About.com Auto Repair

A Small Victory for Repair Shops

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:15:51 +0000

In the unending battle between shops and insurance giants, put a "V" in the repair shops' column this month. After fighting for quite some time with Connecticut's Hartford insurance company, a determined group of shop owners have been awarded $15 million after a judge found that The Hartford violated state laws meant to keep a level playing field in the auto repair game. According to ABRN, "The class action lawsuit filed by The Auto Body Association of Connecticut (ABAC) and three of its members alleged that the insurance company engaged in a pattern of unfair practices that violated Connecticut law." Too many professionals in this country are forced to bend to the will of insurance companies, it's nice to see a little justice served no matter how small.

The Importance of Estimates

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:06:54 +0000

It's common practice for a repair shop to provide a detailed estimate of needed repairs before work begins on your car or truck. If you're getting work done without one, you could be making a big mistake. Estimates aren't just for a consumer's protection, they protect the shop from misunderstandings, arguments and even law suits. Getting the details on paper ensures everybody knows what to expect when work commences, and when it's time to pay up. A proper estimate will detail both parts and labor charges in a way you can read and make sense of. Keep in mind, however, that an estimate isn't the final word on your car repair. Often a mechanic will discover other problems as work progresses, or will find that a different part was actually at fault. There's no way around this until somebody invents an automotive crystal ball, so getting upset at your mechanic over additional charges is usually out of line. The bottom line, don't say yes unless it's in writing, no matter what side of the repair counter you stand on.

The Importance of Estimates originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 22:06:54.

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More and More Car Owners Diving Into Repairs

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:34:46 +0000

When times get tough, Americans get tougher. That may sound like a propaganda slogan, but in many cases it rings true. People in this country take their cars and trucks very seriously. Even those you would hardly label "gearheads" will step up to the plate if they think their driving status is at stake, and lately they've been doing just that. It's easy for me to tell you, but check out the results of a recent study by Honeywell. They found that more than half of the car owners in the US are getting greasy more often! Here are the results:

51% of American vehicle owners are rolling up their sleeves and handling more car care on their own.
89% of these newfound DIYers report that they didn't really perform these tasks before -- they hired a professional.
51% admit to doing the bare minimum for their vehicles; and 21% have avoided service altogether.
14% report addressing more high ticket repairs that could extend their vehicle's life.

That's some serious fixin'! If you can't yet count yourself amongst the 51% that are getting busy, now's the time to step up. Make it happen, and save some serious money in process.

_{Honeywell is the parent company of Autolite, FRAM, Prestone and Bendix -- all makers of auto repair and maintenance parts and products.}

More and More Car Owners Diving Into Repairs originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 22:34:46.

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Tame the Tire Eating Monster

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:09:00 +0000

This letter was a good reminder that your car is always communicating with you in its own way.

Hi Matthew, I think I need to have the frame of my car straightened. My tires are going bald on one side and it's gotten to the point that I think I should pay to have the frame repaired rather than keep buying tires. Any advice is appreciated! -- Janice

Janice, a bent or twisted frame can cause your tires to wear unevenly, but there are far more common causes than that. If your car was in a serious accident, you might check the frame, but most likely the problem is in your suspension. Even a pothole can cause part of your suspension to bend or knock itself out of adjustment, making your car a tire-eating machine. Have your alignment checked first, then you can go from there to get to the source of your premature tire wear.

Tame the Tire Eating Monster originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 00:09:00.

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A Reader's Sage Reminder - Fire!

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:35:52 +0000

Patrick Sullivan writes to remind us how important it can be to carry a fire extinguisher. Even the smallest emergency model is enough to put out most common automotive fires. Patrick has used his extinguisher on more than one occasion, hear his stories:

A tow truck on a hot summer day in Chicago backfired at a red light while towing a disabled vehicle. A small fire began under the hood in the carburetor and the driver was using everything nearby to put it out. I had a small extinguisher and gave it to him and it immediately put out the fire and saved his truck. Another time an old car at a stop sign, same problem. I volunteered my small fire extinguisher and 'poof' his old car was still alive.
For only a few dollars, a small extinguisher in the glove box could save a lot of money.

See? I speak truths!

A Reader's Sage Reminder - Fire! originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 23:35:52.

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Old School Trick, the Soapy String

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:37:35 +0000

We aren't all driving new cars, so I feel it's ok to mention some older school repair tricks from time to time. Ever hear of the soapy string trick for installing a windshield? It's pretty fun, and it works pretty well, too. Check out the soapy string trick and let me know what you think!

Old School Trick, the Soapy String originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 23:37:35.

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Need an Oil Change ... and a Manicure?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:04:32 +0000

Enterprising shop owners are always looking for ways to attract and keep new customers. These efforts usually amount to coupons or free gourmet coffee in the waiting room. From time to time, however, we find shop owners who have gone the extra mile, tapping the inner folds of their minds to come up with a truly novel idea. Elle Auto Care in Calgary has done their part to revolutionize the people part of auto service. Their waiting room is its own experience, with manicure and mini-spa services, WiFi, leather furniture, an indoor children's zone and reportedly one of the nicest bathrooms ever to grace an auto shop. And yes, they have gourmet coffee. I can't tell you whether it'll fly, but if a shop is this focused on the people side of things, chances are they will stand behind their work, too.

_{Read more about Elle Auto Care in the Montreal Gazette}.

Need an Oil Change ... and a Manicure? originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 21:04:32.

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More Movement on Right to Repair

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:55:24 +0000

This just in. Five more members of
Congress declared their support of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057). Reps. Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), Christopher P. Carney (D-PA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Michael K. Conaway (R-TX) and Brad Miller (D-NC) are the most recent co-sponsors of Right to Repair, which has gained steady support since its introduction. The bill now has 45 sponsors.

For those of you who aren't familiar, Right to Repair legislation has been gaining momentum on a Federal and state levels for some time now. If passed, the Right to Repair Act would give independent repair shops access to important repair information as soon as it's available to dealerships, and we know what that would mean!

Pay to Play Scenario Busted

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:31:05 +0000

This happens to repair shops more often than any of us would like to imagine. It's hard enough being a small, independent shop, but insurance adjusters often find a way to make it even worse. Some (but not all, of course!) adjusters take kickbacks in the form of cash or gift cards in trade for sending business in one shop's direction. We don't do insurance work, but my friends who do have spoken of this "pay to play" game often. It's a horrible practice that takes the emphasis away from important things like quality of work. If this type of scenario is in play, the most honest shop in the area is the one that loses. In the end, the real loser is you, the customer. Bummer. For an example, check out the story of good samaritan Ralph Galluzzi from Bison Plate Glass in Buffalo, New York. He was fed up and blew the whistle to the state. If you ever need glass in Buffalo, I think you should reward Ralph Galluzzi for risking his business and get Bison Plate Glass to repair your vehicle, even if the insurance adjuster tries to send you someplace else.

Pay to Play Scenario Busted originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 09:31:05.

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Winter Maintenance Made Easy

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:59:12 +0000

If you haven't started your seasonal maintenance procedures for the winter, it's time to get crackin'! There's lots to do to keep your car or truck in top shape, especially if you live in a cold climate. Think of all the money you save by keeping your car out of the repair shop. It can be overwhelming, but before you decide to hand your credit card to the guy in the coveralls take a look at my 5-week Winter Maintenance E-Course. Like everything on About.com, it's free. Just sign up and every week you'll receive a lesson with step-by-step instructions including photos. Each week you'll tackle a different maintenance procedure or safety check. By the time you're eating turkey your car or truck will be looking and feeling good.

Winter Maintenance Made Easy originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 22:59:12.

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