Tag: Auto Repair

Getting “Fueled-Up” For Summer Driving

As temperatures begin to rise, so does the anticipation of being able to drive with the windows down and the wind blowing in your hair during America’s hottest season. Amid today’s ever-changing fuel landscape, it is important for drivers to educate themselves about how to make smarter decisions for their vehicles-especially during the summer months. Car owners, it is time to get “fueled-up” for summer driving.

Cars, like their drivers, require proper maintenance and replenished fluids in order to be prepared for the sweltering summer heat. Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®, a nationally recognized automotive expert, shares some tips for consumers on how to keep their cars performing at their best throughout the summertime.

• Inspect the cooling system. Prevent your car’s engine from rapid overheating by inspecting its cooling system. Make sure to keep an eye on the coolant level-if low, refill using a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze. If your antifreeze is dirty or weak, have your cooling system flushed at your local auto repair shop. Also, while you’re there, have your auto technician test the cooling fan and thermostat for proper operation and repair or replace as needed.

• Fill up with quality fuel. When at the pump, be sure to rejuvenate with a quality fuel such as Amoco Ultimate® premium fuel at BP. With continuous use, it can help clean-up dirty engines by cutting away deposits from intake valves. A cleaner engine can give your car better performance-ensuring less hesitation and smoother acceleration. It may even help improve your gas mileage for a more cost-efficient summer road trip.

• Replenish fluids. Don’t let your car dehydrate; make sure that all fluids are replenished accordingly. Remember to check and/or replace the transmission, brake, washer and power-steering fluids. All can be easily located by reviewing your owner’s manual, or consulting your local auto technician for expert help.

• Examine the AC system. The air temperature coming from the air conditioning ducts should be approximately 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If not, you should have it inspected by a licensed AC repair facility or your local auto technician where they will inspect for leaks, repair them and recharge the system with the proper amount of Freon for your vehicle.

• Change your oil more often. Start the season off with premium motor oil for maximum engine protection. This is especially important in the summer because hot weather requires extra lubrication for the engine.

Your car is one of the biggest investments you’ll make, and not knowing anything about auto repair will just make that investment more expensive. You should learn about the specificities of the model you own, as well as other things. You could save both money and time moving forward by doing so.

Talk with your technician to determine if they have worked on your car before. A mechanic who has experience with the make and model you are driving will be able to diagnose issues quickly.

Wash your car regularly to prevent rust from becoming a problem. While cars are going to rust eventually, you can definitely slow this down by ensuring all chemicals are cleaned off your car as quickly as possible. Wax your car often to protect the paint, as often as you can.

Getting a good referral is the ideal way to discover a great auto technician. Get recommendations from family and friends. You can inquire about price, work quality and overall satisfaction. You can find out about the experience with a mechanic and if they can be trusted or not.

You should keep your car’s records in a handy location. Keep these documents in a solid folder inside your glove compartment. The auto repair professionals will want to look at those records. Good documentation can help diagnose problems a lot faster.

Leave nothing in your car when you take it to the shop. The technicians may have to move out these things to fix your car, and they cannot be held liable if anything goes missing. Take all items out of your trunk, too.

As you can now see, knowing auto repair basics will prove to be very beneficial. Not only will you be able to pass along the knowledge that you learned, but you will be able to rely on yourself the next time you have automotive problems. Don’t forget these tips and use them when your car needs it.

Competent Auto Repair Has Never Been More Important

Automotive service and repair has changed dramatically over a generation, according to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent group that tests and certifies the competence of auto technicians nationwide.

Today, high-tech systems that were unheard of 30 years ago – anti-lock brakes, electronic engine controls and computerized diagnostics – are commonplace. It doesn’t appear that the swift pace of technological advancement will slow any time soon, either, with the advent of hybrid vehicles and such features on the horizon as interactive suspensions, constantly variable-speed transmissions and 42-volt batteries.

For automotive service professionals, this means continual training and coursework to keep up with the torrent of changes. Disparaged years ago as “grease monkeys,” mechanics today have become automotive technicians, every bit as comfortable behind a computer screen and keyboard as under the hood with a wrench.

ASE is reminding motorists to follow the service schedules listed in their owners’ manuals before making a long-distance drive. While few people would ignore an ominous service engine light, many do skip oil changes. Yet in survey after survey, ASE-certified master auto technicians say that the old-fashioned oil change is one of the most vital services for getting the most from your automotive investment.

ASE was founded in 1972 as a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive professionals. Its 400,000 certified technicians wear blue-and-white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the ASE sign.

Auto Repair Has Never Been More Important

Automotive service and repair has changed dramatically over a generation, according to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent group that tests and certifies the competence of auto technicians nationwide.

Today, high-tech systems that were unheard of 30 years ago – anti-lock brakes, electronic engine controls and computerized diagnostics – are commonplace. It doesn’t appear that the swift pace of technological advancement will slow any time soon, either, with the advent of hybrid vehicles and such features on the horizon as interactive suspensions, constantly variable-speed transmissions and 42-volt batteries.

For automotive service professionals, this means continual training and coursework to keep up with the torrent of changes. Disparaged years ago as “grease monkeys,” mechanics today have become automotive technicians, every bit as comfortable behind a computer screen and keyboard as under the hood with a wrench.

ASE is reminding motorists to follow the service schedules listed in their owners’ manuals before making a long-distance drive. While few people would ignore an ominous service engine light, many do skip oil changes. Yet in survey after survey, ASE-certified master auto technicians say that the old-fashioned oil change is one of the most vital services for getting the most from your automotive investment.

ASE was founded in 1972 as a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive professionals. Its 400,000 certified technicians wear blue-and-white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the ASE sign.

Every car owner understands the stress involved with auto repair. It’s either going to cost you money for a mechanic to do the work, or it’s going to cost you your time to attend to it. There are downsides to each method, but auto repair will be a better experience after reading this article.

Don’t underestimate how important it is to keep an emergency kit inside your car. Be sure the kit has tools for charging the battery, adding gas to the tank, and changing tires. Blankets may be added, some batteries and a flashlight for if you have a trouble with your car at night.

Check your radiator often. You should let your car run for a few minutes, shut the engine and open your hood. Do not lift the radiator lid when the engine is running or if it is too hot. Use a dipstick to gauge how much radiator fluid you have, keeping in mind that most types need to be diluted with water.

Know your auto manual very well, or at least dog ear important pages. Do not hesitate to let your mechanic know about what you learned from the owner’s manual. You could even find the answer to a problem in your car manual and fix the problem yourself.

Once a repair shop has finished with your car, go on a quick spin to make sure things are working properly. If you don’t do this, you may not have the appropriate problem repaired.

Do not leave any items in your vehicle if you are taking it to be repaired. The mechanic might have to remove certain items, and they won’t be liable if it goes missing. You want to remove items from your trunk also.

Auto Repair

Auto repair is something that isn’t easy to do all the time, but you can be sure auto repairs are easier. The information in this piece goes a long way toward making sure you have a positive experience in terms of auto repair. Both you and your car will be pleased.

National Credit Repair

National Credit Repair has been helping its customers for over 18 years to view their credit reports for errors and inaccuracies. Consumers should try to access their credit reports at least once a year.
It is estimated that 70% of consumers have incorrect credit reports. As a result, many have to pay higher interest rates on items such as auto loans and mortgages. If consumers continuously monitor their credit reports, they can save themselves plenty of frustration in the long run.

In addition, failing to monitor one’s credit report can lead to higher instances of identity theft. There have been more and more victims of identity theft within the last 5 years. National Credit Repair provides consumers with the proper resources to monitor credit reports on a timely basis.

Know Your Rights

Many consumers do not know their rights when it comes to personal credit. It is not considered illegal or immoral to view, dispute and have corrected any inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information that you may find on your credit report.

As a consumer, it is a right that has been granted per the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Consumers are responsible for viewing and cleaning up any discrepancies that may be contained within their credit reports. It is the credit bureau’s responsibility to make sure that any inaccurate, incomplete or incorrect information that is discovered within a credit report be corrected.

In fact, they are obliged to respond to any legitimate disputes regarding entries on your credit report within 30 days. National Credit Repair educates its consumers about the credit laws which were designed to help them control and maintain clean credit reports.

Correct Credit Discrepancies

It is your responsibility to view and correct your own credit report. Although this task can seem a little daunting at times, National Credit Repair is willing to guide customers through this process.

Consumers should not assume that their credit reports are always correct. An incorrect assumption can cause the average consumer to pay more money on everyday items such as auto loans and mortgages.

Many employers are now requesting credit reports as a form of employment. One missed discrepancy could potentially cost a consumer the opportunity for stable employment. National Credit Repair helps its customers to monitor their credit reports for discrepancies. These discrepancies are then reported to the appropriate credit bureau.

Benefits of Good Clean Credit

There are numerous benefits of having good clean credit. They far outweigh the disadvantages of having negative discrepancies on your credit report. National Credit Repair devises plans for each of its customers to monitor their reports and correct negative discrepancies. This paves the road for having good clean credit.

In turn, the average consumer is granted the numerous privileges that are associated with having good credit. National Credit Repair helps its customers to get back on track and enjoy the benefits associated with good credit. All consumers would love to be able to get an auto or mortgage loan that has a decent percentage rate. National Credit Repair provides its customers the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of good clean credit.

Auto Insurance Fraud – How To Know If You Are A Victim

Auto insurance fraud is dramatically on the increase. Non-profit sites like the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud report that auto insurance fraud costs in the region of $12.3 billion or more each year. What’s more it is a very lucrative business for the criminals.
But how is this type of fraud generally perpetrated and how can you tell if it has happened to you?
Auto insurance fraud often comes in several guises the more common ones being these:
STAGED ACCIDENTS
An accident is staged in which the drivers of two or more vehicles intentionally collide with you. Normally a driver will pull up in front of you by temporarily slamming on their brakes and their accomplice will run into the back of you.
They then make it look like it was your fault.
FAKE HELPERS
Scam Helpers will wave an innocent driver into traffic, but then an accomplice will deliberately crash into the driver. Again the innocent driver appears to be at fault.
AUTO REPAIR SHOPS
Auto insurance fraud is increasingly being committed by auto repair shops. They scam insurance companies in several ways.
They may bill for work not actually performed on the car, they may over quote on the work, charging more for it than they should, claim for property stolen from your vehicle that actually did not exist in the first place or deliberately cause further damage to your car for which they bill the insurance company.
OTHER SCAMS
Several other auto insurance scams have recently been reported including:
Falsely reporting a car as stolen
Fake hit-and-run claims
Destroying a vehicle by setting it on fire
Being aware of these scams and frauds can help you to avoid them and ensure you are not considered to be part of the fraud by the insurance company if they suspect a fraud has taken place.
Trying to prove your innocence in some cases may be hard to do.
Now you are aware of some of the more common auto insurance frauds you know what to look out for and can potentially avoid them.

If you’re like most, you probably have a lot to learn about auto repair. It is important to educate yourself on the subject so that you are able to handle any problems your car might experience. Read on to learn how to do this.

Make sure that your mechanic is A.S.E certified before you let them work on your car. Mechanics can obtain the ASE certification by taking a test and having more than two years of experience. You will then know that you are dealing with a trained professional.

Make sure there is an emergency kit located in your vehicle at all times. This kit should have the tools to change your tires in the case of an accident. Also, add a flashlight, some batteries, and some blankets in case there is a nighttime breakdown.

Make sure you know what is in your auto manual, and mark certain pages for reference. When you show up to a mechanic’s shop, you are going to have to explain some information about your car. Also, reading the manual may help you realize that the repair you need, can be done easily by you.

You need your records available at all times. Keep these records in the glove compartment in the event that you need to make an emergency stop at your mechanic’s shop. Repair professionals may want to see these records for repair purposes. The records can help them figure out the problem.

Take out all of the valuable items in your car when it is being repaired. The mechanic might need to move these things so they can do the job, and they won’t assume responsibility if anything comes up missing. Take everything out of the trunk as well.

You should know more about auto repairs after going over this article. Therefore, you now have helpful information when it comes time for a car repair. This way, you can get back on the road quickly and easily.

How To Find A Reliable Auto Repair Shop

A car is the second largest investment most of us make after a house, so it only makes sense that we want to trust the person who is going to be repairing it. And while you might think finding a reliable auto repair shop and a good mechanic might be a difficult task, it really isn’t if you know what to search for. Let’s get you on the right track.

The best way to guarantee you find a good repair shop is to start looking for that quality shop before your car needs repairs. Once your car is broken you are forced to rush around trying to find a place to have it fixed, and you won’t have time to research the quality of the shop.

It’s much better to establish a relationship with a repair shop and the mechanic long before things break. In fact, regular maintenance will reduce the risk of your vehicle breaking down and it’s the perfect way to decide whether you like what a shop has to offer. Start small with a simple oil change and build from there.

Rely on word of mouth when you start your search. Listen to what others have to say about different repair shops. Ask friends, family, and co-workers who they would recommend. You can also check with the BBB to find out who has had complaints against them.

Never base your decision on just the price. A lower price doesn’t always mean a cheaper bill. Some shops have a flat rate charge for each repair type no matter how long it takes them. Others charge for every hour that it takes, which might work out cheaper but it could also work out to more if the mechanic runs into a snag. A higher rate doesn’t always mean better service, but a lower rate doesn’t always mean poor service. Do your research.

Once you think you’ve found the right shop snoop around a bit. Check to see that the shop appears well organized and neat.

There are also some questions worth asking:

1. Do they have up to date equipment
2. What type of diagnostic equipment do they have
3. Can they provide references from other customers
4. Do they specialize in a certain type of vehicle
5. Are their technicians certified
6. What brand of parts do they use
7. What is their policy relating to customer satisfaction
8. What is their warranty
9. What type of payments do they accept
10. What is their labor rate

It’s important to keep a record of the maintenance and repairs you’ve had done to your vehicle. Make sure you keep the repair records in a safe place.

Using these tips, finding a reliable auto repair shop won’t be that difficult.

If you don’t know anything about basic car care and maintenance you can end up unnecessarily wasting a lot of money on repair costs. Besides familiarizing yourself with the particular model that you own, there are other tricks you can learn. Continue reading so that you can save yourself both time and money.

Keep an eye on your radiator levels. Simply run the engine a few minutes and then cut the engine and lift the hood. Don’t open your radiator if your car is running. Use a dipstick to check the amount of fluid in the radiator. You should also make sure to mix coolant fluid with water before you pour it into your radiator.

Clean you car on a regular basis so it doesn’t become rusty. All cars will eventually rust out, but you can delay the process considerably by making sure any salt or chemicals are washed off as soon as possible. Use a decent wax for protecting paint jobs as much as you can.

Research any auto repair service station online. This lets you know how other people who have tried this mechanic before have felt about their experience. This will help you choose the best shop.

Ask people you know about experiences they have had with repairing their cars. People you know can give you some recommendations, making your search simpler. Even after getting a few names, though, do your research. Use online resources to see feedback from others as well.

You should still wash your car during the winter time. Although you may feel like the car just gets dirty again right after cleaning it, the winter weather is harsh on your vehicle. Rust and abrasion can occur from the particles flying around in the air. Always dry the vehicle off, though, before you take it out for a spin so that the water doesn’t turn into ice.

As previously stated, learning about basic auto repair may benefit you later. In addition to being able to help others and yourself, you can save money. Don’t forget these tips and use them when your car needs it.