Sunday, February 26, 2017

Is My Car In Alignment?


Bad roads can be your alignments worst enemy. If you live in an area with poorly maintained roads, with many pot holes, your alignment can be affected in a negative way.

Even the smallest alignment issue can cause uneven and premature tire wear. Be sure to have your alignment checked every few thousand miles. Uneven tire wear can become an expensive issue if not dealt with and fixed.

Keeping your car in alignment will help your tires last much longer, and help your vehicle drive smoother. In addition your car will require less energy to keep rolling down the road, potentially saving fuel depending on how out of alignment the vehicle was.

If a car is in alignment the tires should wear evenly across all the tread. If you're noticing excessive wear on the rear inside tires, you may need an alignment or adjustment. Uneven tire wear can also result in worse gas mileage and more expense at the gas station.

There are some tell tale signs that could indicate a your wheels are out of alignment. Using your eyes, ears and hands are good ways for noticing poor alignment.

Here are some signs that you are dealing with poor alignment:
  • Your cars pulls to the left or right
  • uneven tire wear
  • fast tire wear
  • Steering wheel is crooked
  • tires that squeal easily

If you notice any of the above issues or even just want to check to make sure, schedule an alignment check at your local shop or repair facility. Making sure that your car or trucks alignment is good is well worth the cost of an inspection, as it can possibly save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in tire and suspension wear and problems.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kevin_D_Hagen/614836

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9376802

Thursday, February 23, 2017

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.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Frizzell

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9010444

Monday, February 20, 2017

12 Best Family Cars of 2017 - Kelley Blue Book


Kelley Blue Book's editorial team recently gathered a large group of 2017 model-year family cars to see which stood out as truly exceptional.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Autos Tips: Checking Tire Tread | Consumer Reports


Tire tread life varies by car type, driving habits and road and weather conditions. Here's how to check your tire tread so you'll know when to start shopping for a new set of tires.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Collision Repair: Understanding the Different Part Types Commonly Used


After you have been in an accident, the most important thing is making sure you're safe. After that, the second most important thing is getting your vehicle back in working order. The outcome of your collision repair service depends greatly on the type of parts your mechanic chooses to use. Whether they use genuine, original equipment manufacturer, or aftermarket parts will determine how well your vehicle will run and how long the rehabilitation will last.

Genuine

Some collision repair services try to use genuine parts in all their restoration work. These pieces are what originally came in the vehicle. Typically, they come in a box with the carmaker's logo, so you know it is a genuine part.

When it comes to cost, genuine parts are among the most expensive types you can buy for your vehicle. For this reason, it is best to only use these items if they are still under warranty and you don't have to pay any out of pocket expense.

Despite popular belief, choosing to go with something other than manufacturer parts will not void any remaining warranty. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission's "Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act," it is illegal for any manufacturer to void the warranty solely based on the type of part you choose to use. The act also allows you to have the work completed anywhere, even at home, without voiding the warranty.

Original Equipment Manufacturer

During your collision repair, you may choose to have Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts installed. While not a genuine piece, it is the exact same as what came in your vehicle because it was created by the same company who built the part for the car company. The difference is it doesn't have the car company's logo on the box.

Like genuine, OEM can be more expensive than aftermarket. However, it will cost less than genuine. It is a good way to save a little money and get the same part that was originally in your vehicle.

Aftermarket

Aftermarket pieces are quite common. They look and work in the same manner as the originals. The big difference is a company other than the manufacturer builds it. The structure is designed to fit and perform just as well as the original.

In some cases, aftermarket designs outperform their more expensive counterparts. This is because these companies analyze why the products fail in the first place. Once they know what the underlying problem is, they can make theirs without these flaws. In some cases, it may be as simple as the material was not made to last, and the aftermarket builder chooses something a bit more robust.
In the event that the part is not under warranty or your insurance company is not as concerned about what replacement type is used, you may want to settle for an aftermarket product.

Collision repair uses many different types of products in order to rehabilitate your vehicle. In addition to genuine, OEM, and aftermarket, the mechanic may suggest a rebuilt or reconditioned piece. While these may help keep your costs down, they do have wear and tear, so use them with caution.


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

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Saturday, February 11, 2017

Autos Tips: Changing a Flat Tire | Consumer Reports


Knowing how to change a flat tire is a valuable skill, but drivers may find themselves out of practice when the situation arises. Keep your car rolling by following these steps.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Autos Tips: Jump-Starting Your Car | Consumer Reports


Dead car battery? No need to worry. Follow these steps to find out how to safely jump-start a car and help a motorist in need.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Two All-Electric Cars Miss the Mark for IIHS Safety Awards - IIHS News


Two all-electric cars miss the mark for IIHS safety awards

ARLINGTON, Va. — Two all-electric vehicles fall short of meeting the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s awards criteria, but consumers who want to minimize gas consumption while also prioritizing safety can choose from two plug-in hybrids that earn the 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.

The two recently evaluated all-electric models are the 2017 Tesla Model S and the 2017 BMW i3. The plug-in hybrid models are the Chevrolet Volt, whose award was announced in December, and the Toyota Prius Prime.