitored at least once a year or more. The under chassis as well as other parts of the wheels may be damaged when they are not balanced well enough or if there are anomalies in the way they run.

Tarpaulins Used by Industry

When the tank farm in a chemical company needs temporary protection from the elements before they are shipped by truck, rail or ship, it's more economical to make use of tarpaulins than to build a complete shelter. The same is true of most industrial plants where product or equipment protection is a problem. Companies that require outdoor storage such as masonry, gardening equipment, swimming pool fabricators and heavy agricultural equipment, benefit from using tarpaulins.

The Convenience of Tarpaulins
The reason why tarpaulins are so popular in large industrial areas is convenience. No forklift equipment is needed to transport bulky materials indoors. One less common use for tarpaulins is in commercial hot houses and in composting industries. In hot houses, tarpaulins protect plants and blooms for overexposure to sunlight as well as from lower temperatures. Tarpaulins are the perfect means of creating composting materials in a cleaner, more protective way. Simply use the tarpaulin as a cover for the composting pile and it will retain enough heat to begin the composting process.

Tarpaulins In The Pollution Industries
Modern methods of reducing pollution often require biodegradeable destruction of contaminants. The media used to reduce pollution in industrial plants require various types of organic materials, i.e., cedar, salt hay and humus to deactivate contaminants. These organic materials must be stored outdoors on the organic material supplier's property. Protecting them is quick, convenient and cost-effective when tarpaulins are used as a cover.

Tarpaulins And The Auto Repair Industry
In the auto repair, auto body and auto painting industries, tarpaulins help keep the elements from seeping into vehicles or from destroying a rewelding of auto parts or fresh painting. In these situations, a sudden rain shower could ruin parts as well as the finish on vehicles. Just pull the tarpaulin over the vehicle and it remains dry and safe from exposure.

Tarpaulins Used By Industry
In many industries where there is a fine mist from the industrial process that escapes into the air, tarpaulins are spread around the perimeter of the plant's industrial area to protect workers from unnecessary inhalation of fumes and mists. Tarpaulins used by industry in these cases help maintain safe work places and compliance with regulatory statutes. There is one other industry that uses tarpaulins for a very different reason: to reclaim precious metals lost in the melting process. Tarpaulins catch the fine metals which are then recycled.

7 Things to Look For in Boat Mechanic Schools

Are you considering a career in ship repair and/or working on personal watercraft? Are you looking for quality marine mechanic training? Marine mechanic jobs can be exciting and rewarding, but proper training and experience are essential in this increasing technical field.

There are many marine mechanic schools offering training in boat motor repair and maintenance. But not all such schools are created equal. Where you get your education can impact your value to potential employers.

Here are seven important things to look for when considering boat mechanic schools:

1. Reputation. Graduating from a known and respected school has its advantages in all fields, including marine mechanic training. Don't just rely on your own knowledge and experience; Ask potential employers about the boat mechanic schools they recommend.


2. History. Training schools come and go. To get the most from your education investment, look for a school that has been around long enough to make a name for itself, to have numerous alumni working in the industry and to establish strong relationships with employers and the local community.


3. Facilities. Effective marine mechanic training requires access to sophisticated equipment, and a lot of it. What kind of workshop facilities do your potential training schools have? What range of engines and systems will you get to work on? Do these represent the kinds of marine equipment that current dominates the market?


4. Instructors. What kind of background do the marine technology training school's instructors have? Ideally, you want instructors who have both a strong academic background and considerable experience working in the marine technology industry.


5. Class Sizes. Learning a specialized craft like ship and boat motor repair requires a lot of hands-on training and individualized attention. Classes need to be small enough that you can get direct access to your instructors as well as sufficient time working with the technology.


6. Career Services. The reason to go to a marine mechanic training school is to get the education, training and support you need to get a job in the marine technology field. In addition to providing a solid education, a good should be able to put you in contact with potential employers and coach you on how to land the kind of job you've been trained for.


7. Financing. A quality marine mechanic school should be able to help you acquire low-cost financing for your education.

In the end, there are a number of marine mechanic training schools. Follow these seven tips, and look for programs that cover a wide range of essential subjects, such as:

• Vessel Power Transmission


• Inboard Engine Propulsion Systems


• Diesel Engines, Power Generation and Marine Electronics


• Outboard Engine Propulsion Systems


• And More...

Why Women Shouldn't Fear the Auto Mechanic

Is your car in need of transmission repair? Where do you start when you need to find an auto mechanic in Portland? The thought of going to a transmission shop may seem intimidating to a woman, but it shouldn't be. Here are some tips and advice that will help make your auto mechanic experience a little smoother. First, start with finding an auto repair technician. Ask family, friends, neighbors and co-workers for recommendations on auto mechanics they have used. Trust me, they will enjoy giving you friendly advice. They might also share a bad experience and encourage you to steer clear of a repair shop! The internet is an excellent resource as well, as it gives you the option to search for specialities and read customer reviews. If you are looking for a Portland area transmission shop, consider an internet search such as, Portland Transmission Shop or Portland Auto Mechanic.

Once you have found a shop, consider if the auto repair shop is established in the community. Also, does the shop have a good reputation in the community? Second, when you bring the car into the shop carefully observe the atmosphere, does it seem clean and organized? Are the technicians easy to understand and approachable? Does the shop specialize in import auto repair or domestic? After the technician inspects your car, you will get an estimate of the cost of the repairs. Make sure you understand each repair and why they are necessary. The repair shop should not continue with any repairs unless they have your authorization. If you have questions regarding the necessity of a repair, talk to someone you trust or get a second estimate from another established technician. With an estimate you have the ability to compare prices and learn more about the services.

With a little bit of research, you will find a good auto repair shop and build a relationship of trust and confidence. Most importantly, you will eliminate your fears of dealing with auto repairs.

How To Launch An iPhone Repair Business In Less Than A Month

The iPhone repair industry has taken off. Some people caught the opportunity bug years ago, and started repair companies and others, are now just getting on the bandwagon. Whoever you are, there is are a lot of broken iPhones out there and innumerable tools to reach people.

The startup cost of an iPhone repair business is at minimum, $500.00. That's because you're going to want to have at least 2 of each model screens ready for replacement. Telling customers "I have to order that part," will, in many cases, send them off to your competitor to do it in 20 minutes on-site.

But, the first thing to make sure is that you have a reputable parts distributor. Do your research. Make sure you're dealing with an actual company, rather than an Amazon seller. Getting parts from shady places is sure to get you parts that break, and don't work like they're supposed to.

Next step, marketing. Sure, you can use Craigslist, in fact I suggest it but the real way to launch an iPhone repair business quickly is to connect with the people you're trying to reach, through some kind of social media channel. But, here's the important part. You can't just pop up and start saying you fix iPhones. People won't listen to you if you start tweeting out offers.

People only truly care about what you're doing when there's some kind of emotional connection between you and them. You have to be initiated. People have to like you and the fastest way to show them you're just a regular, likable person, is to use the power of video.

Get in front of a camera, start filming yourself doing crazy things, and tie it into the iPhone repair operation you're running. That could be making videos of you fixing the phones. It could be filming you go through the process of getting parts, and talking about it. It could even be you going to the customer's location, or them coming to yours if you have one, and doing the meet and greet or phone drop off.

People like human content and video is the most powerful human content you can create. Spend 60 percent of the time talking with people on social channels, and the other 40, creating and sharing videos and content around your iPhone operation. With 4 hours a day, and a little tenacity, you can grow a large awareness around the fact that you fix iPhones and start getting some leads.

Since this industry is fairly new, even though it's been around a while, there is still so much room for more repair people. Your market needs people like you. They break their phones every day and to get it fixed through their carriers normally requires buying an entirely new phone. And no one wants to do that.

Auto Glass Windshield Replacement Company

If you happen to have a tiny chip in your windshield, do not think for one moment that this is not going to spread. As soon as the temperature changes, that tiny chip is going to turn into a big spider web. Before you know it, you will be looking online for an auto glass windshield replacement company. It is not safe to drive a vehicle if you cannot see clearly out of the windshield. This is why your windshield will be thoroughly inspected before you will be given permission to operate your vehicle on the road.

Of course, windshield replacement is not something that we have to worry about on a regular basis. This is why you probably do not know where to begin finding an auto glass professional. Consider asking some friends or family if they have any one that they could recommend. A mechanic is another good source to find a good quality auto glass company who is going to treat you fair. The good thing about asking a mechanic is that they work with auto glass companies quite often. They know which ones their customers are satisfied with and which ones charge too much money.

Maybe you are thinking that you do not have a lot of time to worry about replacing your windshield. If this is the case, the auto glass windshield replacement professional will come to you. If you prefer, you can even have them replace your windshield while you are inside the shopping mall, at your work, or even in your own driveway. This way, you never have to worry about being inconvenienced. Maybe you are worried you do not have a lot of money for your windshield replacement. Get on the phone with your insurance company and let them know the situation. There is a good chance that you may be able to get a windshield for free. Some insurance companies will pay for anything over your deductible. Some auto glass companies will waive the deductible. This means that you will get your windshield replaced for free. You honestly have nothing to lose.

If you are going to be selling your car, it is your responsibility to make sure that it is in good condition before getting rid of it. This is why you may have to pay for a windshield replacement before the car is sold. Otherwise, you may not get as much money for the car. Remember, having a properly functioning windshield is a necessity.

Four Ways to Customize Your Semi-Truck

As a truck driver, you probably spend a large part of your days and nights behind the wheel. While you can't make the miles go by any faster, there are some ways that you can customize your semi-truck to make your ride more enjoyable. Custom audio solutions, navigation systems, Bluetooth integration, and window tinting can make your big rig driving experience more comfortable and entertaining.

Custom Audio Systems: With so much time spent in your truck and out on the road, your entertainment system is probably one of the most important aspects of your vehicle. Music an entertainment is essential for making those long miles go by a little easier. Much of the same technology and innovations that are used for passenger vehicles are available for semi-trucks as well. Now you can enjoy high quality sound no matter where you may travel.

Navigation Systems: When you are traveling from city to city, it can be difficult to find the best route. Traffic issues may require that you leave your current route and find a less crowded alternative. With a professionally installed navigation system, you can be sure that you will find the quickest way to your destination. Time is money when you drive a semi and getting lost simply is not an option. A navigation system allows you to stay on track and prevents costly detours or time wasted trying to find gas stations, restaurants, or other places of interest along the way.

Bluetooth Integration: Operating a huge semi is a big responsibility. Taking your hands off of the road for even an instant can have catastrophic results. This is one reason that Bluetooth integration makes sense for truckers. Bluetooth allows you use voice commands to make and receive phone calls as well as to operate your audio and navigation systems.

Window Tinting: You know the feeling of driving down the highway with the sun blaring through the window. The bright sun will not only make you feel hot and uncomfortable, it can obscure your vision as well. Impaired vision from sun glare is responsible for numerous auto accidents each year. Window tint actually reduces glare and makes driving more comfortable. A high quality film with a high heat rejection rate will keep your interior cooler, even during the hottest days of summer.

No matter what kind of customization you want for your truck, be sure to find a qualified specialist who is highly experienced at working on semis. Not everyone has the knowledge or training to properly equip big rigs. Find a company in your area that offers high quality products with excellent customer service.

Your truck is your livelihood and if you are not on the road, chances are, you are not making money. Therefore, you will need to find a window tinting and auto customization shop that will work quickly and efficiently so that you can enjoy your new features without a lot of downtime.

Auto Glass Repair Shop - Preferable to Replacement?

It used to be that when your windshield got cracked, you had to get it replaced. It was the law, and there was nothing else that could be done about it. Today, things are different. The auto glass repair shop in your area is probably using a new resin that can be applied to small cracks in the windshield, sealing up the crack and preventing any further damage. This is cheaper than a full replacement and it is such a great option that any insurance companies will pay for the fix outright.

While it may be cheaper and better to take your car to an auto glass repair shop than to have the entire windshield replaced, it's important to know that taking care of even the smallest chip or crack should be done as soon as possible. Both the cold and warm weather will put varying degrees of stress on your windshield, causing further damage that might not be immediately obvious. In the winter months, the windshield will warp in a more concave direction. This means that any cracks in the windshield will begin spreading horizontally even if there is no other form of stress on the windshield. The warm weather has the opposite effect and can cause cracks to begin spreading up and down.

Once a crack has reached a certain size, an auto glass repair shop will have no choice but to recommend a full replacement. In some states, insurance will still cover 100% of the cost. If that is the case where you live, it's no big deal to go ahead and get it done. Still, there are disadvantages to getting a full replacement even when it is covered by insurance. The new windshield may have different properties than your old one, such as being dimmer or a slightly different slope. These transitions can be irritating for someone who has been used to the old windshield.

When it's time to look for an auto glass repair shop, don't limit your search to companies that give away free boxes of steak or other gimmicks to get you in the door. There's nothing wrong with incentives, but you want to make sure that you're dealing with a trustworthy, competent company. Do a little research into the background of the company and see what online reviews have to say about them. Any time someone is working on your car in any capacity, you want to know you're in trusted hands.

Auto Glass Replacement

When it comes to auto glass repair, it is important to do your research before deciding who will be taking care of your auto glass replacement needs. In almost every city through the country, you can find several different auto glass replacement companies; the large number of auto glass repair specialists makes it easy to find someone to take care of your glass replacement needs if you are in a hurry to get the problem fixed, so that you can conveniently have automatic glass replace work done in a short time. If you are the thrifty type though, the sheer number of options means that you have quite a bit of research to do in order to find the best price; even if money is not much of an issue for you, it is important to research all of the different automatic glass repair specialists in your area to ensure that the person or company who is doing the repairs for you will be giving you your money's worth, providing you with high quality repair work.

Probably the best place to begin your research into the various options that you have available to you when it comes to automatic glass replacement is the internet. These days, the internet has become a one stop shop for most people's needs when it comes to all types of information, so you can likely do all of your research without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. A simple internet search on your favorite internet search engine for auto glass replacement specialists in your city will return a long list of results, including the locations and phone numbers of many different automatic glass replacement shops. This information can certainly be useful when it comes to finding the closest replacement shop to your home or place of work, and for getting quotes on the cost of your particular repairs; a few phone calls to different auto glass repair shops can also give you an idea about the quality of service that the companies provide, based on the professionalism of the people working there. When it comes to getting unbiased reviews on the work that the different automatic glass repair companies in your area provide, however, you will need to go to another source outside of the internet.

You can, of course, ask your friends, family members and co-workers for their recommendations on auto glass replacement shops, based on their personal experiences. The problem with this, however, lies in the fact that many people have probably never used more than one automatic glass replacement specialists for their auto glass repair needs, so you are probably going to have quite a hard time finding someone who can compare the different shops for you. Of course, people can tell you that they had a positive or negative experience with a particular automatic glass replacement specialists, but when it comes to comparisons between several shops, you should look to the internet. There are many websites and forums on the internet that collect customer reviews of business of any and every type, so with a few clicks and a couple of minutes spent reading, you can get in depth reviews on several different automatic glass replacement shops in your area and make an educated and informed decision about which auto glass repair shop would be the best fit for you.

Keeping Drunks Off the Road - Car Breathalyzers (Ignition Interlock Devices)

One of the biggest problems in the United States these days is driving under the influence, or DUI. Many people are in the United States are hurt or killed as a result of drunk drivers, and in the past people who have a DUI on their record have been given little more than a slap on the wrist. But in some states, that is changing thanks to something called an ignition interlock device. This requires the person to blow into the device to test their blood alcohol level before the car can be started.

Advantages of a breathalyzer device:

• Fewer drunk drivers - Many states are requiring installation after first offense. This means it's going to make the driver think twice before having that drink.

• Safer roads - Since a lot of the accidents on the road are related to drunk driving, there are going to be fewer accidents on the road and less deaths and injuries due to drunk drivers.

• Awareness and responsibility - The people who have prior DUI convictions may be embarrassed by having to drive around with the device in the car, so perhaps they are going to be a testimony to other drivers.
Disadvantages of ignition interlock devices:

• Not foolproof - A driver is able to have a passenger blow into the device and trick the car into thinking that they are sober when they are not. Some drivers decide to do this even though it can get them in a heap of trouble if found out.

• Inconvenient for others - When the car is serviced, the body shop servicing the car also needs to use the device before they are able to start it, making it very inconvenient. Whether the person needs the oil changed, their car towed, or an inspection, the car needs to be started before any of those things can be done.

Maybe with this invention, there are going to be a lot more sober people on the road and a lot fewer people whose hearts are broken because someone they know was injured or killed due to a drunk driver. Maybe one of these days people are going to learn that drunk driving just isn't worth it. But until that happens, maybe the inconvenience and the embarrassment caused by these devices will make people think twice about that last beer.

Is a beer worth paralyzing or killing someone? If you said yes, then you need to stay off the road.

BMW Cars - What Makes The 1 Series Economical and Require Few Auto Repairs and Maintenance

When it comes to the world of the exotic BMW, what should you expect? Economical, style and power, is what BMW is all about. Let's look at the BMW 1 Series sports car. It seems pretty clear that this compact sports car is a cut above the rest. A sporty, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and driver-friendly ride, with low auto maintenance required, BMW 1 Series has far exceeded its predecessor and is still a rear-wheel drive model.

The exterior of the BMW 1 Series is compact but very sporty. Still displaying the front classic BMW kidney grille and double-round headlights, people will pay attention to the tight frontal look. The roof has a cool slight slope towards the rear and its angled back-glass is a precision design. The unique style of the BMW 1 Series makes it a sports compact dream.

Auto mechanics love the quality design of the electrical systems, the iDrive system, automatic transmission and several engine styles to offer, these BMWs are mechanically sound and auto repairs are minimal when the oil service and vehicle maintenance are performed as recommended. Mechanics know that with fewer auto repairs needed, these cars are quality made and last.

The 2012 BMW 1 Series are four-cylinder models but do not underestimate its BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The Twin-Power Turbo engine maximizes fuel efficiency and at the same time it boosts responsiveness and power. This car, with its four cylinders, creates a drivers paradise when maximum speeds and performance are matched with its pickup and torque. These BMW 1 Series are one of the first to offer the eight-speed automatic transmission. This automatic transmission design provides another form of fuel-efficiency. You almost have to ask is this still a compact car?

The pre 2012 BMW 135i can even deliver 230 horsepower with its inline 6-cyinder engine creating 200 lb-ft of torque. But wait, the 135i twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine produces 300 horsepower and an incredible 300 lb-ft of torque. These BMW models are not as fuel efficient as the newer ones, but very fun to experience and drive.

The BMW 1 Series primarily focuses on an excellent driver experience, offering many personalized engine, transmission, body, and interior design options. First, the buyers can choose from several models such as the BMW 128i coupe, BMW 128i convertible, BMW 135i coupe and BMW 135i convertible. The BMW 128i coupe, BMW 128i convertible, BMW 135i coupe and BMW 135i convertible models offer very low fuel consumption and emit the least amounts of emissions. Top speeds of these cars can go up to 155 MPH and 0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds.

The interior design, is pure elegance and style which is no surprise. The driver can enjoy an interior display and vehicle controls that are angled for optimal use and the center console is designed to display maximum visibility. The iDrive system, keyless ignition, heated seats, power sunroof, heated seats, and BMW SIRIUS satellite radio, HD radio, Premium Sound system, Bluetooth, MP3 player, Auxiliary input jack, and a USB port for direct control of an Apple iPod or iPhone media player is available as an option on BMW 1 Series models.

For an even more personalized touch, you can choose from several interior and exterior design features. Upholstery options are sporty with your choice of comfortable Leatherette or rich Boston Leather. The BMW Sport models consist of 16-inch alloy spoke wheels, 17-inch and even 18-inch luscious alloy wheels. The sport brake systems ensure these cars stop safely and effectively. These brakes and wheels just enhance the already sweet ride these cars will provide.

The safety features that come standard are still comfortable and very well tested for safety. Standard front airbags, side airbags, head airbags, automatic pretensioner seatbelts, and crash crumple zones just show how far BMW 1 Series cars have improved over time and the crash test performance of the BMW 1 Series shows this. You still need to have regular inspections form your local auto mechanic to help prevent unnecessary auto repairs or an unsafe situation. Nevertheless though these newer BMW's are certainly much better built and a lot safer than years past.

The BMW 1 Series is a more advanced economical compact car as compared to its class. The advanced engines and transmission designs as well as the looks are to far exceed anyones expectations. The style of these fine luxurious cars appeal lovely for a compact sports car look. Once again, BMW has stepped it up as one of the European car manufactures and many customers are enjoying these cars with little auto repairs and maintenance required.

Finding the Right Adjustable Automobile Pedal Extensions

Let's face it, not everyone has a voluptuous model figure and legs that go on for miles like Heidi Klum does. In fact, many people have short legs and many more have issues with their size and weight. Unfortunately, size can be a problem for people who are in the driver's seat of their car because it may hinder your ability to reach the foot pedals of the car or just make you generally feel uncomfortable behind the wheel. Your knees could be knocking on the underside of the steering column, you may be trying to stretch yourself both ways to reach the pedals and still be able to see over the dashboard, or you can pull your seat so close to the steering wheel that's practically growing out of your chest, and that just won't do. One solution to this size issue is finding the right adjustable automobile pedal extensions that will work for both you and your car.

But where can you find such a thing? The first place to look is online. Try searching the Internet for car pedal extensions and you'll surely find a number of resources on the subject as well as places that sell the item. It may be a good idea to look through some car-oriented blogs and forums and study up on the best pedal extensions for your car's make and model. Ask questions if necessary. Look through the pictures and read the testimonials. Many car manufacturers offer products such as these for their own line of cars, although there are also many aftermarket pedal extensions available for purchase. Most online sellers will also ship the item straight to your home, and you can either install it on your own or take it to your mechanic.

Speaking of your mechanic, he or she is the next person to ask about this kind of modification to your car. Your local auto body shop will undoubtedly have experience installing and fitting car pedal extensions and will be able to direct you to which product will suit your needs best. In fact, many auto shops have these items in stock, so you can purchase the item and they will install the pedal extensions all in one visit. No muss, no fuss. You get to drive away with a more comfortable driving experience ahead of you.

But wait, aside from comfort, why is it so important that you keep a distance between yourself and your steering wheel, you may ask. Well, according to many car safety experts, you should keep a distance of about 10-12 inches between you and your airbag, to ensure that you sustain limited to no damage from its deployment in case of an accident. And where is this airbag located - in your steering column. So, to avoid injury, and achieve a better driving experience, explore the possibilities of adjustable automobile pedal extensions for your car today.

How to Start Your Own Auto Repair Shop

As a young mechanic I frequently dreamed about owning my own shop someday. It wasn't till I had about 15 years experience as a professional mechanic that I really started to seriously consider starting my own business.

When I finally decided it was time, I started reading books like Gorilla Marketing by Jay Levinson and Small Time Operator by Bernard B. Kamoroff. And I started planning what equipment I needed to buy and how I was going to finance it.

The key to starting your own shop is planning. I spent a couple of years planning and gathering shop equipment before I ever opened the doors. Back then I read somewhere that small businesses that planned at least 18 months prior to opening had the best chance of success.

One of the first things you need to think about when you're planning your shop is what type of shop are you going to operate? This should depend on what kind of auto repair experience you have.

If you've been a Toyota dealer tech most of your career, you should probably think about starting a shop that specializes in Toyota's. Back in the old days, auto repair shops worked on everything that came through the doors.

Not anymore. The key to success today is specializing. One to three makes is how I would do it today. Asian, domestic or European. Pick one and become the known expert on that make of vehicle in your area.

And to really do it right you should specialize in only Toyota, Honda, Nissan at most. Not all Asian car lines for example. There's just too many models of cars in each line today to be competent on all of them.

There are other types of specialty shops you can start if you don't want to be restricted to working on only a small number of makes. You could start a shop that only works on brakes for example.

The key is to become the best at whatever auto repair niche you choose in your local area and you will become known as the go to shop over a period time. You can't help but be successful if you apply this formula.

The Equipment necessary to open your own shop can easily cost over $100,000. The key is to not get in over your head with debt when first starting out. I started buying shop equipment 2 years before I ever opened my shop.

I was lucky I lived in a major metropolitan area and on weekends I would go look at used shop equipment and if it was cheap and in good condition I'd buy it and go put it in my storage shed until I was ready to open my shop.

So over this 2 year period before I opened my shop I accumulated every major tool I needed and paid cash for all of it. The great thing about this was the day I opened my shop I was debt free.

Looking back, this was a blessing. If I would have had unlimited funds I probably would have spent thousands of dollars on a lot of the wrong equipment when starting out. In my case being short on start up money was a good thing.

Most likely when you're first getting started you'll be the only employee. The first person you should hire will be a helper. Because when you're trying to build the business and fix cars at the same time it can get overwhelming.

When you have a helper you can have him or her do menial tasks that will free up a lot time for you to do more important things. Not to mention you won't be totally exhausted by the end of the day. And you'll make more money in the long run.

One thing to never cut corners with is your business accounting. Hire a good bookkeeper and pay your bills on time. Especially your taxes and your parts suppliers. You just don't want trouble with the government. Or getting parts.

And finally is shop management. Most auto mechanics don't know much about running a business. Part of your planning before opening your shop should include shop management training. You can become a member at iatn.net and network with other shop owners there on the best places to get training and other issues related to the day to day running of an auto repair shop.

Custom Auto Interior - 3 Reasons to Consider Floorboard Re-Carpeting & Repair

Having your car's floorboards re-carpeted is a moderate to large custom auto interior project, and one that you may want to consider having done, even before you undertake some other, more cosmetic projects. There are three primary reasons for having your car's floorboards re-carpeted, and we'll cover them in brief, below:

1 - To scout for and repair floorboard damage. Let's face it, the parts of your car hidden beneath carpet are parts that are rarely seen, and this presents a rare opportunity to observe the condition of the metal beneath the carpet. A good custom auto interior specialist will not simply replace your carpet, but inform you of structural damage and repair that for you as well! This is especially important if you've bought the vehicle used, and are unaware of its history.

2 - If you're restoring a classic car and want to return it to like-new condition. A great many classic cars have badly rusted floorboards. Undertaking this project not only reveals them so they can be repaired, but greatly enhances both the value and the overall soundness of your vehicle!

3 - Custom Auto Interior enthusiasts will definitely want to incorporate re-carpeting as part of an overall push toward remaking all the interior spaces of the vehicle, so for them, it would be on the "must have" list!

Unless you're having work done on a car you're very familiar with, or something like a kit car, you're probably going to want to have those carpets replaced (or at least taken up) as part of a general sounding of the vehicle to check for underlying damage. And, if you're doing a restoration or a general refurbishment, then a carpet replacement (sans floorboard repairs) can be a fairly inexpensive addition to your overall plan.

This is but one of a great number of services that a good custom auto interior specialist can perform for you.

Auto Repair - Specialized Maintenance to Keep Yourself on the Road

If you have a vehicle then its quite vital for you to go for proper repair services in case any problem happened to your vehicle. Supervising and taking utmost care of your vehicle is necessary because it is a costly investment and you need to take all measures to keep it in proper condition. Buying a car only is not the end in itself but it's the starting only. You are required to take utmost care your car to keep it in proper condition. There are will be many repairing service centers available nowadays.

Most of them are supervised by professional repair specialists who are well versed to solve any problem related to your Car. But you should remember that even if there is a plethora of such service providers available but it's not necessary that all of them are efficient in their job. Your vehicle is one of your most valued property and you cannot just give it to any amateur to do repairing services. It's always better that you make some inquiries before opting for a good repair center. Word of mouth is always a good way to get proper information about it.

You ask for advice from your friends and relatives in this matter. Browsing through the internet and reading reviews of various such service providers will also be of great help. After that you can go for the one which got best of the reviews. Normally people go to these centers when they face some kind of problem in their car. But it should not be like that. Every two months you should take your car for servicing. Prefer going to a service center that has earned good name in this field. Good service centers use highly sophisticated diagnostic tools to fix any problem related to your vehicle. Most of the technicians in these service centers are skilled in their job and will provide you very good services for sure. Most of these mechanics are in the business for many years and you need not to worry about the servicing of your car if you go to a good and well known auto repair center.

Normally parts of the machine get affected every thousand to two thousand miles. You shall keep a check on how many miles your car has travelled and go for servicing according to it. A large number of these service providers employ qualified technicians who provide the customers a confidence that their car is in good hands. So take services of a reputed and capable service provider and enjoy its benefits. Keeping a good maintenance of your car helps you in the long run. A car is a long term investment and you need to keep extreme care of it. So search for a good car repair service center which has a team of professional well versed auto mechanics and it's for sure that you will rarely face problems in your car.

Postcard Promotion Strategies For Your Auto Repair Shop

Without unmarked envelopes to hinder your messages, postcards are considered as an inexpensive and effective marketing tool. These prints let you advertise your business the way billboards do but without the skyrocketing costs. Designed with eye-catching graphics and persuasive text, these prints can gain immediate reaction. For your small auto repair shop, you can take advantage of these benefits. Even if you have very little budget for promotion, you need not worry because they are cheap to print. Also, you can use these as your tools for direct mail promotion and ensures that your advertisements only go to the right person.

Ways to Use Postcards to Market Your Business

o Gain loyalty by rewards - You can use your postcards to give back to your clients. One way of doing this is by including a tear-off coupon in your prints. Your clients can use the coupon to redeem any promotional discounts or free items from your auto repair shop. You can offer a certain percentage discount from any services that you offer; i.e. 10% discount on body repairs or 20% discount on engine overhaul. You can also offer freebies such as free brake fluid, engine oils or air filter replacements. These will give your clients reasons for repeat business as well as be loyal to you and your business.

o Open new possibilities for your business - For example, you are planning to offer small replacement parts aside from repair services. You can test your prospective market by sending out postcards. Create client lists consisting of your primary and secondary targets. Send out variety of messages and postcard designs then evaluate which among these are effective according to the responses. Based on the results of your testing, you can decide how you will go on with a bigger marketing strategy.

o Increase client traffics - If you are joining an exhibit or holding a seminar for auto repairs, you can invite prospective clients by mailing them your postcards. Let them know when the event is happening and what benefits they can get by going there. You can use one part of the brochure as an RSVP space that they can send back for confirmation. In case you are holding your anniversary, you can send these prints as an invitation for your clients. Tell them that cool freebies and promotional offers like free engine tune-up, wheel alignment, etc. await them.

o Creative means of establishing client contact - List down the names of your clients and know their special days like birthdays and anniversary. You can send them greeting postcards on these days. Design your prints with a special message together with your company logo and tagline. It would be better to hand-written a message to make it more personal. You can also establish rapport with your customers by sending them postcards saying "thank you" for entrusting their vehicles to your care as well as greeting postcards on holidays.

These are just among the ways on how you can possibly use postcard marketing to the advantage of your business. Remember that the key to success of any printed advertising are attention-grabbing design, persuasive message and correct distribution among the target market.

Car Repair Service - Finding a Quality Repairer

Sourcing a reliable and trustworthy car repair service is an important part of owning a car. Most of us know how to drive our cars but know little about the complex workings that go on under the bonnet, or in the computer systems of our car.

The cost of major repairs is much greater than the relatively small expense of having a minor car service once, or twice a year, depending on how frequently you drive you car.

We rely heavily on the expertise and knowledge that our car repair mechanic provides, thus having a service that you can trust and ask questions, no matter how simple they might seem, will help you to maintain your car, and extend the life of your cars parts.

Keeping your car running reliably and even extending its life can be achieved by finding a quality car repair service mechanic and maintaining regular servicing. Your mechanic is there to look out for potential issues, and to undertake any repairs to make your car safe.

Regular servicing is the best preventative as it means all of the major systems within your vehicle are being assessed by a professional on a regular basis, and the moving parts are keep well lubricated to reduce wear and tear. This can actually extend the life of your vehicle, as well as helping to maintain its value and reliability.

As well as being able to perform standard repairs on your vehicle, a car repair business can also offer many other car services including:
- safety checks
- LPG gas conversions
-diagnosis of electronic problems
-log book servicing
-tune ups

Look for a repairer who has been recommended or approved by your local motoring body. This means the business will have been reviewed to ensure that it meets standards for both service and experience.

A further level of assurance can be achieved by selecting a mechanic who provides guarantees, or warranties on work performed. Usually these warranties will cover both repairs as well as parts for a given period of time, or for a certain number of kilometres, whichever occurs first.

How to Remove Buffer Trails From Your Car's Paintwork

Buffer trails are marks left in the paintwork after a car has been poorly polished using a machine polisher or 'buffer'. They are highly visible in direct sunlight and can look very unsightly. Buffer trails are inflicted when either the machine polisher is moved too quickly over the surface of the paintwork, an abrasive polish is used and is not worked in and broken down sufficiently, or from a combination of the two. They are commonly found when a car has just come out from the body shop after repairs as it is usually quickly polished after being painted but most often not properly polished.

Although buffer trails can look unsightly especially on darker coloured paints they can be fairly easily removed using the correct products and processes. The trails occur because of incorrect finishing, so it is this process that needs to be re done correctly in order to restore the paintwork and remove the marks.

Ideally a dual action polisher should be used to remove buffer trails as they have much less likely hood of inflicting any more trails due the the action of the machine, plus it will almost certainly have been a rotary machine that will have inflicted the damage in the first place.

A soft polishing or finishing pad should be used on the head of the machine in conjunction with either a designated finishing polish or an all in one polish product. The product should be evenly spread, worked in at the appropriate speed, then finished to allow the polish to fully break down. You should work approximately a one square foot area at a time and move the machine across the surface at about one inch per second. The polish residue should then be thoroughly buffed off with a good quality micro fibre towel as if the buffing process is not done properly this too can leave marks.

The key to removing buffer trails and too prevent inflicting them in the first place is be properly work the area being polished. The abrasives in the polish have to be worked for a long enough period of time in order for them to effectively diminish and break down. Usually when a polish product begins to turn clear and is hardly visible on the surface any longer this is a good indicator that the polish has been sufficiently worked and is ready for buffing.

If you are not able to use a dual action machine polisher you can remove buffer trails by hand successfully though it may take a little longer and require more effort. A sponge applicator pad should be used to apply an all in one polish product or a designated finishing polish, the same sized area should be worked as when using a machine. The polish should then be worked in both circular and linear motions and again worked until it turns clear before it is buffed off. When polishing by hand you may need to repeat the process in order to fully remove the buffer trails.

The ABCs of Automobile Diagnostics

Automobile diagnostics are really important for figuring out what may be ailing a car quickly and systematically. Automobile computer diagnostic systems help the car owner in many ways. The main benefit is the cost savings diagnostics extends to the car owner. Without the computer diagnostic system, the auto technician could take many more hours to diagnose the problem, thus, increasing labor costs substantially.

Moreover, the computer diagnostics system allows the technician to accurately determine the real cause of the problem and not just fix the symptoms. Simply fixing symptoms is expensive for the car owner as the car will require several fixes before the real problem is addressed and adequately fixed. There are a lot of ways diagnostics can help to problem solve a car experiencing diminished performance and other problems.

Finding Abnormal Occurrences

An abnormal occurrence in a car is when something happens that is not supposed to happen, such as, when the engine quits unexpectedly, or the car fails to stop when the brakes are applied, etc. It is often hard to replicate these abnormal occurrences in a car so the computer diagnostics assist the auto technician tremendously in pinpointing the exact event or occurrence, then it up to the technician to determine what can be done about it. ?

Is it an Upstream or Downstream Occurrence?

When a car isn't running properly it is normally a series of events or causation causing the problem. Therefore it can be very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem without a car diagnostics system that looks upstream and downstream of the problem occurrence to really pinpoint the exact problem causation. A problem that is downstream must be caused by an upstream issue. The diagnostics can get complicated very quickly! Properly using computer diagnostics leads to a quick and permanent fix.

What is Normal Operation and What is Not

Everything about the mechanical and computerized nature of a car is either in a normal state or not normal state. Are the brakes acting normally or not? Is the engine running smoothly or not? Is the car starting correctly? Automobile repair via diagnostics helps to correct non-normal states and restore the car to its normal operation.

Finding the Real Cause of an Automobile Problem

Determining causation is the real goal and purpose of automobile computer diagnostics. A diagnostic computer system if operated correctly will determine the exact cause of a problem. Tracing the chain of events and clues to the real cause is the sign of a good auto repair shop. A good auto technician will fix the real problem once, not put an expensive Band-Aid on the car and wait for the customer to come back again and again.

Roll Laminators, Some Common Repair Issues for All Manufacturers

Many of today's roll laminators share the same type of electronic technology and the basic concept of laminating is the same but unfortunately that is where the similarities end.

Although most laminators share the same types of problems, the replacement parts are not interchangeable, even within the same manufacturer family.

One of the most commonly replaced parts is the power switch. There are so many versions to this one single part I could write an entire article on just power switches. There are lighted and non lighted, snap in, screw in type, single throw, double throw and so many more. Why is this part so prone to failure. From my experience here in our repair shop we feel that the switches are under rated for the amount of amps they pull. This causes the switches to fail early and frequently.

Rollers are the second most commonly replaced item on our list of common failures. In order to have smooth even laminations your rollers must be free of debris and any imperfections. Rollers will dry out and become brittle over time due to the constant heat they are subjected to, but in many cases roller failure is due to negligence by the end user. When the laminating film is loaded incorrectly on to the laminator and the film ends up rolling and glueing itself to the rollers, most end users run for the utility knife to remove the film. In most cases when a knife of any type is used to remove the film the roller is also cut or nicked. Once this occurs there is no fix other than to replace the rollers.

Control Boards are the next on our list of commonly replaced parts. The Control Boards are the brains of today's Roll Laminators. They control almost every function of the machine from warm up time, to temperature settings. What makes this type of failure so expensive to repair is that there is no way to repair these boards from a component level. Information on components is not shared by the manufacturers, which makes it virtually impossible to repair these boards. Schematics that are provided for laminators only provide wiring diagrams they show no schematics for circuit design or function. Heat is by far the worst enemy of the control boards and because there is no proper ventilation to these vital components over a period of time they fail.

So which laminator is the most reliable. I can't really say for sure as there are too many variables involved. But from a prospective of repair costs, GBC Roll Laminators are by far the most expensive to repair, where the USI models are much more economical to repair.

Best Way to Renovate Cars - Aftermarket Car Body Parts

An aftermarket is the part of the automotive industry concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts. After the sale of the automobile by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to the consumer, aftermarket car body parts are used as substitutes for OEM. A synonym for aftermarket is generic.

The accessories and performance parts have always been in the midst of all generations of automobile lovers. Generations of people from all over the world have really gotten into and taken pride into changing their automobile into something that is more than a regular day to day vehicle and more of a work of art. Many of the modifications made to one's automobile are made using these vehicle parts. aftermarket simply means that the product being installed onto or into one's automobile is made by a company other than the original manufacturer.

Upgrading the look of the four-wheeler is usually one of the first modifications that people attempt in customizing their ride. This starts with assembling of accessories by a professional body shop.

Most performance parts are manufactured by aftermarket companies due to their ability to specialize in particular field. aftermarket car body parts range anywhere from air intake kits to the graphics kits and chrome rims. The automobile parts that are very popular include air intake systems, superchargers, exhaust systems and fuel injection systems. Many of the popular automobile accessories are installed on the vehicle to enhance the performance.

Thus it becomes obvious that aftermarket car body parts not only enhance the external look but also enable you to save a lot of money. The automobile kits are mainly used in race motors to enhance the air flow so that, it gives better aerodynamics to your vehicle and improves the performance.

Thus, the beauty of these accessories is that, they truly bring into being that one special ride because it is customized to fit the needs and wants of the customer as far as looks are concerned.

Auto Body Estimating Program: Easing Your Lives

Today, the roads are flooded with various two and four wheelers. People love riding and the decreasing prices of vehicles are making their dream come true. More and more people these days are buying their personal vehicles to flaunt and drive independently. This is the major reason contributing to the increasing rate of accidents. People are coming across various accidents on a regular basis caused due to other vehicles. This leads them into hefty reparation costs. The repair shops find it difficult to calculate the exact amount of reparation prior to the repair. In this situation, auto body estimating software could prove to be helpful. Browse the web and download the trial version for free today.

Auto body repair business is quite risky. You might come across various situations where dealing with customers becomes difficult. There are times when people bring their car to your repair shop for repairing the damaged body parts due to collision with another car and later refuse to pay the substantial bill that is drawn up. This could lead the repairing personnel into a loss. In this situation, you need the auto body estimating software which could estimate the approximate expense in advance before repairing so that the car owner could decide whether to go for repairing or not according to his/her financial condition then. This program is extremely beneficial for the repair specialists to escape the headache of another loss. Professionals into repairing are availing tremendous benefits from this program. You simply need to browse the web and find a reliable website for downloading it at reasonable prices. If you are concerned and willing to familiarize with the software first before buying, then the free trial version is available for you.

Accidents are unpredictable. The risks with vehicles have immensely increased. There might be numerous reasons for the accident including, rash driving, negligence, over loading of goods, and more, but the reparation costs for one or both the vehicles will be certainly burning a hole in your pocket. Due to this reason, various people ignore repairing their cars. In this situation, auto body business dealers could estimate the price of the car with auto body estimating software easily. This software is basically a database which includes collision repair estimates as well as prices of the body parts. The professional repairing firm helps customers to create estimates and provide them with the best deal for repair or purchasing. It is a useful program for people into auto body shop repair business for calculating the damage on a vehicle that came in their shop for repair.

The kind of flexibility and ease this program delivers is exceptional. Thus, various online website emerged providing people a way to ease their business stress with auto body estimating program. However, not all such service providers hold reputability and reliability with their name. You need to carry out an extensive research for filtering a credible one known for providing trial versions as well as the software at affordable prices. Dig out enough details about the online dealer, understand the program with the trail version, and then proceed for purchasing. A well done investigation will prevent you from being cheated. So do not wait and download this software now.

Auto Body Repair and Painting Services

An auto accident can happen in a split second. You are always left with many questions and are always wondering what happened. As well as wondering how and when you are able to get your automobile repaired. Whether it is repairing a full dent repair or just repairing a simple scratch in the paint. There are many services that are available to you when you are in the time of need.

One service that is available to you for your auto repair is frame straightening and reconstruction. Sometimes when you are in a auto accident it is so bad that it actually bends the actual frame of the automobile. Now you are able to have that problem easily fixed for you. Having a bent frame can be very detrimental to your car in a number of various obvious and unpredictable ways. And with using state of the art tools they are able to insure that your frame is perfectly straight without a question.

Another auto body repair service is the ability to have dents and dings pulled out and fixed. Not many things can hurt the good looks of your automobile like a dent in the door. Auto body repair shops can fix those dents and dings for you and have your car or truck looking like new. And now they are more accurate than ever with thanks to the new laser measuring system assists to make sure that the repair is done perfectly every time.

One more service for an auto repair shop is repairing the paint job the car or truck has. A simple scratch can take away a lot from the look of your automobile. Nowadays they are able to use a computerized paint matching system that guarantees that the new paint on your car or truck matches your old paint perfectly every time. And a heated pressurized down draft paint booth ensures that you are left with a factory like finish every time no matter what.

A car accident leaves you with many unanswered questions. Some of those questions shouldn't be how you are going to get your car or truck fixed. With auto body repair and paint services these days you can insure that your car or truck will be back in good shape as soon as possible. And with such a large variety of services you only have to take your automobile to one service business.

Car Dents Can Be Easy to Take Out of Your Car - Here's Some DIY Tips

Car dents are an unsightly looking thing. Most of us take great pride in the car we own and drive even if it's not the most modern compared to the new Mercedes going past you. So it still hurts when someone bangs a shopping trolley into you, or, you suffer a minor road collision, or, are even hit by large hailstones which does happen from time to time.

Depending on the size of the dent you've either just got on your car or just noticed on your car, you may have to visit your local panel beater or auto body shop for them to take a look at it. Or, if it's small enough then you may be able to undertake this repair yourself with just a few DIY tools.

You'll first have to have a good hard careful look at the damage. If you've got ripples or a line or crease in this dent then unless you've had some kind of experience at this, you are going to have to take it to a panel beater for them to access it and come up with a price. It's unfortunate if you do end up here for what may look like something quite small and cheap to fix but even the very small does take time, especially if there's a crease in the dent to take out. However, if you have something simple that has dented your car like a large hailstone, then you may be able to carefully tap it back out. If it's a whole panel that has taken a beating in a minor road accident then if you are a competent welder, you could just buy another panel, remove the dented panel and just replace with the new.

One handy tip for dents with no creases is to use the household plumbers plunger. You'll have to be extremely careful here. The technique is to very, very slowly apply pressure on the dent with the plunger being over the top, just like if you were about to clear a blockage. So, gently but forcefully push the plunger down until there's no more air in the plunger. The best result here is to apply a little water or grease around the rubber edge of the plunger to keep it as airtight as possible, Next, with a very steady grip, pull the plunger back and you should release the dent. This is hard work and probably impossible to do on corner dents, but ideal for side dents, roof dents and bonnet and boot dents on flat panels that because of the interior trim which is difficult to remove, can be a quick and easy fix.

Another dent repair method is to use a block of wood, an old towel and a rubber mallet. This is good for dents larger than the surface area of the plumbers plunger. The towel is to protect the edges of the block of wood. So, wrap the towel around the block and make certain that the block has no hidden sharp edge left as if it has you are likely to cause even greater damage. This is great for bonnets and roofs and boots/trunks. If the dent is on your bonnet, open the bonnet and hold the block of clothed wood against the underside of the dent, then gently tap away until the dent has disappeared.

Auto Body Repair Technicians Receiving Long-Overdue Recognition

"Time" magazine has its Person of the Year Award. Rock and Roll and Football / Baseball / Basketball / Hockey all have a Hall of Fame. Politician, musicians, actors and sports stars are used to being put in the spotlight, but have you ever heard of an auto body repair person taking center stage? Probably not. Other than a handshake and/or a tip for a job well done, it is typically a thankless job.

All of that is about to change with ATCOA's recent launch of the Auto Body Man Hall of Fame. Short for Air Tool Corp. of America, ATCOA manufactures the straightline sanders used in repair shops across the country. The corporation recently issued a press release urging all auto body repair craftsmen and their projects to put their name in the running for induction into its Hall of Fame.

According to that news release, "The Auto Body Man Hall of Fame has been established to acknowledge the contributions of the hard working craftsmen, designers and artists involved in all aspects of auto body repair." The HoF was founded by Karl Selander, who has devoted the whole of his career to the work.

It is precisely that type of devotion that is the impetus behind the recognition program. "The Hall of Fame is intended to celebrate the hard work and creativity of the men and women that have done the hard work of repairing auto bodies and those that have customized them to an art form," ATCOA explains.

It's a form of recognition that Selander believes "is long overdue." To that end, he has "made a commitment to preserve the lives, personalities and history of the auto body repair industry." Craftsmen who enroll and are selected on the basis of pride in their work receive permanent induction into the Auto Body Man Hall of Fame. In essence, it elevates a blue collar job to celebrity status.

Whether your shop chooses to put its name in the running for the Hall of Fame or not, next time you take your car in for repair, you might want to offer some extra thanks for a job well done anyway. Most customers don't realize just how much time and devotion goes into restoring their vehicles. In fact, many of today's most reputable full-service repair centers rose from no-frills style mom-and-pop body shops into the ultra-modern collision repair facilities they are today.

Indeed, it's not unusual to walk into a repair shop these days and find grandfather, father and son working side by side each other. That's because the craftsmanship and pride that goes into top-quality repair is in the blood of many a repairman.

Auto body repair is their calling. They can't not do it. In fact, chances are, they couldn't even dream of another career path. That said, most will gladly perform their craft without any type of recognition, but it's nice to see that somebody has finally stood up and taken notice.

Save Time and Money On Auto Body Repairs While Preserving Resale Value

Whether it is a rouge baseball, golf ball size hail, or you were one of the five million crashes occurring in the United States (according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), it is a given that most people will visit an auto body shop at some point in their lives.

But while choosing a doctor for your runny nose might be simple, how do you choose the right auto body shop that will not only fix but also protect the value on the four-wheeled love of your life.

After an accident or damage has occurred, sometimes the insurance claims representative will suggest specific auto body shops. But remember, these are auto body shops the insurance company typically works with and you deserve the final say on who repairs the vehicle you have invested time and money into.

Looking for an auto body shop can be a hard process. But talking to friends, relatives, business associates, and even the dealer where you purchased the vehicle can make this process easier.

Another step is to check out auto body shops online. Look for online reviews about the body shop to see what strangers or other businesses have said. These reviews may ease the burden on your mind and narrow down your choices. Often, if the auto body shop has a website, they will also list pictures and information on their work quality.

Try to stick with companies that have an established business and proof of their work. If they have proof they have fixed hail damage, scratches caused by keys or doors, scuffs or paint chipping, they will most likely be able to do it again.

The next step is to make an appointment and take your vehicle to the auto body shop for an estimate. With this visit, get a feel for how they do business, especially their attention to detail. There are some important key questions you can ask to determine if you want them repair your damaged vehicle.

- What is your experience? - How long have your been repairing vehicles? - Do you have examples of prior work? - Do you have any customers I can call about your work? - Have you had any complaints with the Better Business Bureau or your county's consumer affairs office? - Do you have a guarantee on your work? - And, do you have any advanced techniques?

As far as advanced techniques, there are some alternative auto body shops that have selected a "greener" restoration process that includes paintless dent removal or PDR. Auto body shops offering paintless dent removal have the advanced tools that:

- Saves the environment by avoiding painting a large section - Retains the resale of your vehicle by minimizing or eliminating body filler - Reduces the time to repair

These shops provide way and means to fix a wide variety of damage without sanding or abrasive methods including:

- Hail damage - Small dents - Scratches - Creases - Scuffs

When your vehicle can receive the care and attention to repair needed without replacing or even disturbing the clear coat or manufactures paint job, you will get your money's worth in the repair and resale value.

When you pick up your car following the repair, thoroughly check it from top to bottom to ensure the work was completed as promised. Check everything out to make sure it looks, feels, and works the way it was designed.

Repairs and wrecks can be a stressful time on any vehicle owner. But with the right repair shop, you and your vehicle can be restored to driving shape in a timely fashion with outstanding results.

Auto Repair Insurance: Extended Warranties-Myths and Facts

How much insurance does one need? You have the big four: home, health, life, and car insurance. Then there's a second category, which starts getting a little hazy with credit card insurance, purchase protection plans, fraud insurance and more. Extended warranties, also called extended service contracts, or extended service policies fall into the mist of this second category.

Extended warranties are supposed to pay (in full or in part) for specified repairs for a specific period of time after the expiration of the factory warranty. They can be a great value. They can also be a significant waste of money. It gets quite foggy in the details. What exactly is covered? How long? How much? Are there hidden charges?

There are numerous extended warranty companies and an even wider variety of warranty packages available: silver, gold, platinum, platinum-plus, and a host of other confidence-building words. What's the best plan, and are extended service contracts worth the money?

Extended warranties, like life insurance policies, are a numbers game. They're a gamble. You pay $2500-$4500 for a 2 year, 100,000-mile protection plan and hope that you get at least that back in warranty repairs. The provider on the other hand, hopes to pay out less than it insured.

There are three major types of plan providers: The manufacturer, the dealership/third party, and third party providers. Each one has its assets and liabilities (discussed ahead).

What exactly is covered in an extended service plan? As mentioned above, what's covered depends on the package purchased. Some plans only cover the power train: the mechanical components of the engine, transmission, and rear-end. Others cover the power train plus some electrical components. Still others cover electrical, advanced electrical, and computer components. Some only cover what's listed in the contract. This is called a "Stated" or "Named" contract. This means that if it's not stated, it's not covered. Some cover bumper-to-bumper, similar to a manufacturer warranty, except trim pieces, upholstery, exterior components, cosmetic items, and a number of other exclusions.

Never before has the adage, "The devil's in the details," been so applicable.

Manufacturer Extended Plans: Extended service plans from the manufacturer are the best in terms of coverage, convenience, and quality. Coverage is similar to the warranty while the vehicle was under its original factory warranty--with similar exclusions stated above. The billing is direct, meaning you don't have to pay out-of-pocket, except for a deductible, if applicable. Quality is great too, as an extended warranty from the manufacturer will only use factory parts. They also have money, so there's less risk of bankruptcy.

The down side of manufacturer extended service plans is that they are not cheap. These plans are generally the most expensive, require low mileage standards, and necessitate servicing your vehicle at a dealer for coverage.

Dealership/Third Party Plans: Extended warranties from a dealership are actually from a third party insurer. These providers are generally reputable, but not always. However, if there is an issue (such as the warranty provider filing chapter 11, which is quite frequent in the extended service contract business), the dealer may step in to cover any repairs that would have been covered under the defunct plan. Also, claims are easier: billing is direct because the dealership has a working relationship with the provider, and there is usually agreement on price.

Some dealers set up their own "internal extended warranty," which is honored by the selling dealer. This is rare, and should not be confused with a manufacturer warranty.

Important: extended warranties are often passed off as "manufacturer" warranties. They're not. This is a sales trick. Also be aware that there is a significant mark up, as the dealership is merely acting as the middle man. Lastly, extended warranty companies often go bankrupt without warning.

Third Party Plans: These plans are called third party plans because they are outside the responsibility of the manufacturer and the service center performing the repairs (unless there's a working relationship with a repair shop as stated above).

There are hundreds of extended service contract companies. Some have good reputations, some don't. Third party plans are frequently sold by used car dealers. You may also receive an official looking notification in the mail stating that your warranty is expiring, and directing you to call an 800 number ASAP. This is a marketing tactic by an independent warranty provider. Despite the "official" appearance of the postcard or envelope, it's not from the manufacturer. Manufacturers do not send out reminders about warranty expiration.

Given the wide-variety of third party plans there are numerous red flags.

1) Claims: Extended warranty companies will be quick to tell you that filing claims is easy, and that the service center gets paid immediately via a credit card. Thus, there's no out-of-pocket expense for you. However, the warranty company can't dictate a service center's policies. Some service centers will only accept payment from the repair customer. Thus the burden is on the repair customer to fill out the forms, contact their warranty company, and await reimbursement via check, which can take 2-8 weeks.

It is the service center's responsibility to contact the extended warranty company to let them know what's wrong with the vehicle and to check coverage. This process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 20 days, sometimes more, depending on the degree of repairs and especially the amount. (See $1000 and Adjusters ahead)

Service centers and extended warranty companies frequently battle over the "fair" price of repairs. Many repair shops no longer negotiate, and just state the price, leaving the contract holder (i.e., the service customer) responsible for the difference.

2) Rentals: Rental coverage is a great benefit. However, there are fixed rates and time limits. In other words, the warranty company is not going to pay to have you drive a Mercedes-Benz, even if you drive a Benz. Rental allowances range from $25 to $35 per day. Also, rental coverage is based on the number of hours it takes to repair the vehicle, NOT the number of days your car has been at the shop.

3) $1000 and Adjusters: Repairs that approach $1000, or that require a significant amount of work, will be cause for the warranty company to call in an adjuster to confirm the diagnosis. This will delay the repairs by a minimum of 24-48 hours. It may cost you additional money when an adjuster is involved. You may be charged to have your vehicle pulled back into the shop for inspection, as well as for the time spent with the adjuster.

4) Tear-down Charges: In many cases, an extended warranty company will require that a particular component be taken apart for inspection to determine if the repair is indeed needed and covered. This puts the service customer in a very awkward position. The customer will have to authorize potentially hundreds of dollars of tear-down expense in the hopes that the repair is covered. If it's not, the customer is out the hundreds in tear-down PLUS the actual repair. This does happen!

Common Myths About Extended Service Plans:

Extended warranties cover maintenance services and brake work.

No. Extended warranty plans do not cover maintenance or wearable items. Brake pads and rotors are wearable parts. Maintenance such as coolant, brake and transmission flushes, tune-ups, services, oil changes, bulbs, wipers, and more are not covered.

They told me it's bumper-to-bumper, so it covers everything, right?

Wrong. Not even a factory warranty covers everything. When pitching the sale for the extended warranty, one is very often lead to believe that he or she will have nothing to worry about. This is just not true on so many levels. For example, if your bumper falls off it's not covered.

I don't have to pay anything, right?

Wrong. Despite the claims of 100% coverage, there are many factors involved. The labor rates, labor hours, diagnostic times, parts prices, and machine work are just a few items that often conflict with a service center's policies. Some extended contracts only pay a maximum of $55 per hour, and only allow one half hour for diagnostic time. This is generally unacceptable to the service center, as labor rates have skyrocketed to over $100 per hour at many dealerships, and average $75 at local shops. Moreover, with the complexity of today's vehicles, diagnostic time is at a premium. The customer pays the difference.

If I have an expensive problem, I can just purchase an extended service contract.

It's unethical, but it's an option many attempt. However, most service contracts have a minimum time requirement before the first claim can be filed: usually three months. Also, many contracts require that your vehicle be inspected by a service center to check for pre-existing conditions--just like life insurance.

My contract lasts up to 100,000 miles.

Only if the time limit doesn't run out first. All extended warranty plans have a time limit. For example, a typical contract will state that the vehicle is covered for two years or 100,000 miles, which ever comes first. During the sales pitch, however, the emphasis will be on the 100,000 miles, not the time.

If my car breaks, it gets fixed like new.

Actually, depending on the contract, an extended warranty company can insist on installing remanufactured or even used parts.

Items commonly not covered by extended warranties:

• Any component with a pre-existing condition


• Any component related to a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)


• Many components that has been updated by the manufacturer


• Extra components necessary "due to manufacturer updates" to complete the repair


• Trim pieces: molding, cup holders, dashboard, console, body parts, glass


• Many accessories: radios, DVD players, TVs


• Many expensive electronics: climate control units, navigation assemblies

Extended service contract positives: Some service contracts are transferable, and may thus increase the resale value of a vehicle. Many come with trip interruption reimbursement, towing and 24-hour road side. Some plans can also be financed, or have E-Z Pay Plans. Others offer a money-back guarantee.

What should you do? You'll get lots of advice about doing the research, comparing plans, and reading the fine print. This is all sound advice. But what about doing the math?

Let's say a plan costs $2500 for 2 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. To break even you'll need a minimum of $1250 per year in covered repairs, excluding regular maintenance. Remember covered is the vital word here.

Another way to break it down is to anticipate having to pay $104.17 per month over the next two years in "covered" repairs. Do you want to take that bet?

What could happen? You could double your money or more in repair work. You could conceivably get a new engine and transmission (or used ones anyway). You could also easily spend $2500 for a service contract, and still have to pay another $2500 for repairs, which for a variety of reasons, were not covered under your plan. Now you're out $5000.

Alternatively, you could keep the initial $2500. In many ways all an extended warranty does is prepay for repairs. You could stick the money in the bank and collect interest. Then you could withdraw the money for repairs as needed.

Another consideration that's rarely discussed is the cause of the problems. Many car repairs problems are the result of wear and tear, neglected maintenance, physical damage, or acts of God--such as flood damage. None of this is covered. The gamble only covers failed components.

If the vehicle you're driving does cost $2500 to $4500 in repairs due to outright failed components, is it a vehicle you even want to consider keeping? A vehicle that needs this kind of repair work due to mechanical, electrical, or computer failures may not be worth it. The $2500-$4500 would be better spent on an upgrade to a quality vehicle rather than insuring a lemon.

There's no question that auto repair is expensive, and even quality cars break from time to time. But do they breakdown to the tune of $2500-$4500? That's a hefty bet on a "possibility."

Terence O'Hara from the Washington Post makes an excellent assessment about extended warranties in general. He writes:

...extended warranties play upon a basic human trait to avoid loss, even if it means sacrificing a possible future gain...the gain is all the other things of value that a consumer could buy with the money that was spent on a warranty

What's the best plan? Money in your bank account!

Interior Repair - Get Your Dash Repaired

We all want our cars to run good, however we also really want to them look good. There are many things that affect how your car looks. And the inside counts just as much as the outside when determining its condition. Sometimes it may be a small part of your car that needs repairing to get it looking great. One of these areas of concern could be your dash board. If your dash board is making your car look older than it is you may want to consider getting it repaired.

Getting your dash board repaired can increase or maintain your cars resale value in the event that you need or want to sell or trade your vehicle. It makes the car look good and new, which is what any used car shopper is looking for. Sometimes it is the simple things that make it or break it for a car sale. Whether your dash board is cracked, scratched, or fading that can be a factor. Also, you will feel better about having a car that looks great. It is a nice feeling to have an older car that looks like new, it also shows that you take pride in yourself.

Replacing your dash board is an option. It will cost more than getting it repaired and may take a little more time since materials will need to be ordered and so forth. However you will have a brand new dash board. So if you don't mind spending the money it is a good solution for your vehicle.

However, in today's economy, most people are trying to get the best deal no matter what you are paying for. So, getting your dash board repaired is the best option for your car and your wallet. You would be surprised at what a professional auto body reconditioning specialist can do with your existing dash board to get it looking like new. Whether you have cracks, scratches, or fading occurring on your dash board they can fix the problem. Usually they can do this for a fraction of the cost of getting a replacement. Also they can also get it done rather quickly. Just contact a few local auto body shops to get quotes and do a little research on the shop to make sure they produce quality work.

There are also a few things to you can do to prevent cracks, scratches, and fading from occurring on your dash board again. The biggest problem with dash boards is that they are located right under your car's windshield, which is where a lot of light and primarily heat come in. The heat beats down on your dash board causing it to fade and crack. So buy yourself a sun shade for your car to keep the heat out. It is definitely worth the money. Also get some armor-all while you're at it and use it regularly on your car's dash board. These two things will help keep your dash board looking its best for a long time!

Importance Of Windshield Integrity in Collisions And Rollover Accidents

Your vehicle's windshield plays many roles. Some of these roles are just helpful, such as keeping wind, insects, and debris from entering the passenger compartment as you drive, as well as keeping in cold or warm air and providing a temperate environment within your vehicle. However, there are other, much more important and beneficial roles that your windshield plays.

Your windshield is a major part of your vehicle's Safety Restraint System (SRS) which is found in all vehicles to provide protection from serious injury and death in the event of an accident. The windshield of all vehicles provides a substantial portion of the structural integrity of the passenger compartment. Over the years, proper installation (as well as replacement) has become an extremely important aspect of the manufacturing of vehicles. It has become a precise science, as windshield safety and structural engineering has seen dramatic increases in expectations among manufacturers.

This may come as somewhat of a surprise to some consumers. While windshield integrity has come under intense analysis and study by vehicle manufacturers, most car consumers really never even address this fact. When most drivers have to consider repair or replacement, it is normally do to aesthetic reasons, while the structural aspects of having an uncompromised windshield tend to go relatively unheard of or even ignored.

So how important exactly is it to have a structurally sound windshield? According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 30% of the 40,000 Americans killed in highway fatalities annually, die after either being ejected from the vehicle or critically injured during rollovers. Needless to say, the integrity of the windshield is a critical factor in both of these conditions.

The National Glass Association (NGA) has reviewed these figures, and has made it clear that a "measurable percentage of those fatalities occur when an improperly replaced windshield does not remain firmly bonded to the vehicle during a crash."

These figures are even more telling when applied to rollover crashes. According to the NHTSA, rollover crashes account for a mere 3% of all collisions, while that same small percentage is responsible for 31% of total vehicular fatalities. The administration also explains how, in 2000, almost 10,000 vehicles were involved in fatal rollover crashes and that 84% of those accidents involved only one vehicle. In 2001, 54% of all single vehicle crash deaths occurred as a result of rollovers.

It is for these reasons that, when having your windshield repaired or replaced, you should use the services of a reputable and competent auto glass service technician. Replacing a windshield is actually a very exact science and not as simple of a service as you may have first considered. Proper installation is crucial to the performance of your vehicle's safety systems and is the best way to ensure your vehicle is as safe as it can be.