Saturday, October 29, 2016

Considerations When Looking for Body Shops


If you have been involved in a collision or just have some minor exterior damage to your car from wear and tear, you will need to look into the various body shops in your area that can make the necessary repairs.

Estimates: Most body shops will offer free estimates for their work, and getting several quotes is the best way to avoid overcharges. Get all of the details in writing. Even though it's just an estimate, you want to be able to compare apples to apples among different mechanics. In some cases, one mechanic may even try to match an estimate if they can.

Experience and reputation for repair work: Even in the digital age, nothing beats word-of-mouth recommendations. You can also check with your local consumer organizations to get a better understanding of their reputation. To narrow the field even further, you need to know the extent of the damage. If the damage is structural, make sure your choice has the experience needed to take care of all the repairs and not just the exterior issues.

Insurance company relationship: Most insurance companies have built up relationships with specific auto body shops. These contracts help the insurance provider save money because they have negotiated lower parts and labor rates. The business your insurance company recommends also meets certain training and certification requirements. This, however, is just a recommendation. If you do not feel completely comfortable and confident with their work, do not be afraid to tell the insurance representative that you want to go with another shop. In the end, they must respect your wishes. It's the law.

Warranty: A reputable business should have no problem standing behind their work. There may be separate metalwork, painting, decal, and mechanical repair warranties, providing comprehensive coverage. Choose a shop that will guarantee their parts and service. Some will even provide a lifetime guarantee for certain services.

Other services: Ask what other services are included or available for an additional fee. While some may focus their work to structural and exterior detailing, other shops may be able to take care of your car's inspection, oil change, or other maintenance measures.

Even though auto body shops are not needed until an accident happens, it pays to do a little research beforehand, so that when the time comes, you are prepared. Some auto body shops even offer 24/7 emergency towing services, which can be a lifesaver if your car is too damaged to drive. With some research, your car will be back in driving condition for a fair price.


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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Under The Hood - Engine Air Filter


A clean engine air filter can help your engine run more efficiently – learn how to check your filter with this video.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Collision Repair Tips and Services


Choosing an auto shop that offers dependable collision repair isn't a decision that should be made under stress. Car accidents never happen when you expect them, and putting your transportation in the hands of people you do not have time to research in a pinch can cost you unnecessary fees. Just as you check your tire pressure, having a go-to mechanic before unfortunate circumstances arise is an important part of owning a vehicle.

When deciding where to take your car for collision repair, there are a few key factors to take into consideration. Answering the important questions requires research before an accident occurs. Fortunately, most automotive shops can be found online, so making a choice can be easy. Visit all of your local body shops to check if they meet your standards.

Experience and Service

You may want to know if the staff has the experience to handle your needs. Check online to see if the staff is licensed, or if the shop has a standard for years of experience. Anything upwards of ten years of experiences is a safe margin. You may also wish to know how the staff views their customer satisfaction. If you are important to them, you will know. After all, years of experience can be spoiled by unfriendly service.

Insurance Coverage

You may also wish to match your insurance to the shop of your choice. This can be easily done online or by calling ahead. If you find yourself in need of collision repair, the last thing you want is to tow your car to the nearest shop only to find your insurance doesn't cover their service. A dependable shop will keep a list of insurance companies they work with, and your insurance company should also have a list of locations that fall under your plan.

Pricing

Of course, another factor to consider is the overall cost of auto body services. While you can't know in advance the exact cost due to the unforeseeable nature of vehicular accidents, you can make an informed decision on where to take your car based on the services they offer. The mechanics will typically let you know if you call or visit the shop to ask, or they may even advertise their options on their website.

While collision repair will never be a wanted experience, early preparedness can help smooth the process so that you and your loved ones can return to the road as soon as possible without breaking the bank. A stress-free, informed decision could be the reassurance you need to drive confidently to your destination. No one should have to drive with the fear of unaffordable accidents looming overhead.

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Thursday, October 20, 2016

Monday, October 17, 2016

Five Tips For Choosing Auto Body Shops


As if getting in a car accident weren't bad enough, finding a reputable repair shop may prove challenging. There are many factors drivers must consider, including price, experience, and quality of work. But because most folks know next to nothing about collision work, a little advice often goes a long way. With that in mind, here are five simple tips you can use to find reliable body shops in your area.

1. Ask Around

Any company can advertise, but when it comes to collision repair, word-of-mouth is far more important. Because everybody remembers the time they got in a car accident, asking people you know to recommend body shops is often the best way to find a dependable service provider. Because we are in the Internet Era, many customers go online to search for a service provider. Although they will be strangers, reading posts from customers on review sites is the electronic equivalent of asking around. Another auspicious sign that the shop takes pride in its work is if the owner is involved in it's daily operation. As a general rule, when a business is family owned, employees tend to go the extra mile, since its often their name on the sign out front.

2. Consider Labor Costs

Because mechanics charge similar prices for replacement parts, labor costs generally have the biggest effect on the final bill. Depending on the facility's location and the experience of its staff, per-hour labor fees can range wildly. It is actually not at all uncommon for body shops that have multiple locations to charge different labor fees at each of their branches. Although higher labor charges may be justified if the provider does excellent work on difficult jobs, it probably isn't worth paying twice as much for labor if your vehicle has a damaged fender, bumper, or some other minor repair job.

3. Bigger Isn't Always Better

The reason smaller auto body shops often charge lower fees than larger ones is that they have a lot less overhead. When you stop at a family-owned repair center, for example, odds are the owner fills several essential positions. He or she may work as the manager, foreman, and chief mechanic all at the same time. But at a larger facility, each of those positions may be held by a different employee. The inevitable result is higher payroll and overhead costs that lead to higher labor rates to offset those fees.

4. Get Several Estimates

As elementary as it may seem, many drivers fail to get more than one price estimate for repair work. More often than not, they do this because they want to get the whole thing over and done with. But when it comes a major accident, you could save hundreds, even thousands of dollars if you compare prices.

5. Ask About The Warranty

Although a one-year warranty is considered standard, not all auto body shops offer it. As such, it is important to ask about the warranty and what it covers before you agree to anything. At the bare minimum, a warranty for bodywork should cover all repairs and should come in written form. It is not enough to simply take the owner or manager's word that they will fix any problem you might have should something go wrong.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ace_Abbey/851844

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Top 3 Mistakes Teen Drivers Make


PARENTS- Know the Top 3 Mistakes Teen Drivers Make- So You Can Keep Your Teen Driver Safe!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Seven Tips For Finding Excellent Car Service


The best car service is preventative, not patchwork. The last thing car owners need nowadays, with increasingly busy schedules, is frequent trips to the mechanic. It's especially frustrating with easily fixed or recurring problems. Here are some tips to avoid breaking the bank the next time your vehicle breaks down.

Check Out Reviews First

With the spread of customer reviews on the internet, it's quite easy for a consumer to find personal accounts of a business with a quick search. On occasion, reviews will be staged or not representative of the service, but a perusal of a range of reviews may give you a reasonable expectation of what to expect. An old fashioned review from a trusted friend - especially a car lover - never hurts, either. You can't put a price on experience.

Shop Around

Most mechanics will offer free estimates. It helps to get the estimate for your car service on paper as proof. This document can also be used as leverage with other mechanics. Sometimes the cheapness of the price can suggest poor workmanship, but you certainly don't want to be swindled.

Ask To See A Certification

ASE is the most common certification, and a trustworthy business should have no issue presenting you with such certification. This will establish a baseline of experience and knowledge. A shop that possesses an American Automotive Association rating is a good sign too, as it guarantees that they have been pre-screened by an objective source.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions, Even If You're a Novice

Beyond a price estimation, it is very helpful to ask questions that you may consider basic. Such as, which parts will need to be replaced? How long will the work in question take to complete? Can I see the problem area of the car? Even more intensive questions about the process of fixing the vehicle should not fluster a reliable mechanic. These questions will make you feel comfortable with the car service and prove to the mechanic that you take your car's care serious.

Go With Your Instinct

This tip is harder to pin down, and will mean different things to different people, but it remains relevant. Simple things, such as the cleanliness of the shop, may be symbolic of the overall service. Furthermore, if a mechanic is giving vague answers or treating customers in a hostile manner, it's probably a clear sign to get out while you can. Getting a car fixed is rarely a pleasant experience, so there's no need to add extra stress to the process.

Find a Location Near Your Home

This is especially important if you don't have a friend or family member to follow you to the mechanic and drive you home. Finding a route home or to work via public transportation may be pivotal, depending on how long the car will be out of commission.

Warranties and Specialists

This tip will mainly pertain to people whose cars need to be fixed at a dealership. It also applies to those who own a car that has to have specialty parts replaced. Do research and determine whether a mechanic has expertise in your particular make and model. Additionally, an honorable mechanic will supply warranties on new parts. Make sure to establish this warranty before they get to work on your car.

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Saturday, October 8, 2016

2016 Midsize SUV Challenge


Midsize SUVs are a hot class and Cars.com put five of the most popular players in the segment though a week of testing. We evaluated acceleration, ride and handling, fuel economy as well as interior comfort, cargo room and features. Which one rose to the top? Watch the video for more.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Sunday, October 2, 2016