How Qualified is Your Auto Body Specialist?

Just driving down the street you will come across many auto repair shops. Some will look nice on the outside and others not so fancy. Some will have great rates posted outside to attract you in. Some will offer you something "free" with the purchase of something else. Some will be dressed professional and others more relaxed. However, what matters most is how qualified the auto body specialists are that work there. What makes them qualified to work on your baby that you spend so much money on and rely on so much, your vehicle?

Just like any other career in life you will need to have some experience or education on what you are trying to do. It is important that your auto body specialist has been properly trained on how to repair vehicles. You would not let an untrained accountant handle your money decisions, so what is different about your auto repair specialist. Yes many people can be good with cars and can perform their own car repairs, however if you are paying to have your car repaired you want to be assured that you are paying for the best quality work from a professional.

So, how do you know if your auto body specialist is a trained and certified professional?

If your auto body specialist has attended a trade, technical or community college program for auto body repairs that is a good way judge their qualification. You can even check the program they were in to ensure that it is a legitimate program with practical applications.

Also, you want to see if they have any certifications for their achievements in auto body repair. There are many different forms so be sure to check out which one they are certified from.

One certification that is valid is the I-CAR certification. The I-CAR Platinum Individual program recognizes individuals who have achieved the highest level of collision industry training. Those who attain this designation demonstrate their commitment to the collision industry, professionalism, and ongoing training. So, if your auto body specialist holds this certification you can verify that they have been properly training on auto body repairs and that they will bring that knowledge and skill to every job they complete. Keep in mind this is just one as an example, there are many others that are valid.

You not only want to know that they have been educated and trained for auto body repair, but you want to see for your own eyes that they produce quality work. You should and are advised to ask to see samples of their previous work. That way you can see for yourself that you like their quality of work. Remember you will be spending time and money to get your car looking great so you want to be sure that you don't waste either your time or money because you didn't choose a qualified auto body repair specialist.

Start looking today for a qualified auto body professional to handle all of your vehicles needs!

Insurance Claim Supplements - How to Submit Claim Supplements

A claim supplement is a claim for additional repair or replacement costs. Supplements are commonplace in the claims process. However, if you are a policyholder unaware of your policy rights, you could be walking away from hundreds or thousands of dollars that you are entitled to collect.

Claim supplements usually occur after a policyholder submits a claim, gets paid and gets the repairs or replacements completed. Then, additional damage is discovered some time later.

Many people erroneously think that, once the claim is closed, it cannot be re-opened. And, insurance companies and their adjusters usually don't rush to tell you how to submit a claim supplement. So, what to do? Let's look at car insurance claims and property insurance claims.

For any kind of supplemental claim, you must contact your insurance company and give them your original claim number. The best way to notify the company is in writing, sent Certified Mail. That way, you'll know who signed for the letter. The insurer will have to re-open the claim. You might get the same adjuster as before, but maybe not.

Car Insurance Supplemental Claims

Lots of supplements happen when cars are getting repaired. Many times, hidden damages are discovered when the body shop begins dismantling the car. So, while the insurance company may have issued payment to the body shop from the original repair estimate, they will issue a second check for the supplemental repairs. Happens all the time, no big deal.

However, sometimes post-repair problems don't show up right away. A good example is the Air Conditioning system. If you have a car wreck in July, you might not notice that your heater is malfunctioning until fall or winter. But when any damages are discovered that can be directly related to the original insured loss, you can submit a supplement. Simply document the damages and their cause and send the supplement to the insurance company. No additional deductible is assessed, since you already paid it once.

Property Insurance Supplemental Claims

Homeowners, Renters or Business insurance claims can find a need for a supplemental claim for some of the same reasons found in car insurance claims. Seasonal issues can bring up damages related to the original loss. But, some other issues might present themselves. You may have an expert's report that shows additional damage attributable to the original loss. Your contractor may have found hidden damage that must be repaired. In any event, carefully document your claim and submit it to the insurance company.

Be sure that you are collecting all the money you are entitled to collect. Use supplemental claims whenever your claim requires it.

If you have experienced a property loss, whether fire, wind, flood or other, you need to know winning insurance claim strategies. The insurance company will not tell you the claims process, but I will. I will show you how to take control of your insurance claim, and add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your claim settlement. For more information, go to the website listed below.

Your Auto Mechanic Wants You to Know - Really!

There are many articles that talk about what your mechanic doesn't want you to know. This write up is about what your mechanic DOES want you to know. Over the years there have been investigative reports catching bad mechanics in the act of outright dishonest practices and sometimes blatantly stealing. Just as in life there are more good people than bad, there are also more good, hardworking mechanics than dishonest ones. Many of the technicians I know make more money than college graduates, although they seem to garner less respect. This is because of perception, culture has trained our minds to think more of a person if they are well dressed. I've experienced this myself, people look at me differently when I'm in work clothes compared to when I'm in a suit. With this being said, your mechanic wants you to know the following.  

If he gets the job done fast, it doesn't mean that the repair fee wasn't earned. On the flip side, if the car takes longer to repair, a flat rate technician doesn't charge more. Experience necessary to become an auto technician is gained by on the job training, becoming an apprentice, or from attending a tech school. Technical schools can provide a good foundation, but In the end there is no substitute for learning on the job. A good mechanic absorbs knowledge from his years of experience working on cars and from the automotive technicians he has worked with over the years. When it comes to car repair, knowledge is money and just because your mechanic can repair your car quickly in many cases, it doesn't mean his fee was not earned or that you were overcharged. There truly is no substitute for experience.

Automotive technicians have huge investments in their tools, just a quality tool box adequate to store his equipment typically runs several thousand dollars. If you don't believe it just ask your mechanic the next time you visit his shop. Also as time goes on, there are more tools needed to work on the newer vehicles with their evolving systems. Software updates for scan tools are updated every year or two to keep them current. Specialty tools are developed that may sometimes only be used for one specific job. In many cases, your mechanic will have ten times the investment in his tools compared to the value of the car he drives.

Diagnosing cars with intermittent problems is like chasing a ghost. If your car isn't acting up, a correct diagnosis is difficult. The experience of your mechanic  may enable him to make an educated guess, but keep in mind the more information you can provide the better. The last thing he wants is to have you back with the same complaint. Be very descriptive, if the car makes a particular noise it's important to know when it occurs, what sound it makes and the duration. Ask him if he would like to go for a ride; if you can duplicate the problem on a test drive, the chances are much better of a correct diagnosis in a timely manner. 

He also wants you to know that your loyalty does count for something. 

What Are the Basics to Car Repair?

Knowledge about something is always an advantage. There will always be an event in our life that requires application of this knowledge. We must not really be an expert, but we should at least have enough idea of a concept, so that we will be able to utilize it. Cars are one of our life savers. It allows us to go home early and it frees us, from the hassle of commuting using public transportation system. However, cars might give us a big problem, especially if it suddenly stopped in the middle of the road and we don't have a single idea how to fix it or check what went wrong. This type of situation makes us realize how important it is to know the basics of car repair.

A study conducted in US revealed that many motorists have deficiency in car repair skills, even just the basic ones. This circumstance leads to more car breakdown that compromises safety of the commuter. Lack of skills in basic car repair also means greater expenses, since most of the simple activities like tire changing or oil top up are saved up for garages. Cars which are not properly maintained will also incur larger damage.

One does not have to enrol in a mechanic class to know the basics; although it can also be an option, depending on a person's choice. Maybe you can spend a day in a garage and you'll realize that simply watching other people doing these simple tasks for a couple of occasions, will be enough to give you a gist of how they actually do it. Observation alone might not just be sufficient, so prepare to ask question, especially if things are unclear to you. For sure, they will be glad to answer your queries and share you their knowledge. Skills with tire or oil changing and basic tune ups will not be acquired just by observation. You have to make use of the concept you learned by applying it in actual, with the guidance of the expert at first. If you are already confident to do the stuff, then, it is already safe to do it alone.

One must have excellent diagnostic abilities in order to properly address the problem. Knowing the problem in the first place will lead you to the correct solution. Just checking the entire car starting with the hood will surely provide you with a good idea.

Furthermore, you cannot perform any task if you don't have the needed equipments. Make sure to have extra tire, car jack, towing cable, self illuminating signages and other car repair essentials in order to get the job done. You may also want to have a first aid kit in case any minor accident happens.

Maintaining German Cars With Quality German Auto Parts

German luxury cars are very popular, high-end vehicles that people love to drive in style. Vehicles such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz have a fine reputation for top-notch quality and a classy look. These cars cost a fortune, it is very important to preserve the quality and longevity of German luxury vehicles using German auto parts.

All cars break down to some degree after a while, and it is imperative that the parts be replaced with the make and model of the vehicle needing repair. Many auto dealers sell a wide variety of foreign and American auto repair products, so there are many products to choose from. Many dealers charge quite a bit, so many people are looking for alternative means of buying replacement parts.

Many German auto parts are available on the Internet at a reduced price than they are sold for at a live dealership. Virtual car dealerships sell to people all over the world and have good products and competitive shipping costs. Savvy auto consumers should make sure the part meets the OEM requirements to assure accurate and safe part replacement.

Car mechanics should look for Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM parts when repairing German-made vehicles. These types of parts are designed and packaged to meet the specific requirements of the luxury car's make and model. OEM parts are thought to be authentic and reliable products, so many consumers search for these products.

Good maintenance involves using quality auto parts to keep the car running smoothly and efficiently. German auto products are available to repair even the most elite vehicles, including such popular brand names as Porsche and Saab. High quality products tend to last a long time, and German luxury cars are no exception because they are well engineered and built to last...

Can I Drive My Car 300,000 miles? Yes, With Excellent Basic Maintenance

Most late model automobiles (those manufactured in the last 10 years) will run well for 200,000 plus miles if correctly maintained. This does NOT mean that repairs will not be required.

Minimum Basic Maintenance

• Change oil and filter every 3000 miles. This means every 3000 miles even if the manufacturer recommends 6000 miles or more between oil changes. Oil is cheap compared to replacing the car or funding major repairs.


• I recommend a tune up every 20,000 miles. Many times this require nothing more than changing the spark plugs. Check with your technician and repair shop on this. If you have an honest mechanic he or she will tell you what you need. This is the major reason for finding an honest shop and mechanic and sticking with them.


• Check your air filter with every oil change. It will not need changing every time but under dusty and dirty conditions most owners do not change the air filter often enough.


• Have your brakes inspected at least annually depending upon the amount that you drive and the conditions under which you drive. Insist on high quality brake pads and parts they will pay for the added expense with long wear and greater safety. I recommend Wagner Theroquiet pads.


• Have the wheel alignment checked with every set of tires or anytime that a wear problem, or steering control problem show up.


• Have your battery checked every two years. Low battery voltage can create all kinds of difficult to diagnosis problems.


• Add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner with every oil change.


• Change the fuel filter every two years if it is external to the fuel tank. Change it more often if condition or operation of the vehicle indicate the need.


• In general the manufactures' recommended service interval is adequate for transmissions, differentials and wheel bearings. Most owners do not service their transmissions at the recommended intervals and pay the price.


• 
  Timing belts deserve a little special treatment. Do not go over the manufactures' recommended interval for the conditions of your driving. A separate article will address timing belts.


• Treat you car with the love that you would give a cherished possession.

Find a quality shop and technician to perform your repairs and maintenance. This is an important part of getting 200,000 of service from your car. This is the only way that a car ever is a useful and profitable investment.

Every mile that you drive your car is worth $0.20 charged against the initial cost and repair cost. This does not include insurance, license, tires and fuel. This translates into about $40,000 for 200,000 miles. If it costs you less than this you have beaten the odds.

One customer,at Rattlesnake Mountain Enterprises repeatedly gets over 3000,000 miles from his vehicles. He is not a mechanic and does nothing special with his cars. He does maintain the vehicle and keeps a logbook of all repairs and oil or fuel added. This is one of the most important things that you can do to make your vehicle last.

Automotive Glass Replacement - How to Replace Car Glass

Automotive window replacement can be done by the novice if he or she takes their time and has some instruction. It doesn't require any special knowledge or expensive tools to replace car glass, but it does take patience! Here we will talk about replacing a fixed car glass that is bonded to the car body instead of being set into a removable frame.

If you are going to replace car glass that is not set in a frame, then you will basically have to "cut" the old glass out of the car. This procedure requires a few inexpensive tools that are often not in a common tool collection. You need a piece of piano wire to use as a saw, and a couple of inexpensive suction cup handles to lift out the old glass (if it is still in one piece) and to place the new glass into position without touching the edges of the glass.

The first step is to remove any molding that goes around the window. Molding can be attached in several different ways. It may be attached with some sort of clips, glued on, or may be just pushed onto a lip on the car body. This is one place where factory service information comes in handy! Some glass is flush-mounted with the exterior surface of the body and does not have any molding to remove. You also may need to remove one or more trim panels inside the car. Before starting to cut out the broken car window, apply tape to the car body all the way around the window to protect the paint. Next, use an awl to create a hole through the adhesive between the glass and the body. Then push a piece of piano wire through the hole, grab a helper to work the other end of the wire, and use a sawing motion to cut the adhesive all the way around the window. Once you have completely sawn all the way around the broken car window, use the suction cup handles to pull the glass out of the car body.

That was the easy part! The next step is to remove all the old adhesive from the car body, which isn't difficult but it can be tedious! Some service manuals instruct you to leave a thin layer of the original adhesive on the car and just smooth it out, but if it is an older vehicle that may not be the best choice. Once you have removed all the old adhesive (or smoothed it out), you will need to clean the surfaces thoroughly using rubbing alcohol or the cleaner specified by the instructions that came with the new adhesive. Then you will need to prepare both the new glass surface and the surface that the new adhesive contacts. Again, follow the instructions for the type of new adhesive you are using. There may be a primer that needs to be applied to the old adhesive, and sometimes a different primer that goes on the glass. Pay attention to any curing times that are specified. Be careful not to touch any of the contact surfaces with your hands, or you could prevent the adhesive from sealing and bonding properly. After prepping both surfaces, apply a bead of adhesive around the edge of the glass as instructed by the service manual and/or the adhesive instructions. You may be instructed to make the bead slightly larger in the corner areas.

After the new adhesive has been applied and any recommended curing times have been observed, use the suction cup handles to install the new glass into position. Evenly press the glass into the adhesive until it is fully seated all the way around. Do not disturb the vehicle for several hours according to the adhesive instructions, and then be careful not to slam the doors and or drive on any excessively rough roads for several days until the adhesive has had time to fully bond with both surfaces.

That covers the general procedure for auto glass installation. Automotive window replacement can certainly be done by a driver that doesn't have any experience or training in this area, but some jobs are definitely easier than others! If this procedure doesn't sound like something you want to tackle yourself, there certainly isn't any shame in taking your car to an auto glass shop for a replacement, and most shops will even come to your home or workplace to do it for you.