Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Most Common Car Problems


If our cars are starting to display some problems, different thoughts come into our mind regarding what caused the problem, how much will it cost to have it fix, do you need to buy anything and many more. That is why it is good for you as a driver that you have some knowledge on the most common car problems today so that you know how much you will spend and what it needs to be fixed.

Flat Tire - It is the most common problem that every car and other vehicle drivers face. Though this is the most common car problem that people face, it is among the easiest to fix car problems around. Having a spare tire, tube and needed tools for the job is very crucial for fixing a flat tire.

Shocks - Another very common car problem that nearly all car drivers will face throughout their lifetime driving is when their shock starts to malfunction. If you have noticed that your ride with your car is starting to become bumpy recently, then it is time for you to have your car checked by a car trusted and expert mechanic. If the problem is not very severe then the mechanic can have return your car to running smoothly, but if the problem is quite big then you might have to buy new shocks and shock absorbers and have the old ones replaced by it.

Won't Start Ignition - Just like what you see on movies, ignition is another common problem. The car will usually just crank but will not start; this is a common problem among cars and other vehicles. The problem may easily be fixed within just a few minutes or it can take days and a couple of cash if the problem is quite big. The cause for this problem is quite broad.

Cracked Windshield - The windshield is another very fragile and important part of your car. If you have a cracked windshield then it would be best that you fix it right away. Not fixing it by the time you noticed the crack will put you and your family in danger.

Having some basic knowledge on the basic problems and how to fix those car problems will help you know what the problem of your car is and what caused the problem. Aside from letting you have some knowledge about the problem of your car and what caused the problem, it will also help you keep you and your family safe from harm and it will also help you save money if you are able to prevent the problem from worsening.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5214200

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Seat belt PSA (Ad Council) - Early '70s




An old seat belt psa from the 70's with some real great sounds effects.

Watch, but don't wrinkle your dress.


If your car is damaged in a car accident be sure to bring it in to Corby's Collision in Vacaville! When you do business with us you will not only deal with ourtheir qualified and professional staff but, also with Paul himself. He is an Owner/Operator and likes to be "hands on" with everything that goes in and out of the shop.
707-448-1696

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Airbag History And Safety


Airbags were made in the mid-1970's, a time during which seatbelt use was greatly declining and traffic fatalities increasing as a result. They were thus originally marketed as an alternative to seatbelts rather than a supplementary safety aid as they are today. It was soon found, however, that the use of airbags without the accompaniment of a seatbelt could result in severe injury or even death. Since airbags have been coupled with seatbelts for safety, airbags have become an integral part to the safety system of just about any new car on the market.

Every year new types of airbags are added to vehicles. The first airbags only deflated from the steering wheel, today the many type of airbags include:

o Frontal airbags-these bags deploy from the steering wheel and now include "shaped" airbags.
o Passenger airbags-the first bags created to protect passengers as well deploy from the dash.
o Side airbags-it was soon found that while airbags were great for front or back collisions, there was no available protection for T-bone or side crashes.
o Side tubular or curtain airbag-protection for the head during a side collision.
o Knee airbag-this bag protects knees and legs and is located beneath the steering wheel.
o Rear Curtain airbag-provides a curtain shield to protect the heads of rear sitting passengers in the event of a rear end crash.
o Rear center airbag-this bag was developed to reduce injuries to rear passengers in a side collision.

Airbag Safety Tips

From 1990 to 2008, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 6,377 lived have been saved and countless injuries prevented thanks to airbags. But while airbags are undoubtedly invaluable lifesaving devices, improper use or faulty systems can result in injury or death. In the same period of time as the previous statistic, 175 fatalities were reported as a result of airbags. Of these fatalities, 104 were children.

To stay safe while riding in a vehicle with airbags, be sure to remember a few things.

o Drivers should allow at least 10 inches between their breastbone and center of the steering wheel.
o Always wear a seatbelt. Not doing so can result in severe injury if the airbag hits you at the wrong angle.
o Children 12 and under should always rid
e in a rear seat with age appropriate restraints or car seats.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3024042

Friday, July 15, 2011

Collision Body Repair - Tasks That Demand Experience And Expertise Of A Professional


Auto collisions are one of the leading causes of vehicle damage. They are unfortunate incidents that damage outer auto body the most and also cause technical problems in automobiles. However you cannot stop all those unfortunate incidents to be happened, you can actually get your vehicle back in its shape and working condition with the help of some experts automobile collision repair services that are dedicated to help those who are seeking a professional help to take care of their damaged vehicles.

Collision body repair is not an easy task to do as it sounds; it is a complicated process that needs expert hands and a long experience to be done right. Automobiles are complex machines that are made up of various parts with every single part performing its own unique task making a machine fully functional to serve you in its best condition. There is also a big role of the outer body of the machine that has its own importance in making a machine successful on the roads. So, experience and expertise is all that is required to repair a vehicle after an incident of collision.

When it comes to repair a damaged vehicle after a collision, a professional Automobile collision repair service can help you to get your vehicle back in its full working condition. They help you fix auto body damage of all kinds ranging from door dings, fender benders, unibody and frame repair, bumper repairs, paint less dent repairs, hail damage repairs to all paint color matching and custom painting repair services. With the help of their latest tool and technology, they help you a lot to fix your vehicle the way it should be fixed and to your satisfaction. With the expertise to do auto body repair on foreign as well as domestic vehicles, they also offer you expert assistance in claiming insurance for your damages.

Professional collision repair services always give you satisfying results and your car a rejuvenating look that enhance the beauty of your vehicle forever! They straighten unibody and frame damage to factory specifications to help you feel relaxed knowing your vehicle will drive correctly after the repair. By offering paint less dent repair, towing scheduling, accident report assistance, insurance claim negotiations and many more, they help you to make your life easy even after an unfortunate incident and your vehicle in its previous condition to actually return the safety, structure and appearance of your vehicle to factory specifications to ensure your safety on the road.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4548050

If your vehicle has been damaged in an accident come see the experts at Corby's Collision! We have been in business in Vacaville, California for 47 years. When you do business with Corby's Collision you will not only deal with their qualified and professional staff but, also with Paul himself. He is an Owner/Operator and likes to be "hands on" with everything that goes in and out of the shop.
707-448-2736

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Car Accident Prevention



Countless individuals die in roadway accidents in the U.S. each year. The bulk of the mishaps that occur involve unfortunate passenger vehicle incidents. The drivers are usually the main cause of car accidents. Other reasons of vehicle collisions include bad weather and complicated road conditions.

It is imperative for vehicle owners while driving to be very cautious to put a stop to the droves of automobile accidents occurring yearly. There are various quality safety driving guidelines that must be followed to lessen the risk of a crash. If every single individual comply with these simple road rules it would decrease the amount of accidents quite substantially.

A car should be regularly maintained and checked for any complications monthly. Maintaining a routine schedule for vehicle servicing is a standard preventative procedure that you can easily do. All drivers should examine the front and even the rear mirrors of their vehicle to prevent a possible accident. Having appropriate mirrors allow a clear unaltered view of other nearby cars. This can help you to avoid common yet deadly automobile accidents.

We all know the dangers associated with drinking and driving. Judgment is impaired when anyone is under the influence of alcohol substance or drugs. Its impossible to drive safely in that state. Drinking while driving is a fraudulent offense in America. Operating any form of machinery under the influence of a substance is severely prohibited.

When driving it is essential to maintain the correct distance between two vehicles to steer clear of back bumper accidents. A driver should never attempt to grasp for things in their vehicle while driving. There's a higher likelihood that the driver could fail to retain control of the car and cause a fatal collision. Another issue while driving is road rage. Each driver must manage their temper when on the road.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1312223

If your car is damaged in an accident, Corby's Collision can help you get back on the road fast! We have been in business for 47 years in Vacaville, California. When you do business with Corby's Collision you will not only deal with their qualified and professional staff but, also with Paul himself. He is an Owner/Operator and likes to be "hands on" with everything that goes in and out of the shop.
707-448-1696

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

One Surprising Thing Automakers Are Eliminating From Cars



Automakers have been quietly eliminating one pretty heavy piece of equipment from cars in an attempt to make cars lighter and more fuel efficient.

But a lot of consumers don't know it's gone until they're stranded on the side of the road, wondering where their spare tire went.

Over the past few years, several automakers have removed spare tires from the trunk. Some car companies today are making the spare tire an option – costing as much as $350.

In addition to saving fuel, taking out the spare could eliminate the danger of standing on the highway shoulder trying to change a tire while trucks and cars whiz by. Although no one keeps track of how many people die each year changing tires, about 4,000 pedestrians are struck and killed each year, according to the government's Fatality Analysis Reporting System encyclopedia. About 700 of those pedestrians are people working in the roadway.

While some drivers might be shocked to open their trunk and find no spare tire hiding anywhere in the back, the industry says it isn't unsafe to go without. Mandatory tire pressure monitoring systems, which are on all cars since 2006, should alert drivers before their tires deflate. Blowouts are rare, and even if the tire is punctured on the side wall, most drivers have cellphones or access to emergency services through their car.

"Getting rid of something as important as the spare tire wasn't a decision we made lightly," said Terry Connolly, General Motor's director of tire and wheel systems. "The universal implementation of tire pressure monitoring systems over the past five years has significantly reduced the likelihood that a flat tire will leave you stranded by the side of the road."

Chevy, which is owned by GM, eliminated the spare tire on the Chevy Cruze when it debuted last year, and began offering one as a $100 option. In 2011, 85% of customers bought that option, the company says, so they've decided to make it standard equipment again on all Cruze models except the Eco version.

On the Eco model, you can't even get a spare as an option.

"Customers who purchase the Eco are looking for the ultimate in fuel economy and as part of our mass optimization efforts on the Eco model the spare tire is not an option," says Lesley Hettinger, a spokeswoman for GM.

GM says the spare tire saves 26 pounds. That alone doesn't improve fuel economy too much, but the company made 42 other changes in addition to cutting out the spare tire that improve fuel economy by 5%. The Eco version will get 39 mpg on the highway, compared with 37 mpg for the regular models.

The auto industry is under massive pressure to increase fuel economy. One of the ways they do that is by reducing vehicle weight, and when you start looking at heavy things that can be ditched, the spare tire seems like an obvious choice.

There are several models that don't come with standard spare tires, including almost every vehicle that comes with a run-flat tire. To get a spare on a Cadillac CTS, it will cost $350. The Fiat 500 spare tire comes optional for $100. The Ford Focus and Honda Fit don't come with a spare in Canada, but they do in the U.S. Some sports cars don't have them, like some versions of the Ford Mustang, Camaro ZL1, and Audi TT.

The all-wheel drive versions of the Toyota Sienna minivan also don't come with spare tires, but that's because they are equipped with run-flat tires.

Run-flat tires seem like a great compromise between fuel efficiency concerns and consumers desires for lug around a heavy tire "just in case." But they caused problems at first – they wore out quickly, and were expensive to replace. Consumers complained that they got flat tires more often on run flats, and had a hard time finding new run-flat tires at dealers. They can also produce harsher rides, which is especially troublesome since road conditions in snow states have gotten worse the last couple of years.

Newer generations of the tires seem to have fixed some of those problems, says Jennifer Stockburger, program manager of vehicle and child safety at Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports has been tracking run-flat tire wear since 2007, when drivers began complaining about their quality.

Part of the problem was that people didn't know they had them, she says.

"They weren't aware they didn't have a spare tire until something happened," she says. "And then they found out about all these extra problems."

Now, though, run flat tires can last around 40,000 miles if they are taken care of diligently. Consumer Reports has been keeping the tires inflated perfectly and rotating them on schedule, and Stockburger says they haven't had any problems with the tires.

Stockburger says she feels more safe in a car with run flats than one without a spare but with an inflator kit. Inflator kits don't help if the tire is damaged on the sidewall. Run-flat tires give you the ability to get someplace safe, off the side of the road, or even miles down the road to a service station. Not having a spare at all can you leave you stranded if the side-wall of the tire is damaged, or there is no cell signal.

"We don't appreciate that people living in really rural areas sometimes don't have cellphone signals," she says.

AAA expects 1.2 million people will call for help this summer. Many will be flats, but the agency says that many of those could be avoided if people took care of their tires properly.

The group recommends that drivers who buy a car without a spare take into consideration the kinds of roads they travel. "Not having a conventional spare tire would probably not be advisable if an individual travels long distances and on lightly traveled roads," says Mike Calkins, AAA's national manager of approved auto repair. But if virtually all your driving is urban and suburban, you could probably do without.

Membership to AAA costs about $50, depending on where you live. The group frequently responds to calls where drivers have no spare tire, or where the spare is unusable. If the leak is slow, they try to air up the tire and then follow the driver to a nearby repair shop. Some AAA clubs can repair tires roadside, and if that doesn't work, AAA will tow or flatbed a vehicle to a place of repair.

Even though there are ways to work around not having a spare, some customers are uncomfortable with the idea. Tim Huckaby, a reader in Fort Worth, Texas, says he simply won't buy a car without a spare. He's had to change tires by the side of the road several times, and can't see going without one.

"It has come in handy several times ... I want and need the spare," he says.

Article Source: http://autos.aol.com/article/eliminating-spare-tire/