Tire warranties promise 60,000 miles, 80,000 miles, even 100,000 miles. But our extensive testing finds they don't always deliver.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Inflated Tire Tread-Wear Claims | Consumer Reports
Tire warranties promise 60,000 miles, 80,000 miles, even 100,000 miles. But our extensive testing finds they don't always deliver.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Corby's Collision's History and Sense of Community
"Hands On" Owner / Operator Paul Troutner talks about Corby's history and sense of community. See more at http://corbysvacaville.com
Friday, October 23, 2015
How to Go About Getting Auto Body Repairs Done
Unfortunately with the cold season fast approaching, snow and icy
conditions will bring about several automobile accidents. It's rough,
but it happens all the time. Many people have gotten into accidents, but
it is important to do the right thing. This will help the insurance
company get to auto body repairs as soon as possible.
Here is what you should do if you get into an accident:
There are a few different auto body repair services that a body shop will need to perform. After a collision, suspension and frame work will likely need to be done. This will keep your ride smooth with little bumps. If pieces do not need to be replace, auto body shops can perform paintless dent repair to get dents and scratches out. However, if any piece needs to be painted, several surrounding pieces or the entire car will need repainting.
Getting body work done can be a long and difficult process. Hopefully, these tips will help to get you through any ordeal properly. This way should ensure that you get little resistance from the insurance companies.
Here is what you should do if you get into an accident:
- Get safe. If your car is in working condition, pull over. You don't need any other cars added to the accident. If your car is immobile, get yourself to the curb and out of harm's way.
- Get help. If someone is injured, dial 911. Otherwise, call the cops. Even in the case of a minor accident, it is good to have an official record of the accident. If someone else is involved, it's their word against yours. It is good to have an account for the insurance companies. This way, there will be no disputes when it is time for repair work to be done.
- Call insurance provider. This can wait until you are safe and at home. It is best not to wait too long though. While the accident is still fresh in your mind, you will better be able to recall the events more accurately.
- Get repairs. When all of this is completed, you can search for a body shop to perform auto body repairs. Your insurance provider should have a list of body shops that they sponsor to work on your vehicle. There are benefits for using one of these shops, but you do not have to. If you have a shop that you always go to, the insurance companies will allow it with no problems.
There are a few different auto body repair services that a body shop will need to perform. After a collision, suspension and frame work will likely need to be done. This will keep your ride smooth with little bumps. If pieces do not need to be replace, auto body shops can perform paintless dent repair to get dents and scratches out. However, if any piece needs to be painted, several surrounding pieces or the entire car will need repainting.
Getting body work done can be a long and difficult process. Hopefully, these tips will help to get you through any ordeal properly. This way should ensure that you get little resistance from the insurance companies.
Daniel J Delgle is an experienced technician at the Ridgewood Vehicle Co, a professional auto body shop in Ridgewood NJ.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
4 Maintenance Tips to Keep Cars Running Over 100,000 Miles
When they've just been acquired from a dealership, new vehicles
usually run very smooth, the engine giving everything it has throughout
the RPM range, shocks are nicely absorbed by the struts and coils
wrapped into the suspension mechanism, and fuel consumption sticks to
the data found on the brochure. However as years pass, cars tend to grow
old just like we do; components start to gain wear and perform with
reduced efficiency.
Still, in the same way we take care of our bodies in order to live past the average life expectancy number, proper maintenance can keep a vehicle rolling the tarmac for years and thousands of miles. Here are 4 key maintenance elements to consider if you want your vehicle to run more than 100,000 miles.
1. Oil, Fluids and Filters
In order to run, a car needs fuel. Also, it needs to breathe and to provide minimum friction for the inner dynamic components of the engine. That is why replacing fluids and filters and respecting maintenance intervals are a critical step in ensuring an extended lifetime for any vehicle. Normally, the only fluid that must be changed on a regular basis is motor oil. Others, such as gearbox oil, coolant or brake fluid must be refilled to their optimum level if the level drops; otherwise, there is no need to tamper with them. Don't try to be cheap when replacing motor oil on your car! Go for a product that matches settings written in your car's service manual. Other oils may be cheaper or work better in other vehicles but may produce lower performance on yours.
Replacing motor oil means you will also have to replace the oil filter. Again, don't try to save a few dollars by acquiring a cheaper, low quality product; you will save more on the long run with a performance oil filter. Remember that your car also owns a fuel filter, an air filter and a particle filter. Remember to replace those as well, according to the service interval mentioned in your car's service manual.
2. Brakes
Once you've ensured your car is running smooth and at full capacity thanks to its new filters and oil, it is highly recommended to make sure you can get to a full stop just as well as you can accelerate. Again, take your car's service manual and check the indicated maintenance period regarding the vehicle's braking system. If there's none, make sure to check the wear level of your brake pads and replace them when they become thin. Also, after a few tens of thousands of miles, it is highly recommended to replace your brake rotors as well; they may take longer to wear but they aren't indestructible either.
3. Timing belt
A timing belt that ruptures while the engine is running at a high RPM's is a mechanical nightmare. If it happens, chances are your intake and exhaust valves will damage, pistons may crack and your engine may have to undergo a very expensive repair process. If your car features a chain drive, you don't have to worry about this. Still, since there are many cars using a timing belt, replacing your old belt with a new timing belt kit on a regular basis is highly recommended. Replacement intervals differ between car brands and models, so you'll have to look up yours in the service manual or online. The interval is measured in miles, so check your odometer from time to time.
4. Tires
Your car's enhanced braking system is useless unless the vehicle has a strong grip with the ground. Given that the only elements able to provide such grip are the tires, make sure you keep an eye on their wear level. Use a cheap tread-depth gauge to measure how much tread your tires have left. A low tread increases chances of aquaplaning and tire failure. Depending on where you live, season-appropriate tires should be used; you should own a winter as well as a summer set of tires if you live in a climate with four seasons.
Finally, remember to inflate tires to the appropriate pressure mentioned by the producer. This will ensure it will use the whole treat surface and increase mileage as well as grip.
Still, in the same way we take care of our bodies in order to live past the average life expectancy number, proper maintenance can keep a vehicle rolling the tarmac for years and thousands of miles. Here are 4 key maintenance elements to consider if you want your vehicle to run more than 100,000 miles.
1. Oil, Fluids and Filters
In order to run, a car needs fuel. Also, it needs to breathe and to provide minimum friction for the inner dynamic components of the engine. That is why replacing fluids and filters and respecting maintenance intervals are a critical step in ensuring an extended lifetime for any vehicle. Normally, the only fluid that must be changed on a regular basis is motor oil. Others, such as gearbox oil, coolant or brake fluid must be refilled to their optimum level if the level drops; otherwise, there is no need to tamper with them. Don't try to be cheap when replacing motor oil on your car! Go for a product that matches settings written in your car's service manual. Other oils may be cheaper or work better in other vehicles but may produce lower performance on yours.
Replacing motor oil means you will also have to replace the oil filter. Again, don't try to save a few dollars by acquiring a cheaper, low quality product; you will save more on the long run with a performance oil filter. Remember that your car also owns a fuel filter, an air filter and a particle filter. Remember to replace those as well, according to the service interval mentioned in your car's service manual.
2. Brakes
Once you've ensured your car is running smooth and at full capacity thanks to its new filters and oil, it is highly recommended to make sure you can get to a full stop just as well as you can accelerate. Again, take your car's service manual and check the indicated maintenance period regarding the vehicle's braking system. If there's none, make sure to check the wear level of your brake pads and replace them when they become thin. Also, after a few tens of thousands of miles, it is highly recommended to replace your brake rotors as well; they may take longer to wear but they aren't indestructible either.
3. Timing belt
A timing belt that ruptures while the engine is running at a high RPM's is a mechanical nightmare. If it happens, chances are your intake and exhaust valves will damage, pistons may crack and your engine may have to undergo a very expensive repair process. If your car features a chain drive, you don't have to worry about this. Still, since there are many cars using a timing belt, replacing your old belt with a new timing belt kit on a regular basis is highly recommended. Replacement intervals differ between car brands and models, so you'll have to look up yours in the service manual or online. The interval is measured in miles, so check your odometer from time to time.
4. Tires
Your car's enhanced braking system is useless unless the vehicle has a strong grip with the ground. Given that the only elements able to provide such grip are the tires, make sure you keep an eye on their wear level. Use a cheap tread-depth gauge to measure how much tread your tires have left. A low tread increases chances of aquaplaning and tire failure. Depending on where you live, season-appropriate tires should be used; you should own a winter as well as a summer set of tires if you live in a climate with four seasons.
Finally, remember to inflate tires to the appropriate pressure mentioned by the producer. This will ensure it will use the whole treat surface and increase mileage as well as grip.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Antonie_G_Vastinar/1447440
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Essential Tips On Arriving At The Right Auto Body Repair Shop
It is highly essential to find the right auto body shop because
car repairs are inevitable. At some point or the other you will need
services for repairing your car. Many of you are very little
apprehensive at this point and often take your car to the car dealer to
get it repaired or serviced. However, this is not something realistic.
When it comes to auto body work, car dealerships may prove to be very costly. It is very essential to find a shop that is in the vicinity of your home or workplace. Proximity is not the only point to be considered, you must also consider if it is affordable and has dexterous technicians. Finding the right shop is tough, but not impossible. A little bit of research can help you find the right shop and also save your money. It is important to find the right shop because some shops may even lie about the damage present in your vehicle. Following are the things that must be considered before arriving at the right auto body shop:
1. Start looking or researching for an auto body shop even before your car needs a repair. This will help you handle any emergency repair need quickly and with ease. You must not land up in a situation wherein there is an emergency repair to be done and you have no repair shop address on hand while at the same time you have to attend an important conference. Don't go to a shop out of necessity, but go it only after detailed research.
2. The next thing to do is start researching to find the right auto body shop. Ask your family, relatives, friends or even colleagues for recommendations. You can ask anyone who has previously got their car serviced or repaired.
3. Once you have prepared a list of all the prospective auto body shops you can call the shops and talk to the manager to inquire about their policies. You can also find out information regarding the experience of the workers and the breakup of the charges taken by them, though it is not the only important factor to be considered.
4. You can then proceed to assess how the shop is being run. You can visit the shop and see how organized they are. If they are almost always busy, you may look for other auto body repair shop.
5. You can ask the shop for some references of their past clients. You can inquire with them about their experience of getting their car repaired or serviced. You can ask them about the different aspects about which they were satisfied or dissatisfied. You can also get an idea about the real turnaround time.
6. Ask the shop about the modes of payment. You can ask them if they accept personal checks or if they offer any loans for carrying out extensive repairs.
7. You can also take your car to them for minor maintenance procedure in order to gain some experience and arrive at an opinion regarding the auto body workshop.
When it comes to auto body work, car dealerships may prove to be very costly. It is very essential to find a shop that is in the vicinity of your home or workplace. Proximity is not the only point to be considered, you must also consider if it is affordable and has dexterous technicians. Finding the right shop is tough, but not impossible. A little bit of research can help you find the right shop and also save your money. It is important to find the right shop because some shops may even lie about the damage present in your vehicle. Following are the things that must be considered before arriving at the right auto body shop:
1. Start looking or researching for an auto body shop even before your car needs a repair. This will help you handle any emergency repair need quickly and with ease. You must not land up in a situation wherein there is an emergency repair to be done and you have no repair shop address on hand while at the same time you have to attend an important conference. Don't go to a shop out of necessity, but go it only after detailed research.
2. The next thing to do is start researching to find the right auto body shop. Ask your family, relatives, friends or even colleagues for recommendations. You can ask anyone who has previously got their car serviced or repaired.
3. Once you have prepared a list of all the prospective auto body shops you can call the shops and talk to the manager to inquire about their policies. You can also find out information regarding the experience of the workers and the breakup of the charges taken by them, though it is not the only important factor to be considered.
4. You can then proceed to assess how the shop is being run. You can visit the shop and see how organized they are. If they are almost always busy, you may look for other auto body repair shop.
5. You can ask the shop for some references of their past clients. You can inquire with them about their experience of getting their car repaired or serviced. You can ask them about the different aspects about which they were satisfied or dissatisfied. You can also get an idea about the real turnaround time.
6. Ask the shop about the modes of payment. You can ask them if they accept personal checks or if they offer any loans for carrying out extensive repairs.
7. You can also take your car to them for minor maintenance procedure in order to gain some experience and arrive at an opinion regarding the auto body workshop.
Exclusive Collision Center is one of the best Auto Body Repair Shop. We provide all type of auto body work.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Do You Really Need All-Wheel Drive? | Consumer Reports
Automakers have marketed AWD as a safety shield against winter weather, but our evaluations of an AWD Honda CR-V and a front drive Toyota Camry shows that snow tires are more effective in stopping and cornering.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
2015 - 2016 Midsize SUV Comparison Test - Kelley Blue Book
For this comparison we gathered a range of 3-row players including the 2015 Toyota Highlander - this year's Kelley Blue Book Midsize SUV Best Buy - and the totally redesigned 2016 Honda Pilot, plus the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe and redesigned 2016 Kia Sorento.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Top 5 Keys to Finding the Right Auto Body Shop
We love our cars; we spend countless hours in them driving to
work, driving the kids around, and driving for pleasure. Though modern
vehicles are fine machines, because of the sheer quantity of vehicles on
the road, accidents will happen, no matter how cautious and safe you
are as a driver. When accidents happen, you will need to take your car
in to the body shop. Because there are so many shops in every town and
city, here are five keys to finding the right auto body shop that will
get the job done correctly and reasonably.
5 Keys to Finding the Right Auto Body Shop
The first thing to do is find a few auto body shops in your area. The best way to do this is through referrals from family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. You can also look online for shops in your vicinity. Once you get a handful of shops, it is important to check online for reviews, ratings, and testimonials. There are a few good online review sites that offer unbiased accounts on their experiences with businesses in your local area.
It is important that your auto body shop works with your insurance company. Even if you are not filing a claim on this particular accident, it helps to establish a relationship with a body shop that is willing to work with insurance companies if the need ever arises. Any reputable body shop should be able to work with and coordinate repairs with your insurance company; if you find that this is not the case, move on to the next repair facility.
Take a quick look at each shop you go to. A quick inspection will tell you if the place is run efficiently and if the staff is friendly. If you feel as if you won't be treated well or just don't like the vibe, move on to the next location.
Make sure that each and every body shop you visit is properly licensed and insured. There will usually be certificates hanging on the wall, but it is wise to ask about their licensing and insurance. Also, ask about any guarantees they offer.
The final key is the estimate. You should get at least three estimates. The final estimates will vary from location to location, but the difference shouldn't be too great. If one shop provides you with a very low estimate, this should raise a red flag. Even if you are taking your car in for a small job, get the estimate in writing. The estimate should also contain a time frame for completion.
Your final selection should be based on referrals, the online homework you did, your feeling when visiting the place, the customer service, and the written estimate. You want to build up a relationship with a reputable auto body shop; if you find one you trust, then the next time you need repairs, you can skip the first four keys and go straight to the written estimate.
5 Keys to Finding the Right Auto Body Shop
The first thing to do is find a few auto body shops in your area. The best way to do this is through referrals from family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. You can also look online for shops in your vicinity. Once you get a handful of shops, it is important to check online for reviews, ratings, and testimonials. There are a few good online review sites that offer unbiased accounts on their experiences with businesses in your local area.
It is important that your auto body shop works with your insurance company. Even if you are not filing a claim on this particular accident, it helps to establish a relationship with a body shop that is willing to work with insurance companies if the need ever arises. Any reputable body shop should be able to work with and coordinate repairs with your insurance company; if you find that this is not the case, move on to the next repair facility.
Take a quick look at each shop you go to. A quick inspection will tell you if the place is run efficiently and if the staff is friendly. If you feel as if you won't be treated well or just don't like the vibe, move on to the next location.
Make sure that each and every body shop you visit is properly licensed and insured. There will usually be certificates hanging on the wall, but it is wise to ask about their licensing and insurance. Also, ask about any guarantees they offer.
The final key is the estimate. You should get at least three estimates. The final estimates will vary from location to location, but the difference shouldn't be too great. If one shop provides you with a very low estimate, this should raise a red flag. Even if you are taking your car in for a small job, get the estimate in writing. The estimate should also contain a time frame for completion.
Your final selection should be based on referrals, the online homework you did, your feeling when visiting the place, the customer service, and the written estimate. You want to build up a relationship with a reputable auto body shop; if you find one you trust, then the next time you need repairs, you can skip the first four keys and go straight to the written estimate.
Jennifer Greenfield is a writer in the auto body repair business. For more information on Final Finish Collision Centers, visit http://www.finalfinishcc.com.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Happy Customers are Corby's Collision's Top Priority!
"Hands On" Owner / Operator, Paul Troutner, of Corby's Collision in Vacaville, California discusses happy customers and alignments.
For more information, please visit http://corbysvacaville.com/
Friday, October 2, 2015
IIHS Recommends the Safest Used Vehicles for Teens - IIHS News
Safe and affordable: updated used vehicle recommendations for teens
ARLINGTON, Va. - Parents looking for a safe, affordable vehicle for their teen driver have many more options than just a year ago. IIHS has updated its recommendations for used vehicles for teens, and the list has grown by more than 50 percent, even though the price and safety criteria haven't changed.
"Time is on the consumer's side," says Anne McCartt, the Institute's senior vice president for research. "It's easier than ever to find a used vehicle with must-have safety features and decent crash test performance without spending a fortune."
IIHS compiled its first list of recommended used vehicles after finding that the vast majority of parents who bought a vehicle for their teen driver bought it used. The survey also found that the budgets for teens' vehicles were limited. The mean purchase price for a teen's vehicle was $9,800, while the median was just $5,300.
"The prices for most of the vehicles we recommend for young, novice drivers are still higher than what a lot of people are used to spending," McCartt says. "We would encourage parents to consider paying a little more for safety if they can."
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