Safelite’s Internal Auto Glass Repair and Replacement Technician Contest Scheduled for Feb 8

After nearly half a year of qualifying contests and division competitions, the auto glass company Safelite’s internal competition for identifying the best auto glass repair and replacement technicians in the company is coming to its national heat, with the country’s best technicians coming to New Orleans on the 8^th of February to duke it out amongst each other.  The technicians shall be meeting in the River City Ballroom of Mardi Gras World, and the event shall be running from 8:00hrs to 17:00hrs of that day.

This competition has been going on for a while now, with the first event having taken place last year, on the 10^th of September for the auto glass repair company’s Southern California division.  Two more competitions took place in that same month, one for the South Atlantic and one for the technicians of Ohio Valley, followed by four competitions in October for the Pacific Southwest, Northwest, Mid-South, and South, in order of occurrence.  November had only two division contests, with the Midwest and the Rockies heats being decided, and the one contest for December was the North Atlantic division heat.

Also called the Best of Belron Competition, this company event is going to see contestants being tested on various skills and competencies, being asked to perform a range of procedures that shall include windshield repair and windshield replacement in order to demonstrate their skill at their chosen profession.  The requirements are quite rigorous and evaluation is famously strict, with speed not even taking the front seat when it comes to the most important aspects of the procedure or repair required: quality, strict technical prowess, and even interaction with the consumer are all looked into first and foremost in the contest, in order to ascertain a truly outstanding, superior breed of auto glass repair technician.

The national heat that is going to be taking place this February is of particular import because it decides who gets to represent the country in the coming global heat of the competition.  There are going to be 32 countries participating in the event, so winning that round—the final one—would be a most prestigious honour indeed for any auto glass technician.  The need to ensure that the country is well-represented also factors in the tension surrounding the coming event, so both participants and judges are expected to be fairly amped up for the contest.

The auto glass repair technician who wins the national heat gets more than the chance to represent the country in Barcelona, Spain on the 22^nd-24^th of May for the global part of the contest: he is also going to be taking home a total of $10,000 in pocket money as an additional reward.

Source: http://www.windshieldreplacementphoenix.org/auto-glass/safelites-internal-auto-glass-repair-and-replacement-technician-contest-scheduled-for-feb-8/475/

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Types of Winter Snow Traction Devices

Ever used a clamp-on or strap-on device to help with traction on icy or snowy roads?  Car Talk wants to hear from you, our loyal web site visitors, if you have. Tell us if it worked! Was it worth the investment?

And if you haven’t ever used a traction device, but want a little something extra the next time you drive to work, your can check reviews here.

AutoSock

Autosocks claim to slip easily over tires for extra grip. Read a review or add your own.

SnoBootz

SnoBootz are rubberized overshoes designed for your car tires. Read a review or add your own.

Spikes-Spider®

What’s a Spikes-Spider? A bunch of arms with tungsten carbide studs embedded in the traction surface. Read a review or add your own.

GoClaws

GoClaws are straps that claim to install easily, even when you’re stuck, and supposedly work in mud as well as snow. Read a review or add your own.

Traditional Tire Chains (multiple manufacturers)

Good, old-fashioned tire chains have been in use for years.What’s your experience with them? Read a review or add your own.

Auto Snow Traction Mats

Auto snow traction mats claim to stop spinning wheels.  Read a review or add your own.

Portable Tow Truck

The Portable Tow Truck claims to add emergency traction while being “nearly indestructable.” Read a review or add your own.

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/02/06/winter-snow-traction-devices/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winter-snow-traction-devices

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Summer Time For Cars

We are getting to the hottest part of summer and there are a couple things that you need watch for with your vehicle.

You know to check our Air conditioning to make sure it is working properly. A couple other things that summer can have an effect on is your cooling system. Note if you see any coolant drips and check you coolant level regularly, especially in these hotter months your engine cooling system is very important.

Keep an eye on any warning lights on your dash and the temperature gauge if it appears to be getting into the red (hot) or if your car has a hot smell your vehicle is most likely overheating and you need to pull over and call someone. You don’t want to risk more costly repairs for your vehicle.

Check your tires year round to make sure they are in good condition, as well as checking your oil levels and making sure you keep up on getting your oil changed.

The post Summer Time For Cars appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/summer-time-for-cars/

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Tracking True In North Carolina: Wheel Alignment In Burgaw

Wheel alignment is often overlooked by busy Burgaw and Leland motorists until serious tire damage has been done. One wheel can be knocked out of alignment by hitting a curb or pothole on a Wilmington highway or surface street.

When a vehicle’s out of alignment, one or more of the wheels does not track true and pulls against the others. This causes several serious problems. First off, the tires will wear out faster and will need to be replaced prematurely. It could also lead to expensive sedans suspension problems.

But the big issue for Burgaw, Leland, and Wilmington motorists is safety. When your sedans wheels are out of alignment, the vehicle will pull to one side, which could lead to an accident. When you’re out of alignment, you should have it taken care of right away at Atlantic Car Care in Wilmington.

When undergoing an alignment service at Atlantic Car Care, your sedans is put on an alignment rack where the tires, steering and suspension parts are checked for damage. Then the alignment is charted and checked against the factory settings.

Precision adjustments are made to bring the wheels back into alignment. This gets all four wheels going in exactly the same direction.

Leland motorists should be aware of the signs of alignment problems. These include the car pulling to one side. Also, the steering wheel may not be centered when you’re going straight. If you see the edges of one or more tires rapidly wearing down, you should have your Wilmington service center look it over. If you’ve been in an auto accident in North Carolina that involved a wheel, you should get your alignment checked.

Obviously, a big jolt can seriously knock things out of alignment, but Burgaw drivers also need to understand that a series of smaller ones can add up.

That’s why car makers recommend periodic alignment checks. If your sedans owner’s manual doesn’t specify, once a year might be appropriate. Or check with Mike Moore or your service advisor at Atlantic Car Care in Wilmington.

One thing’s for sure: the cost of the alignment at Atlantic Car Care is cheaper for Burgaw motorists than having to buy a couple of new tires because of neglect.

Source: http://www.atlanticcarcare.com/alignment/tracking-true-in-north-carolina-wheel-alignment-in-burgaw

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Check it out before you buy it

Here at All Tech Auto Repair we will preform an inspection on a new or used vehicle before you purchase it we will do the first one for free.
Lately there have been a few customers coming in with cars they have just purchased with a check engine light on or another issue, we can check all of that out before you purchase the car and let you know what kind of money you will be putting into it or if you are getting a great car. We print out reliability reports and a detailed list of anything the car needs, we will arm you with all the information you need before you buy the car. Being well informed when buying a car can help with the stress of finding the right car and prevent the headache of problems with your car just after you have purchased it.

Call us up and schedule an appointment for us to take a look at your potential vehicle.

The post Check it out before you buy it appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/check-it-out-before-you-buy-it/

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Backup Cameras Likely Mandated for 2014

The Department of Transportation has, in the works, a mandate to install backup cameras in all vehicles. Congress expects to have a final rule on the requirement by December 31^st, 2012. The Department of Transportation has conducted a study which concluded that an estimated 228 people die and about 17,000 are injured annually in back over accidents and half of the deaths are of children. If this law does pass all passenger vehicles will have to have backup cameras installed by 2014. “Adoption of this proposal would significantly reduce fatalities and injuries caused by back over crashes involving children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and other pedestrians.” It is estimated to cost between $159-$203 to have the visual display screen installed and will be even cheaper for newer model vehicles. If this passes, economy cars will be hit the hardest.

Are you ready to have a backup camera installed on your vehicle?

Read the full article from Car Talk here.

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/03/12/backup-cameras/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=backup-cameras

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35 Point Inspections

All Tech Auto Repair does a free 35 point inspection before you purchase a vehicle. There is a list of things that are checked to make sure you are getting a great vehicle. If there is anything that comes up in the inspection we also provide you with an estimate of the repairs, as well as printing out a reliability report.

35 Point inspection
□ On Lift:
□ Tire Condition:
□ Fluid Leaks:
□ Exhaust:
□ Shocks/Struts
□ Steering Linkage:
□ Ball Joints:
□ Axles:
□ Wheel Bearings:
□ Other:

□ Oil level:
□ Test Drive:
□ Seat Belt(s):
□ Lube Sticker
□ Starts & Idles Smooth:
□ Wiper/Washer Operation:
□ Horn Operation:
□ Interior Lights & Controls:
□ Windows:
□ CHECK ENGINE Light/Maintenance Lights:
□ Gauges:
□ Turn Signals:
□ Acceleration:
□ Steering:
□ Braking:
□ Noises:
□ Transmission Shifting/Clutch:
□ Heater/A/C Operation:
□ Other

□ Under Hood:
□ Fluid Levels /Leaks:
□ Oil:
□ Coolant:
□ Transmission:
□ Power Steering:
□ Brake:
□ Washer:
□ Belts:
□ Hoses:
□ Battery:
□ Noise:
□ Other:

The post 35 Point Inspections appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/pre-purchase-inspection/

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Car Maintenance: Rust-Prevention!

First, exactly what is rust? Iron oxide (otherwise known as rust) is a product of iron and oxygen reacting with water. During the process of water mixing with iron and oxygen, the iron is consumed, resulting in rust and a small amount of hydrogen. Our vehicles are exposed to a harsh environment every day, and without preventative vehicle maintenance, some form of damage will take place unless preventative vehicle maintenance is practiced. Because the body of a car is made up of steel, an iron alloy, it is susceptible to rust. Car manufacturers have found that the best way to protect a car from oxidation is with paint, effectively sealing the metal off from oxygen and moisture, thereby stopping the reaction. 

Source: http://www.elkrivertireandauto.com/tips-blog/car-maintenance-rust-prevention

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Types of Winter Snow Traction Devices

Ever used a clamp-on or strap-on device to help with traction on icy or snowy roads?  Car Talk wants to hear from you, our loyal web site visitors, if you have. Tell us if it worked! Was it worth the investment?

And if you haven’t ever used a traction device, but want a little something extra the next time you drive to work, your can check reviews here.

AutoSock

Autosocks claim to slip easily over tires for extra grip. Read a review or add your own.

SnoBootz

SnoBootz are rubberized overshoes designed for your car tires. Read a review or add your own.

Spikes-Spider®

What’s a Spikes-Spider? A bunch of arms with tungsten carbide studs embedded in the traction surface. Read a review or add your own.

GoClaws

GoClaws are straps that claim to install easily, even when you’re stuck, and supposedly work in mud as well as snow. Read a review or add your own.

Traditional Tire Chains (multiple manufacturers)

Good, old-fashioned tire chains have been in use for years.What’s your experience with them? Read a review or add your own.

Auto Snow Traction Mats

Auto snow traction mats claim to stop spinning wheels.  Read a review or add your own.

Portable Tow Truck

The Portable Tow Truck claims to add emergency traction while being “nearly indestructable.” Read a review or add your own.

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/02/06/winter-snow-traction-devices/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winter-snow-traction-devices

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Gun Used to Break Auto Glass in Utah New Year’s Eve Rescue

New Year’s Eve turned from a fun holiday to a harrowing night for a Utah family on the way to Beaver Mountain when an accident caused their car to slide into the chilly Logan River.  Apparently, Roger Andersen was driving with his two children, both under ten years of age, and a friend when he lost control of the car in a section of Highway 89 known for its high accident occurrence.  The car fell into the river and while the adults were able to get out of the car subsequently, the two children were apparently stuck inside, with the auto glass windows blocking their egress and their seatbelts strapping them where they were.

Fortunately for the family, the locals passing by the area were quick to help.  One particular trio, composed of a former policeman named Chris Willden, was instrumental to the rescue of the pair of trapped children.  Willden and his companions, his father as well as his son, immediately jumped to action upon seeing the state of the family and the vehicle, and freed the children from their cage by shattering the auto glass of the rear window with his pistol.

According to Willden, it was necessary to take that measure because there was no other way of accessing the two children inside the rapidly flooding car.  Although he and his father—along with the adults with whom the children were travelling—first attempted to open the car doors to extricate the trapped pair, they found that the doors were locked.  The problem was aggravated by the rising water in the car, which could well have caused hypothermia for the two children had they been permitted to stay longer where they were.  Thinking quickly, the former police officer aimed his pistol downward—to ensure that the bullet would eject without hurting the two persons in the car—and at the window of the vehicle, breaking the tempered auto glass and thus gaining access to the inside of the vehicle.

There Willden managed to cut loose the two children from their seatbelts and extracted them from the flooding vehicle.  The unfortunate family in the accident was taken to nearby hospitals soon after, and were pronounced to be in fair condition only recently.  While the two children actually started out in the ICU of the children’s hospital to which they were brought, their status was deemed to be vastly improved after medical care was given to them to stave off the possibility of shock or hypothermia.  Local authorities are already crediting the quick and efficient rescue of the family to the dozen people who helped, most especially to Chris Willden, for his quick actions in breaking the auto glass to free the pair from the vehicle.

For more information from a criminal law attorney please visit DUI Lawyer Fresno

Source: http://www.windshieldreplacementphoenix.org/auto-glass/gun-used-to-break-auto-glass-in-utah-new-years-eve-rescue/466/

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Emergency Car Kit

It is important to be prepared for any issues that may occur when driving your vehicle and the first step to ensuring safe travels is to put together an emergency kit for your vehicle.

Basic tools, such as pliers, jumper cables, and a tire pressure gauge, are key components to your emergency kit, and should be stored in a small storage box. If an emergency strikes, it is important that all your tools are stored with easy access in one container.

Flat tires are also a common problem during long road trips, and it is important to be prepared if you may encounter one.  The first step is to acquire a spare tire and make sure it is properly inflated.  Next, acquire an appropriate size wrench and a safe jack if you need to replace your flat tire.

The last item essential to your emergency kit is a gallon of water. If your engine overheats or there is a leak in your radiator, the gallon of water may be able to temporarily fix the problem.

If a problem occurs with your vehicle, bring it into to Robert’s Auto Repair for a check-up.  You and your emergency car kit will be back on the road in no time!

Call today to schedule an appointment

Mechanical — 831-373-1534

Body Shop — 831-373-1535

 

Source: http://www.roberts-autorepair.com/blog/emergency-car-kit/

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Car Service: How to Avoid Costly Car Repair

If you intend to keep your vehicle for a long time (you especially don't want to put out the big bucks for a new car), give it a little extra TLC on a daily and weekly basis to help avoid a costly car repair. It will help keep you out of the car service center and keep money in your pocket. It will also pay bigger dividends in the long-run in terms of maintaining your car's reliability and increased trade-in value.

Source: http://www.elkrivertireandauto.com/tips-blog/car-service-how-to-avoid-costly-car-repair

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Time for an Oil Change Yet?

With many auto shops offering oil change coupons, an oil change every 3,000 miles is more affordable than ever. However, the old adage of the 3,000 mile interval is no longer mandatory. There is a lot of contradictory information about engine oil, what type to use and how often to change it. Many auto technicians will agree that today's cars should have oil changes at the recommended intervals as stated in their owner's manual or when the car's "oil change" light appears. With the combination of recent advancements in engine technology and oil chemistry, the recommended interval has lengthened considerably. That interval could be anywhere between 5,000 to 15,000 miles, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Be sure to check your owner's manual.

Source: http://www.elkrivertireandauto.com/tips-blog/time-for-an-oil-change-yet

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Auto Week 2013

Here are some photos of the beautiful cars on show during Auto Week, August 11 – 18, 2013.

 

Source: http://www.roberts-autorepair.com/blog/auto-week-2013/

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What Is Betterment In The Collision Repair Industry?

Getting in a car wreck can be one of the most stressful occurrences of your life.  Not only do you need to worry about personal well being and possible medical expenses, but you also need to worry about auto body repairs.  Thankfully, with the help of insurance the above fees can be reduced drastically.  Unfortunately, many auto insurance companies will not pay for all repair costs because of the following three-syllable word: betterment.

What Is Betterment?

When you think of the word betterment, perhaps you think of a gum flavor such as spearmint or peppermint.  The word betterment entails so much more.  Suppose a truck with 40,000 miles on it gets in an accident.  The engine and two tires are severely damaged and must be replaced. Many insurance companies are only willing to pay the cost of replacing your engine with another engine that is worth the same value as your pre-wrecked engine.  Chances are slim that an engine that is the same model and near the same wear and tear can replace your damaged engine so a new engine will likely be used.  You must pay the extra cost of installing a new engine verses an older engine.  In the case of tire replacement, if your two damaged tires are 60% worn, they would likely be replaced with new tires but your insurance company might pay only 40% of their cost. The remaining 60% of the tire replacement costs would be your responsibility.  Because your truck is made better than its pre-wreck state, hence betterment, insurance companies use this rational to charge you the depreciation amount.

How Does Betterment Affect Auto Body Repairs?

After a wreck, many people can expect to pay some collision repair costs if the auto body shop needs to replace older car parts with newer ones.  Of course, each case is different and insurance companies may vary on their coverage plans.  Some insurance policies may make exceptions to betterment charges if you did not cause of the wreck.  The insurance company of the person who caused the wreck may be help responsible for your deductible as well as betterment charges.  These charges would include repairs such as replacing a matching tire on the same axle as a tire that requires replacement due to damage.  Betterment charges are beyond the control of shop owners and inquiries about your insurance company’s specific policy regarding betterment charges should be addressed with your agent directly.

Is Betterment Fair?

In many cases, betterment charges seem illogical and sometimes downright unfair. Because an appraisal is typically not done after a wreck, how can an insurance company determine that a car is worth more?  Over the years, it has become custom for insurance companies to charge for betterment simply because, “That’s the way it’s always been done.”   Some insurance companies no longer implement betterment charges, but the companies that do can still have a huge effect on the auto repair industry.  Auto mechanics need to be prepared to answer basic questions about betterment charges, although all questions about policies of specific insurance companies should be directed to insurance agents.

What Can You Do?

If you find out that your auto insurance company is charging you for betterment and you don’t think it is fair, you can contact your insurance agent and ask for an explanation.  After an explanation, you may come to a better understanding of why certain charges are being made.  If you still do not understand your betterment charges, try explaining your point of view to your insurer and you may be able find a middle ground.

For more information a. bout how your auto insurance company deals with betterment charges after a wreck, contact your insurance agent.  By knowing your insurer’s policy, you will be better prepared for when you need to utilize your insurance plan.  If you have basic betterment questions, please feel free to contact Grand Sport Auto Body! 1-866-472-4727

The post What Is Betterment In The Collision Repair Industry? appeared first on Grand Sport Auto Body.

Source: http://www.grandsportautobody.com/blog/what-is-betterment-in-collision-repair/

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Know Your Brakes

Grinding, Squealing, Pulsing most people know these to be signs that their brakes aren’t working properly however some do not.

There are a number of reasons you could be having these symptoms in your car such as worn brake pads, improper size, worn rotors, even dust in your brake system can cause these sounds to occur.

There are different kinds of braking systems first off there is disk,  second there is drum. The main components of Disk Brakes  are brake pads, rotor, and caliper.There is also Drum Brakes that consist of brake drums and brake shoes and wheel cylinder.

In addition to the sound symptoms you may have additional symptoms or a different symptom. Pedal vibration, brake grabbing or dragging, soft or spongy braking are mechanical signs of your brakes wearing.

Having brakes that are not in proper working order is a safety risk for you and others if you are having any of these symptoms you should get your brakes inspected. It is also suggested to have your brakes checked every two years, even if none of these symptoms present.

All Tech Auto Repair will perform a free brake inspection for you and we guarantee our work with a life time warranty. We perform a brake inspection, make sure  your brake fluid is full, and give you a quote on exactly what you need.

The post Know Your Brakes appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/know-your-brakes/

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Car Service: How to Avoid Costly Car Repair

If you intend to keep your vehicle for a long time (you especially don't want to put out the big bucks for a new car), give it a little extra TLC on a daily and weekly basis to help avoid a costly car repair. It will help keep you out of the car service center and keep money in your pocket. It will also pay bigger dividends in the long-run in terms of maintaining your car's reliability and increased trade-in value.

Source: http://www.elkrivertireandauto.com/tips-blog/car-service-how-to-avoid-costly-car-repair

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History Of Uncle Frank/Part 4 – The Singing Star

This archival photo depicts the “Rat Pack” circa 1960 on location in Las Vegas and proves the little-known fact that Uncle Frank Myers was one of the original members of the superstar performing group, along with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin.

As a matter of fact, Uncle Frank accidentally inspired their most well-known project, when Frank, Dino and Sammy bought beautiful Cadillac convertibles from his Las Vegas dealership. Uncle Frank declared at the price he was giving them, the cars were a “steal.” Sammy happened to be eyeing one of the big casinos when he heard the word and instantly came up with the idea for their hit movie, Ocean’s 11.

Unfortunately, that led to a break with the Rat Pack, as Uncle Frank couldn’t clear enough time for the filming – “Sorry, boys,” he said, “I got too many great deals I want to give folks.” He was replaced by Peter Lawford, who was not quite as good-looking as Uncle Frank, but got by.

About Uncle Frank

Uncle Frank has lived many lives and has many stories to share. He currently resides in Winston Salem, NC where he spends his days as the Frank Myers Auto Maxx Mascot.

Be sure to read History of Uncle Frank/Part 3 – Uncle Frank The Football Star and check back for future editions later.

* Uncle Frank Sez: “All content in The History Of Uncle Frank is a mixture of parody, poor satire, and/or (very) lame humor. It is for entertainment purposes only.”

 

Source: http://www.winstonsalemusedcars.com/articles/frank-myers-history-part-4/

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Frank Myers Auto Warns Consumers Of Flood Cars In North Carolina

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK47URPnNOo

Around 230,000 vehicles were damaged by Hurricane Sandy’s rain and flood waters in late October. Now the National Dealers Association has warned car dealerships that some of those vehicles have been re-conditioned in order to be sold in other states, including North Carolina.

Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston Salem, said he won’t be buying any water-damaged Sandy cars.

“If we get that car we’re not going to sell it. We advise any consumer to never buy a flood car,” Myers said.

If you’re in the market, Myers said there are some things you need to check out on a car to make sure it’s not water-damaged.

For the car’s interior, water lines are often hard to get rid of, and may still be visible even with repeated washing.

In the trunk, detailers often miss the spare tire well, which can become rusted if a heavy amount of water is in the trunk.

Under the hood, untreated bolts and screws will also show rust, despite a dealer’s best efforts. All of these examples should be red flags, Myers said.

Then there are the things you can’t see.

Robert Thomas, Director of Service at Frank Myers Auto Maxx, said water can damage the car’s on-board computer, which can cause the diagnostic system to malfunction.

“It’s impossible to completely dry a car’s electrical components if it’s been submerged,” Thomas said.

Myers advised all buyers to get a complete vehicle history report, which would disclose if a car had ever been flooded. “All reputable car dealerships will give consumers a complete vehicle history report, such as Auto Check from Experian, for free.”

Failing to disclose damage to a vehicle is a misdemeanor in North Carolina, and it can also leave someone convicted of the offense open to civil action.

Source: http://www.winstonsalemusedcars.com/articles/nc-flood-cars/

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Types of Winter Snow Traction Devices

Ever used a clamp-on or strap-on device to help with traction on icy or snowy roads?  Car Talk wants to hear from you, our loyal web site visitors, if you have. Tell us if it worked! Was it worth the investment?

And if you haven’t ever used a traction device, but want a little something extra the next time you drive to work, your can check reviews here.

AutoSock

Autosocks claim to slip easily over tires for extra grip. Read a review or add your own.

SnoBootz

SnoBootz are rubberized overshoes designed for your car tires. Read a review or add your own.

Spikes-Spider®

What’s a Spikes-Spider? A bunch of arms with tungsten carbide studs embedded in the traction surface. Read a review or add your own.

GoClaws

GoClaws are straps that claim to install easily, even when you’re stuck, and supposedly work in mud as well as snow. Read a review or add your own.

Traditional Tire Chains (multiple manufacturers)

Good, old-fashioned tire chains have been in use for years.What’s your experience with them? Read a review or add your own.

Auto Snow Traction Mats

Auto snow traction mats claim to stop spinning wheels.  Read a review or add your own.

Portable Tow Truck

The Portable Tow Truck claims to add emergency traction while being “nearly indestructable.” Read a review or add your own.

Source: http://www.cartalksecondopinion.com/blog/2012/02/06/winter-snow-traction-devices/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winter-snow-traction-devices

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Frequently Asked Questions: Vehicle Maintenance

How often do I need to change my oil?

Regular oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles versus synthetic oil, which needs to be changed every 5,000 miles. It is important to be proactive about maintaining your oil. In order to ensure that your vehicle is running properly, check your oil once a month.

How often do I need to check the anti-freeze? Does it need to be changed?

Especially during summer, it is essential to check your vehicle’s anti-freeze once a month. Your vehicle’s anti-freeze fluids should be changed every 30,000 miles or every 2 to 3 years.

How often should I change my wiper blades?

How often you should change your vehicle’s wiper blades depends on how much time your car spends indoors. If your car is kept mostly inside, then you should plan on changing your wiper blades once a year. However, if your vehicle is mostly outdoors, then it is important to change your wiper blades at least two times throughout the year. Properly maintained wiper blades guarantee clearer vision and safer driving.

Why are my brakes making noise?

Typically, noisy brakes indicate unsafe brakes, and once your brakes start making unusual sounds, it is extremely important to take your car into Robert’s Auto Repair for an immediate check-up.

Will it damage my engine if I continue to drive my car when the check engine light is on?

If your check engine light turns on, you, most likely, will not damage your vehicle if you continue to your destination. However, you should take your car into Robert’s Auto Repair as soon as possible to make sure that nothing serious is wrong with your vehicle.

If you have any unanswered questions about your vehicle’s maintenance, bring it into Robert’s Auto Repair for a check-up.

Call Robert’s Auto Repair today to schedule an appointment!

Mechanical — 831-373-1534

Body Shop — 831-373-1535

 

Source: http://www.roberts-autorepair.com/blog/frequently-asked-questions-vehicle-maintenance/

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Check it out before you buy it

Here at All Tech Auto Repair we will preform an inspection on a new or used vehicle before you purchase it we will do the first one for free.
Lately there have been a few customers coming in with cars they have just purchased with a check engine light on or another issue, we can check all of that out before you purchase the car and let you know what kind of money you will be putting into it or if you are getting a great car. We print out reliability reports and a detailed list of anything the car needs, we will arm you with all the information you need before you buy the car. Being well informed when buying a car can help with the stress of finding the right car and prevent the headache of problems with your car just after you have purchased it.

Call us up and schedule an appointment for us to take a look at your potential vehicle.

The post Check it out before you buy it appeared first on Nampa Auto Repair & Oil Change Specialist: All Tech Auto Repair.

Source: http://www.alltechautorepair.net/check-it-out-before-you-buy-it/

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How To Repair Small Dents In Your Car With Paintless Dent Removal

How To Repair Small Dents In Your Car

It’s the little things in life that matter the most, and that’s certainly true when it comes to having a small dent in your car. You know that you’re probably the only one who can see it, but it still manages to drive you crazy. Thankfully, it’s entirely possible for you to get those little dings and dents out of your car with the help of one of our auto body shops.

Paintless Power

Paintless dent removal is used to take care of medium sized creases, dings, dents and any damage your car might have sustained from punishing hail. The way it works is that an auto technician will use special tools to softly remove the dents from behind the panels of the car, leaving your car looking just as good if not better than it did before. The size of the dents that can adequately be taken care of are baseball, nickel, quarter and dime amount. Since the dent removal is paintless, it can only be used on surfaces where the car’s paint isn’t cracked or broken. If there are only slight scratches or paint from the object that hit the vehicle, those can usually be buffed and polished out.

Advantages

The advantage of a paintless dent removal is the overall quality. Other methods don’t come as close to making it look as though the dent never happened. There’s no need to use fillers, primers, grinding or bondo since the car’s original paint job is never altered. With a conventional dent removal, you have to worry about the paint or filler shrinking a few months after the repair has been completed. Another advantage is that the paintless method isn’t as expensive as the traditional method. A traditional dent removal can cost anywhere between $300 and $500 and take three to five days while the paintless method can cost you significantly less and take less than an hour.

There’s a chance that the area around the original dent can develop a ring or scratch marks from sand a few months after it has been traditionally repaired. By choosing paintless dent removal, you don’t have to worry about the dent coming back at all, but deeper dents can be a bit harder to take care of. Most auto body shops will take a look at your particular dent and explain to you how it will look after the dent removal is complete.

Extra Work

If your dent is located on the top deck, hood, back quarter panels or truck lid, you might have to pay a bit more since we might have to remove head liners or hood liners. If your dent is located in any of these areas or areas that might have to be removed before they can be repaired, you’ll want to make sure that you get a FREE  estimate from us so that you have an idea of how much it’s going to cost.

You don’t have to cringe every time you look at that small dent on the door of your car. Take it to one of our auto body shops and get it taken care of!

The post How To Repair Small Dents In Your Car With Paintless Dent Removal appeared first on Grand Sport Auto Body.

Source: http://www.grandsportautobody.com/blog/how-to-remove-dents-with-paintless-dent-removal/

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6 New Car Technologies Worth Praising

People nowadays need more than just a car with an EFI engine or a V6 4cycle automatic transmission. They need something that can facilitate them with the necessary technology. The days when people were impressed by a sports car with scissor doors and a 1000 horsepower engine are long gone. Now is the time for inventions that would make even the GPS navigational system in a Mercedes-Benz look old. So, to make tech hungry enthusiasts satisfied, car manufacturers have come up with new features that would make even a Volkswagen look classy. Let’s have a look at best car technologies one by one.

Rear-mounted Radar

Imagine yourself in a parallel parked car; you would struggle a lot with the forward and reverse gear until getting out of the spot. Plus, you are no Vin Diesel or Jason Statham that you’ll never have an accident. So, for your convenience, a feature known as “rear-mounted radar” has been introduced in the automobile industry. It’s simple – whenever you reverse from a tight spot, and are in danger of crashing into a fence, car or any other obstacle, you hear an alarm that warns you to watch out. This comes in very handy and can save you from a lot of fender benders! This technology, initially, was given many names by different car manufacturers, i.e. Chrysler’s Cross Path Detection System or Ford’s Cross Traffic Alert. So, it’s time to be safer, get this feature installed and save some pain, right away!

Self-driving Cars

As a kid, I’m sure you would’ve seen one of those spy movies with heroes having self-driving cars which you wanted to have. Well, now that you’ve grown up, you have an opportunity to buy one for yourself. Over the recent months, Google has been testing self-driving cars on the highways and roads. With the installation of radars, lasers and cameras, the car can detect and evaluate its surroundings much more quickly than a human can. It has the capability to read road signs, and detect pedestrians crossing. If this technology is made public, the people of New York, who spend nearly 100 hours sitting in traffic every year, will benefit the most from it. Moreover, self-driving cars can reduce road accidents by 95%. Buy yourself this amazing car and thank Google for the rest of your life.

Car-unlocking Phones

Latest concept cars such as the Rinspeed iChange and the Chrysler Global Electric Motorcars Peapod have embraced Apple’s trendy iPhone as a tool not only for making phone calls or playing music, but as the key to start the automobile. A car sharing company known as Zipcar is about to launch a free iPhone app by the end of this year. Take it to the Zipcar workshop, install a device in your car and it would allow only the owner’s phone to unlock or lock the car. Not only that, you can even honk the horn with your phone. Pretty cool, right?

Voice Controlled Cars

With the latest technology called “Sync”, developed by Ford in collaboration with Microsoft, many smartphone functions are made available by voice control in cars. The same phone can be used as the driver’s personal ID to the car, just like key fob which we see in some cars today, directing the vehicle to adjust seats, mirrors and maybe even radio presets to suit the driver automatically. Ford also offers MYKEY; when your kid is driving the car, and you feel worried about the speed; you can simply limit it. Whenever your child increases the limited speed; you get a call on your phone. Pretty handy, yet I’m sure the teenagers will hate this feature.

Hybrid Cars

Although this invention has been out for quite a while, the new thing about it is that the cars having new hybrid engines have a much better fuel economy than the previous ones. Take Toyota Prius for example, this car has the best yet fuel economy as compared to previous hybrid cars. It does not convert to petrol engine until it reaches a speed of 30 mph. That means for the first two transmissions, that takes most of the fuel, the car runs on electric motor. This technology can open doors to electric cars, letting users save money on fuel.

Remote Controlled Parking

There must have been moments in your life when you wanted to impress someone, and feel proud of it. Well, here’s your chance; BMW gives you the all new remote-controlled parking feature! All you have to do is get out of your car, and press the key fob button for the car park. Next thing you know, your BMW starts moving at a speed of 1 mile per hour, fully aware of its surroundings and enters your garage. It then shuts itself down. The same procedure is done for taking your car out of the garage. The BMW will reverse all of its actions, and will even stop if it detects any obstacle in its way.

If you really want a drive with ease, convenience, safety and a little bit of fun, let the new car technologies be your companion.

 

Source: http://www.autoscraze.com/6-new-car-technologies-worth-praising.html

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Kern County Roadwork Leads to Dozens of Windshield Repairs and Replacements for Locals

A Kern County Roads Department project that was started last October 3 has now become the cause of dozens of windshield repairs and replacements for locals, as well as acrimonious relations between residents of the area and the county officials.  The chip seal roadwork has apparently been performed quite poorly—at least, if the locals are to be the judge—and the result has been a great deal of aggravation for people traveling down the affected roads, which are the Frazier Mountain Park and Cuddy Valley Roads.

A former LA police officer who now resides in the area, Mike Jensen, has been vigilantly collecting and storing away evidence of the county’s sub par roadwork.  Jensen was motivated to do this after he himself was bitten by the road bug, which has actually required him to get work for either windshield repair or replacement at least three times.  He claims that traveling down the badly done road has incurred well over a grand in repair or replacement work for him, which is why he has been pushing for the county to do something about the situation.

Jensen is not alone: according to reports, well over 100 persons have suffered car damage due to the road, often due to the surface being so loose that other cars end up throwing aloft all manner of gravel and rocks at their vehicles, leading to dents on the body, broken side mirrors, shattered headlamps, and broken auto glass.  The people included in the current count have apparently already filed complaints and claims with the county, which has been dilatory in answering many of them.  Those it has answered, however, have apparently received refusals for the county to pay for their windshield repair or windshield replacement, with the reasons for the denial being vague.

Residents are understandably concerned, as they have little choice save to travel the road each day.  Some residents have even given accounts of having their windshield repaired, only to experience the same damage just a few weeks after, on the exact same stretch of roadway.  With the county continuously delaying answers even with the claims piling up, a lot of the locals are getting worked up—and have even discussed filing a class action suit, which would be the second time for Kern County to experience that, given that one already happened in the early 1980s, with remarkably similar circumstances: also for shabby roadwork and also for bits of gravel and other road detritus being thrown up by other cars as a result of poor road construction by the county and its workers.  Locals are hoping that the current situation shall be resolved as it was then, with the law siding with the people filing the suit, so that their windshield repair and windshield replacement work can be paid for the county.

Source: http://www.windshieldreplacementphoenix.org/windshield-replacement/kern-county-roadwork-leads-to-dozens-of-windshield-repairs-and-replacements-for-locals/477/

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Tire Repair: Storage Tips for Extra Tires!

If you are like a lot of drivers who swap out their tires for summer and winter driving, you may have an extra set just sitting in a corner of your garage, or possibly just outside covered with a tarp. To keep your snow tires in good shape and ready for winter driving, it is important that they are stored properly. The first rule before "putting them on the shelf," so to speak, is to make sure you have inspected them for uneven tread wear and taken care of any needed tire repair.

To help your seasonal tires last longer and save you money in unnecessary tire repair, here are a few tips:

Source: http://www.excelautoandtire.com/tips-blog/tire-repair-storage-tips-for-extra-tires

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Tracking True In North Carolina: Wheel Alignment In Burgaw

Wheel alignment is often overlooked by busy Burgaw and Leland motorists until serious tire damage has been done. One wheel can be knocked out of alignment by hitting a curb or pothole on a Wilmington highway or surface street.

When a vehicle’s out of alignment, one or more of the wheels does not track true and pulls against the others. This causes several serious problems. First off, the tires will wear out faster and will need to be replaced prematurely. It could also lead to expensive sedans suspension problems.

But the big issue for Burgaw, Leland, and Wilmington motorists is safety. When your sedans wheels are out of alignment, the vehicle will pull to one side, which could lead to an accident. When you’re out of alignment, you should have it taken care of right away at Atlantic Car Care in Wilmington.

When undergoing an alignment service at Atlantic Car Care, your sedans is put on an alignment rack where the tires, steering and suspension parts are checked for damage. Then the alignment is charted and checked against the factory settings.

Precision adjustments are made to bring the wheels back into alignment. This gets all four wheels going in exactly the same direction.

Leland motorists should be aware of the signs of alignment problems. These include the car pulling to one side. Also, the steering wheel may not be centered when you’re going straight. If you see the edges of one or more tires rapidly wearing down, you should have your Wilmington service center look it over. If you’ve been in an auto accident in North Carolina that involved a wheel, you should get your alignment checked.

Obviously, a big jolt can seriously knock things out of alignment, but Burgaw drivers also need to understand that a series of smaller ones can add up.

That’s why car makers recommend periodic alignment checks. If your sedans owner’s manual doesn’t specify, once a year might be appropriate. Or check with Mike Moore or your service advisor at Atlantic Car Care in Wilmington.

One thing’s for sure: the cost of the alignment at Atlantic Car Care is cheaper for Burgaw motorists than having to buy a couple of new tires because of neglect.

Source: http://www.atlanticcarcare.com/alignment/tracking-true-in-north-carolina-wheel-alignment-in-burgaw

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Honda Yuasa Racing Prepares for Snetterton 300 Circuit

Honda has remained a part of every car championship and now Honda Yuasa Racing is heading to the Snetterton 300 circuit which is the longest track on the British Touring Car Championship event. Matt Neal that leads Honda Yuasa Racing team meets his team mate Gordon Shedden also known as Flash to win the competition. Both the drivers were among the top performers in the first half of the season in their Honda Civics and they have successfully completed their test here last month. While Matt Neal is very satisfied with the test he still believes that the event will be challenging with more competitors.4

Neal also revealed that his Civic car will have the baseline turbo boost engine while most rivals will have extra power under the BTCC equalization system. He also said that the test went good and they did long run and short run and even tried few more things extra to ensure that they manage to win this championship. He also said that he will carry 45 kilograms of success ballast which will make the uphill struggle even more difficult. He said that at that point of time MGs will be quicker than him but he expects Flash to be moving faster with just 18 kilograms of ballast.

However, both Neal and Flash feel that this circuit is going to be enjoying and challenging as well and requires lot of commitment. Flash also said that they cannot beat the others with the boost factor that they have but they can make errors and that is something that they enjoy here.

Source: http://www.autoscraze.com/honda-yuasa-racing-prepares-for-snetterton-300-circuit.html

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Ethics of Automotive Repair in Wilmington

We’re going to be talking about the ethics of automotive repair. It seems like news outlets really like hit-and-run reporting; they hit everyone from groceries stores to retail to physicians. And the Wilmington automotive service and repair industry hasn’t been given a pass either.

Unfortunately, every profession in Wilmington has some bad actors that hurt the reputation of everyone else. On the automotive side, industry associations and professional licensing organizations are very committed to high ethical standards.

Yet some people remain uncomfortable with Wilmington automotive service and repair. It may start with the fact that our vehicles are a big investment and we rely on them for so much in our lives. That alone guarantees our attention. And how well we understand the recommendations really impacts our comfort level.

If we understand what’s recommended and the benefits of taking care of the work – and the pitfalls of putting it off – we’ll have more trust in the recommendation. So communication is key. It’s like going to the doctor; If she’s using medical jargon and takes a lot of basic medical knowledge for granted, we have a hard time following her train of thought. It can be like that with your Wilmington service advisor too. He’s so familiar with all things automotive, he may forget you don’t know a PCV from an EGT.

If you don’t understand what your doctor’s talking about: ask some questions. If you don’t understand what your Wilmington automotive advisor’s talking about: ask some questions.

Let’s go back to those ethical standards; when we hear a repair recommendation, we always ask ourselves, “Is this really necessary?” Well, here’s the industry standard:

If a technician tells you that a repair or replacement is required it must meet the following criteria:

1. The part no longer performs its intended purpose
2. The part does not meet a design specification
3. The part is missing

For example, it you take your car in for a grinding noise when you step on the brakes, you may just think you need new brake pads. After the inspection, the technician at Atlantic Car Care says that you have a cracked rotor and need to replace it.

If you tried to get him to simply put new pads on, he would say that if you didn’t want to replace the rotor; Atlantic Car Care would ethically have to refuse the repair.

To just put pads on a cracked rotor would have been very wrong. The brakes could’ve failed at anytime and needed to be repaired – not just have a band-aid slapped on them.

Now, looking at something not so serious, the technician may suggest repair or replacement if:

1. The part is close to the end of its useful life – just above discard specifications or likely to fail soon
2. To address a customer need or request – like for better ride or increased performance
3. To comply with maintenance recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer
4. Based on the technician’s informed experience

Of course, the technician has the burden of making ethical recommendations and properly educating their customers. For the customer, if you are uncomfortable with a recommendation, ask some questions. More information is always a good thing.

Source: http://www.atlanticcarcare.com/service-standards/ethics-of-automotive-repair-in-wilmington

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A First Look at the 2014 Mazda 3

The new and improved Mazda 3 is one of the most hotly anticipated cars of 2014. It comes on the heels of success for the Mazda brand. The Mazda CX-5 and Mazda 6 have both received numerous awards in 2013, so the new Mazda 3 will have a lot to live up to. Fortunately, a first look at this new model shows that it will be able to stand on its own with a full array of improved features and driving dynamics. With competitive fuel economy, luxurious styling, and good value for money, so far the Mazda 3 is earning top marks. But how will it stack up next to competitors like the Ford Focus and VW Golf? It helps to look more closely at the details.

Engine and Driving Experience

The new Mazda will have plenty of power at its disposal thanks to a 118 horsepower 2.0-litre petrol engine, which is larger than many of its rivals. Another option offered will be a 148 horsepower, 2.2-litre diesel engine, which is able to take the car from 0 to 62 seconds in only 8 seconds. The most basic model will provide a fuel economy of 55 mpg, and the diesel option’s CO2 emissions are reduced to 104g/km. When you take a look at motoring.com.au’s Mazda 3 reviews for prior models, the sporty handling of the car is always mentioned as a positive attribute. This should continue in the newer model, with the gearshift and steering apparatus inspired by Mazda’s sporty MX-5 model. The car will be light and responsive as a result. With solid suspension and a quick response time, the new Mazda 3 should be both economy-minded and fun to drive.

Interior and Exterior Styling

Attention has clearly been paid to upgrading the Mazda 3′s interior for 2014. Although the specs are not yet available, you can expect features like smartphone connectivity and elevated dash screen in the higher end models. This puts it on par with the connectivity and amenities offered by competitors. For example, Nissan Micra tests on motoring.com.au mention the well-integrated Bluetooth and audio components, and the Mazda 3 should be able to match or exceed these features. The interior in the sample models is plush with accents of black plastic and chrome for a luxurious feel.

In terms of safety features, the car will now offer automatic emergency braking to help bring it to a full stop when needed. The exterior has similarly been revamped, with a more aerodynamic and stylish appearance. Yet despite its sleek lines, the Mazda 3 will also offer a generous amount of headroom and leg room for the rear passengers. However, it does offer less cargo space than competitors like the Golf, despite its otherwise roomy interior.

The Verdict

With a larger engine and greater level of power than competitors like the Focus and Golf, the new Mazda 3 still manages to match their levels of fuel economy. Although the exact pricing isn’t yet available, it’s also expected to start at a slightly lower cost. This could make the new 2014 model another bestseller for Mazda, and a fast favourite among global consumers.

Source: http://www.autoscraze.com/a-first-look-at-the-2014-mazda-3.html

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