Repairing Car Dents

Car dents appear on a vehicle's body due to various reasons. One probable cause is a minor road accident. Or it may also be due to a hailing storm that just so happens to pass by when your car's parked in the open. Whichever the cause, car dents can nevertheless be unsightly.

When the car dent is too big or complicated, then it would wise and practical to take your vehicle to the auto body shop with appropriate tools that can be used to repair your car properly. However if the dent on the car seems like something you can repair on your own, then settle on a more practical DIY car dent repairs.

Assessing the damage is the first step you need to do, you need to closely look at the car dent. If the metal has ripples and bumps that make the metal surface appear to have been folded, no question, your car needs a professional repairer. Otherwise, the car dent repair may just be done your own. There are common dents, which have not managed to crease and crumple the metal, that can be repaired just by tapping or popping it out back. For heavily dented car metal surfaces, a smart and logical solution is to just buy a panel replacement for that car section where the dent is.

For DIY car dent repairs, one useful tool that you will need is a common plunger. Just make sure the plunger is clean, though. Place the plunger on top of the car dent. In a considerably slow action and in steady manner, depress the plunger as you use it in the bathroom until no air remains. Make sure too that the plunger's rubber head and the panel have a tight seal in between them. Then holding the plunger with a strong and heavy grip, steadily pull the plunger to pop out the dent from the metal surface of the car. For a more effective and tighter sealing, a useful tip is to slightly wet the rubber head of the household plunger. This process is ideal for use in side panels of the car where tapping procedure may be hard to accomplish.

The car's hood, roof, trunk or parts of the vehicle which are flat and large are ideally applied with the tapping method of repairing car dents. The required materials for this methods are rubber mallet, block of wood and piece of old towel. The size of the car dent and the area you will be working with determine the measurement of the wood block you will use. However, the most preferable and convenient block of wood to use is one which you can grip comfortably with just a single hand.

The towel is to be wrapped around the wooden block. The block of wood obviously have edges or possibly some rough surfaces that will likely scratch the paint or the interior lining of the car. This is the reason why the block is wrapped with the old towel. Lay the block gently on the opposite side of the metal panel where the dent is then start tapping with the use of rubber mallet. Perform the task slowly and make sure you hit the wood on its flat surface and not on its edges.

Proper Car Care Includes Rust Protection and Treatment

The average car now costs over $30,000. The average monthly car payment is now $430 and the loans are near 6 years long on average. With taxes, fees and insurance thrown in the average monthly cost of a car is similar to that of a mortgage payment. Being that we are spending this much on our cars we need to take a renewed look at car care and treatments that will increase the longevity of these major investments. Sadly, many people neglect their cars and there is little, if any, car care done. Rust can happen anywhere in America (it isn't just a problem for northerners). It is also easy to prevent with a little proper car care.

Everyone hates rust and complains about it, but when you look at their cars, little if anything is ever done to stop or prevent it. As evidenced in clinical studies and research by the big 3 auto manufacturers, its not a question of if. It's a question of when. Whether it is salt and snow, salty ocean air, industrial fallout and acid rain, rock chips, road debris, etc... There are many different elements of nature that exist everywhere and will do harm and weaken your car's finish and allow rust to start. The metal on your car is mostly protected by a very thin coating of paint and primer. Rust is caused by a loss in electrons of the metal and can occur as soon as the thin paint coating is jeopardized.

First, to prevent rust it is best to protect your paint. Proper car care will not only protect, but strengthen the paint. A good cleaning and waxing regimen once every two months has been proven by AAA to greatly reduce the occurrence of rust. Regular cleaning will remove contaminates that will weaken or even etch into the paint. Car wax or car polish will create a stronger, slippery surface that will be more impervious to the elements and help seal out moisture which can start the rusting process. To properly apply car wax or car polish you apply it one section at a time and allow to dry to a haze. Then you buff it off and repeat 2 - 3 times for maximum protection. People who regularly use car wax or car polish in their car care routine have a much lower incidence of rust.

If you notice a scratch or chip, nick that goes through the paint make sure you treat it properly. Get matching touchup paint by using the paint code inside your door jamb (most auto parts stores and dealers will have this matching paint or can get it for you). You will only need a small 1 oz. bottle for most scratches. Use a toothpick so you get the paint exactly where it is needed, in the scratch, nick, etc... not all around it. Completely cover any exposed metal. Then apply a clear coat touch up paint for best protection. This will seal out moisture and prevent rust from occurring. If you are in a jam you can always use clear nail polish to cover the exposed metal.

If rust has set in, then the required car care and treatment gets more complex. The rust spot must be sanded down and exposed. It is then treated with a anti-rust which will chemically react with the rust changing its chemical and electrostatic properties. Then it must be sanded down, primered and then painted. With the complexity of today's automotive paints it is probably best to leave complex rust and car care to the professionals (most auto body shops will be glad to do this for you and you will have guaranteed excellent and long lasting results). As it is said, "You get what you pay for." A cheap repair is just that, and for the same matter, so is cheap or non-existent car care.

Rust can be prevented and your cars finish maintained with a little proper car care and the use of car wax or polish.

Auto Repair Advertising - Has Word Of Mouth Made Your Shop A Pretty Girl?

From the interviews I've conducted with hundreds of shop owners most auto repair advertising happens via word of mouth. In several other articles I've covered many reasons for this such as incorrect advertising strategies, miscommunication and general distaste for the concept.

"Word of mouth is the only thing that works". - 90% of facility owners.

What is truly odd about this statement is how right they are, but how little they understand about why.

Auto Repair Advertising - Breaking Down Word Of Mouth

My favorite resource wikipedia.org says: Word of mouth, is a reference to the passing of information by verbal means, especially recommendations, but also general information, in an informal, person-to-person manner. Word of mouth is typically considered a face-to-face spoken communication, although phone conversations, text messages sent via SMS and web dialogue, such as online profile pages, blog posts, message board threads, instant messages and emails are often now included in the definition of word of mouth. There is some overlap in meaning between word of mouth and the following: rumor, gossip, innuendo, and hearsay; however word of mouth is more commonly used to describe positive information being spread rather than negative, although this is not always the case.

If you were to look this up on your own and scroll down the page you'd see a section called "Successful examples" and "Unsuccessful examples" of WoM.

Successful examples include the usage of scarcity. Unsuccessful examples highlight massive over abundance.

Auto Repair Advertising - WoM's Backlash

Much of what is being done for auto repair advertising today has generated a massive glut of negative WoM. The reason for this is overabundance of locations and the sweeping belief by the general population all shops offer the same service and will rob them blind at every opportunity.

Not only large auto repair facilities have been hurt by this. Smaller shops, who have relied for years on positive WoM are suffering quietly from what I have been informed is sometimes called "the pretty girl syndrome".

Auto Repair Advertising - Are You A Pretty Girl?

When shop has the pretty girl syndrome it means they've hit saturation point in their business and are now "booked solid for 3 solid weeks." While this may appear no the surface to be a good thing, it is actually working against them in a very massive way.

I had the opportunity to speak with a shop owner in San Jose, CA who was suffering from this exact problem. During our conversation he reported being "booked at least 3-4 weeks in advance, but in the past few months business had dropped off significantly."

The problem could be external, it could be market conditions, it could be any number of things, but the bottom line is this: people are still having car trouble and they're taking them to a shop somewhere. It would seem that the mouths have stopped talking.

Or maybe they haven't. What can happen when a shop falls prey to the pretty girl syndrome is WoM has changed from 'You have to use Ace Auto Repair' to 'You know, don't call them, they're usually booked too far out. They're really good, but why don't you try this other place, they seem to get us in faster.'

After all, why would you want to approach the prettiest girl in the place when you already know you won't be getting the date?

8 Windshield Replacement Tips For Saving Money

Windshield replacement is something many people must deal with at some point in their life. Even a simple rock hitting the windshield can result in a chip. Unfortunately, this can cost $300-1000, depending on the kind of vehicle and the variety of windshield chosen. However, it is very possible to save money with this process, and possibly even avoid it altogether. Here are 8 tips that work:

Get it fixed-not replaced

Obviously simply repairing the problem is much easier than windshield replacement. If you merely have a tiny chip, you might not have to get it fixed at all.

Act fast

Generally chips grow into cracks very quickly. Not taking the vehicle in to get it repaired immediately can result in a crack that is too wide to repair.

Do it yourself

If the damage is not too bad, than fixing the problem yourself can save you money. You can find DIY kits in a number of automotive stores. Just make sure that the kit you use does not exert pressure on the glass surface. The ones that use screw threats and suction tend to put too much pressure on the windshield, which can result in further damage.

Instead, go with one that utilizes a vacuum method for sucking the air away from the chip. This enables the resin to simply flow inside the crack, thus fixing the chip quickly and easily. If this does not work, then you will probably have to replace the windshield. Obviously this can be expensive, but there are still ways to save money:

Check to see if your insurance covers windshield replacement

In many instances insurance can pay for a windshield replacement. If you plan on only having a repair done at a body shop, still check your coverage, because fixes are often included as well. Of course, you will usually have to pay for at least some of it out of your own pocket because of the deductible. However, at least you save on a lot of the costs.

Read reviews about the company

Most people do not consider the windshield an important component of the vehicle, but it is. This is because the glass must be able to stand up to the elements without getting damaged. A poorly installed glass can result in significant damage to the car itself, such as leaking.

In the event of an accident, the windshield could give out entirely. Therefore, it is important that you look over reviews about any glass company you are considering. This will help you make sure the firm you are considering does quality work.

Ask lots of questions

When a glass company gives you a quote, make sure that you find out what this covers. Some firms use after market windshields as opposed to original manufacturer models (OEM), which are usually not as high quality. This could save you money upfront, but it could also result in you paying more down the road.

Read the fine print on the warranty.

Lifetime warranties are great-if they are comprehensive. Unfortunately, a lot of companies with long warranties include so many stipulations that there really are no conditions where you would actually be able to use them. When damage occurs, you are going to have to pay for another replacement. For this reason, be sure to read the tiny print thoroughly before you sign anything.

Get multiple price quotes

Make sure you compare the price of a number of different companies before choosing. While cost should not be the main factor, it is still a consideration.

Conclusion

Windshield replacement can be very pricey. However, when you follow these guidelines, you will save money and get a quality job at the same time. Use these tips, and you will either avoid windshield replacement altogether, or save significant money if you must get it done.

How to Find a Trusted Auto Repair Shop?

An automobile may be the second greatest investment many people make following a house, so it only makes sense that you would want to be able to have confidence in the individual who is going to be repairing your car. Despite the fact that you may well possibly think locating a professional auto repair shop and an exceptional mechanic may perhaps be a challenging process, it truly isn't in the event you recognize what things to look for. Why don't we get you on the correct track.

The most effective strategy to ensure you find out a good auto repair shop is to start searching for that top quality shop before your car or truck needs repair. When you wait until your car or truck is broken you occur to be forced to rush, and you will not have time to look for that good quality shop.

It truly is very much superior to establish a relationship with a shop together with the mechanic long before your car break. In reality, usual maintenance will cut down the risk of your car breaking down and it really is the perfect approach to decide on whether you like what a shop has to supply. Start off off little using a uncomplicated oil change and go from there.

Start from word of mouth whenever you commence out your research. Pay attention to what other people have to say about various auto repair shops. Consult close friends, family, and co-workers whom they might suggest. You may also want to consider validating through the BBB to discover out who may have had issues against them.

In no way base your option on just the cost. A reduced selling cost doesn't usually mean a much more affordable bill. Several shops use a flat fee rate charge with regard to each and every and each and every repair no matter how extensive it requires them. Other shops charge for each and every single hour that it will take, which could possibly perform out much more if the mechanic runs into a snag. A greater price is not going to typically indicate very much better service, but a lesser rate does not typically imply poor service. Do your investigation.

The moment you really feel you've found the correct auto repair shop, snoop in close proximity. Determine that the shop appears well organized and well put together.

You'll find also some questions worth asking:

1. Do they've up to date equipment

2. Which kind of diagnostic equipment do they use

3. Can they offer referrals from other clients

4. Do they focus on a selected kind of car or truck

5. Are their technicians licensed

6. What brand name of parts do they use

7. What is actually their policy associated with client satisfaction

8. What specifically is their guarantee

9. What form of payments will they accept

10. What exactly is their labor fee

It is vital that you maintain a record while using maintenance and car repairs you have had completed to your car. Make sure you save the particular records in regards to your car repair in a safe location.

Utilizing these factors to obtain a trusted auto repair shop won't be that challenging.

Facts About Windshield Replacement And Chip Repair

A small crack or damage to vehicle glass is one of those things that many people put off for another day. Getting a windshield replacement for a small crack seems unnecessary, but a repair may be required to save future problems. Often, individuals let a small crack grow over time without realizing it, until there is no way to repair it.

A repair is the most economical choice for your auto glass needs. When a small rock or debris hits your windshield and causes a crack, you should seek repair immediately. Often, insurance will pay for rock chip repair, because they know it is cheaper than replacing the entire windshield in the future. Repairs can only be made if you call soon after the chip occurred. Overtime, the crack will expand and the simple repair cannot be completed. At that time, a more expensive windshield replacement will need to take place.

If you miss the boat on a repair, you do not need to worry. Any auto glass shop can replace the glass at an affordable price. Often, insurance will cover windshield replacement with only a small deductible owed by you. All major insurance companies operating will pay for replacement through the company. Most companies also usually offer $50 cash back on replacements. But remember this, chip repairs are MUCH cheaper than a full replacement.

If you do have your windshield replaced by most windshield replacement shops offer lifetime repair for rock chips. However, the same holds true for these repairs. If you do not contact the shop as soon as the chip occurs, they may not be able to repair it.

When you need a repair or windshield replacement, do not let your busy schedule or financial issues get in the way. Acting immediately can save you money on more expensive replacements and repairs. Call to schedule service a repair today if you have any cracks in your windshield, because it will result in a windshield replacement in the future if you delay. Free mobile service means they can come to your home, office or anywhere in the area to fix or replace your windshield. Some shops also offer competitive pricing for those without insurance to cover the cost of repair and replacement.

Do not put off repairs to your windshield because they seem unnecessary. A small bump in your ride tomorrow could crack the glass further, costing you more money and time. Cracks in the view line of the driver are also unsafe and could contribute to an accident. Paying for a small repair now can save you having to replace an entire expensive windshield later.

Getting Back On The Road: Auto Damage And Repairs

Nothing is scarier than a car accident. Our first instincts are to make sure that no bodily harm has occurred to ourselves, our passengers, or passengers in any other cars involved. Once the initial shock is over, only then do we begin to assess the extent of the damage to the cars. While this is by far not even close to as important as having or causing an injury, it can lead to many unpleasant situations and costly repairs.

People need their cars, and they need to get back on the road as quickly as possible in order to get on with their work and their lives. After a collision or any other vehicular damage, the mechanic is the key player who can make the difference to a speedy and cost-effective way back into the driver's seat of your car. Never mind the old cliche of a sleazy and greasy worker who only sees dollar signs where you see damage. A real, honest and talented auto repair expert provides an extremely important service.

Auto collision estimation and repairs combines two major professional skills. On one hand, they are inspecting and assessing the damage to a vehicle propose to the client the various fixes and solutions available to them. This helps people work within their time frame and budgets so that they can best decide what course of action to take. Training to become an estimator will often involve:

• Identification of vehicle body construction


• Identification of vehicle body damage


• Content of a proper collision estimate


• Preparing professional estimates


• Use of industry software to produce computer estimates

The other important aspect of this career is the actual auto repairs. Once the client has agreed to a specific course of action suggested by the auto body collision estimator process, then the corresponding mechanical work is required. The advantages of knowing both skills is that it allows the mechanic a better relationship with the client and a smoother process for giving them the exact kind of service they require. If you want to know how to become a mechanic, take the time to research some institutions which offer theoretical and hands-on training.

Car accidents should never be seen solely as business opportunities nor things that happen as "just part of the job." Although working with accidents, collisions and damages everyday may seem like difficult way to feel comfortable making a living, this is simply not the case. The damage estimator and mechanic proposes solutions and fixes problems. They worry about the small details so you don't have to. Their job is to make you feel safe getting back on the road in a timely and affordable manner, so you can feel safe and drive on.

Brakes Shake - Machine the Rotors Or Replace Them?

If the steering wheel shakes when the brakes are applied, the brake rotors most likely have excessive side to side run-out or they are more commonly known as being warped. Auto techs call this brake shake or brake pulsation. Brake rotors being warped is not a dangerous condition by itself, but it can be very annoying. The brake pads may not need to be replaced, but if they are more than half worn it would be a good time to consider replacing them. Most shops will check brakes for free, it's best to make sure they use a micrometer to measure the thickness of the rotors to verify if they are legally able to be machined (also known as turned or resurfaced).

Replace or not. Many vehicles today have very thin rotors from the factory, depending on the thickness there may not be an option to machine them. Many replacement rotors are low priced depending on the make and model of the vehicle. It may be a good idea to replace the rotors if the replacements are priced well, instead of machining the old ones. After machining the rotors they are physically thinner and more susceptible to being warped again. In the past I owned a vehicle that warped rotors frequently. I would machine them myself using the brake lathe at the shop I worked at and the rotors would warp again in about six months time. I finally bought some aftermarket replacement rotors for around $30 a piece and put those on and never had anymore pulsation problems.

Types of Brake Lathes. There are two types of brake lathes. There is the conventional brake lathe that the technician uses to machine the rotor off the vehicle. And there is the on the car brake lathe used to machine the brake rotor on the vehicle. The best way to machine brake rotors is on the car. The reason is because of the possibility of other components having run-out. When rotors are machined on the car, any run-out in the wheel hub is compensated for. The result is a much better cut that allows the rotor to be machined much more precisely. Rotors that are machined on the vehicle have less re-occurrences of being warped as quickly when compared to rotors being machined off the vehicle. So if possible consumers should opt to find a repair shop that has the capability to machine rotors on the car if needed. Auto repair shops that have on the car brake lathes realize the importance of having the right auto tools and equipment to service their customer's cars properly.

Chipped And Cracked Auto Glass And Its Repair Or Replacement

Almost everyone knows the story. You are driving down the highway at a quick clip and the truck in front of you throws up a small stone, so small you do not even see it. Unfortunately you hear the frightening sound of it hitting your windshield and see the frustrating crack, or chip, it left behind. If you are like most people, you immediately wonder if you can get away with letting it go. You might be able to, but you can never be sure, and if you are wrong, you may end up paying for a full windshield replacement sometime down the road.

The general rule regarding chips and cracks and their repair is that if it encompasses an area smaller than a dollar bill, you may be able to let it slide, but there are risks involved. The windshield of a car endures a lot of stress and pressure with everyday driving. Extreme temperatures and the contrast between the warm and cold inside and outside of the car, the force of the wind against the glass while you are driving, and even the unavoidable bumps and rough road you will encounter put stress on your windshield. With these pressures, chips can become cracks, cracks can grow, and windshields can even rupture while you are driving. It is much wiser to tend to smaller chips and cracks before they become a threat to your safety.

There are windshield repair kits on the market, but it is best to look for a business that specializes in auto glass repair. They have the expertise and equipment to do an efficient and long lasting job. They can thoroughly remove any dirt and moisture in the damaged area, fill it with a specialized resin, harden it, and then polish the repair so it is barely discernible.

The question of insurance coverage for a crack or chip depends on several factors. It may be covered, but if you have a deductible, you may end up footing the bill. For example, if your deductible is $100, and the repair cost is $50, the cost will never reach the point where insurance coverage is included. There are some states that do not allow deductibles with windshield repair/replacement, and they rule that insurance companies must foot the entire bill, regardless. As windshield damage is usually not the fault of the driver, it will be considered a "no-fault" claim, and your premiums should not go up.

There are several considerations for choosing the glass company to repair your windshield. Avoid dealerships because they generally charge more for their repairs and parts. Make sure your choice is a licensed company that specializes in auto glass, and check with the better business bureau for their rating. A chip or crack repair is not an exorbitant expense, and will buy peace of mind and safety for you and your loved ones.

Do You Know What Your Body Shop Business Is Worth?

Many smaller body shop owners have asked, "How do I appraise my body shop?" In the last month I have been asked to do two appraisals on body shops. The first appraisal was to assist in partnership dissolution; the second appraisal was for marriage dissolution. (That is what the attorneys call a divorce.) Would you like to know how to appraise the value of a body shop business?

Before we begin, I would like to make one comment. Whenever a CPA has done an appraisal of a body shop, I find that their opinion of value is much greater than the actual value the market place will pay. This is not because the CPA's do not know what they are doing because they do; it is just that the market place places a much higher risk on buying a body shop than the accountants do. The following is an excerpt from one of those appraisals.

THE THREE WAYS TO APPRAISE A BUSINESS

1. The ASSET VALUATION METHOD. This method is basically used when a body shop does less than $400,000 a year in gross income and the seller is making wages, but no real profit above what he would be paid if working for another. On this size business, a buyer is willing to pay for the assets of the business but little or nothing for goodwill. The equipment is usually worth between $50,000 and $100,000, depending on how many frame machines the business owns and how nice a spray booth the business owns.

I have seen some specialized shops sell for more than the above number because they have a truck spray booth or another business attached to the main business. Examples of attached business might be an auto repair shop or towing operation. Also the location, size and real estate rental amount will influence the value of any business, to some degree.

2. The second method, I call the GROSS SALES METHOD. This is used when the sales are over $1,000,000 a year but the profit is unknown or financials are not available or reliable. Because of experience, a Body shop buyer can make reasonable estimates of future profits, if they have some basic information. The basic information includes rent, source of business (DRP, STREET, or a CAR RENTAL AGENCY), and the desirability of the location.

When this method is used, the value appears to be about 3 months sales or 25% of the last 12 months sales. This method is not very reliable on businesses with sales of less than $1,000,000, because the question of being profitable is very questionable. Why is this breaking point $1,000,000 in annual sales? Multi-store buyers will have well paid managers, so many figure their breakeven point is around a million.

Less than $1,000,000 in sales is not even worth their time. Of course we know that there are exceptions to the rules. Some of the exceptions are A. when a new location will be a satellite store to a bigger location. B. The buyer must have a location in a specific area to please a DRP. C. To get rid of a competitor.

3. The third and most used method of evaluating any business, including body shops, is the NET PROFIT METHOD. This method is based on the idea that a business is worth what it generates, in profit and benefits, for an owner. Body shops, like so many other small businesses, often do not show a profit, at the end of the year. Strange, how so many businesses of different sizes all just happen to end up with little or no profit. What I find really amazing is that the IRS doesn't audit more businesses then they currently do.

As a result of showing poor profits, on the books, it becomes very difficult to use the NET PROFIT METHOD for appraising many small businesses. Luckily for me, I can quite often find hidden profits, of a business, by adding to the books, items we call owner's benefits. These include: Owners salaries, if a corporation. Personal autos and all the related expenses used by the owner and his family that are written off against the business, fife insurance and health insurance for the owners.

Depreciation is also a hidden profit that is usually added back in to the taxable profit to help build up the total owners benefits. And lastly, personal utilities, phones, trips, etc. that are deducted on the tax return but are not really costs to run the business.

After saying all this, what is the value of a business based on the Net Profit Method? Automotive businesses, especially auto body shops appear to sell for between 1.5 to 2 years adjusted profit (book profit plus owners benefits added back in). Larger body shops doing over $2,000,000 in annual sales may sell for much more, because the owner is making much more money, than just his salary and a buyer will consider part of the profit a return on his financial investment.

Very large body shops that are being bought by public corporations are evaluated primarily on their return on investment (Percentage profit that is being made on the cash purchase price of the business.) These big buyers can afford to pay between 5 times and 10 times annual net profit, after deducting all officers' salaries and perks.

Often these, public corporations, high purchase prices include two important restrictions, which is really why they are buying the business in the first place. First: The business is bought for little or no real money. They use restricted corporate stock that is not negotiable for two years. And second: The management is required to stay and run the company for some period of years.

The bottom-line, as I see it, is that you sold your soul, not your business. One last comment on selling to large corporations; heaven help the seller who sells his business for corporate stock or the buyers bonds and the buying company goes broke or the stock market crashes. I had a close friend sell his company for mostly cash and some seller carry back financing in Dec 1997. By Feb 1998 the buying company was in bankruptcy, making the paper my friend held worthless.

CONCLUSION: Appraising a business, especially body shops, is an art not a science. No two people will appraise the value of a business the same. I am amazed that the same thing one buyer thinks is a great asset is what another buyer thinks is a major negative. Differences of opinion are what make life interesting.

Free Auto Repair Manual - Find Online Today

Are you looking for an auto service manual? Would you like to find a way to repair your vehicle or certain parts of your vehicle on your own?  It's possible to get a free auto repair manual online to use for whatever type of auto repair you need. If you have Internet access and a computer, you will be able to do this in a relatively short amount of time.

All you have to do is search online for an auto service manual that will help your needs. You can find a free online auto repair manual to help you with your car today. The first step is to know what type of manual you are looking for. There are different types of auto service manuals available.

Some examples are:

• Repair manuals


• General manuals


• Diagnosis descriptions


• Maintenance manuals

It will be important to know which type of manual you are looking for when you go searching for these online. Knowing how to help narrow your search can be very important and will also help make the process quicker and easier for you.

Then in the future, you will know how to find a particular manual right away. For example, you can search according to make and model as well as the year of a particular vehicle you want to make repairs to.

Repair manuals will go into the most detail of how to repair specific parts of your vehicle. You can look up exhaust repair, body repair, engine repair, interior repair and more. General manuals are like repair manuals but they are usually not related to the make of the vehicle and just discuss repairs in general that you can apply to most any vehicle.

Diagnosis descriptions help you either by make and model or by specific types of automotive repairs. For example, they may focus on one area of the vehicle in which the repairs are the same throughout different make and models of automobiles. Sometimes they are also categorized according to certain sounds or indications the vehicle might make that something is wrong.

The more you know about the types that exist out there, the better prepared you will be to make your search for free online auto repair manuals. When you find a great, quality, dependable site for searching for free repair manuals, you should be sure to bookmark it so you can always come back to it later when needed.

You will probably be surprised to see how many great manuals there are out there for free. You can find these manuals online without spending a dime. Don't be fooled by sites trying to tell you that you have to pay for their guides when they are likely offering the exact same information you can obtain for free.

You also don't have to wait weeks to contact the manufacturer for a guide when you can now find them online instantly. This makes it possible to get your free auto repair manual quick and easy so you can get right to your repairs when you're ready.

Auto Accident Insurance Claim - How to File a Car Insurance Claim

Did your car get damaged through an accident and you are wondering what next to do? If the car was insured, you can file for a car accident insurance claim and get your car replaced in couple of weeks if not days.

Whether the police report faults you or not on the cause of the accident, if you know how to file your legal paper work properly, will can be sure of getting your car back.

Let's take a look at some of the things you need to do to fast track the recovery of your damaged vehicle.

Step one: Draft a Demand Letter

You have to write a demand letter to the insurance firm in charge of your car insurance. Many people are lost as to what to write here. There are a few damages that you should include in your demand letter, they include and not limited to damage to or damages leading to: Property, Self, Medical bills, Hospital bills, general loss, Emotional trauma etc

You have to also attach all receipts where applicable to back up these claims.

Step two: Follow Up the Letter

It's no use writing a letter if you cannot follow it up. The officer attached to your account will contact you after receiving your letter and will demand for your auto accident settlement. An offer will be made to you and they will have you sign some documents. Be careful not to sign hurriedly because signing will mean that the claim has been settled. If you are satisfied with the claim settlement after careful consideration, you may sign the documents else you may want to take further action.

Step three (Optional)Auto Accident Attorney Help

After you have went through all of this trouble you may even yet need an auto accident attorney. This is why I would just retain one at the beginning. If you get a lawyer you will probably get 3 to 4 times the money that you would get by taking on the insurance company by yourself. They have big bad lawyers that are on their side. These lawyers know the law and any loops holes that will get them out of paying.

New Convertible Rear Window - Glass Vs Plastic

At a certain point in the lifetime of a convertible car, the top will have to be replaced. Canvas or vinyl convertible tops can typically last up to ten years with good maintenance habits. When it is indeed time to replace the top, a decision must be made whether to replace with a glass or plastic window. Most cars will allow for the capability to choose between the two, though a few cars were designed for one or the other. When replacing a convertible top, understanding some of the issues that arise with either material will shed light on the decision making process.

Plastic Window

Plastic rear windows are standard on a lot of convertible cars. When they are new, the windows are great. They are functional, flexible, and lightweight. The main problem will be that the aging process which will occur is far more accelerated than the top itself. Within a couple of years the plastic will either be severely discolored or fogged, making the window a safety hazard and an eye-sore. Therefore, within the lifetime of the convertible top, the window will likely need to be replaced at least once. Depending on the model of the vehicle, this may be easier to take care of, but in general replacing the plastic window is a hassle and an expense.

Glass Window

Although many convertibles come with plastic windows, an equal number either have a glass window option or come standard with a glass window. The main benefit of these windows is that, just like with a standard vehicle's window, they will maintain their clarity and durability. The main concern with a glass window is that they are not flexible like the plastic, and a small complication in the cars convertible closing mechanism can result in a shattered window. Additionally, if a car is designed for a plastic rear window, a replacement top with a glass window may need to be smaller in order to fit in the car's boot; the limited rear view may be a concern to some drivers, but to most it's just personal preference.

To conclude, it is safe to say that in most situations a convertible owner will want to opt for a glass window on their replacement top. In general, owners of a convertible with a glass window will not replace the top with a plastic window; the decision will usually apply more to the owner of a plastic rear view convertible. Thus, it is important to consider the car's design and whether or not the chance of a shattered or smaller rear view will be a large concern. Other than that the best choice is pretty simple: A replacement top with a glass rear view window.

Necessity of a Cheap Windshield Replacement

The term windshield means the front window. It is also called as the windscreen. It is generally made with laminated glass, which is a type of treated glass. The main function of the windshield or the windscreen is to shield the driver from the wind especially the driver of the car. But the windshield of the motorcycles is to improve the drag coefficient and doesn't shield rider from the wind when sit upright. In other words, it is mainly used to protect the occupants of the vehicle from wind, temperature, dust, insects etc., as also it provides the aerodynamically designed window in the front. Earlier, it was made of ordinary glass but now it is laminated safety glass. Today, it has become a safety device.

It is dangerous to have a cracked or broken front window. When damaged, it affects the driver's vision and it may lead to an accident. It is the most important safety component of a vehicle. Although, it is made of tough glass, the severity of the accident or serious jarring of the car can cause it to crack. The safety of the driver and the co-passengers cannot be compromised for want of a good front window. The auto glass is one of the components used in repairing the windscreen that helps a person of safe journey.

The main object of the technician is to see that the crack or chip in the front window disappears in such a way that one would not be able to tell that there was ever a cracked or broken window. The expenditure incurred should be minimal. The repairman or the mechanic has to replace it in such a way that nobody should know that it is replaced. After, the replacement the dents wherever they appear should be removed neatly and then painted properly and evenly. The estimation should be detailed in such a way that it must be cost effective and not expensive. The companies which would replace, fix, paint etc., should be genuine and renowned companies, the addresses of which could be ascertained by references and by searching the yellow pages. The parties should be assured that the experts of these companies, who quote the lowest prices, provide guaranteed and good quality materials and they would come anywhere whenever required and do the needful. The companies should not cheat or try to exploit the customers availing the services. The agencies or the companies involved in the same should guide the customers reasonably.

There is also auto glass repair service which when needed, the technician takes care of the crack very quickly by fixing or repairing the windshield using simple tools and repair equipment which does not require the window to be removed. The parties should also take cover under the insurance. The payments should be easy and flexible. The repair or replacement should be cost effective. Precautionary measures should be taken in advance for a quality replacement which would hold good for years.

How to Increase Car Counts for Your Auto Repair Shop - Use Mobile or Text Message Marketing

Mobile Marketing or Text Message Marketing has truly become an incredibly powerful marketing strategy, but only if it's done right.

Also understand why mobile or text message marketing is so powerful. It's powerful because your ads or offers are targeted specifically for the user. They opt-in to get your messages and basically tell you that they want to hear from you. Let me explain.

In order to get started and set up a mobile marketing campaign, you will require:

1) A Text Messaging Platform: This is the system that runs all of your campaigns. Platforms are typically hosted online and (depending on the service you choose) will run all of your mobile campaigns. There are a variety of platforms available and each one of them boasts specific features. Some are just basic text messaging; others include Text-to-Vote, Text-to-Win and countless other features. The platforms also provide your 'keywords' and the 'short code'

2) The Short Code is the specific number that people will text to. A short code is really a shortened phone number that's provided to you by the Text Messaging platform.

3) Keywords: Those are the words or terms that people will 'text' to get your offer. Keywords can be any combination of letters and numbers that you want. As an example, you might have customers or prospects 'text the word myautoshop to 54321 to get (your offer - like to save $10 on your next oil change' The term 'myautoshop' would be your keyword; the number 54321 would be the short code.

4) When people text to your short code, they will get an instant response that should direct them to your mobile website to view a coupon for the savings.

To really be successful and increase your car counts dramatically, you must have a mobile website. That's because they are a much smaller, stripped down version of your regular site and will load much faster on visitor's mobile devices.

What makes this strategy so powerful is that it's been proven that prospects and customers who receive text message marketing and coupons (also referred to as m-coupons) from local businesses are 'hyper-responsive'. The statistics are overwhelming. Some recent studies show that mobile coupons and offers get 10X the redemption rate as opposed to any other coupon format. Today, Mobile Marketing or Text Message Marketing is one of the best methods you can use to Increase Car Counts and market your business to make more money. Above that, you'll build a better list of loyal customers.

Fastest Way to Strip Paint Off Your Car Bodywork - Bare Metal and Paint Repair

If you are going to do a job then the motto is "do it right" and this most certainly applies when it comes to stripping paint. Most professionals when stripping the paint from panels for example will depend on a chemical process to assist them. The chemical is specifically designed for stripping paint for the most part, though these are not cheap so learning to work with them properly can save you time and money. It's still a time consuming project. You have to apply the stripper, leave it while it does its job, then come back and scrape of the stripper, then start the process all over again.

Here are some steps to help you get the job done fast and efficiently.

Step One:
Get the surface ready. You do this by masking off the areas you don't want stripped. Make sure you use a good quality masking tape, as you don't want the stripper to seep under the tape. Also, be sure to mask well any openings or crevices that the stripper could get into. If this were to happen and go unnoticed then you could run into a problem later on. Stripper could easily surface up into the new paint you just recently applied.

Step Two:
There are many good chemical strippers on the market today. Make sure you read and follow all of the manufacturer's directions exactly. Don't just assume that the one you are using now is going to be the same as the one you used last time. Some strippers are in liquid form while others are in a paste form. One common brand that is quite good is Aircraft Remover that is specifically made for auto body use. You need to pour some of the stripper from its original contain into a disposable container. Make sure you use a chemical resistant paintbrush to apply it with otherwise you could end up with a melted brush.

Step three:
When you are applying the chemical, apply it in one direction only and don't work too much with it. Working it too much only reduces its activity.

Step Four:
This is an important step. Once you have your stripper on then cover it with polyethylene about 2-4ml thickness. Then secure this all around the edges. The reason for doing this is that the chemical components in the stripper that are responsible for softening up the paint evaporate quickly. Whereas if you cover it then it will work for a much longer period of time. You can leave it up to two hours for tough jobs. This little technique makes that expensive stripper go a little bit further. Another hint as well is with a 40-60 grade sandpaper just rough up the surface of the paint just enough to break through the paint film then apply the stripper.

Step Five:
Remove the polyethylene, scrape, and then use steel wool to get into the crevices. Make sure all of the stripper residue is removed before proceeding. Some strippers you can rinse with water, but read the manufacturers directions according to the product you are using.

Tips For Painting A Car Yourself

There is a lot of work that goes into painting a car. However, with all of the television shows, such as, Overhaulin', West Coast Customs, and Powerblock, it appears to be much easier than it really is. In this article, I will give you a few tips for painting a car that will make it easier for you, but it still requires effort on your part.

First, you must realize that this type of work is not for everyone. In fact, I have students that enroll into my auto body class that are surprised to learn the amount of effort it takes to properly repair and paint a car. Of course, I said to properly repair a car. I have watched several YouTube videos where someone is demonstrating how produce results using Rustoleum and a paint brush. Well, maybe that method will work for a farm truck or tractor....that is not going to cut it in the real world. It does take effort and time to do this correctly...more than 1 or 2 hours for sure.

With that said, for the other gear heads out there, like me, the effort is not painful. If you love this type of work, the effort is fun and gets into your blood. So if this is not a hobby you enjoy doing, you may want to find something else that is.

Painting A Car

The first thing you want to keep in mind when painting a car is to clean the car. Over time, the car collects contamination from the environment and from waxing. These contaminates can cause a lot of problems for us in the refinish world. Contaminates such as silicone and oil is on the top of the painters bad list. To assure we eliminate this problem, an old fashion hand wash will do the trick. Remember, since wax and silicone are our enemy, don't use a car soap with wax in it. We want to strip the wax, not protect and add to it. Dish soap will also work if it does not have added ingredients for keeping your hand soft. Once washed, wipe the car down with wax and grease remover to assure all traces of contamination are off the paint surface.

What Condition Is The Paint In

If you are lucky you can sand and paint the painted surface. However, there are a few reason that will cause you additional work. If the surface is peeling, you will need to strip the paint off and start over. If it is just the clear coat peeling, you may get by with just sanding all of the clear coat off and starting the paint process from there. Another thing to keep in mind is how thick the paint is. If the coatings are over 12 mils thick, you will need to strip some of the coatings off so you do not keep building up the mil thickness. Ask the paint store where you buy your paint to check it for you. They should have a mil thickness gauge. If the car is a factory paint job, or if it does not have any paint problems, you are safe to prep and paint.

Sand and Paint

To paint a car I am going to give you a wet sanding method, as you are probably a DIY car enthusiast without every tool under the sun. To do this all you need is some 400 grit wet or dry sandpaper, a squirt bottle with water and some genuine elbow action. Sand the entire surface you are painting with 400 grit sandpaper. Be certain to sand edges extremely well, as this is where paint will peel if not sanded properly. Once the entire car has been sanded, wash again to assure it is completely clean. Allow to air dry or use compressed air to speed up the process, and now you are ready for paint.

Spraying Primer Sealer, Base Coat and Clear Coat

If you did not do any body work and there is no bare metal, you do not have to use primer sealer. However, if there are spots where you sanded through leaving the car different colors, I would use a coat of primer sealer to get a uniform color before spraying base coat. If you can any bare metal, I would hit it with self etch primer in a rattle can before painting as well. Oh, and of course, don't forget to mask before spraying! Now you are ready to spray base coat and clear coat.

Each brand uses slight different methods and flash times. The best thing to do, is to ask for technical data sheets from the place you buy the paint. They will be able to provide these for you and it will tell you exactly how to spray their specific products.

That is it, now it's time to go out to the garage and get started painting a car yourself.

Auto Glass Cleaning - Tips for Sparkling Clean Windows and Mirrors

The windows of your car take a beating from dirt, bugs, bird droppings and other debris. But with a few simple techniques and a little know-how, you can make even the dirtiest windows sparkle. Here's a list of helpful glass cleaning tips to get your windows brilliantly clean - and without leaving behind streaks, scratches, residue or lint.

1. The first step is to choose an auto glass cleaner. Make sure your glass cleaner does NOT contain ammonia, alcohol or any ingredient that could produce toxic fumes. Beyond the obvious health concerns of inhaling these fumes, consider the impact your automotive cleaning products have on the environment. There are car care products on the market that are 100% biodegradable, non-toxic and recyclable that have the same great cleaning power as traditional cleaning products.

2. Any product containing ammonia is a definite no-no when it comes to auto detailing. Ammonia and ammonia fumes cause plastic, rubber, vinyl and leather to dry out, and will damage any tint your windows may have. Do your homework and you won't end up destroying your vehicle's interior while you're trying to clean it!

3. The type of towel you choose to clean your windows with can make all the difference. Choose a high-quality, glass cleaning microfiber towel of at least 300 GSM. Microfiber towels can hold up to eight times their weight in water, are lint-free and will not cause scratches. An electrostatic charge causes dirt and debris to be lifted up and away from the surface, rather than dragged across it. Old t-shirts, towels, socks and newspaper are not the best choice when cleaning your car's glass, and will likely cause scratches, streaks and missed spots.

4. If you are cleaning the entire interior of your car, save your windows and rear-view mirror for last to avoid getting stray spray from other cleaning products on your freshly cleaned glass. You can also avoid stray spray by spraying your window cleaner (and other applicable interior auto detailing products) onto the microfiber towel - not directly on the surface.

5. Another factor to keep in mind is the motion you buff with your microfiber towel. While a circular motion may appear to be actively buffing away any streaks from your windows, a straight back-and-forth and then up-and-down motion will ensure that the entire surface has been cleaned and wiped down thoroughly.

6. Remember when cleaning your windows or mirrors to use one towel (or one side of a towel) to wipe the surface clean, and a second to buff the surface to a residue-free shine. Not only do you need two clean towel surfaces per swipe, but per window. The last thing you want to do is spread the dirt and dead bugs that you wiped off of your windshield onto the next window you clean. Make sure you have enough clean towels to avoid contaminating one window with the last one's mess.

7. Avoid cleaning your vehicle's windows in direct sunlight or very hot conditions, if possible. This is especially important if you are using a window cleaner containing harsh chemicals. When the liquid evaporates, the fumes left behind could easily be inhaled, posing a serious health risk. Even with non-toxic window cleaners, evaporation can also mean a spotty residue before your towel even hits the glass.

8. The easiest place to overlook when cleaning your vehicle's windows is the small edging area at the top of the window. Often, this area is especially dirty from build up in the rubber lip. Be sure you roll each window down several inches to clean this area on both the interior and exterior of the glass.

9. Ever get a build up on the edges of your windshield wipers that causes blurry areas on your windshield? Wipe down your blades with a damp cloth and a bit of white vinegar. The vinegar will remove the debris that's stuck on the blades and allow them to make full contact with the windshield again. If after a wipe down, your windshield wipers haven't improved any, you may be due for a new pair. And don't forget to clean out your wiper cowl once in a while! The wiper cowl is the area at the base of the windshield where your wipers lay when not in use. Keeping this area free of grime will greatly reduce the amount of debris on your wipers.

Auto Body Repairs Work For Budgets

Many, if not most of us are on a budget today. We are watching where we spend each and every dollar. We are also making sure that we get the best deal for the money that we do spend. There is nothing wrong with that. However, sometimes things come up that we do not always plan for and we need to spend some money that we really weren't planning to. One such thing is when our vehicle needs repair. If your vehicle has auto body damage you should find out about auto body repairs. This is something that can be done, even on a budget.

Many people put off getting their vehicle repaired because they think it will cost too much money. Sometimes the repairs can be costly. But that really depends on a few things. For example, what needs to be repaired, where will you take your vehicle for repair and will you get the existing materials repaired or will you have them replaced? All of these things will have an effect on your bill total.

The first thing you need to remember is to choose auto body repair! If you choose auto body replacement you will be paying a lot more money. It cost money to order the replacement part. You will not only get charged for the part but have to pay more since it will usually take longer than repairs. You may also have to get a rental car while you are waiting for the repair to be completed. That will cost you more money.

With auto body repairs, the auto reconditioning specialist will repair what materials are still on the vehicle. They have many advanced methods to repairing vehicles in a way that you can hardly tell that there was damage to begin with. Most repairs can be completed quickly in a few hours. Also you will not have to wait for any parts to come in so you will not have to rent a vehicle. Also to add to that many auto body shops offer a mobile service for some services they offer. So, they will come to you whether it be work, home or wherever and repair your vehicle for you. Since repairs can be completed quicker and there are no replacement parts you will not have to pay as much. So, if you are on a budget auto body repair is clearly the choice for you.

You may not think you need auto body repair, but it is best to get it done. You will prevent your vehicle from further damage, keep yourself and passengers safe, keep your vehicle looking nice, and maintain its resale value.

You just need to find an auto body shop that will complete the repairs for quickly. Also don't forget as much as you will want a qualified auto body specialist to work on your car, you want and need a good price. So, look around before choosing and find a shop that you feel comfortable with and that fits into your budget!

Mobile Car Washing Versus the Threat from Well Funded Dry Wash Smear On Products

The auto service business is alive and well, and we are a nation of cars. Because people care so much about their automobiles, and they spend so much to buy them, they also care very much about how they present themselves when driving. It is for this reason that folks spend a lot of money getting their cars washed and detailed. One of the services which has become very valuable to auto owners is that of mobile car washers who come to their office and wash their car.

However most of the mobile car washers have come under fire by environmental regulations, and competition. It seems that the fixed site car washers would rather not have the mobile car washing companies around. Why you ask? It's simple, every time a mobile operation cleans a car, well it is one less car that the carwash can clean. And there is another competitor - those waterless car washes, most of them are also mobile, they use a dry-wash smear on type product, which cleans the car without using any water.

Many of these companies are franchise based, or large business opportunities - and they are very much using the global warming and environmental movement to promote their products and services. Also in many parts of the world and in the United States there is a shortage of water. So, these companies say that carwashes and mobile carwashes use too much water.

However, the reality is that most mobile carwashes only use between three and 5 gallons for every car they wash, which is hardly anything compared to someone washing their car their driveway who might use 50 to 100 gallons.

Unfortunately for the mobile car washer that has a plastic water tank on the back of their pickup truck or on a small trailer, they do not have the wherewithal or the money to compete against the venture capital funded dry wash companies, who are busy lobbying local storm water regulators, and even using verbiage from the EPA site on their brochures, and company websites.

It's too bad that the dry wash type waterless carwashes cannot go about their business on their own and let the consumer decide which type of service they'd rather have. Using government regulators and the EPA to try to shut down mobile carwash operators makes some people wonder if the dry wash companies could compete without using the government to stop their competition. Additionally, the fixed site car wash owners are quite happy to see this little war going on, because it also means more business for them.

What we have now is a situation where "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" as the dry wash car wash companies and the fixed site carwashes gang up on the mobile operators and they are using their money and lobbying power to unbalance the level playing filled of the free market. This should be expected, and many entrepreneurs believe the only reason that regulators exist in the United States is simply to provide barriers to entry so one greedy business owner can hog all the business.

Yes, that's a cynical way to look at it, but I do also understand why people often say that, especially as they observe how some businesses get all the juice, and other businesses are forced out of business with new laws and regulations. Don't get me wrong, I am all for helping the environment, but the way that our environmental regulations are being used and enforced does pose a problem for mobile carwash operators who use water rather than smear on dry wash products. Please consider all this.

Repairing Your Car Heater - Quick And Easy!

Keeping your car warm is very important especially if during each winter the weather is very cold. If you've got some problems with your car's temperature, then you should check your car heater and car radiator for that. A car heater works almost like the car radiator. The coolant from the engine goes through the heater core, air will blow through the core and in the car's interior.

There could appear some problems if the heater core gets plugged and it will require replacement or flushing from time to time. When the engine is hot, there are 2 hoses from the engine to the heater core and these could cause leaks at high pressure. You can buy flush kits from auto parts stores or you can use even a garden hose to flush the car heater and the car radiator.

When it comes to car heater and radiator problems, the most common one is low engine coolant level. You should always check it before you go on a long journey. Also, if you've got an older car you could have faulty engine thermostat and that should be changed at car repair shop.

When you enter the car you should check the temperature gauge and make sure it's in the normal range. You could also check the temperature yourself by using a metal case thermometer placed into the filler of the radiator when the engine is cold.

If temperature and fluid level are good and you still have heater problems then it might come from poor circulation through the heater core. Test that by keeping your engine running at good temperature and try to feel the heater hoses. Both hoses should have the same temperature. If their temperature is different you should try flushing them or replacing them.

When you're working around the car heater always use caution because it could be very hot and never try to work at it while the engine is hot. You should also use some gloves to protect your hands from being burned.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Used Auto Body Parts

When was the last time you bought a brand new body part for your vehicle? If you cannot remember the last time perhaps you haven't actually saved enough to purchase the expensive parts. If you're forever thinking if your vehicle would make it to the next 1,000 miles, then you better consider purchasing used auto body parts instead.

You may be in for rough roads since these used auto body parts may be difficult to find since they do not have back up stocks for you to choose from. What the stores offer are what they currently have. You have no control over its condition - good or bad they get sold and become available for the second hand part searchers.

The advantages of these parts are as follows:

1) Searching and Purchasing Online with ease.

Of course you do not want to go home all greasy and grimy since you've spent the whole day sifting through used parts in the junkyard. Better work through the archives of these online sites that cater to almost all car models and brands before you make a purchase.

2) Buy in Bulk

Two pairs of headlights would not hurt your budget since it would come out much cheaper if you purchased more than what you need. You see, buying in bulk at these used auto body parts sites can actually make you save more.

The disadvantage of searching online comes down to the exact part you are looking for. Remember they are scraps, re-furbished and outdated parts that are being sold at slashed prices. What you do is to research if that part that is being offered can be compatible with your vehicle. Most cars manufactured in America share similar platforms so finding something close to a certain auto part would not be a challenge on your part.

How to Determine If a Cracked Windshield Needs to Be Fixed or Replaced

It happens all the time, a rock or other small object flies at windshield and chips it; in some cases you can leave it alone, while other times the chip or crack can continually get bigger until the whole windshield needs to be replaced. Luckily there are a few ways you can determine if you need to fix the crack or replace the windshield.

A general rule that first determines if a crack in your windshield needs to be fixed or if the entire windshield needs to be replaced, has to do with the length of the crack. Cracks or chips that are less than 12 inches in length can almost always be repaired, and you can usually even do these repairs at home. Cracks that are around 12 to 20 inches can also usually be repaired, but should be done by a professional windshield repair tech. Any cracks that are longer than 24 inches can generally not be repaired and the entire windshield will have to be replaced. These length limits are not strict however. A crack could be less than 24 inches but have the potential to spread quickly, so it might be recommended to replace the windshield to prevent any further damage.

As for chips or circular dings in the windshield, anything the size of a quarter or smaller can generally be repaired quickly and easily at home or by a professional windshield repair tech. However some windshield repair companies will not fix any chips or dings that are in the driver's direct line of vision, as the repair could leave some distortions in the glass. In these cases it is much safer to just replace the whole windshield.

Two other factors that can help determine if a crack in your windshield can be fixed are the location of the crack and how long it has been there. If a long, or short crack reaches the edge of the glass, the windshield will more than likely need to be replaced. This is because the edge of the glass is the thinnest and more brittle part of the windshield. Cracks often form after an object makes a chip in the glass in the topmost portion of the windshield that is often black or tinted very dark. Because you never saw the chip, you might not have realized the crack was forming. Cracks that reach within two inches of the edge of the glass can decrease the structural integrity of the entire windshield, even if they are repaired. If there are two or more cracks in close proximity or that intersect, the windshield will also need to be replaced.

This brings us to the issue of how long the crack has been in the windshield. If a crack has been in a windshield, getting bigger or not, for longer than 30 days most windshield repair techs will not repair the crack, but will suggest you have the windshield replaced. The reasoning behind this is that the longer the crack has been in the windshield the more dirt and debris has built up in the crack, which will obstruct the repair process. If a crack that has been in the windshield a long time is repaired, it is highly likely that the repair will be obvious and it might not hold for very long.

It is important to keep in mind that if you have used a water beading product, such as Rain-X, on your windshield, any cracks that the product was rubbed over will also be very hard to correct using traditional resin crack filler. In this case, it would probably be best have the windshield replaced.

Chips and cracks in the windshield aren't always going to get worse, in fact all the might do is be annoying to the driver or passengers looking out the windshield. While you could repair them yourself, there is a chance the repair might not come out the way you planned. After you have injected resin into the crack it cannot be removed and this would mean you'd have to have the windshield replaced anyway. If you have comprehensive insurance coverage on your vehicle, it might be best just to put in a claim. Some insurance companies do not even require that you pay a deductible for windshield replacement.

Does Auto Insurance Cover You If Your Car Breaks Down?

There's nothing worse than the feeling of when your car breaks down. You'll just be cruising down the highway when you suddenly hear a strange noise from under the hood? What is it? Unless you are fairly competent in the field of automobile repair you probably haven't the foggiest idea. One way to put your mind at ease is to purchase mechanical breakdown insurance, or MBI.

Mechanical breakdown insurance is offered by many auto insurance companies, but not all. Your MBI will have a deductible like normal insurance, and your insurance company will cover the rest. If you are interested in MBI but unsure if your provider offers it, ask your insurance agent or company.

Mechanical breakdown insurance is usually offered only on vehicles that are less than 15 months old and have less than 15,000 miles, though your policy may vary depending on your provider. Usually you can keep renewing your coverage for several years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Insurance companies are not going to insure an older vehicle that is prone to breaking down, after all.

The only way in which you will be covered for mechanical failure otherwise is if some sort of accident caused the mechanical damage. For instance, say you hit a pothole and now you hear some weird sound in the area of your suspension. You can call your insurance company if you have normal, full coverage collision insurance and ask them if you are covered. They will probably want to have a mechanic certified by them look at your vehicle. If the mechanic then agrees that the damage was caused by a pothole or the like then you will probably be covered. Note that this type of situation will not apply to tires, as damage to tires is considered "wear and tear".

So as you can see your best bet for such concerns is to get yourself covered for mechanical breakdown. Breaking down is a concern for everyone, even those with newer vehicles.

So what do you do if you want mechanical breakdown coverage but your current provider doesn't offer it? The first thing you need to do is shop around. Do some searching on the internet and look for reputable auto insurance providers. Some will offer it, some won't-but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask. Often, auto insurance companies will provide you with decent discounts if you purchase more products from them, which is why many families insure multiple family members on the same policy or will insure their car and home with the same company.

One of drivers' greatest fears is to have their car break down. But there is something we can do about it. Mechanical breakdown insurance is an invaluable investment and gives you some valuable peace of mind when you're on the road. Even if you're in the market for some cheap car insurance, you need to consider MBI when you are making your decision. After all, the $400 you spend on your MBI premium will pale in comparison to the $4,000 mechanic bill you receive when your transmission locks up right after your warranty expires.

3 Pointers for Fixing Dents and Scratches in Leased Cars

If you have dented your leased auto, then you're probably a little bit concerned about what that damage will wind up costing you. If you return the vehicle with the damage, at the very least, you're going to surrender your deposit. However, you may end up giving up more if the leasing agent feels that the deposit is not enough to cover the repair work costs. You do not have to be out all that money, though. Below, you will find three pointers to help you repair the damage to leased cars so you do not have to lose your deposit or even more money.

First, you should speak to a dent repair service provider where you are. If you are traveling, check to see if there is a mobile dent repair company that services the area. You might consult the concierge at your hotel to see if he can suggest a contractor. Look at a local phone book and see if anyone provides a mobile service. This is a far better choice than driving around an area that you are not familiar with searching for an auto body repair shop. If you have your leased auto in your home town, then you will have more choices.

Second, only pick a contractor that will give you a complimentary estimate. You don't want to receive an invoice after the work is done that is much higher than expected due to unknown charges. Ask if everything is included in the quote. There is nothing out of line with asking questions similar to this before the work begins.

Third, always be sure that whatever mobile dent repair work which is done on the leased vehicle is covered by a guarantee. If the specialist does not do a good job on the repair, you don't want to have to shell out for the repair work once again. You shouldn't have to, but if there was no warranty, you might not have a choice. You might even have to take the vehicle to another service provider. You're out a lot of money and time-- maybe much more than if you'd just returned the auto with its damaged parts.

When you return your car, you're under no obligation to tell the leasing representative about the damage if you had it restored. If the work was done the right way, the leasing representative shouldn't be able to see it, anyway. You will get your deposit back and be on your way in no time at all.

Auto Repair Shop Loans - Still Easy to Obtain, Just Not Through Your Bank

Auto repair shop loans are harder to come by these days. With the recent downfall of the American automobile industry, there has been a lot of speculation on the ripple effect. Manufacturers that supply raw materials such as steel, plastic, and glass have no doubt been affected by this conundrum.

At the center of the debate in the lending world is the viability of auto repair shops. There are two main opposing theories on the impact that will be felt on their bottom lines, and its tough to choose a side when both seem like common wisdom.

The first theory is that as a result of consumers purchasing fewer autos, there will be less work for auto repair shops, body shops, and mechanics to perform. This is a logical argument and has become the mantra for banks to avoid lending to this industry. Some auto shop owners have decried this as an unfair, discriminatory, lending trend. There's nothing worse than having a year over year increase in profitability, meeting the bank's underwriting criteria, and being rejected for being auto industry related.

The opposing theory is that as a result of consumers purchasing fewer autos, they will make more trips to fix their existing cars. As cars age, inevitably more visits will be made to auto repair shops, oil changers, auto part stores, tire shops, etc. With less new cars on the road, this could even mean an increase in business to the repair and parts industry. This is also a logical argument.

Either way, banks and traditional lenders have placed this entire segment of the retail and service market in the high risk or do-not-lend category. This does not mean that funds are not available to finance their growth and operations at all. Private finance groups such as Merchant Cash Advance Providers are recognizing the opportunities the auto repair industry stands to offer.

There are over 200 Million cars on the road today. One could argue that parts suppliers, tire shops, and auto repair shops are one of the most sustainable facets of business in America. For those business owners looking to buy inventory, upgrade equipment, expand, and conquer, Merchant Cash Advances are a valuable, easy to obtain option.

A Merchant Cash Advance is not a loan and it is structured to repay by allocating a percentage of each credit card transaction back to the provider automatically. There is no set time frame to repay, credit requirements for approval are lax, and the entire process lasts about a week.

Research conducted shows auto repair shops are the second most funded business type in the Merchant Cash Advance arena, right behind Restaurants. In an industry that has injected over $3 Billion into the economy, it's evident the auto repair field is filled with opportunities. Every oil change shop and parts store in the country should be taking advantage of the liquid cash available for growth through a Merchant Cash Advance.

Once the traditional lenders have realized the success, it's possible they will call on their old clients to come back. But once a business has gotten used to the quick speed of obtaining funds, easy process, and incredibly flexible repayment terms of a Merchant Cash Advance there won't be any reason to go back.

Tips on Car Interior Maintenance

If you own a personal vehicle, make sure you take proper care of its interiors. The car-interior maintenance is essential not only for the vehicle but also for the health of your family. Regular use of an automobile allows unnecessary dirt and dust to enter the vehicle. If you ignore this dust, you are putting at stake the health of your entire family. Here are five important tips to clean the inside of your automobile:

1) Always make sure of a good vacuum attachment to clean the dust. Do not forget to clean under the seats, in between the central console and the front seats, and around the pedals. These areas are usually left out by most of us while cleaning. Dirt is most commonly accumulated in areas, such as the boot of the car and the foot area. Therefore, these areas should not be missed at any cost.

2) However, bear in mind that only a vacuum cleaner is just not enough to remove all the dirt and dust. The carpets should be cleaned using appropriate sanitation sprays. These sprays remove germs, dust, and build-up, and offer much cleaner air to breathe in your vehicle. They should definitely be used if you keep the air conditioner on most of time while driving. Also, when cleaning, keep the windows of the automobile open for some time in order to let the fresh air circulate in the interior.

3) If you wish to keep the upholstery startling clean, it is essential to remove all the stains on it. Most stains can be removed by gently using a brush with a little detergent and a few drops of water. In other words, you can just dry wash the upholstery. In case of difficult stains, like those of grease and chemical substances, it is better to get the cleaning done at an auto body repair shop. Alternatively, you can just ask the storekeeper about the cleanser available for different type of stains.

Thus, following the above guidelines, you can easily maintain your car interiors on a regular basis and ensure a clean health for your family.

General DIY Car Maintenance for the Beginner

Basic DIY car maintenance is a vital part of modern car ownership. Knowing how to check, and change, your car's fluids, clean and replace the filters and check hoses and belts has many benefits. The most obvious is that you will save money on labor costs. But besides that, a well-maintained vehicle emits less pollutants, runs smoother and has less chance of leaving you stranded on the side of the road.

To do DIY car maintenance, you do not need to have specialized tools or equipment. More often than not the tools that came with your car are enough for the basic tasks. Unless you have intentions of opening a car repair shop one day, buy tools as you need them, individually if possible. But buy the best that is available or at least a reputable brand. Poor quality tools will round off nuts or screw heads and make a simple job a frustrating, hair-pulling exercise.

Of course, doing DIY car maintenance means that you must have some basic knowledge of what the major car components are, like the radiator, cylinder head and the location of the brake system hydraulic cylinder. It's easy enough to learn about a car's major components on the Internet, but one of the best ways to learn about a car is of course through formal courses. Knowing the location of a car's components will allow you identify where the oil filler cap is, what the radiator cap does and when it's safe to open, and where to add hydraulic fluid for your clutch and/or brake system.

On a weekly basis, you should check your car's tyre pressures. If you travel long distances regularly, you should check the oil level too. Wash your car on a weekly basis too. Except for the tyres, you don't need to use detergents to wash it. With the myriad electronic components on modern engine bays, it's not advisable to subject the engine to a prolonged dousing of water.

Monthly, you should check coolant levels, and the brake fluid, power steering, engine oil and transmission fluid, if your car has a dipstick for that. Top up to the recommended levels with the manufacturer's specified oil or brake fluid. Eye your windshield washer reservoir to see if the level is above the minimum. Plain water is not really the best washer fluid to use because scale may build up over time and clog the system. Also check the inner side of your drive belts for cracks or broken ribs. Shine a light so that you can check for the cracks clearly. Replace any belts that show signs of wear, or have reached the replacement period suggested by the manufacturer.

Although newbie car owners may think that tires are just black donuts that you run into the ground, maintaining tyre pressures and checking for signs of uneven tyre wear will alert you to misalignment or failing suspension components. Often this will spell the difference between long-lasting tyres and tyres that you need to replace within half their rated life.

The car's manufacturer will have recommended intervals for servicing your car. Oftentimes, the manual will contain this information. Sometimes, the manufacturer will provide a supplementary service manual. You should follow the schedule as closely as possible. If you go through the list, you will see that a lot of the service items on the list are DIY car maintenance items that can be performed in your garage.

Auto Glass And Vehicle Safety

Many people do not understand the important function that auto glass plays in the protection of a vehicle's occupants. Of course, it is clear that a windshield, and even the side windows, will help block wind and keep out rain and snow; however, the glass in your vehicle plays an even bigger role than passenger comfort. Today's windshields are designed by auto manufacturers to be an integral part of the vehicle's overall safety systems and it is imperative that it be replaced only by a glass company that uses glass designed for this purpose.

The front window or windshield is made from laminated safety glass. This type of glass is made by laminating a sheet of clear plastic film between two pieces of curved glass that has been specially treated to provide a safer type of auto glass. In the event of a collision, the windshield helps to ensure that the vehicle remains structurally intact. However, if the glass does break, it is designed to stay as a solid sheet with web-like shatters spreading across the glass. This enables the glass to stay intact and avoids dangerous shards of glass from causing even more serious passenger injuries.

If you ever need a windshield replacement, it is important that it be replaced with quality glass designed for use as an automobile windshield. Additionally, having the glass properly installed can play a crucial role in whether your windshield will stand up to the impact of a crash and deliver the safety and passenger protection that it was designed to provide.

Side windows, back windows and even sunroofs are made from specially treated glass that is designed to break into small pieces. This glass is tempered using a very specific heating and cooling process that helps to eliminate the stress points in the glass and accounts for its unique breaking pattern. The glass is not only stronger than glass that has not been tempered, but if it does break, it does not cause the sharp, jagged shards that can contribute to severe passenger injuries. The tempered glass breaks into small uniform pieces that have dull edges, making it much safer for vehicle occupants.

When you need any type of auto glass service, whether it is a windshield replacement or simply glass repair, it is important to only use a reputable glass company. After all, making sure your vehicle is equipped with quality safety glass that is properly installed is essential to passenger safety. Always use a professional glass installer for any type of glass service.

Car Stereo Repair

Have you ever experienced problems with getting your car speakers to work? Since I think many of us car owners have experienced this problem, I will provide this description of how to diagnose the problem of silent speakers and also give you some hints on how to fix it. Whether you are familiar with car stereo repair or not, this might help you. If it doesn't, contact a dealer who can do an auto stereo repair or search for vehicle stereo repair help online. If your stereo speakers don't work, then try

• checking the speakers to see if they are disconnected



• checking all fuses that are related to the auto speakers



• tightening the butt connectors to the speakers



• replacing all or some of the butt connectors

If your speakers are still not working, I recommend that you test the auto speakers that don't work directly:

• Disconnect each speaker that doesn't work from the car's wires and do the test below, doing one at a time.
  
  


• Use a 9v battery and connect its leads to each auto speaker to be tested for a short moment.
  
  
  
  
  • Does the speaker have movement?
  
  
  
  • Do you hear the sound usually known as a 'pop' or thump?
  
  

  If your answers to the questions above are 'yes', your speaker will probably be able to make sound and it is likely to work.

• Also note which way the speaker are moving, whether in or out of its frame during the test. Thus you can also determine your auto speakers polarity when connecting them up to the amplifier up in the front.
• If the cone of your speaker moves out of the basket, the lead going to the positive of the battery is the positive lead of the speaker. If it goes in the opposite direction, the lead hooked to the negative of the battery is positive of your auto speaker.

This speaker direct test has two possible results: Either the speaker is not able to make sound or it is. If the first is the case, your speaker are dead and you must replace it. If the latter is the case, you should

• run new speaker wires and rewire



• perform the 'popper' tests to get the polarity correct as described above

Now, if this problem still persists you can at least rest assure that the reason is not your speaker. The reason is probably one of the following: Either it is caused by

• problems in the deck itself or



• the connections from the deck.

In this case I recommend that you contact a vehicle stereo repair shop or do a search online to get information about how to fix these problems.

An Honest Auto Mechanic

An honest auto mechanic can sometimes be tough to find. No harder than finding an honest lawyer, some would say, but my regular readers already have that department covered! My wife and I have run into a series of car "issues" lately, and it got me thinking about the different ways an uninformed consumer can be abused by a dishonest mechanic. This month's article will focus on ways to make the often painful and expensive world of car repairs a little easier for my readers.

There are three golden rules for any consumer when dealing with an auto mechanic:

1) get it in writing;
2) get it in writing; and
3) get it in writing.

If you follow these three rules, you will by WAY ahead of the game in case of problems or disputes "down the road" (if you'll pardon the pun.)

Specifically, you should always get a WRITTEN authorization for towing or inspection of your vehicle PRIOR to the time it is towed or inspected. This authorization should cover several issues, including: the exact cost and description of the towing, inspection or diagnosis to be completed; an explanation of which charges (if any) will be waived if you elect to have the repairs completed; a statement that the car will be satisfactorily reassembled if you elect not to have the repairs done and/or a statement that all inspected parts will be saved and stored for you; and most importantly, a statement that the authorization for towing or inspection is NOT an authorization for repair and that a separate, written work authorization will be required prior to the commencement of any repairs. You should ALWAYS require a separate repair authorization prior to the time you begin repairs. Although you may be asked to sign the inspection authorization at the same time you sign the work authorization, my advice is NOT to do so. I mean, if you're going to do that, why bother with the inspection authorization at all?

Your work authorization should address certain items as well: a complete description of the repair work to be done (obviously); the stated fee for the work to be done, broken down by parts and labor; a full disclosure of all other costs (storage, shop fees, etc.) as well as a statement that all costs and fees are disclosed in the authorization; a statement as to whether the parts will be new from the manufacturer, new aftermarket parts, used or rebuilt; the specific terms of the warranty for the repair work; the method of payment accepted for the repairs; and an indication that all parts removed and/or replaced will be stored and saved for your inspection (unless they are required for exchange, such as brake pads.)

There are a few common problems to watch out for. For example, you should never let the mechanic disassemble your vehicle or put it up on the rack if you do not have a written authorization for inspection as described above. At that point, you run the risk of authorizing overpriced repairs or getting your vehicle back partially or improperly reassembled. Also, your mechanic may call you for "verbal" approval to amend or change the work authorization. While time and convenience may tempt you to take this shortcut, I would highly recommend that all changes to work authorizations be in writing and signed or initialed by both parties. This is the only way to insure that misunderstandings do not blossom into increased revenue for your friendly local lawyer.

If you do have a problem with a mechanic, or if the final charges exceed the written authorization and you feel you have been cheated, it is probably best to go ahead and pay the bill. If you do this, be sure to write a few words making your protest clear on the bill and on your check if you can. If need be, you can go back and dispute your credit card charges or sue the mechanic in small claims court after you drive away. Keep in mind that a mechanic has a lien on your vehicle to insure payment of his charges. Please do NOT pay with a check and then put a "stop payment" order in place, as this will likely end up with your car being repossessed.

Remember, a nice smile and firm handshake does not always translate into quality service delivered with honesty and integrity. Keeping all agreements and authorizations in writing and being firm about your rights is hard work, but it sure does beat riding a bicycle to work on a rainy day.

Auto Repair - Charging for Convenience Despite Necessity

Auto repair is a necessity, right? Cars need to be maintained, they need repairs, and they need service. Certainly convenience is nice, but it's an added bonus. One would think that convenience and the necessity of auto repair are indeed complementary - albeit rare. What few understand, however, is that the auto repair industry charges for convenience. In other words, you could and should be able to get your car repaired for less - sometimes lots less - but because you broke down here and not there, you pay more.

Repair prices vary greatly from shop to shop for a numbers of reasons (discussed at length in RepairTrust literature). The focus here is the mind-set in the auto repair industry that it is OK to charge customers extra for convenience.

For perspective, here's a break down of an actual transaction.

After a careful analysis of a $1600 auto repair bill, it was clear that $200 of it was excessive. The excessive charges were as follows: an extra $10 for a battery (compared to MSRP - Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price), an extra $125 for an alternator (compared to MSRP), and an additional $65 in labor (compared to industry guidelines).

While this particular customer was a busy executive and was glad for the quick service and convenience, what about the single mom struggling to make ends meet? An additional $200 in repairs might mean a late rent check.

Convenience charges are extremely common, but hard to prove. The justifications for these charges are numerous. They include, but are not limited to the following:

Business is Slow - see the article: Auto Repair Costs - The Worst Time of Year For Car Repair (@ EzineArticles.com or RepairTrust.com) for an in-depth discussion of how car repair prices are manipulated

Overhead Expenses - the cost of doing business is repeatedly passed on to the car repair customer, very often unjustifiably

Competition - to keep a competitive edge against competition, shops will mark up prices stating that the client would have paid even more somewhere else. They will also use their own inferior parts from their own suppliers, despite the availability of better quality parts for less money.

Profit Margins - in the name of customer convenience, prices are frequently jacked up to maintain profit margins. For example, a repair shop will tack on an additional 20% to MSRP for a part that you could get for 20% less at a dealer.

Ego - you will pay extra for ego-inflated diagnosis and repair because most technicians are ill-qualified and thus self-conscious, which in turn fills them with feelings of grandiosity when they actually fix something right - how convenient for you!

What should you do...

In an industry that lacks standardization (that's adhered to anyway) and an effective regulatory system, the auto repair customer stands alone.

Here are a few quick tips if you suspect convenience charges.

1) Get it in writing - get your estimates and repair orders in a detailed printout to enable you to scrutinize the charges

2) Ask questions - if you don't understand a charge - ask. Don't just pay and "assume" that you were treated fairly

3) Call another service center and request an estimate

4) Compare part prices with MSRP

5) Don't be afraid to negotiate - ask for a discount if you're having lots of repairs done. Check for specials, senior citizens discounts, coupons...etc

6) Be nice, sincere, and shrewd. Repair industry folks respond much more positively to someone who is sincere, and genuine. But be cautious and question everything.

It's clear that auto repair is a necessity. The nature of the automobile and the conditions under which it must perform demands it. Car repair and maintenance is vital for the community and the economic structure of the world in which we live. Yet, the industry is run and controlled by a pack of wolves. Since we're not talking about running into a convenience store for an over-priced gallon of milk, perhaps a little more help (by way of transparent pricing standards) from Uncle Sam is in order.