Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Important Guidelines For Auto Collision Repairs


Accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Auto accidents are an unfortunate and unavoidable fact of life. Every day, millions of drivers pass each other on the road. A lot of them are distracted by phone calls, texting, lack of sleep, bad weather and other such factors.

Therefore, car crashes and collisions are unavoidable and inevitable.

Fortunately, most of the car accidents are relatively minor, and lead to few, if any injuries.

Unfortunately, even minor accidents can cause serious damage to the interior and exterior of your car. Areas like doors and fenders are quite susceptible to damage. After such accidents, collision repair is not only important, but is absolutely necessary.

In most cases, it is the insurance provider's job to get the car patched up, and pay for any damages. However, when you've met with an accident, there are some things you need to consider before hiring an auto collision repair service. This will make sure your car is properly dealt with and repaired properly.

Choosing the Collision Repair Shop

It is important to understand that insurance companies refer you to body shops they work with. However, you have the option to choose who repairs your car. It is worth mentioning that most body shops recommended by insurance companies are reputable, and perform high quality repairs. But just like other businesses, there are a few bad eggs. These companies try to cut corners to get the job done cheaper and faster.

Such body shops can entice insurance providers with cheap repair costs. However, this could lead to a shoddy repair, and you may end up spending an extra amount later. Before you agree to get the car fixed from an auto shop, recommended by the insurance company, you should conduct an extensive research on the Internet. It is important to read some reviews and testimonials about the company to make an informed choice.

Always Avoid Aftermarket Auto Parts

When you take the car to an auto shop for collision repair, it is important to inquire about the various replacement parts being used by the shop. Many body shops use new original parts. However, there are also some companies that use aftermarket or used parts.

While used parts are made by the same manufacturer and perform well in your car, aftermarket parts are just cheap imitations. They are inferior quality and cause problems with your car. Such parts can rattle, corrode and diminish the overall value of your car.

Properly Examine Paint Match

One of the most important factors to consider during collision repair is the paint match. There are many instances when you see cars with body panels not matching the exact color of the car. It can be quite difficult to match a newly painted body panel to your car. Sometimes, there may even be an obvious difference in color or shade.

While picking up the car from the auto body shop, you need to ask which panels were painted, and which ones are original. You should step about ten feet away from your car, and try to notice the difference in color. If you see the difference, you may need to ask for some extra paint work for a better match.

Check Warning Lights

After you have met with an accident, you may notice many different warning lights turning on in the dashboard. Some of these include the low coolant light, the airbag light, the check engine light and more. While picking up the finished car from the collision repair shop, you need to make sure that all the problems have been dealt with.

None of the lights should be illuminated. If you see illuminated lights, it indicates that the car's on-board computer needs to be reprogrammed. In fact, some electrical components may also need replacement.

In case you have been involved in a major or minor car accident, you will have to get the vehicle fixed. It is likely that you would need to consider collision repair for your car. Auto repair specialists are able to perform all kinds of damage repairs and bodywork associated with a collision.

Auto repair can include damages to the interior or exterior of the car. It may also include some damage to the structural parts of your vehicle. Therefore, you need to conduct an extensive research to find a good auto body company, and make an informed choice.

Majestic Collision was established in 1991 and is family-owned and operated. They meet most clients at a stressful time - right after a collision. Find out more information at mybodyshop.ca about why Majestic Collision can be trusted to repair your vehicle.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Frizzell

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Sunday, April 26, 2015

Inside IIHS: Research



The "Inside IIHS" series of videos offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the work of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and its Vehicle Research Center.

"Inside IIHS: Research" features interviews with Institute researchers, who explain how they use crash databases and experiments to study roadway features, driver behavior and vehicle safety features. This work helps improve highway safety by influencing policy and informing consumers.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Four Common Automotive Collision Repair Insurance Questions

 
After an auto accident, it is important that you have your vehicle damage professionally repaired by a reputable collision repair shop. However, dealing with the insurance adjusters and finding the answers to your many questions can be overwhelming. This is why we have taken the time to answer some of the most common insurance questions that our clients ask during the collision repair process.

Does the insurance company choose where you should have your vehicle repaired? It is entirely your choice as to where you have your vehicle repaired after an accident. Your insurance company may try to steer you toward a preferred shop in their network, but the choice is up to you. In fact, state law prohibits these "steering" tactics. Don't feel pressure to work with a collision repair shop simply because your adjuster prefers them. Your vehicle is a big investment and you want to be sure that an experienced and reputable automotive collision repair shop expertly repairs any damage.

Once an insurance company makes an estimate, will I need to pay for any additional damage that is discovered during the repair process? An appraiser is only able to make an estimate for the damage that is visible. Once the vehicle is taken apart for repair, the technician will look for evidence of any further damage. He will inform the insurance company of any additional repairs that must be made. It is not unusual for there to be at least one supplement to the original estimate.

Should I choose the repair shop with the lowest price because insurance is paying? That old phrase, "You get what you pay for" is often the case when it comes to automotive collision repair. Just because a shop offers the lowest price, it does not necessarily mean that it is the best place to have your car repaired. The vehicles of today are quite complex so you want to be sure that you are working with repair technicians that can restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition. This includes repairing the outside appearance as well as the safety equipment and special equipment found on modern vehicles. Your car is a big investment so you want to be sure that you receive the best quality automotive repairs available.

Will my car ever be the same? If you use a reputable collision repair shop, your vehicle should be returned to its pre-accident state. This includes returning the function, safety, performance and appearance of the vehicle to like-new condition. Be sure that your technicians use new, high-quality replacement parts. You should choose a shop that offers comprehensive warranties on all repairs. This is one way to guarantee that the customer is completely satisfied with their repaired vehicle.

Repairing your vehicle after a collision should not be a traumatic experience. Find an auto body shop in your area that is experienced in working with insurance companies. They can guide you through the process so you feel comfortable and secure every step of the way.


Craig Pelton is the owner of Worldwide Auto Body, a full-service auto paint and collision repair center located in Kernersville, NC.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Pelton

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Monday, April 20, 2015

The Joys of a Fresh Oil Change


When most people think of joy, they usually think what you might expect them to: warm beaches, gatherings of friends, marital bliss, or for the adventurous, the rush that comes from parachuting from an airplane or reaching a mountain peak. All of that is fine and can really bring anybody a great deal of happiness. However, for us gear heads and motor vehicle enthusiasts, joy hides in places most people wouldn't really expect: the feeling of driving a stick shift, the slight drag you feel as your tires momentarily slip on an off road dirt patch, and the fresh feel of a car right after an oil change.

That's not to say that an oil change will make a car feel noticeably different to everybody; that's a joy reserved for the real aficionados. However, it's undeniable that there are a myriad of benefits to getting your oil changed regularly. So, for the people who are not as up to speed, here's a quick list of the ways this vital procedure will benefit your vehicle when performed regularly.

1. Performance

A fresh change of oil in your vehicle has a tremendous effect on your car's performance. A vehicle's engine consists of a wide variety of moving parts. Oil is the lubricant that keeps all of these parts from harshly grinding against one another, which over time causes the whole system to run more slowly. With a fresh coat, you'll see a great increase in horsepower and a much smoother, quieter operation.

2. Fuel Efficiency

Once again, when an engine's lubrication is not up to par, all of these moving parts start to grind against each other. This not only damages the component parts, but it also requires a great deal more energy to operate. When everything is running smoothly, the parts move with less resistance, and you'll find that you spend much less on gas than you were before.

3. Less Debris

In the course of the normal operation of an engine, a certain amount of dirt and debris begins to develop. All of that extra stuff ends up floating around in the oil, and if you allow it to sit for long enough without a change, you'll find a great deal of random particles that can cause damage. A fresh oil change flushes all of that stuff out.

4. Longer Life

Like everything in a motor vehicle, engines die after some time. This is going to happen eventually, no matter what you do for your car. Keeping everything fresh on a regular basis mitigates all of that damage, and though you won't completely eliminate wear and tear, you'll find that it will last far longer than it would otherwise.

So you see, regular oil changes are essential to the overall health of your car or truck. Check with your mechanic for recommendations on how frequently it should be done.

When considering an oil change, Livonia, MI residents visit Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center at Bill Brown Ford. Learn more about this procedure at http://billbrownford.net/Service.aspx.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ace_Abbey

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Friday, April 17, 2015

10 Best Used Cars Under $10K | Consumer Reports



You actually can find a good used car even if your budget is tight. Here are some of Consumer Reports' favorites that are safe, reliable and inexpensive.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

2015 Midsize PickupTruck Challenge: V-6 Acceleration, Empty



We tested our four challengers on the same day, at the same track (Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz.), with the same test equipment and the same driver (and his test procedures). Since we had all V-6 engines, spinning tires was not much of a problem for these pickups, but much of their success was based on tire grip and transmission software mapping. Interestingly, there was still a pretty good separation between the players.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

How to Choose a Collision Repair Shop


Everybody hates accidents and also vehicles too. When your car gets damaged in an accident it might be quite exhausting for you to face the consequences. You will have to find the right body shop to repair the damages caused and at the same time claim the amount from your insurance company. Finding the right body shop to repair the damages caused to your car can be a daunting task. To ease your worries, I am presenting you some factors that you must consider while choosing a collision repair shop. Apart from the time taken to repair your car, you must consider the price affordability and the quality of service. You should also find out the number of years of experience the collision repair shop has, the type of cars repaired by them, guarantee, provision of supplementary services etc.

Asking For Referrals:

If you wish to avail the services of competent body shop the best thing to do is to ask your relatives or friends for referrals. Your co-workers or friends might be able to recommend you a shop that has previously delivered good service to them. You can also Google out for names of body shops and also go through user reviews. If there are a number of positive reviews then you can give a chance to that specific body shop.

Price Assessment

Price is definitely important point to consider whether you are paying for the services or the insurance company. Before you proceed with a specific shop, you must take price estimates from various shops offering repair service. When you have the estimate from various shops, it becomes easy for you to decide the body shop you wish to go for. However, you must be wary that you don't go for a collision body shop that offers cheap price for low quality service. Compare each section of estimate to know how much has been allocated for parts, labor and other expenses.

Labor Cost:

The biggest item on a collision repair shop's estimate is labor costs. It reflects the amount paid by the shop owner both to his workers in the shop and also as overheads. If the shop is located in a posh location and there is huge office staff that works for the shop you might need to pay higher than what you would have to pay otherwise.

There is also a possibility that you might be charged more hours for the same service. Shops usually refer to manual of standard hours to estimate how many hours a specific job SHOULD take. Some shops itemize various components in order to confuse the consumer. The best thing to do is compare estimates.

If you have no recommendations on collision repair shop then you can consider other factors such as the time for which your car will be in the shop for service, the number of years of experience, the auto body technology used by them, number of clients they have etc.

Exclusive Collision Center is one of the best Collision Repair Shop. We provide all type of auto body work.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Cedillo

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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Consumer Reports 2015 Best Used SUVs



Buying used is a less expensive way to get the versatility SUVs offer. Consumer Reports' favorites include models from Honda, Acura and Toyota.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

A Few Key Signs Your Car Needs Auto Service


Intellectually, everyone understands that their car needs auto service regularly. However, with all of the distractions of your daily life, it can be difficult to keep up with the maintenance your automobile deserves. Here are a few key things to keep an eye on to remind you it may be time for maintenance.

Squeaky Brakes

Every now and then, take a moment to turn off your radio and listen to your brakes when your car first starts moving. Squeaky brakes are usually an indication that your brake pads are wearing out, but the sound can also mean that your tires are wearing out. Many car service companies will offer free brake inspections, allowing you to get an idea of your exact brake situation. If you ask, they can usually even give you an idea of how long you have before you'll start causing harm to the vehicle.

Trouble Starting

If your can has started needing a bit of coaxing before it will turn over, there is a chance that something serious, like the starter or alternator, needs to be replaced. However, it can also be as simple as needing a new battery. An auto service shop can read the existing power in your battery and determine if it needs to be replaced.

Dust Buildup

Have you ever noticed that suddenly your car seems to be retaining a layer of dust on the dashboard? You clean it, have the car vacuumed, and the dust just keeps coming back. Just like your home air conditioner, your car has a built-in filter to absorb dust as it moves through the air conditioning system. Your filters at home need to be changed every few months, so it should be no surprise that your car's filter needs to be replaced regularly. A normal inspection service can typically give you an idea of the state of your filter and when it will need to be replaced.

While it may not seem like a big deal, a dirty filter can cause unforeseen complications. When it's full, the air conditioning system has to work harder to send cool air into the car. This can cause problems not only with the AC, but also with any other part of the vehicle that is involved in the conditioning process.

Ultimately, preventative maintenance is a key part of maximizing your car's lifespan. By regularly taking your vehicle in for auto service, you are accomplishing multiple things. First, you are able to fix small problems as they occur, preventing them from becoming larger issues. This allows you to spend 100 dollars today as opposed to thousands of dollars down the road. Secondly, regular auto service allows you to budget and plan for necessary repairs. A free brake inspection will tell you not only how much your eventual brake pad replacement will cost, but also how long you have until that repair becomes a necessity. You can budget for regular maintenance and then budget each month so that your major repairs will never be a sudden, stressful surprise.

When their vehicles need auto service, Greenfield, MA residents turn to http://www.toyotaofgreenfield.com/service/index.htm.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anders_Abadie

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Corby's Collision Video - Happy Customers and Alignments



"Hands On" Owner / Operator Paul Troutner discusses happy customers and alignments. For more information, please visit http://corbysvacaville.com/