Auto Repair Shops|Auto Glass Repair|Auto Body Repair: 2013-09-22

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Is Your Vehicle Steamed at You?

How much to you know about your vehicle radiator and what it does to keep you cool? First of all, your radiator is located at the front of the engine right behind the grill. The radiator is a type of heat exchanger designed to transfer heat from the hot coolant that flows through it to the air blown through it by the fan. Most modern cars use aluminum radiators. The coolant flows from the inlet to the outlet through many tubes mounted in a parallel arrangement that make up the body of the radiator.

Since the engine works harder than most of the other auto parts, it has a tendency to overheat; therefore, it needs a cooling system that would keep it operating at the right temperature. Even under normal conditions the engine produces an enormous amount of heat. The work of the cooling system is to remove at least one-third of that heat in the combustion chamber so the engine won't overheat. The radiator is the device in the cooling system that dispels the heat absorbed by the anti-freeze or coolant mixture from the engine. It has tubes that hold a large amount of water-coolant mixture and passages that provide large areas in contact with the air outside the vehicle. Water is mixed with the coolant and is circulated around the engine through the cylinder block and head. In the process the water/coolant absorbs the heat from the engine and its parts. The water/coolant is then pumped from the engine towards the receiving tank at the top of the radiator. It spreads over the tops of the tubes and passes through them, thereby, losing its heat to the air which passes around outside the tubes. After getting cool in the radiator, the water/coolant goes back to the engine to absorb heat again and the cooling process continues as long as the engine is running. Without some way to cool off, your engine would turn into a block of useless metal in no time at all.

Most people know the green stuff in the radiator keeps the engine from turning into a block of ice in the winter, but it also helps keep things cool in the summer. Radiator coolant actually raises the boiling point of the water, allowing it to carry more heat away from the engine and that means a cooler running engine. If you are running low on coolant, things can get steamy hot fast. It only takes a second to check your coolant level. Most cars have an opaque coolant overflow tank right next to the radiator. There are markings on the side indicating low and high levels of coolant. Always check your coolant level when the car is cold. If the level is low, it's time to top it off. The engine takes a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. You can measure and mix it yourself or you can buy the premixed coolant that is simply ready to pour.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, cooling system failure is the leading cause of mechanical breakdowns on the highway. Coolant neglect is one of the leading causes of cooling system breakdowns. Most vehicles will lose a little coolant over time due to evaporation from the reservoir. But a significant loss of coolant in a relatively short period of time usually signals a leak, a radiator cap that isn't holding pressure, or a cooling system that is running too hot. It's a good idea to visually inspect the radiator, water pump, hoses, and freeze plugs as well as the rest of the cooling system for external leaks. Hoses that have white streaks on them may be indicating leaks. If no leaks are found, the loss of coolant may be due to long term neglect or a temporary episode of overheating.

Checking the strength of the coolant to determine the concentration of antifreeze in the coolant is just as important for hot weather driving as it is for cold weather. A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water will provide boiling protection up to about 255 degrees and freezing protection down to -34 degrees. Increasing the concentration of antifreeze in the coolant will raise its boiling temperature and lower its freezing point. The maximum concentration however, should be limited to 65% to 70% because too much antifreeze and not enough water reduces the coolants ability to carry heat - which increases the risk of overheating in hot weather.

Something else to keep in mind is that there are two main antifreezes available, EG (ethylene glycol) and PG (propylene glycol). These have slightly different specific gravities or densities, it is important to be sure the correct type is being used. The main difference between these two is the additive packages. To reduce confusion, several antifreeze suppliers like Peak and Prestone are now selling a universal type of antifreeze that is compatible with all types of antifreeze and all makes and models of vehicles. Some argue this is not entirely true, but the universal type seems to work okay and is widely accepted in the aftermarket. It is important however, to not mix types of antifreeze. If you are adding or changing coolant, it is best to follow the recommendations found in the owner's manual and use the same type of coolant that was in the system.

While coolant is usually the culprit in many radiator problems, there are other things that can go wrong or can plug up the whole works. Radiator problems often start slowly due to clogging from rust and debris. This reduces the radiator's ability to transfer heat and it reduces the effectiveness of the cooling system too. A clean radiator is a cool running radiator. For maintenance, your radiator requires a flush, usually once a year. This flush will clean out the rust and other debris that could create a problem. Remember, dealing with your radiator when your car is running or still warm from running is dangerous due to very hot liquid. Allow your car to cool completely before removing the cap or otherwise touching the radiator.

As with any vehicle maintenance, your radiator maintenance should be up to date and done on schedule. Forgetting or letting it slide till next year might cause you far more headache and cost than simply doing it on time. It's much easier to do the maintenance than to replace the entire radiator or engine of your vehicle. You don't want to be left sitting on the side of the road while your engine takes a steam bath.

Auto Repair Sales - How to Sell $1,000,000 in Service

An auto repair sale is a popular topic with most shop owners. One million dollars seems like a magic number for a lot of shop owners. They're either struggling to hit it, or they've made it and now they want two million or three million. Whatever the goal, fantastic auto repair sales performance is really quite simple (not always easy, but simple). To achieve outstanding auto repair sales performance you have to consistently do four things.

1. Listen carefully to the customer and quickly build rapport and relationship.
2. Ask for the largest possible sale while offering the greatest perceived value.
3. Get the work done. Quickly and correctly.
4. Lock the customer into a long-term relationship with your shop; repeating steps one, two and three at least three times per year.

In step one the key is quickly. To sell one million dollars (or more) in a year, everything is going to have to happen FAST! The rapport building process doesn't have to take a long time. You can build a strong connection with a new client very quickly just by getting them talking about themselves.

Question: So, how long have you lived here?-What kind of work do you do?-How long have you owned the car?-Where's your favorite place to go on vacation?-Tell me about your kids/pets... All these questions get the customer talking about themselves and give you plenty of opportunity to identify and comment on common points of interest or experience. None of this takes more than a few minutes, but during this process the vital process of trust building is occurring.

In step two, the key is asking for the LARGEST possible sale. Fear stops most salespeople from asking for the large sale. Instead they convince themselves that the customer will only accept a much lower figure; a figure that they (the salesperson) are comfortable with. This is why I spend so much time in the Advanced Service Writer Sales Training Class working on the closing question. The closing question is the key to overcoming the fear. With it memorized and practiced the fear subsides and the service writer is able to ask for much bigger sales than ever before. I've seen this tool add more than $300 per RO to a shops RO average. It is that POWERFUL!

The first two steps are pure auto repair sales step. Step three is a management step. The first two steps are all about the service writer controlling their actions. Step three requires them to motivate and lead someone else to action. The best way to do this is MBA "Management By walking Around". It simply means you can't forget about a ticket once it's in the hands of the tech. You have to get out in the shop regularly (usually every 5-10 minutes on a busy day) and make sure that the work is moving forward. You have to quickly remove any obstacles to success such as parts problems, bad attitudes, or unexpected difficulties with the repair. This is a vital and often overlooked part of auto repair sales.

In step four we're back to sales. The biggest missed opportunity in most shops is the opportunity to commit the customer to their next visit while they are checking out from this visit. All you have to do is tell them when their next visit is and most people will say ok. Notice I didn't say ask them when they could make their next visit; I said tell them when their next appointment is. The key is assuming that they are going to return and doing them the favor of scheduling this. I teach several simple techniques in the Advanced Service Writer Sales Training Class that make getting this commitment very easy, simple and natural.

So, there you have it, the four simple (not necessarily easy) steps to selling one million dollars (or more) in service. If you consistently follow these steps the million bucks is yours! An auto repair sale isn't difficult if you know the steps and have the tools.

Wintery Weather Keeping Auto Repair Shops Hopping

As the East Coast prepares to get hammered by yet another snowstorm this winter, auto repair shops are gearing up for the next round of heavy business. With heavy snowfalls hitting both the east and west portions of the nation in December, auto body shops have been keeping extra busy this cold weather season.

For instance, Fox 31 News out of Denver, Colorado reported, "Snow, cold great for Front Range auto repair businesses." In the Mile High City, local auto repair shops know to steel themselves for "a steady flow of business" as soon as the temperature starts plummeting. One of the main reasons they're so busy in the winter is that drivers head out with sub-par tires. When snow and ice coat the roadways, poor tire treads tend to cause vehicles to "go spinning out of control and cause accidents."

This same scene was repeating itself across the country in Greenville, North Carolina, where News 14 Carolina reported, "Auto repair shops busy after wintry weather conditions." What types of vehicle damages were they witnessing? Fender benders, spin-outs and multi-car pileups on slippery roadways were leading to plenty of dings and dents. Fortunately, however, most of the necessary car repairs resulting from slick road conditions were light ones. Auto repair technicians point out that this means that such damages can usually be quickly and easily fixed.

One auto body repair expert explained, "People have slid into curbs. So they have damage to their wheels and suspension. They are light repairs and pretty quick and easy for us." But before heading straightaway to a car repair shop, drivers should keep a few things in mind.

Realize that you're not the auto body shop's only customer. Yes, the technicians can repair your vehicle quickly and easily, but they may have several clients in front of you. Just as the meteorologists advise practicing patience on the wintery roadways, patience is a virtue in the repair shop as well.

Check in with your insurance company before you take your car in for repairs. Chances are the damage will be covered, but you'll want to know what your out-of-pocket expenses will be before you're faced with an unexpected bill. Usually once you meet your deductible (typically $250 or $500), the rest of the repair work is covered in full. Inform your insurance agency of the incident and, and ask them to give you a claim number.

In most states, you are not obligated to get multiple estimates before taking your car in for repair. That means you can select the auto body shop of your choosing. If that's the case in your state, select a company that has a reputation for being a leader in quality collision repair.

If you're going to require a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, look for an auto repair shop that has a rental car service on its premises. Such shops can often offer you very competitive discounts on your short-term alternate transportation needs.

Why Mobile Bumper Repair is Better Than Over-the-Counter Auto Body Repair Kits

Anyone who has ever been in an accident or been on the receiving end of a ding on the plastic bumper knows that they can be one of the most difficult parts to repair using over-the-counter auto body repair kits or do-it-yourself techniques.

At first, it seems easy enough. A filler is used to patch any cracks or holes, and you simply allow it to dry, sand it to the right finish, and paint with a carefully-selected matching store-bought paint. Unfortunately, it is rarely this easy. When done professionally, the techniques used in plastic bumper repair are actually a little more detailed - and a lot more focused on creating near-perfect results.

The Real Costs of Plastic Bumper Repair

Most car owners turn to do-it-yourself repair for plastic bumpers because they are hesitant to turn to professional help at traditional body repair shops. It's no small wonder. Most traditional repair shops have a reputation for creating great results at sky-high costs. In many of these types of facilities, bumper repair can cost upwards of $800, which is higher than many insurance deductibles.

In addition to the typical problems with over-the-counter auto body repair kits for plastic bumper repair - including incorrectly applied filler, unmatched paint, and other results that look worse than the dent or scratch itself - it can actually be more expensive to fix a bungled repair job than it would have been to go to one of the expensive body shops in the first place.

The Mobile Bumper Repair Solution

Fortunately, there is an option that falls between these two extremes. Mobile bumper repair specialists, a growing trend in the automotive repair industry, offer quick and professional results at a fraction of the cost of traditional body shops. You get the same finish that comes with the more expensive solution, but with a price tag closer to the higher-end do-it-yourself kits.

Many of these types of facilities are mobile and offer quality guarantees, as well. This means that in addition to getting a professional result that maintains your car's value, you don't have to worry about long waits at the repair shop or the need for a rental car - two more reasons many people turn to self-repairs.

We all know that saving money is important in today's economy. Before you go out and buy an over-the-counter auto body repair kit that may offer only a temporary or sub-par solution, it's best to remember that you can get professional plastic bumper repair at a fraction of the traditional cost.

How to Find the Best Auto Body Shops to Keep Your Vehicle on the Road After an Accident

Your vehicle plays an important role in your life each and every day. Finding the best auto body shops will ensure that your vehicle always gets the repairs it needs to stay on the road.

Having an accident can cause a lot of stress in your life, and one of the most common sources of stress is figuring out the best place to get your car repaired. If you're like most people, you rely on your car each and every day to get back and forth to work or school. If this is the case, you need to know that the repair shop you choose will do a professional job and get your car or truck back out on the road in no time.

Comparing Your Options

Although many people assume that damage done to the body of a vehicle is nothing more than a cosmetic issue, it's very often actually much more than this. Body damage can cause all kinds of other problems with your vehicle, so you need to make sure that you are choosing from among the best auto body shops out there to handle your vehicle's repairs. To choose the best one, you should spend some time comparing options until you find the right professional to give you a job that not only looks great but that also addresses any damage to vital components like your vehicle's frame.

When it comes to auto body repair, you need a professional shop that can make your car look like new. Accidents can cause significant damage that makes many cars almost unrecognizable. Your goal should be to choose a skilled set of professionals who have experience and can guarantee beautiful results. But it's just as important to remember that looks aren't everything! Check on specialized equipment like frame straighteners, and make sure that your vehicle's underlying damage can be repaired properly as well. Before you choose an auto body repair shop, do some research and find out which shops have the best reputations. If your friends or family members have had to get work done in the past, find out who they'd recommend (or who they wouldn't!).

Another one of the most important issues that you will need to consider when comparing autobody shops is price. Body repairs to a vehicle can be quite expensive, and most people who need repairs are on a budget. If you don't want to spend too much of your hard earned money, you should shop around for auto body shops that have reasonable rates. Every shop will have its own way of determining price, so you're likely to find a good deal by shopping around.

Don't Settle

The autobody shop that you choose will make a big difference in what your vehicle looks like when all is said and done. You should never settle for a shop until you have done the research and found a good shop that can give you professional looking results at a great price. Finding the right auto body shop will allow you to get back out on the road all that much sooner. 簫簫

Friday, September 27, 2013

Auto Mechanic College: Get on the Right Path While Still in High School

You've already sent away for brochures for every mechanic college in a hundred mile radius, but you still have a few more years of high school. It's hard to wait, and focus on geography, history, science, etc., when you already know what you would like your career to be. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take while still in high school to prepare for an auto mechanic career.

Choose your part-time job wisely

Because you already know that you are auto-mechanic-college bound, you have an advantage over the average in teen, in that you can tailor your part-time employment to suit your career goals. Why not do a tour of the local garages to see if anyone is hiring? Also consider dealerships and auto parts retailers. Perhaps even a rental or car share company. Early exposure to the milieu can help advance your auto mechanic career more quickly. Just think about it. You will:

- already know people in the industry
- have work experience to add to your first CV after finishing your auto mechanic course
- perhaps even find a mentor, willing to advise you as you pursue your career

Can't find a paid position? Even an unpaid internship in the field could be beneficial for your auto mechanic career.

Take advantage of your high school curriculum

Not all high schools have a shop or course on offer, but most have science, math and computers, all of which will be of great help to you as you progress in your auto mechanic career.

And don't forget extracurricular activities

Your high school may not have a shop class, but it may have some kind of club or organization that caters to mechanically minded students like you, who plan to attend auto mechanic college.

Study your colleges carefully

Since you've known from an early age that you would like to go to a college, you can take the time to really assess each school on your list. Visit the campus, sit in on an auto mechanic course, ask questions... The choice you make can have a lasting impact on your career.

Make sure that you know what the admission requirements are for your desired colleges. Do you need to maintain a certain grade point average? Are you on your way to completing all the required courses? These are the kinds of questions you should be asking now, while college is still a few years away.

Your high school years will offer many opportunities for preparing for an automotive mechanic career, but only if you take the care to nurture your ambitions. Turning dreams into reality takes effort: yours.

Auto Repair: Know The Right Time To Replace You Car's Shocks

Each and every component of your car has a limited service life because wear and tear will eventually take its toll over time. This is especially true for your car's shocks. If you're someone who loves doing auto repair on his own, you need to know the best time to replace the shocks on your car. This is important if you want to maintain or improve the degree of riding control and comfort that your car can offer. Doing timely maintenance and replacement of car parts helps a lot in avoiding any car crisis from developing.

By knowing the best time to replace your car's shocks is a good way to improve your auto repair skills. When your shocks and struts get worn out, it's hard to ignore the problem because you can literally feel its effects especially when you drive over a pothole or a bumpy road. One of the first signs that indicate excessive wear and tear show up when you hit the brakes. When the shock absorber mechanism isn't working, the front of the car dives down when you step on the brakes and when your car accelerates, you will feel the rear end of the car squatting. Your ride becomes very bumpy and the entire car frame will bounce or oscillate up and down after you hit a pothole. When you turn, the car may sway excessively.

If you find leaks on the absorber housing; damaged piston rods; and worn out tires, it's really advisable that you replace both of your shocks and struts. When you see any of the signs that I've stated above, you'll know that it's already time for you to get new sets by visiting an auto repair shop.

Car manuals usually provide information about the best time to get your shock absorbers replaced. In general, the recommended mileage range after which it's advised to get a replacement is 50,000 to 60,000 miles. When you notice the signs that have been discussed above, you should go for a replacement as soon as possible. You can refer to your car's manual for details about the ideal replacement period.

The best way for you to determine whether or not you already need to go for a replacement is by doing an actual inspection. If you spot any sign of wear and tear, you should get replacements as soon as you can unless you love getting roller coaster rides whenever you're driving your car. Getting a replacement won't only give you a better ride but this will also ensure that your tires and drive assembly won't get significantly affected.

Keeping Your Car Super Clean

Having a clean car is an important way to improve your reputation and to make the best first impression on people. In many ways having a clean car is like having a clean home and people will look at your car and then judge how up together and how organized the person is. If you have a very unclean and damaged looking car, then people will automatically think that you don't take care of it, and by extension they will assume you don't take care of yourself, of your home etc. In short this will greatly affect the way other people deal with you. And besides - when you've spent so much on your car, why not look after it and ensure it looks its best?

So how do you keep your car looking the very best it can? Well the answer is of course to get it cleaned regularly and to avoid getting it dirtier than necessary. To achieve the former, and to make sure it doesn't collect dirt you should make sure to get a regular car wash. These tend to be inexpensive and can be found pretty much anywhere, but with a professional car wash you will find your vehicle comes out looking shiny and new without your having to exert yourself at all to accomplish that. At the same time if you take your car to a professional car wash hen you will get a much better level of cleanliness than you could achieve yourself - after all these are professionals with industrial tools and lots of experience whereas you are probably inexperienced and in a hurry to do other things.

At the same time though you can also keep your car cleaner by just avoiding the dirt and mess in the first place. For instance then you should definitely invest in a garage and off road parking. Parking your car outside with no shelter can leave it exposed to bird manure, sap, dirty rain and many other things that will make a mess of it. If you don't have space or the finances to build yourself a garage, then you can always get around this by getting a fabric shelter or a temporary shelter, or even just covering your car up with a tarpaulin on your drive.

Likewise you need to be careful and strategic when you park your car elsewhere and this way you can avoid needing the car wash as often. For instance if you are parking your car on a road side or in a car park, then you should take time to carefully look at what you are parking underneath. For instance if you are parking underneath a big tree then you should expect to find your car covered in leaves and dirt as well as sap and bird droppings. On the other hand if you can park underneath a canopy of some sort then you might be able to protect your car from all sorts of projectiles and hazards. Even parking next to a wall to shelter you from wind can help a lot.

Common Misconceptions About Using the Wrong Fuel

We've all heard the rumours of what can happen if a vehicle is inadvertently filled up with the wrong fuel. Some people say "Your car will be irreparably damaged," while others might report that "It costs a fortune to deal with the problems caused by putting petrol in a diesel engine." Let's take a closer look at some of the most common misconceptions about what can happen if you happen to put the wrong fuel in your vehicle and clear up the facts from the fiction.

Anyone who fills a diesel tank with petrol must be a fool!

If you've just put petrol into your diesel vehicle, you might be feeling a little foolish - don't be so hard on yourself! Statistics show that filling up with the wrong fuel is a mistake that is easy to make, and certainly not a rare occurrence. One of the main causes of using the wrong fuel is simple human error. Everyone gets distracted from time to time, and when this is combined with the fact that petrol pumps are not always labelled as clearly as they might be, then it is easy to make a mistake.

Put the petrol in your diesel vehicle and it will be damaged beyond repair!

If you listen to the many rumours regarding using the wrong fuel, you might well think that filling up with petrol instead of diesel will destroy your vehicle. In fact, providing you are aware that you have used the wrong fuel and take action ASAP to have the fuel tank drained, then it is more than likely that your vehicle will not suffer too much.

Getting a mechanic to drain the fuel tank will cost me a fortune!

If you've put the wrong fuel in your vehicle, you might be worrying about the costs of getting the problem repaired. The current economic situation has meant that we all need to watch the pennies and pounds more closely, and you'll hear rumours that bills for draining out the wrong fuel will run to hundreds. However, if you arrange to have your fuel tank drained as quickly as possible, the costs will be reasonable, and you'll avoid further more expensive damage which can be caused by leaving the incorrect fuel in the system.

If you put petrol in a diesel engine, it won't start.

If you mistakenly put petrol into your diesel vehicle, and don't notice immediately, you'll probably find that your car or van does start but only runs for a short distance and then stops. This occurs because whatever diesel is remaining in the fuel line mixes with the petrol, which allows your engine to function. When the percentage of diesel drops, and your vehicle starts to pull petrol through the system it will stop. Remember, there is no need to panic if you suddenly realise that you've used the wrong fuel, just park the vehicle in a safe place and arrange to have the petrol drained out.

Windshield Chip and Crack Repair and Things You Should Know!

No matter what kind of vehicle we drive electric, hybrid, gas or diesel, road debris will strike our automobiles glass and create damage to the glass. The damage can range from tiny surface cracks to fully cracked out. You should know that windshield breaks the size of a quarter in diameter or smaller under normal circumstances are repairable as are cracks less than twelve inches. Long cracks directly in the drivers view and breaks that crack both the outside and inside layer of glass or penetrate through both the layers, although rare need replacement.

Common breaks such as small cracks, star-breaks or bull's-eye's may have one or more bright glaring silver or dark shadowy lines extending from the impact point when first damaged. Windshield chip and crack repair will remove the air and inject repair resin into the break eliminating most if not all the shadows and bright silver area. After windshield repair is complete the appearance will have improved 85% or better along with the restored structural integrity and safety. Some breaks with small cracks leave small lines or faint outline after the repair. Repaired chips and cracks no longer glare or have that bright silver or dark shadow look. You should know windshield crack repair will stop further cracking, providing a clearer view, restored integrity and safety of the windshield and has a lifetime warranty on the repair.

You should know. Mobile windshield chip and crack repair can save you time and money by repairing your chipped or cracked auto glass. How you ask? By repairing your auto glass when you are at home or at the store, work or even at your lunch hour. Mobile windshield chip and crack repair frees up your time making chip and crack repair more convenient for you.

Windshield chip repair is environmentally friendly as it extends the useful life of the chipped or cracked glass. Keeping millions of windshields out of landfills just by repairing them, how easy and environmentally friendly is that. Automobile chip and crack repair will save you money over windshield replacement and maintains factory windshield and seals. Somewhere around 13 to 14 million replacement windshields, manufactured here or imported into the united states to replace windshields damaged on our cars and trucks every year. Auto glass construction consists of Laminated glass, two separate pieces of glass bonded together into one to create safety glass.

Our windshields keep us safe, the primary purpose of safety auto glass is to cut flying glass on severe impacts and to prevent passengers or driver from ejection of the vehicle in a collision. Windshields are secured to the vehicle body with high-strength urethane or other approved adhesives. These adhesives are strong and will hold the windshield in place in an accident for your protection.

Insurance repair coverage. You should know how you could have your windshield repaired at no cost to you and here's how to do it. Almost all automobile owners have comprehensive coverage through their auto insurance policies, and with most deductibles ranging between $60 to $1000. If you decide to have your windshield repaired instead of replaced very often your insurance company may waive the deductible and pay for the entire cost of the windshield chip or crack repair. Call your insurance carrier and ask if your policy covers windshield rock chips or cracks. you should know that If your insurance covers windshield repairs, you have the right to choose any windshield chip repair company you wish and your insurance covers the repair. You should know that windshield repair saves you time, trouble and money by avoiding costly windshield replacement. You should also know that windshields at this time are not recycled. Repair will keep your windshield out of the landfill for an extended time. Windshield repair when possible is the green choice.

Collision Blast - New Ways For Collision Repair Training to Blast Your Way

Life Without Internet
Can you imagine life without the internet? How would businesses operate and maintain business? It's kind of scary how much we depend on the World Wide Web. However, the changes are improving our business everyday, especially the way we are able to teach and train.

Training Anywhere
The collision repair industry, as well as all other industries have always had to rely on traveling for training. Now with the technology we have available, employees can receive top notch training without ever leaving the body shop or dealership. Attendees can interact by asking questions and watch live demonstrations right in their shop conference room.

Skype Me
One of my previous co-workers called me the other day and was telling me how many of the auto technicians have a Skype line to ask questions and communicate with each other. Wow, that is instant access. I thought Google was fast, but a tech line that you can interact with at. Now this is another changer in business, training, or education.

Online
I-CAR realized the need for online training as well. On their website they have online training available. The technician can access this training 24/7, which makes it very convenient. I-CAR also allows the technicians to work at their own pace. I believe that they allow 30 days to complete the training and pass the tests. However, once you purchase the training you will be able to access the training at any time to refresh your training at a later time.

Virtual
With online technology, I foresee a lot more opportunities for training online. For example, I was on a committee for the college that I work for to examine a virtual world called second life. From a college's standpoint, this method made sense to me. This allows students to virtually travel to the college and sit in on lectures rather than actually driving to the school and attending the class face-to-face. In the virtual classroom the student is there along with other students and a teacher. Everyone can interact just as they would be able face-to-face. So how do you think this would work for collision repair training? I have to agree, it is quite different. However, times are changing fast and we better hop on board or be left behind.

Jump Aboard
With all of this said, I don't think we can hang our hat on the internet going away. What if something happens to the internet...? Well, we'll have to deal with that then. For now we need to look for more and new ways to blast collision repair training to the industry.

by Donnie Smith

Thursday, September 26, 2013

How to Avoid Car Repair Disasters

One of the main reasons people complain about car repair companies is that what they thought would be a very cheap repair ends up costing much more than advertised, or taking longer than expected. In most cases, this can be avoided by choosing the right car repair company and ensuring that all the work done is documented and agreed before anything is done to your car.

Let's start with selecting a car repair company. Unless you are in an emergency situation, like your car engine giving up in the middle of a road trip, chances are you have plenty of time to choose a good and legitimate mechanic professional to call on when needed. It's always better to ask for referrals, as few people would recommend a mechanic they didn't have a very good experience with.

Consider also your car, especially if it's an expensive or uncommon model. In some cases you may want to talk with the car manufacturer or the car dealership and see if they can recommend a good mechanic. The reason is that, sometimes, getting spares for particular brands can be difficult unless the car repair company already has a relationship with the manufacturer. It's always a good idea to test a new garage with a routine maintenance session, as that will allow you to see their customer service.

If your car breaks down and you need to take it to the mechanic, make sure they don't start doing any work until you actually approve it, and get a written quote. If the quote seems very high or the suggested repairs look too expensive you may want to go and get a second opinion, just in case there are cheaper ways to get your car running away. However, be careful to avoid being too cheap and making your car a health hazard because you choose to take a shortcut or use parts that aren't guaranteed.

You may also want to look into getting any repairs guaranteed by the car repair company for a specific amount of time, but you may need to ask before they actually offer that kind of insurance to you. Even if it is a bit pricier, a garage that is willing to guarantee their work is more likely to do a good job and save you from car repair disasters.

Marketing Your Auto Body Shop With a Referral System

There are many reasons to implement a website for your auto body shop business. An online presence is never a negative thing, as you can reach out to a much greater number of possible clients and advertise inexpensively. Auto body marketing can occur in many ways. You can advertise online and off. One offline marketing method is to use a referral system. Many benefits can be yours with such a system and there are certain strategies within the method that work the best for the collision repair industry.

The benefits of a referral system are far reaching. The first notable benefit is that a greater amount of customer assistance, relationship development and loyalty improvement can be had with a referral system. Also, such a system grows with time, so you will see a sequential increase of referrals after each year passes. You can appreciate all these benefits within your auto body shop while at the same time saving your employees time, giving them a greater opportunity to spend their time doing more useful things for the collision repair industry. Strangely, even with these obvious benefits, many marketers do not view it as a serious auto body marketing method. You can see how much of a myth this thought is when you put it into practice for yourself.

To start a referral system for your auto body shop, learn what works the best for the collision repair industry. Many businesses today, when implementing this system correctly, can offset one-fifth, one-half or even all of their yearly advertising efforts. If a company can reach the point of generating business with 100% referrals, the auto body marketing fund will practically be zero, allowing the saved funds to either become increased profit for the owner or put toward other elements to better the shop.

When you set up your business to reward customers for referring their friends, you have an increased probability that it will work, in the collision repair industry or virtually any other. The rewards and financial benefits you can see in your auto body shop are undeniable, no matter what angle you look at setting up a referral system in addition to or even to completely replace your other auto body marketing efforts. No matter exactly how you choose to implement a referral system in your business, the general purpose is to assist people in loving your service enough to tell their friends and family "what is so great" about your business.

Auto Glass Replacement

Replacing the glass on your car is not only an easy process, but it can actually be quite affordable. There are many different reasons as to why some have to resort to fully replacing some glass on their vehicle. What many people overlook though is that the glass in question that might need to be replacing might actually have a chance of being repaired instead of fully replaced. Your local auto glass specialist will be able to tell you if the damage is beyond repair, and will give you options on pricing for replacement.

Some of the common problems a windshield or door windows will receive over years of driving will be pitted glass, cracks, scratches, and many other imperfections. These types of imperfections may not seem like all that big of a deal to many people but in actuality can really decrease the amount of visibility you have with your glass. This is especially important with your front windshield and your rear window. Full, clear visibilities in these areas are very important to the safety of driving. At night time, visibility is already decreased, so having a pitted windshield will only make things worse.

Many people are unaware that you can have any piece of glass on your car replaced at your own convenience. Many of these companies will first give you a quote as to how much everything will cost, and then will drive to you to professionally install the piece of glass. The glass will be factory certified, and will brand new, not refurbished or anything along those lines.

The process of installation does not take long at all. If you choose to drive to your local auto glass specialist to get your glass replaced, you should expect to be in and out of there very quickly, and still have a very high quality of craftsmanship performed. The professionals properly install glass such as your windshield so that it will stand the test of time, and not prone to damage.

Under your insurance, often times you can get your auto glass repaired or replaced that was caused by road damage by only paying your small deductible. This makes the process itself much more enticing. If you receive a rock chip or any small type of damage, the most important thing to do is to go get it repaired at a low cost so that further down the road you will not end up replacing your windshield over a small crack or rock chip.

Professional Windshield Repair - One of the Many Services an Auto Body Shop Offers

Auto body shops are the perfect place to get a huge number of different issues repaired and replaced. If your vehicle has been involved in a collision, you will need to find a company to carry out the repairs quickly and at an affordable price. You may need component replacement, panel alignment or body straightening, which are all specialist tasks.

An area that many people forget to have assessed is the windshield, which is vital, and may need professional repairing. There is a huge array of different products, which you can use at home for windshield repair. However, these may not be suitable for the damage that you have done to the glass on your vehicle.

There are many different occasions when you will need to have your windshield replaced, and in the past you would have needed a specialist service shop. However, today the auto body shops can offer you the fantastic, added service of repairing and replacing your glass. The tools and knowledge are in the shop, therefore, utilizing them and providing an additional service is straightforward.

You may be confident enough to fix small issues, and cracks on the windshield, however, you will soon know when there is a larger problem. Extensive damage needs to be repaired quickly, and by a professional to ensure that the glass is safe. If you attempt to fix the glass yourself, and do not carry out a competent job, you could cause further damage to the car.

If your vehicle has been in a severe accident, and rolled over, the roof is likely to be crushed as part of the modern windshield installation system. The adhesive surrounding the windshield is there to keep the windshield in place and protect the passengers. Removing this seal can make the glass incredibly volatile, and can result in your insurance not being valid.

Alongside the repairs, the auto shop can also advise on the best way to claim on your insurance and advice on policies to protect against windshield repairs and damage. You may have to pay a small amount on top of your insurance payout, which is vital to ensure the repairs are done correctly. No compromises should be made where the windshield is concerned.

If you are in any doubt about the severity of the problem, there are many different online videos, which demonstrate how a small chip can spread to a huge crack. There are a huge amount of laws surrounding windshields, and the form of glass which has to be used. To ensure that your vehicle is up to standard, the glass should be two layers of damage resistant glass, plus a layer of polyvinyl butyrate.

If the glass on your car is impacted by any debris, the PVB layer will protect you from sharp, shards of glass. The amount of damage to the interior of the car and the passengers is reduced, as this layer provides a cushion. As more auto shops begin to search for ways to diversify their businesses, repairing windshields is becoming incredibly common.

Repairing Rust - How to Repair Auto Body Rust

Run your hand over some of your lower panels and you are bound to find rust breaking through. You might incur some measly bumps from old filler. Or it might just be rust breaking to the surface. Whatever the case, it needs to be sorted. If you don't fix it, it will just get bigger and grow worse.

Treating bubbly rust from the outside is a complete waste of time and money. In almost all cases the rust is on the inside of the panel, and like an iceberg, only 10 per cent has broken through.

How to tell if it's New or Repaired Rust

Smooth round bumps usually mean that the rust has been repaired before and filled with either plastic filler, or lead. The rust has continued to form, and push the filler out, (when metal rusts, it expands to many times its original size.) A dig with a sharp screwdriver will usually reveal a pinkish filler or shiny lead.

Small irregular bumps, with some brown stain, usually indicate new rust. A firm push with a narrow screwdriver will normally poke a hole right through the panel. This is called perforation rust.

In body crevices, or where paint is thin, surface rust can form. This can be identified by brown scale. Unless it is very severe, a screwdriver will not penetrate. Surface rust is not normally serious. All that is required is sanding back to shiny metal, and repainting.

Repairing Perforation Rust

• Preparing for filling

You will need the following:

1. Cork sanding block, approx 125mm x 75mm

2. 80 grit Drilube sandpaper

3. A carpenter's hammer

4. 1 x 100mm nail

Sand level any old filler that has become lumpy. If it has cracked or appears unstable, dig it out with a screwdriver or similar. If the remaining filler appears solid and well anchored, leave it as is.

Using the nail and hammer, punch in all of the rotted metal as indicated by small irregular bubbles. Look carefully all around the affected areas for bubbles about to form. These will show up as small brown stains. Punch these also. You should now have a series of round holes.

If there is more extensive rust that has already formed holes, use one of the claw tips of the hammer, to punch the rotted metal at least 6mm inward, around the hole. Always ensure that there is no weak metal level with the surface to be filled. This is best done by again tapping all around the area with the claw tip of the hammer. Finally, roughen the entire area thoroughly with 80 grit sandpaper, using the cork block. Blow off the excess dust and make absolutely sure that the area to be repaired is dry, inside and out.

Where possible, in the case of holes larger than 25mm in diameter, it will save time and filler to wedge a piece of cardboard, or similar, on the inside of the hole to support the filler as it dries. A ball of newspaper can be used to hold the cardboard in place. This can be removed later.

Dealing With Transmission Problems

The purpose of a car's transmission is to take the power that is produced by the engine and drive the wheels. The engine's crankshaft spins at a certain speed, depending on throttle position. The transmission can either reduce or increase that speed based on a selection of gears. The transmission then turns the driveshaft, which then turns the wheels.

Internal combustion engines produce most of their power over a narrow range. Therefore it is necessary to have different gear ratios to allow power over a wider range of vehicle speeds. Transmissions allow cars to have good power and good fuel efficiency at the same time. A car without one would perform very poorly or use a very large amount of gas.

The transmission is a rather complex piece of machinery, typically having anywhere from four to six speeds, and can be either manually or automatically controlled. Automatic transmissions are more complex, as these need more parts in order to shift the transmission. Manual transmissions are more simple, as the shifting is handled by the driver. Either type is prone to problems, so the more complex it is, the more likely a piece of equipment will have issues, and transmissions are no exception.

Automatic transmissions are the most popular due to their convenience. Unfortunately, automatics are much more complex than manual transmissions, and therefore are much more prone to having issues. A good transmission should last the expected lifetime of a vehicle, however problems may still arise. Transmission issues are usually easy to notice, thanks to the fact that the transmission is directly connected to the powertrain.

Because of this, a problem with the transmission can usually be heard or felt. Symptoms of problems in an automatic transmission can include such things as slow or delayed shifting, jerking, hesitation on acceleration, grinding or thumping noises, excessive vibration, whining, reduced power and engine overheating. Other symptoms can be more obvious. These are such things as a car's failure to move or transmission fluid loss, which can be seen as reddish stains on the ground underneath the car.

Manual transmissions tend to have fewer issues, but these can still occur, especially in older or heavily-driven vehicles. Symptoms for manual transmissions can include failure to shift into a gear (or multiple gears), clutch not disengaging, and odd noises such as grinding or whining. Excessive vibration, loss of fluid (normally brownish color), engine overheating and failure of the vehicle to move, despite the fact that the engine is running.

If any of these issues are encountered, it is very important not to keep driving the vehicle. If you do drive it, further transmission damage and engine damage can occur. The vehicle should be taken in to an auto repair shop as soon as possible. Be sure to note all issues encountered, and describe the problems in detail to the mechanic.

Describe any noises and any odd behavior while driving. Be sure to be thorough in your description, as this saves time in diagnosing the problem which can save you money. Transmission repair is complex and can be costly. However, by acting in a timely manner and being observant you can save money.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

How to Choose an Auto Repair Shop

What should you look for when selecting a service shop?

The best advice is to ALWAYS ask for recommendations from friends, relatives, family, and other people you trust. Fellow employees and workmates are a good place to start. Best if you locate a reputable shop before you actually need one.

This way you avoid being rushed into a last-minute decision.

USE THE TELEPHONE OR INTERNET

Shop around by using the telephone or Internet for the best deal, and then compare warranty policies on your repairs that need doing.

Inquire to see their licenses and note if they are current or not. If there is state or local law which requires auto repair shops to be licensed or registered.

A good idea is to make contact with your state Attorney Generals office or local consumer protection agency and see whether there is a record of complaints about a particular auto center.

Above all, make sure the auto shop will honor your vehicles warranty.

IMPORTANT AREAS TO CONSIDER

* Become familiar with your owners manual and follow the manufacturers suggested service schedule. A motor vehicle owners manual contains a wealth of information so it is a good idea to carefully read through it before you spend lots of your time searching in other areas. Why? Because the information that you seek could very well be right under your nose.

* It is a good idea to shop around for an auto repair shop before you actually need one; it will help when making decisions because you are not in rush or in a panic. Do not just pick the first auto repair shop that you come across. A little bit of extra effort and time spent in this direction can pay off in big dividends and wind-up saving you a bundle of cash in the process.

* It is always best to seek recommendations from friends and associates. The old-fashioned word-of-mouth reputation is still the best advice you can count on.

* Look for a tidy, well-organized auto repair shop, with cars in their parking lot of similar age and value as your own.

* All shop policies including labor costs, guarantees, methods of payment, etc., should be in open view to the public.

* Find out if the auto repair shop you are considering using usually does your type of repair, especially if you need major mechanical work.

* Are they a professional shop with a clean customer service area? Believe it or not a clean and well organized workshop is a good sign of a professional auto repair service. Why? Because it shows that they take pride in their work and want to provide the very best of service to their customers.

* Do they display any civic and community service awards, long-term membership in the Better Business Bureau, customer service awards. etc.

Put in a bit of extra leg work and research in this area, and it will reward you both now and with any future servicing and any costly repair jobs you may need to get done.

Car Scratch Repair Made Simple

Finding ugly scratches on your car is always an unpleasant surprise. Right away, you start thinking about hundreds of dollars you'll have to spend on car scratch repair and all the time you will be wasting taking your car to the paint repair shop. A lot of people don't realize that most scratches are very minor and can be easily repaired in just a few minutes. All you need is right products and good instructions.

Items you will need:

Since most scratches only damage the clear coat, you can quickly remove them with a little bit of good quality rubbing compound. Avoid using cheap products, since they can damage the paint and also leave swirl marks that can be hard to remove. High quality rubbing compound will safely fix the scratch, leaving a shiny and slick surface.

Rubbing compound works like a fine sanding paper, smoothing the edges of the scratch. This method is great only for minor clear coat scratches. If the scratch is too deep, rubbing compound will only lessen the appearance, but will not remove the scratch.

Car scratch repair instructions:

Start by cleaning out the surface with some warm water and few drops of Dawn dish soap. This will remove all the dirt and wax around the scratched area. Next, apply some rubbing compound to the foam pad that usually comes with the compound. Using back and forth motion start smoothing the compound onto the vehicle's surface. Apply some pressure, but not too much. Some people recommend using a power buffer, but I don't think it is necessary to spend $100 on the polishing machine just to repair a minor clear coat scratch.

White residue from the rubbing compound should be removed with a soft microfiber cloth. I always recommend using microfiber cloth vs. paper towel or bath towel, since other materials might leave scratches on the clear coat. Depending on the rubbing compound, you might see swirl marks on the surface, especially if you have a dark-colored car. Don't worry, there are a lot of liquid swirl removers on the market. For show room shine, follow it with polishing compound.

This easy scratch repair should take you not more than 15 minutes. When you done, it is good idea to apply wax. Good quality wax will protect your car from oxidization and weather damage. In the end, by spending only around $10, you can repair those ugly scratches yourself in just a few minutes.

Using Online Media For Your Auto Body Repair Business

Although the need for body repair shops probably arose weeks after Henry Ford produced his first automobile, technologies that support the auto body repair shop business, such as marketing and customer retention, have taken a back seat to those which are used directly for collision repair, such as paint and spray gun technologies, frame alignment, bonding systems and materials technologies.

But in a changing world, specially one dominated by information technologies, shop managers cannot ignore data-driven technologies that help auto body repair shop owners retain customers and develop new markets. Statistics around the world support the fact that e-mail, text messaging, smartphones, location-based marketing, social media, and digital advertising are components that are essential to a modern marketing, communications and customer retention strategy. You may think that text messaging or a fan page on Facebook are frivolous uses for the Internet, but savvy managers and marketers have in fact turned these platforms into business tools for reaching out to customers and analyzing trends.

For example, the explosion in the use of smartphones means that customers can be updated in real time as to the status of their vehicles under repair. A shop can coordinate simultaneously with an insurance adjuster and a customer by emailing on data-enabled smartphones. Or in the absence of email on a phone, even text messaging is enough to send a short message that can update customers and other interested parties as frequently as they want. This platform can also be used to advertise promos, send thank you messages or reminders and receive customer feedback.

As far as social media like Facebook are concerned, a page can enable a business to capture customers, receive customer referrals, increase retention, generate web site traffic without having to set up a dedicated site, gather feedback and interact with customers. Most, if not all, of the data a shop needs to establish an online rapport with customers is already in a database that has been compiled over the years. All those invoices, repair bills, repair estimates and other forms need only be entered into a computer to become a valuable asset in managing the businesses' customers.

An auto body repair shop's online presence can be as pervasive or as simple as a shop owner wants. What is apparent is that an auto body repair shop cannot ignore an online presence if it aims to be relevant in the mindspace of its target market.

Micro Entrepreneurs

Micro entrepreneurs are the owners of small businesses that have fewer than five employees and have startup costs of less than $35,000 and annual revenue of less than $100,000. There are nearly 21.5 million micro entrepreneurs in the U.S. Examples of micro entrepreneurs are owners of bakeries, beauty parlors, child care facilities, repair shops, arts and crafts shops, painting businesses, contracting businesses, family-owned shops, auto body shops, small-scale restaurants, and small-inventory trading businesses.

Micro entrepreneurs face many hurdles in getting startup financing, and they sometimes lack the skills necessary to manage the financial aspect of their business. As a result, many micro entrepreneurs cannot grow and develop their business beyond a micro enterprise. Various micro enterprise development programs have helped micro entrepreneurs achieve great success and growth. These micro enterprise development programs have immensely helped micro entrepreneurs who lack collateral needed to secure a loan or those who have low or no credit by providing them with training, support, help in developing a solid business plan, and assistance in building their businesses. Successful micro entrepreneurs have contributed much to society by creating wealth, economic assets, and jobs.

How To Become A Micro Entrepreneur

It is essential to study the market thoroughly and understand that market's customers before deciding on the type and kind of product or service to be offered.

Here are some suggestions:

Work out a sound business plan by doing extensive research and seeking help from the various micro enterprise development programs.

Make arrangements for the startup capital by using savings, opting for a micro loan program, or applying for a grant.

Do extensive market research, get the necessary training and skills required, and learn how to use technology to help run your business easily.

Study the competition and analyze how you can better them.

Get a good retail space to run your business as well as decide on the price, making sure it is right and has a profit margin; decide how to utilize the profit, whether you want to save it or reinvest and expand your micro business.

Make sure that the quality of the product is never compromised and that your customers are happy, ensuring customer retention.

Assistance for Micro Entrepreneurs

Micro entrepreneurs in the U.S. are in need of training and skill development workshops as well as help in utilizing technology to help run their business. Some micro entrepreneurs need access to easily available funds for startup and growth. In order to encourage more people to become micro entrepreneurs, state, federal, and private sectors should make available ample funding for such enterprises.

With a little effort, you can find firms that sell their services as well as products to help run successful businesses. You can even seek professional help to arrange business credit for micro enterprises.

Promotional Items - Small Auto Mechanics Can Get Big Results

Independent auto mechanics have to compete with big brand names like Mr. Goodwrench, Tuffy Auto, Tires Plus, Aamco and countless other national chains. Getting your message out without a national advertising budget means you have to compete on a different playing field. But that doesn't mean your local one or two-man garage can't compete and even thrive in the market.

The single most important promotional product and marketing tool you have is honesty. Every consumer is looking for a reliable, affordable, and honest car mechanic. Gaining a customer's trust is priceless in terms of repeat business and new referrals. Another high impact promotional device is minuscule in cost yet it is extremely effective; the window sticker that sticks on the customer's vehicle reminding them of their next oil change. Try tying this sticker in with a discount on their next oil change and you'll find a true business builder. Have your local printer or online promotional provider make some customized stickers with spaces for mileage and the date of the next oil change, and then just stick it on the customer's windshield. You can also order a series of pre-printed stickers with various promotions.

The next two items that are long term winners are key chains and refrigerator magnets. Once you have a loyal customer, make it easy for them to find your phone number to book an appointment. People hang on to key chains and magnets for a long time, especially if they know they will require your service again.

But don't spend too much time reinventing the wheel! Effective promotional products are coupons in a local newspaper or in coupon clipper magazines; these always bring in new and repeat business. Consistency is the guiding principal here. Running a coupon occasionally will not cut it. Keep those coupons out there every week, year after year. That's how your independent garage becomes a brand name in your community!

If you're willing and able to do car inspections, make sure to feature that in all print, radio, and local television advertising. Many customers want a vehicle inspection before purchasing a used car or truck, so educate the public about your wide range of services.

Tire gauges with your logo and phone number are nice promotional giveaways, especially if you offer tire repairs or tire sales. Digital gauges on key rings are also available and are quite inexpensive. On larger repair jobs you might want to provide a pricier gift, such as a roadside emergency kit, first aid bag, or even a personal vacuum. These items are more expensive but can be worth it for good customers who you want to keep coming back.

Joining the local chamber of commerce and accessing a list of new people moving into your town enables you to build a mailing list of new residents. Send them some promotional items or postcards; everyone needs car repairs and tune-ups, so a direct mail campaign can have very positive results and response rates. Remember, sooner or later everyone will need tires, oil changes, and auto repairs. So make sure you promote in the large universe of potential customers and they will come!

Why You Should Repair a Chipped or Cracked Windshield

The windshield is the front glass of a car. Many people do not know how important it is to check their car's windshield condition (this is important because you might not know when the glass will crack or break). The majority of damaged windshields are caused during driving on the freeway behind the big semi trucks or trailers. The crack of the windshield usually is caused by the stones that roll under the semi's tires and shoot out at the car behind it, causing the glass to chip or crack. When by accident it gets chipped or cracked, the windshield will need replacement because by any chance the glass could break and there will be a higher chance of danger.

During an accident, when the airbags pop, the cracked windshield might not sustain the pressure and might break or even push out from its location. Another important fact about windshields is that they protect the roof of the cars from collapsing in case of a rollover. Without a windshield, the roof of the car might collapse during a rollover. Windshields hold the roof and keep the passengers safe inside. A cracked windshield sometimes creates an immediate sun glare in a sunny day. An immediate sun glare creates temporary blindness and that can cause a serious accident.

There are many local auto glass companies that repair chipped and cracked windshields. The technician(s) evaluate the size and type of cracks (this is their specialty).

Auto glass technician(s) can evaluate the windshield damage and prevent a chip to convert to a crack from spreading further. They can repair auto glass and leave the factory seal around the glass intact. That's why it's important to repair a windshield chip as soon as you spot it. The repair process will often take less than half an hour to complete and restores the structural integrity of the windshield.

An expert auto glass technician should also check for the type of windshield that you might have such as:

Rain sensing windshields

Windshield with film protection

Heated windshields

Heads up display windshield

In general, the majority of car insurance companies cover the cost of the repairing or replacing of the auto glasses. You can also contact you car insurance company in case of chips and cracks on the windshield.

Whenever you decide it is time to repair the cracked windshield of your car, go online and find the best deals.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Why You Need a Wheel Balancer Now

The automotive repair industry has made many strides since the days of the the Ford T model. Over the years there many tools that have been developed to assist automotive repair technicians in assessing problems. With the high demand on tire changing and tire repair, a good wheel balancer has been a staple and necessity in any decent auto repair shop.

Even the most novice of drivers understands that it's important to maintain their tires. Good balance means stability while on the drive, thus leading to safety. That's where the wheel balancer comes in handy.

Any balancer allows an automotive repair technician to make sure all the wheels on a vehicle are balanced correctly. There are liabilities that auto shops have to deal with when repairing a customer's car. That's why a tool such as the wheel balancer that is extremely accurate comes as a huge help.

When deciding to buy a wheel balancer, it's best to get one that's computerized. With a computerized one, you can have more than one person work on a wheel at a time. This allows an auto shop to be more efficient while maintaining the same level of accuracy.

Some wheel balancers allow for two dimensional semi-automatic parameter entry. In plain English this just means that two out of every three parameters are already entered automatically, thus making work for you the automotive technician easier.

Another interesting feature the have is when they have hidden spoke program. This type of program can project different weight calculations, taking into account any additional weight the vehicle may encounter. This foresight ensures a smoother ride.

The right balancer will also work with tires form small trucks and light sports utility vehicles, as well as cars. This gives you as a mechanic, the ability to take on different types of customers with the same piece of equipment.

I can write ad nausea the reasons you not only need a wheel balancer, but need to pick the right one. It's obvious that it's a must in any automotive repair shop. The key is to find the right one that will make your job go smoothly. That's the whole point of having such a fine tool.

Car Repair Prices: Who Charges More, Dealerships or Local Shops?

Many argue that dealership prices are 4 to 6 times higher than local shops. This is farfetched. That would mean that $100 at a local shop would be $400 to $600 at a dealership. Dealerships aren't run by the sharpest businessmen, but this kind of pricing discrepancy would put dealers out of business, fast. The sources calculating such pricing gaps are never quoted, so I am not sure from where such data comes, but let's look at what's really going on.

First, 98 % of ALL service centers are overcharging. This includes dealerships, local shops and franchises. Stating that dealerships charge four to six times higher unfairly singles out this portion of the industry. We need to watch out for every type of service facility. While it's always easier to focus on the big, faceless name of a dealership, it's unwise. Your local mechanic who you pass in the grocery store is just as likely to rip you off.

Surprisingly, in many respects, a dealership is often less expensive. To be clear, I am not siding with dealerships. Again, no matter what type of facility one services a vehicle, some type of price-gouging will occur. Having said that, here are some common myths about dealership prices.

Myth One: The parts are more money.

This is not true. Dealers, for the most part, stick to MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) guidelines. Guidelines, as abused as they are, are better than none. Local shops have no guidelines. They can charge whatever they want.

We've all been taught that aftermarket parts are less expensive than factory/MSRP parts--this is not true. A frequent "case in point" is air filter prices. Below is a sample from one of many actual invoices:

Dealership/MSRP Price: $17.00 (factory fiber filter)

Local Shop/Aftermarket Price: $32.00 (aftermarket paper filter)

Tip...always compare you're aftermarket part price against MSRP, you'll be surprised just how much your local garage is charging you for inferior parts.

Myth 2: The labor "time" is higher.

Actually, many dealers follow manufacturer recommendations and industry standard multipliers. In other words, they're not just shooting from the hip. The labor "time" (i.e., how long it takes to repair something--1, 2, 3 hours...etc.) may be lower than the resulting times from the labor price-gouging tricks practiced by your local garage.

This is not to say that dealers don't practice labor tricks--they're the masters! It is to say that they are more inclined to follow suggested guidelines.

Myth 3: Dealers always rip people off.

In the automotive service industry, every type of service center rips you off, dealers are no exception.

Things You Never Knew About Auto Window Tinting

There are several benefits of auto window tinting. Some of these ideas may have never crossed your mind. Fighting global warming is on the list--really. Here's how that works. Keeping your car cooler with auto glass tinting, in theory, could help with greenhouse gas emissions in cars, by allowing you to use less energy to cool the car--more to drive the car. Another huge benefit that you might not have thought about, is the films ability to keep windows from coming apart in collisions. Auto glass is generally very resistant to breaking. It tends to just shatter and not scatter its pieces into a passenger compartment. On the other hand, automobile window tinting provides another line of defense against window shattering. Bet you would have never associated tinted windows with passenger safety.

The car tinting film is attached to windows by adhesive. This makes the windows even less likely to break in the case of an accident. Many injuries are caused by flying glass, even with the best intention of the car builders. Auto window tinting is one of the few add on after market products that can measurably be shown to improve car and passenger safety.

There are additional benefits to tinted windows on top of its safety prowess. Skin cancer has certainly become a major topic of discussion in the sunny climes of the United States and other countries. The continual reminders to wear your sun screen when you are outside, seems to die down when automobiles are discussed. Yet, you can get as much exposure riding in a sunny car as you would a full day on any beach in the world. I can't think of many people who worry about applying sun screen INSIDE their cars. That's where auto window tinting comes in as a cancer fighter. Keeping the skin harming UV Rays outside the care with tinted windows is a great health benefit.

Keeping the UV rays outside the car also benefits your car's interior too. Continuous exposure to the sun causes car seats, dashboards, and even upholstery to crack and fade. Auto window tinting is another way to fight back against the sun and keep your car looking showroom fresh.

The number one reason people give for installing tinted windows is privacy. I know people who are absolutely certain to place items in the trunk of their car, rather than leave them in the passenger compartment where they might be seen. Auto window tinting is an answer to those seeking privacy while they are in their vehicles. A thief can't smash and grab something he doesn't know is there. With privacy provided by your tinted windows, you may feel a little safer in your car.

Auto Repair Shops - How to Find a Good One in 3 Easy Steps

Is it time for you again to have the routine checkup for your vehicle? Is your car acting weird and you're worried that the problem may be more serious than what you think? If that's the case and you're living in San Francisco, you are not going to have any problem finding an auto repair shop that will be able to cater to your needs. As a matter of fact, you might even be overwhelmed at the number of auto shops in the area. You virtually have an endless choice, so you have to work your way through the shops to find the one that will give you the best service at the right price. And with that, you only need these three easy steps.

1.Shop around the neighborhood. This is recommended since you have a lot of choices to choose from and there's no mandated average rate by the government so you might pay from as little as only a few dollars if you're lucky to hundreds of dollars if you aren't. Driving around your area will help a lot in giving you an idea about the price range of different auto repair shops and the kind of service these are offering.

2.Compare prices. Of course, once you've shopped around for different shops around the San Francisco area, you're going to have a good idea on how much you are most likely to pay for the services. This will help you in setting your budget more clearly, if you still haven't. It will also allow you to gauge how much you are really willing to spend for a specific service that you want to have done.

3.Talk to the mechanics. One of the most taken for granted but most important factors in finding a good auto repair shop in San Francisco is having a good relationship with the people there. Remember that you're going to leave your car behind in their care, so you have to make sure that the mechanics and other staff fully understand what you want to happen. The only thing worse than not finding a good auto repair shop is not finding it because the mechanics are difficult to deal with.

So the next time you are in need of an auto repair shop in San Francisco, know that you have plenty of options. It's an advantage to others, but it can also be a disadvantage especially if you don't know your way around and don't know how to pick a good auto repair shop in your area. And if that's the case, then all you have to do is follow these 3 steps and it will be much easier for you to land in an auto repair shop in San Francisco that will give you your money's worth.

Hit by Hail? Costs of Paintless Dent Removal

For me as a committed car enthusiast, I find getting hit by hail stones or some other impact which puts a dent in my beloved paintwork a very frustrating situation. I mean, I didn't just buy a car from a dealer with an amazing paint job just to get it ruined by dents all over. So when this happens I tend to get the dent repaired as soon as possible. One option to repair dents is where they do the repair job without having to repaint.

Why Use Paintless Dent Removal?

The main advantage of using this technique is that it leaves the original paint in place, removing the job of finding exact match paint for a re-spray. Another advantage of using this method is it removes the possibility of mistakes in repainting the damaged area, not only in the color as mentioned above but also the possibility of over spraying onto other areas of the vehicle.

Also, the car repairer doesn't need to fill the damaged area or sand it. Because of this, using the paintless repair techniques means the cost to the consumer will often be less compared to traditional repair jobs. Not only that but some repair companies will have a quick turnaround compared to the older repair methods. Some will even do the job in the same day.

What Can Be Repaired?

Due to stronger and better paint being made available in the more modern cars (around the early 90's), the paintless dent repair can often be used of many different types of dents.

The dent can usually be repaired this way as long as;

1. It is not near the edge of the metal.

2. The area of the dent has not previously had a traditional repair job (with filler for example).

3. The paint in the dent area hasn't been cracked or damaged in some other way.

As long as the dent falls in the above situations then many dents; small to even very large (football sized) types can be repaired.

Summary

Overall I think this way of repairing dents is a great idea and it is certainly worth thinking about if your car body work gets damage by hail stones or by something else. If you are similar to me then you may not have heard about this method until recently. This shows how doing a bit of research can really add knowledge which gives us practical things we can use in keeping our cars in the best of condition.

My Auto's Headlights Are Hazy, Cloudy and Yellow - What Can I Do?

The Problem - since the late 1980's, most automobile and light truck headlights have been made out of polycarbonate, a type of plastic. This material gives the auto maker greater design freedom than conventional glass headlights. Polycarbonate is impact resistant and easily formed into complex shapes.

Unfortunately, polycarbonate is also very porous and easily damaged by ultraviolet exposure from the sun. To seal and protect the polycarbonate, headlight makers apply a protective outer coating during manufacture. It is the breakdown of this coating which causes the yellowing and cloudiness.

Until recently, the only solution was to replace the entire headlight assembly, which can easily cost hundreds of dollars per lens.

The hazard is when headlights deteriorate, light is scattered and is not projected forward where you need it. The ability to see clearly in front of you can be reduced up to 75% producing a major safety hazard! This is especially dangerous on unlit winding roads or during bad weather. When headlights get this bad, many drivers will continuously drive with their high beams on in an attempt to see where they are going. If you are an owner of vehicles, you may incur some liability if you allow a car or truck with significantly deteriorated headlights to operate in your fleet.

A simple process to remove the old protective coating and replace it with a new one is the only way to produce a clear lens that can withstand damaging sunlight. There are now products that can be used to remove only the damaged UV coating. No high speed puffing or sanding is necessary. The plastic has to be protected from future damage however, so a new protective layer similar to the original is brushed on the lenses. This process will offer years of protection from damaging UV light and road debris. This unique hard coating is tough enough to repel impacts and flexible enough to expand and contract with temperature changes. The hard coating is absolute imperative to protect the headlight lenses from damage. Just using waxes or spray protectant on the lenses is not enough.

These products are only available to headlight restoration companies at this time and are not offered for retail sales. Automotive headlights will need some maintenance as they age to keep the vehicle looking its best and lighting the roadways the way they were designed.

Take the time to take a look at yours, for you and your families' safe driving.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Tips on How to Repair Fibreglass

Many people prefer to use fibreglass to make things with as it is durable, lightweight and sometime also inexpensive. You'll see it being widely used in the car industry, the sporting equipment business and even the construction industry. Because of its waterproof quality, it's used in boat production and pool installations as well.

But what happens when fibreglass fails your expectations and break? Well, the good news is fibreglass can be repaired as long as you have your facts straight. In fact, many boat owners find it very useful to learn how to repair fibreglass just in case they encounter any unfortunate accidents with their boats.

If you encounter a fibreglass repair the first thing you should do is to assess the impact of the damage Make sure to check on both sides for any signs of damage. Once you find something, do not try to simply patch the hole up with polyester resin because that's only a temporary solution. You need to smoothly cut away the damaged area first then start repair on it.

Once you get a smooth hole, work from the inside of the object and slowly lay the layers of repair materials you have at hand. Make sure to keep track of the different chemicals you'll use as there are some chemicals that don't actually work with other. Don't forget to exercise caution when handling power tools.

Find a detailed guide that can teach you how to repair fibreglass on your own. Since fibreglass repair kits are readily available at your local hardware store and auto body repair shop, you'll be able to repair fibreglass on your own.

Be a Responsible Driver and Take Care of Your Vehicle

If you are driving a vehicle on the road you need to be a responsible driver. There are many lives at your hands every time you sit behind the wheel. Being responsible means driving with care, using your blinker, stopping completely at stop signs, stopping for yellow instead of speeding up, checking both ways always and it also means taking care of your vehicle. Many times people are the road are driving unsafely because they do not take proper care of their vehicle and they cause accidents on the road. Find out how you can be a responsible driver by taking care of your vehicle.

The first step is making sure that you have clear visibility of the road. There are two things that may be hindering your sight other than your rear view mirror decorations. The first is your windshield. If you windshield is cracked, chipped or broken in any way you are hindering your vision. Also it is very unsafe for the people that are riding in your vehicle since there is a higher chance of it bursting into your vehicle. This can easily be repaired if you get it taken care of right away. Many times the repair specialist can even come to you to fix your windshield. The best part is your insurance will most likely pay for most or all of the costs. However if you wait too long you will have to get it replaced which will cost you more time and money. The next item that could be affecting your visibility is your headlights. Nine out of ten vehicles on the road today have cloudy, hazy, or discolored headlights. This reduces the drivers night vision my 90% at night. This can also be repaired quite easily at an auto body repair shop in a short time. Don't wait when safety is a concern.

Also if you need auto body repairs to your car you are not being responsible driving with your vehicle is such conditions. I have seen cars on the road that literally have pieces of auto body panels or bumpers hanging on by a fraction of a piece. If that piece was to fall off and hit a person or another car it could severely injure them and/or cause a serious accident. Either of which no driver wants to be responsible. So, take your car to an auto body repair shop and they can help get your car in safe driving condition. Since most damaged areas can be repaired instead of replaced you are also being a responsible person for the environment as well.

Remember your vehicle is your responsibility. If any part of your vehicle needs attention you need to be responsible and take care of it as soon as possible. That way you can drive safer and make the roads safer for everyone around you. Even though your one car can't prevent all accidents from happening it is a start to preventing at least one. Find an experienced auto body professional to take care of all your car care needs today.

What the Heck is Tempered Glass?

Automobile glass uses tempered glass all the way around the vehicle - except, of course, the windshield which is laminated glass. The primary use of this type of glass is for situations when stronger glass is more preferable. It is also ideal for any situation that calls for extra safety in case it should crack or break (this type of glass will shatter into thousands of tiny pieces instead of large, dangerous shards of glass).

Experts say that tempered glass is at least five times stronger than regular glass. This is because it has been through a controlled heating process during its production. The simple explanation of how this process works is that the glass is placed into a tempering oven. The oven is set to an extreme heat. The glass heats up and then is quickly removed and cooled down in quick fashion. The rapid cooling produces a hard outer layer of glass.

There are many nick names for this type of glass. The most common term is Tempered Glass. Most professionals will use the phrase "tempered glass" when referring to this type of glass. However, any of these nick names will also work: heat treated glass, thermal glass, and the ever popular "safety glass".

There are two primary benefits to using tempered glass. The first, as mentioned above, is that the heating process makes it stronger and less apt to break. The heating process also makes its surface area highly resistant to scratching. The second benefit is why the glass also bears the nickname of Safety Glass. When this type of glass breaks, it will shatter into possibly thousands of tiny pieces of glass. Although these small pieces are not completely harmless, they are much less likely to hurt someone than long shards of glass (such as you would get when breaking a typical home window).

The safety benefit of this type is great for use in car windows, tub and showers, display cases (such as jewelry cases or any other type of cases that are subject to being handled by the general public), table tops, storefront display windows, and even doors (like the all-glass entrance doors used by major department stores).

Although you probably don't realize it, your computer monitor most likely uses tempered glass for its screen. Most kitchen ware uses it too, such as coffee pots or juice carafes. Does your oven have a window so you can watch things cook and bake? Guess what: that oven window is made from tempered glass. Most refrigerator shelves are also made from tempered glass. And last (but certainly not least), your everyday pair of sunglasses are made from tempered glass! If sunglasses weren't made from safety glass, can you imagine the millions of lawsuits that would be filed against sunglasses manufactures? Thankfully, most of them are made from tempered glass or even plastic; it's extremely difficult for a person to harm themselves when they break their sunglasses.

If there is a detriment to the process of tempering, it is that the glass must be fully prepared in its final form before undergoing the heating process - there can be no cuts or drilling of any kind after the tempering process has been completed. If you were to try to alter the final form in any way, the glass would more than likely shatter into a thousand pieces the moment you placed any significant pressure on it.

If you'd like to learn more, contact your local glass expert. He or she can provide you with the latest and greatest information regarding the tempering process.

Time For A Transmission Repair? Prolonging The Life Of Your Car

Having to take your motor vehicle into a shop for a transmission repair is not something that anyone wants to think about. Not only can it be a time consuming job, it can also be a very costly one as well! But there is good news on the horizon: there are things you can do in order to prolong the life of your car's transmission.

What can you do to avoid having to visit a transmission repair facility in the near future?

You can make it a practice to check the transmission fluid in your engine on a regular basis. Refer to your owner's manual to learn the proper procedure for doing so. This simple step can go a long way in keeping your car running smoothly. You should change it at a minimum of twice during a calendar year.

Not only should you check your transmission fluid frequently but you should also check it after it has been running hot for a while. But take care not to burn yourself, because a hot engine can be very dangerous! Excess heat can cause fluid to be lost. In fact, any number of conditions can lead to the loss of fluid. These include hot weather, hills, stopping and starting often and having a vehicle towed. The life of the transmission will be prolonged by an external cooler, because it helps to reduce friction and heat.

Be aware that the fluid's job is to clean, cool and lubricate all of the internal parts of the transmission while at the same time it administers the hydraulic pressure that keeps all of the elements of the system working together in unison. When the liquid in the system is not working as it is supposed to, this can spell trouble for your car.

If you sense any malfunctions taking place, it is important that you take your automobile into a transmission repair center as soon as you possibly can. Choosing to ignore a problem and continuing to drive with it that way will only make things worse. In fact your repair bill is likely to be even higher the more miles you put on your car. Think of it this way: the more damage that occurs, the more cash you will need to shell out to get your engine back into stellar working order.

It is also a good idea to have the linkage checked periodically, as well as any other adjustments that may be required. This is particularly the case if you have taken your car in for any major work on the interior or if you have recently been in an accident.

When a vehicle needs a tune-up it will not be on its best behavior! An engine that is running poorly can on occasion mimic the same symptoms that would occur if the transmission were having issues. Be aware of this, and get your car tuned up when it needs it!

How Can a Mobile Mechanic Assist With Fleet Maintenance?

When you operate a business and have a fleet of cars and trucks, they can soak up a lot of financial resources in a number of ways. Fleet care requires retaining personnel that has the necessary expertise to handle a variety of maintenance and repair services. In addition, the cost of maintaining parts inventories or buying emergency parts can get very expensive.

Fleet maintenance needs skilled attention and cost control measures in order to prevent runaway expenses. When operating a business, it's important to function as efficiently as possible. Tying up company personnel and financial resources to handle fleet maintenance and emergency repairs is not the best way to manage the bottom line...not when you can use mobile mechanic services.

Reducing Costs to Generate Profit

Cost effective fleet maintenance equates to two goals.

* Keeping your fleet operating at peak performance for minimum cost

* Having access to skilled auto mechanics when needed without incurring unnecessary expenses for "just-in-case" breakdowns

Mobile fleet service can help you meet both goals. Using efficient roadside or business location fleet servicing is an economical approach to satisfying the important need of keeping your trucks and cars running. In fact, mobile mechanics can provide both routine and emergency services. Your business doesn't need to maintain fleet personnel and parts inventories and can focus resources on those expenses which generate profit.

Prevent and Repair...Equally Important!

There are a number of services mobile mechanics can provide. From auto electricians to general car repair to ongoing maintenance, on-site fleet services provide essential and emergency auto services you can depend on to be high quality when you choose professional and certified mechanics.

The kinds of services fleet mobile mechanics can provide include the following.

* Preventive and routine mechanical maintenance including oil changes, filter replacements, lubrication of suspension systems, fluid checks and refills, and tire air checks

* Emergency roadside services which get your employees back on the road and able to reach customers

* Routine safety checks including brakes, belts and hoses, and lights

* Transmission maintenance

* Air conditioning recharging

Instead of giving up use of your business vehicles for days at a time which is common with fixed-site locations, the mobile mechanic provides services at your place of business at your convenience. Even if you need after business hours services, the mobile car care service is accommodating.

A mobile mechanic that has been certified is able to provide a wide range of auto repair services which save your business money while extending the lives of your vehicles. Experienced auto mechanics can repair automobiles, trucks, vans, and even motorcycles and are qualified to work on both diesel and gas vehicles.

The Competitive Spirit

The mobile fleet service visits to your place of business and does necessary repairs and maintenance to scheduled vehicles. You can establish a schedule where the mobile service does all routine maintenance in a single visit or you can establish a rotating fleet maintenance schedule. Either way the mobile mechanic service assists a company with fleet maintenance on many levels.

* Significantly lowers labour costs for vehicle maintenance

* Insures repairs and maintenance are performed on a routine basis increasing vehicle life and operating efficiency

* Eliminates need to carry expensive auto and truck parts inventory

* Waste oil is legally disposed of after routine changes

* Emergency road assistance is always available so personnel can return to work quickly

* Parts and labour meet industry standards and factory authorisations

The many benefits and services you can get with mobile fleet maintenance and repair are important anytime but especially when staying as competitive as possible is a requirement for economic survival. The convenience and efficiency of mobile auto and truck fleet maintenance is one of the most important steps you can take to reach that competitive goal.