The History of Automotive Repairs - Why We Need Trained Technicians in the Collision Repair Industry

Vehicle History Overview

• They don't make them like they used to.

The First Cars

• The first motor cars were nothing more than a buggy and engine (Generally repaired by blacksmiths and carpenters. These cars were very expensive, which only the wealthy could afford)


• Model T was the first car mass production on an assembly line in 1908 (Ford's Vision was to produce an affordable car the average person could purchase)


• Model T's came in black only to keep the costs down. (The price came down once the assembly line was streamlined, but in 1908, the cost for a Model T started at $825. By 1913 the cost of the car reduced to $550)

Cars in the 1960s

Cars were made the same basic way up through the 60s

• Body Over Frame


• Rear Wheel Drive (Same concept, but the cars were very big, bulky, and heavy)

Except people in the 60s wanted SPEED! They achieved this with Big Block Motors, which created a lot of Horsepower. (The Birth of Hotrods, Rat Fink, Flames, and Pin Striping).

Cars in the 1970s

• The government place strict fuel economy and emissions control laws


• Customers demanded cars with increased fuel economy


• New laws and customer demands started the automotive explosion of engineering ideas and changes in the automotive industry

Changes to comply with Demands and Laws

• Smaller bodied cars and smaller engines


• Aerodynamics (Increase Fuel Mileage)


• Lighter cars by using different materials and designs


• More work-hardened areas created during formation of panel (Body Lines)


• Safety

Construction of Interstate Highways + Higher Speed Limits + More High Performance Cars = Accidents and More

Deaths from Auto Accidents

Federal Laws were passed to regulate safety. These laws included:

• Installation of seatbelts


• Safety glass windshields


• Head restraints


• In 1979, the first driver side airbag was introduced


• Airbags are mandatory in motor cars produced after 1990


• Unibody Torque Boxes: Allow controlled twisting and crushing


• Crush Zones: Made to collapse during collision (To act as an absorber, absorbing the impact)

Modern Day Cars

• Carbon Fiber Parts


• Aluminum Parts


• More Plastic Parts


• High Strength Steel


• Boron Steel


• Unibody Construction


• Space Frame Construction


• Computer


• Hybrid Cars

Now they even have cars that will tell you when you're lost, where to turn, Parallel Park for you.

Conclusion

While the modern day cars appear to be made cheap and unsafe, they are actually designed to crush or collapse, while transferring the energy around the stronger passenger compartment to protect the passengers from injury.

There is considerably more damage to modern day cars during a collision than the older vehicles, which gives the perception that "they don't make them like they used to". However, in reality the cars are taking the impact instead of the passengers.

The lesson was designed to give you a little history, but to also emphasize that just a hammer, dolly and a few wrenches are not going to repair today's cars. We need highly trained collision repair and automotive technicians to repair today's vehicles.

How To Find An Auto Mechanic For Your Toyota

It can sometimes be tough to find a good auto mechanic. Finding someone you can trust is sometimes difficult.

This is especially true if you've moved to a new area or purchased a new vehicle such as a Toyota. If you own a Toyota, you will want to find someone that has plenty of experience working on your type of car.

Thankfully, there are plenty of mechanics out there that know how to work on Toyotas. However, you're still going to need to find someone whom you can trust. Finding the right mechanic is a lot like conducting a job interview.

You need to take the following steps to find the right mechanic.

Do Some Research

When searching for a mechanic, take some time to do some research. With the internet, you can find a whole list of mechanics in your community. Take some time to read up on all the shops in your area.

Read online review and see what people have to say about the different mechanics in your area. See if any of them specialize in Toyota vehicles. Also check their certifications.

After you've done some online research, talk with family and friends to see if they have any recommendations or if they have any thoughts about the mechanics you have selected.

Interview Some Mechanics

After you have a short list of mechanics that you think would work, take some time to interview them. Give them a call on the phone or meet them in person.

When you talk with them, you want to get a feeling about their skills and if you can trust them or not. Ask them about professional certifications. It would also be good to hear what they know about your Toyota vehicle.

Ask them if they know of any common problems with your model of Toyota. After you have talked to a few mechanics, you'll have a feeling for whom you like the most.

Test Them Out

After you have selected a mechanic, bring your car in for a minor maintenance issue such as an oil change or a brake check.

This will help you determine if the service is up to your standards. Check to see if the mechanic listens to you. Also check to see if they tell you about issues that may need to be fixed down the road.

Finally inspect your vehicle after the repair. Be sure the vehicle is in good working condition. It is important to bring your vehicle in for a minor repair before a major one is needed that way you are not stuck working with that mechanic.

Summary

Asking these questions will help you find the right mechanic to work on your Toyota.

Another thing you may want to consider is asking the mechanic what type of Toyota parts they use. Some mechanics will automatically install cheep generic parts. Others will give you the option of genuine Toyota parts.

Extended Vehicle Service Contracts (Warranties) They're a Rip Off, Right?

I've been selling extended vehicle warranties to customers for nearly eighteen years. People always ask me; aren't they a rip off? Of course I say:"No Way"!

So, why do I think extended vehicle warranties are a good investment when so many others are convinced otherwise? What is it that I know, that so many people seem not to know?

Unfortunately it's not such a simple answer, actually it's a bit long winded, but if you invest about four minutes to read this post, you might just learn a bunch and finally be able to answer this often misunderstood issue for yourself.

Here's what we know: Extended service contracts are very profitable for auto dealers. They're often sold to people who probably didn't need them and when examined for price vs. claims. Often they will come very close to a losing proposition to the customer.

Face it; there are many good sales people in the world, and many more customers that just don't know how to say NO. So they purchase extended warranties for thousands of dollars with usually a very low probability of ever cashing a claim.

So before I identify why I love extended warranties, I must state who should not be buying them and certainly not paying thousands of dollars in the process.

Let's assume that the average 7 year 75,000 mile NEW vehicle extended warranty costs customers approximately $2,000.00.

The following is a list of those who should not be purchasing:

• Someone who is buying a new vehicle with a new vehicle factory warranty that covers the vehicle with FULL warranty for up to or over 7 years 75,000 miles
• Someone who is not intending to own or drive their vehicle beyond the limits of the FULL factory coverage

Many extended service contract sales people will tell you that it's important to have an extended warranty even when you have FULL factory coverage, this is not always the case, often purchasing an extended warranty when you already have FULL factory coverage is redundant and frankly, a waste of your money.

Before we continue, I must point out a major factor in all decisions:

There is always a point where two lines cross. One line is: Value. And the other line is: Cost.

Now finally, on to my rational of why extended vehicle warranties are something that should always be considered (unless you are one of the two examples above).

Let's look at the other side: The following is a list of people who should always consider an extended warranty. (As long as the price is right...We'll get to that in a minute.)

• Anyone who intends to own their vehicle beyond the terms of the factory FULL coverage period.
• Anyone who will exceed the factory FULL coverage mileage
• Anyone who purchases a used car that does not have FULL coverage
• Anyone who is only getting Powertrain coverage on their vehicle

In summation, if you're purchasing a car, new or used, make sure you have a FULL coverage warranty. Either factory coverage or an extended service contract, but NEVER be without coverage!

Now, I'll give a quick and obvious explanation. You need to be covered with insurance when an unexpected event can end up costing you many thousands of dollars. It's that simple.

Would you ever consider not having health insurance? Of course not.

Would you ever consider not having FULL coverage automobile collision insurance? Of course not.

Why not? Because once again; you need to be covered with insurance when an unexpected event can end up costing you many thousands of dollars.

Ok, my purpose is not to explain the obvious benefits of insurance, it's simply to explain why extended vehicle warranties are equally as valuable.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves; there are still several things to consider before purchasing a service contract, you must pay attention here in order to get those two important lines to cross. (Remember, value vs. cost?)

You must know that if you're purchasing an extended service contract at a car dealership at the same time you're taking delivery of your new car, you are not making a bad choice. As long as you fit into the categories listed above. However, you shouldn't pay $2,000.00 for it.

New vehicles already come with some degree of factory coverage. If the dealership offering you the extended warranty for $2,000.00 or anywhere in that vicinity it's just too high.

Extended service contracts, like life insurance cost the least when the insured is the youngest. So, you should be aware that the dealership is charging you the customer quite a bit more than they're paying if they are charging $2,000.00. This is your time to negotiate a better price!

Remember, make the lines cross or just say NO. Get the dealer to drop that price way down, maybe to a thousand dollars or so, or perhaps even less.

Keep these thoughts in mind:

You can always purchase the extended service contract later. Although most dealerships will tell you there are surcharges for such actions, that's not always true. Just about every major service contract company will give you a period of 1 year or 12,000 miles from the original "in service" date of a new vehicle to elect to purchase the extended service contract without any additional fee. In addition, you can apply an extended service contract to vehicle within 3 years of the original in service date or 36,000 odometer miles - however usually a small additional service fee is added to the cost of the policy.

If you get the right price BUY IT at the dealership, but be careful, don't just agree to purchase it because it's only $40.00 additional per month. That can be over a very long loan term and end up costing you plenty of extra money.

Negotiate the price, not the payment amount, just like anything else.

Also remember, when you add an extended warranty to a vehicle finance contract you are likely paying interest on the unpaid balance of the loan, thus by adding the service contract you'll be adding to those finance charges.

Ask the dealership if they offer a zero interest payment options for the service contract that can be taken separately from the vehicle financing. Get the price and payments -tally them up and compare that number to the additional payment the service contract would be if you added it to your finance contract. Obviously the lower total is the better deal.

Finally, you can buy it online. Always remember that third party service contract providers are just as good as most service contracts offered at the dealership. Just be sure the service contract you elect to purchase is underwritten by a reputable administrator. Ultimately it doesn't matter where you purchase the contract as long as you understand the exact coverage limits and provisions and you know and trust the administrator. The administrator is the only party involved when it comes time to pay a claim.

I have an extended service contract on each and every vehicle I own in my household. Only one of them did I purchase from the dealership where I bought the car, the rest, I found on my own. I'm the world's largest advocate on extended service contracts, to this day I have my sons' vehicle in and out of the shop what seems like every other week. Thousands of dollars have been covered by the administrator (GMAC Vehicle One) in fact, I've recovered my cost over 4 times and he's only had the vehicle for 2 years... Things happen that we can't control. I couldn't imagine what I would have done if I didn't elect to cover this car. I would have been in a heap of trouble.

How to Avoid Car Repair Disasters

One of the biggest reasons people complain about auto repair shops is that what they thought would be an easy, cheap repair turns into a job that costs much more than they previously thought. This can be avoided by doing a little research and picking a car repair shop that will treat you in an honest and professional manner. A good car repair facility should provide you with a written estimate before performing any work, and obtaining one is always a good idea when it comes to saving money on your car.

First, let's talk about how to choose a car repair company. Unless it is an emergency and you are stuck on the side of the road in a strange city, you should have plenty of time to choose a professional and honest mechanic. The best way to do this is to ask friends and family for referrals of repair shops they have had good experiences with.

Second, consider your car and determine if it is an expensive, uncommon, or older model that will require specialized skills and tools. You may need to take your car to a dealership to be serviced if it is an exotic brand or model. Smaller shops may not have a good working relationship with certain brands and may not be able to obtain parts or tools necessary to fix your vehicle. It is also always a good idea to test out a garage by driving by and asking a few questions, or dropping off your car for some routine maintenance to test the waters. A good repair shop should offer courtesy shuttle service and a comfortable lobby for you to wait for repairs to be performed.

Third, do not authorize any repair shop to perform work without a written estimate. Ask if they can email or fax a copy of the estimate to you before you approve anything over the phone. This can protect you in case the mechanic decides to charge you for something else while working on a smaller project. Most car repair shops are honest and professional and you shouldn't run into any problems, but always be prepared and cover your bases whenever you can.

In conclusion, make sure you check out any repair shop before you drop your car off and take the time to do a little research. These simple steps can save you money now, and in future repair costs.

Ways to Avoid Windscreen Damage

Having to pay for an emergency windscreen repair or replacement can be stressful. Luckily, there are strategies you can use to protect your windscreen from chips, holes and cracks and keep it in good repair.

The most important thing you can do while driving is to always maintain a proper distance between you and the car in front of you. Make sure there is at least three car lengths of space in between you and the other car. That way, if the car's tires kick up stones or other debris, your windscreen is much less likely to be hit. Keeping enough distance is also a strong deterrent to car accidents in general.

Another key strategy is to avoid driving behind vehicles that are carrying construction materials. Vehicles of this type include cement trucks, loaded tractor trailers and semi-trucks hauling gravel. Trucks carrying those kinds of loads will inevitably spray gravel and other small, hard objects behind them. You don't want your car to be anywhere near that.

Driving is not the only time your windscreen is in danger. Cracks and chips can happen to parked vehicles as well. Consider parking your car under a shelter in order to protect it from falling tree branches and other falling objects. This is especially important if you live in a region that has regular occurrences of hail. A garage is the ideal place to house a parked car, but a car port or any structure will a roof will give some important protection.

Another source of damage to parked cars is stones propelled by a lawnmower. There are two basic strategies to counteract this danger. First, check your lawn carefully for stones and remove them before mowing. It can be very difficult to find every stone. For added protection, park your car somewhere far away from the area where you are mowing. This might seem like an unnecessary step, but consider how you might feel if you do so and end up damaging your car.

If you live in a region that has extreme variations in temperature, you will need to take additional precautions. Rapid changes in temperature, in either direction, can make small breaks in a windscreen much worse. Ice can also be very difficult on a windscreen. When removing ice from your car, make sure never to stab or chop vigorously with your scraper. Doing so can cause cracks in your windscreen. It is also best to avoid turning the defroster on the highest setting when starting the car. Instead, gradually increase the heat. Finally, you must never pour hot water on an ice-covered windscreen. If you do, you risk causing extensive damage.

You should establish a regular routine of inspecting your windscreen and car windows for any signs of damage. Check each window thoroughly. Even a small chip can lead to extensive damage if not properly repaired. It can be helpful to tie your windscreen examination to some other recurring event. For example, if you already check your oil every two weeks simply make sure to do the examination at the same time.

If you do find any cracks or breaks in your windscreen, it is important to act quickly. Find a local business with a good reputation. They can help you by providing any needed windscreen repair. If you deal with any problems in a timely manner, you may be able to avoid the expense of a windscreen replacement. Good windscreen fitters will also be able to help you with a car window replacement if need be.

What It Takes to Be an Automotive Service Technician

For many people, cars are a natural way of life, although cars in themselves are quite far from being natural objects. They are conceived, designed and engineered by handfuls of specialists. They combine practical science, technology, and synthesized materials. Nowhere in nature could the automobile evolve spontaneously on its own. Cars are only natural as an extension of human beings' natural ingenuity.

We depend on cars, but cars also depend on us. This is why there are so many opportunities in the automobile service industry. Mechanics will continue to be a necessary hand to motorized society for quite some time. There are many places besides an automotive garage where automobile service technicians can find work, like car dealerships, transportation companies and car or parts manufacturing companies.

Before considering a career as an automotive technician, there are a few things you must ask yourself regarding this kind of career:

- are you prepared for the training?
- can you handle the work environment?
- are you in good enough physical condition?
- do you have the right physical and mental abilities?

Training

Getting the proper education and training could be a long and involved process. Most programs are about 30 hours a week and last for three to four semesters. The best education combines theoretical learning with hands-on experience, which is best gained through an auto mechanic apprenticeship program. You need to know if you are ready to put in the hours learning and working with little or no financial remuneration.

Work Environment

Repair shops and garages are not the most congenial work places for many people. They can be dangerous and unpredictable. You must be ready to work long hours amid loud noises, semi-noxious fumes, hazardous materials, dirt and grease, and heavy vibrating machinery.

Physical Condition

Although we are hearing more often today about the hazards of spending eight hours a day sitting at a desk starting at a monitor, this does not compare with the physical endurance required of a mechanic. You must be in good enough physical shape to withstand extended periods of time working on your feet, on your knees or on your back. There is also much heavy lifting and carrying involved.

Abilities

The mechanic is much more than just a combination of car and engine aficionado and physical laborer. Knowing how to do something is not the same as being able to properly execute it, and so excellent eye-hand coordination is needed. The mechanic must also be super organized in terms of their tasks and time management. Mental capacities such as problem-solving, logical thinking and decision-making are very important as well. Finally, the mechanic must be a good learner and self-educator, as they must keep up-to-date with new systems and technologies.

Cars are a fundamental service to society, and so indirectly, automotive service technicians are equally important. If you've decided to pursue training to become a mechanic though an auto apprenticeship, you'll find out if you have what it takes to be such a highly valued member of the motorized world.

Auto Repair Shops - How To Improve Your Customer Service

If there is one thing that is constantly being researched on the internet it is how to improve the customer service of a business. That said; this article is in reference to the auto repair shops and how they can improve their customer service.

Customers visit repair shops for various reasons. For starters, if a customer's vehicle is involved in an accident then a visit to the shop is a must. Vehicle maintenance is another issue. Car owners have been known to frequent repair business for routine check ups for their cars. There is also the fact that auto repair shops sell spare parts and other vehicle accessories that might come in handy during travel emergencies especially if the car is about to travel for long distances. These are just but a few reasons why auto repair shop visits are not likely to cease.

While these visits are not likely to nose dive any time soon, one must agree that the level of competition is definitely on the rise. With the increase in the number of cars on the roads, auto repair shops have similarly responded and are popping up at an increasingly alarming rate to cater for this rising car population. That said; some that used to have a lot of clients are suddenly noticing a drop in their customer numbers. This brings us to our main point - auto repair shops need to improve their customer service if they are to safeguard their businesses from going under due to increased competition. Sometimes all it takes is a satisfied customer to spread the word and before you know it hundred of others are flocking to your center.

So, how can auto repair shops improve their customer service? ?One investment that auto repair shops can choose to boost their customer service is by using an online appointment scheduling service. This is just a fancy word for online scheduling software and online booking systems. This is a relatively new concept that has been in the market for just a few years and hence most businesses are not aware of it. It is a system which can be easily incorporated into your website design. An online booking system helps the customers to be able to book their appointments online without having to do so personally or through another media. It is especially beneficial since there are a lot of devices that customers can use to connect to the internet with.

There are several benefits that come from using online booking systems. Apart from the fact customers don't have to personally show up to book an appointment, customers can book an appointment at any time of the day, there is maximum privacy of all transactions plus is there is no inconvenience of double booking. With the online booking systems customers are actually guaranteed that they will receive service at the time they have been allocated.

Auto repair shop management should seriously take this into consideration. Scheduling software and appointment scheduling services have been shown to have a positive impact on car owners. Just ensure that when you decide to incorporate these services into your business that you choose the right service provider.