Visit Your Automotive Repair Shop Before You Start Your Road Trip

With the arrival of the nice weather, perhaps you are contemplating a road trip this summer. Exploring the highways and country roads in your own area of the country is a great way to get away, without much hassle.

Of course, you will not be relying on other modes of transportation such as a taxi to the airport, or those large-winged birds that carry us across the ocean to other countries. You will be depending on your own vehicle, so now's the time to get it ready.

Whether you are a "hands-on" type of person, or someone who would like to leave things to the professionals, here are some basics that need to be covered. If you are handy, and have a garage and access to the essential tools necessary, then go for it. If not, take a list to your local auto service dealer and have a mechanic do the honors.

The first thing to remember is that it's summer, and even if the real hot weather has yet to kick in, be sure and check the operation of your car's cooling system. If you haven't had the air conditioner on yet this spring, turn it on. Make sure that it's working because no one wants to revert to the fifties, flying down the road with all the windows open and bugs stuck in our teeth.

Now's the time to top up all the essential fluids that keep your auto purring like a kitten. Get your ownership guide out of the glove box and learn how to check and add what's needed. Switch to a thicker oil to counteract the thinning effect of the hot summer weather. That way you'll be assured the engine's parts are adequately protected.

Check the brake, power steering, transmission, and differential fluids. Top up your windshield wiper reservoirs, and consider taking an extra bottle along with you. There is nothing worse that driving into the sun and straining to see through a bug-spattered windshield.

It is important to have the correct coolant in your car's radiator. Never use just plain water. Make sure it includes antifreeze in the proper proportion to keep your car from overheating when the mercury starts to climb. Usually a fifty fifty mix will work.

Next comes an inspection of your tires. The two main things that need to be measured are tread and pressure. For this you'll need to purchase the appropriate gauges from a car part shop. Then, either get out your manual, or look at the notice located on your vehicle's door jam for the proper pressure reading. Next, ensure that each tire has at least 2/32" of tread. Don't forget to include your spare tire in this routine.

For this next set of checks, you might do well to employ an automotive repair shop. Have the mechanic check the battery and it's associated cables. Put in a fresh air filter. It is very important to keep dirt from getting to your car's engine. Look carefully at the hoses and radiator for cracks and places where leaks can occur.

There are lots of checks you can perform on your own. Take a look at the windshield wipers and change them if they look frayed or are not hugging the windshield properly. You'll definitely need well working wipers in those violent summer thunderstorms.

Inspect your car's interior lights, as well as the headlights and turn indicators. Make sure you have a functioning low beam and high beam. Have someone watch the rear of your vehicle while you pump the brake pedal. Brakes are really important and so are the lights.

Assemble a bag of items that will come in very handy in an emergency. Include jumper cables, a tire iron and jack, flares, and screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches. Invest in a good heavy flashlight and some spare batteries too.

For the humans on board, load up with lots of bottled water, just in case you have a break down and have to wait for help. Bring along a blanket and a pillow, work gloves, paper towels and some packaged snacks, like granola bars.

Maybe you'll want to invest in a GPS system this summer. Having a reassuring humanoid voice telling you where to go is very comforting. At the very least, grab some maps of the area you'll be exploring, and your camera to chronicle the fun you'll have on the open road.

Finding accurate auto repair information can be difficult due to the wide variety of vehicles on the road today and the vast differences between them. You can find helpful auto repair information at AutoRepair-Info.com.

Do it Yourself Automotive Repair

Is your budget feeling the strain of auto repairs? Are you interested in learning how to fix your own vehicle to save some money? If this is something that interests you, then there are plenty of resources to check out. You never know, this may become a favorite hobby of yours once you get the hang of it.

Check out the Internet for credible websites that give you all the details of any repair you may need to make on your vehicle. The Internet is a great resource and best of all many of these sites are free! Some even have videos for the visual learners.

There are a couple of other reasons why the web is such a good resource. One is because of the huge amounts of sites out there, there is likely to be very detailed and accurate information on even the rarest of auto repairs. Another reason is that the web gives you access to varying mechanics' opinions as well as community forums to bounce ideas off of which can be extremely helpful.

Automotive repair is not always cut and dry. This means that you may need multiple sources of information in order to repair your vehicle properly. If this is the case, the library is the place for you. Many libraries have multiple shelves of how-to auto repair guides. This is a great way to learn about new techniques and be able to complete even the trickiest of auto repairs. With the help of these resources, you will be well on your way to successfully repairing your own vehicle!

Flat Rate Auto Repairs Explained - Automotive Repair Costs

Auto repair costs at a shop are basically comprised of labor and parts. Labor is typically calculated based on a standard "flat rate" estimate. Flat rate labor guides estimate labor time down to the tenth of an hour. For my example, if a starter for a specific vehicle pays 1.2 hours to change, the labor cost will be determined by multiplying the time by the shops labor rate, lets say the shops labor rate is $90.00 per flat rate hour (1.2 x $90.00=$108.00). Keep in mind that labor times can vary greatly depending on the year, model and engine size. Also automotive repair shop labor rates vary at each shop and from city to city. Labor time does NOT take in to consideration the requirement for special tools, experience or lack of.

Flat Rate or Actual Time

If the actual time it takes to repair the vehicle is LESS or MORE than the estimated flat rate time, the customer still pays the flat rate amount. More experienced auto technicians and techs with time saving tools can most of the time beat the flat rate time (AKA book time). The technician, if paid by flat rate has an incentive to do the job fast and correctly. If he makes a mistake and has to do the job again (commonly called a comeback) he does it the second time for free! Also keep in mind that a flat rate technician does not get paid time and a half for over-time, or for standing around waiting for work or parts. It's necessary for the technician to be productive and make up for this lost time by learning from his experience and buying tools that make him more efficient. Tools with exception of larger shop equipment items are usually the responsibility of each mechanic to purchase individually.

Parts Cost

The cost of the parts to fix the vehicle will depend on the deal the repair shop gets when they purchase the parts at wholesale, if they are new or rebuilt and how much their profit margin is. The typical markup is 30 to 40%, although this may vary. Yes, some money may be saved by shopping around and buying the parts directly, but most shops won't install parts provided by the customer. Also as far as the warranty goes, if a part fails that the facility provides, the shop will be responsible during the warranty period. If a part fails that was provided by the customer to the shop, the customer would be responsible for paying the labor all over again and handling the warranty replacement.

I personally would prefer to have a knowledgeable technician work on my car and repair it faster than the book time as opposed to having a less experienced tech work on my car longer to achieve the same results.

Tips for a good auto repair shop experience.

• Choose a shop that has a good reputation.
• Ask to inspect the old parts, ask what has failed or worn.
• Talk to the technician when possible to eliminate a break down in communication.
• Ask for a discount, the worst they could say is there is they cannot provide one.
• Have a written estimate on large repairs.
• Test drive vehicle before paying if possible.
• Choose a shop that specializes in the type of vehicle make.
• Consider if you prefer a national warranty or not.

All About Automotive Repair Manuals

Many automobile lovers have the desire to repair their car's themselves to save time and money. They are aware that automotive repair manuals make life much simpler for them. The manuals have diagrams that make repairing their automobile much easier. Some people turn to their local public library to find an automotive repair manual to fit their repair needs. Another direction is an electronic automotive repair manual. This is where the manuals are produced on electronic disc.

These manuals are basically what is called Do it Yourself instructions. The manuals will help you to diagnose or repair a problem to your automobile. When it comes time for your vehicle to be repaired it is normally done by a trained mechanic. With the manual you can do the repairs yourself which may save you tons of money.

When it comes to today's vehicles it is almost imperative that you have some form of training or knowledge in order to trouble shoot certain issues with your vehicle. The difficulty of a repair job varies and that is where an automotive repair manual comes in handy. You need to become familiar with the systems of your vehicle. This is where a quality repair manual comes in handy.

The automotive repair manuals that you can purchase come in the form of a book or you can purchase electronic versions of the manuals. The manuals provide the person who has a desire to repair their own vehicle information on the maintenance, repair and service of their automobile. The step by step instructions give you the ability to repair your vehicle as if an expert. The colorful illustrations will give you the mindset of a professional. The manuals are convenient and will save you much time, energy and money.

With the assistance of a manual you are sure to repair the vehicle right the very first time. If you look hard enough you can find the manual for your exact vehicle and learn exactly the right way to perform each repair without accidentally damaging any part of your vehicle or installing anything incorrectly.

To get the job done in an efficient and timely manner you will need to make sure that you have the correct tools for the job. This information and any other needed information will be supplied in the automotive repair manual. When you are in the need of an automotive repair manual you need to choose the one that provides all of the needed information that you can understand with ease.

Repairing your own vehicle protects you from unnecessary or inflated repair bills. The decision that you have made to repair your own vehicle is an important one. While it can certainly be difficult to get the hang of, many people find the rewards outweigh the downsides. In addition to the cost savings, many people feel safe in knowing that they can service their own car and also a sense of accomplishment once the job is complete. However, if you feel that a job is too complicated, you may still be better consulting an expert.

Automotive Repair Manuals - Auto Mechanic Tips and Information

With today's cars auto repair manuals are crucial for diagnosing and repairing vehicles in a timely manner. Some auto mechanics prefer paper books, others prefer to have a software program loaded onto their computer or to access information via the internet. However you prefer to access automotive repair information, this article includes some of the most popular companies that specialize in automotive repair information.

Mitchell 1 On Demand is owned by the Snap On corporation and has been a popular choice for automotive repair information for years. Many auto repair shops use Mitchel's information including repair procedures, torque specifications, TSB's (Technical Service Bulletins) and auto repair tips. Mitchell offers the DIY information available online, branded as eAutoRepair. The online repair information company, eAutoRepair offers an abbreviated subscription for the DIY at a much lower cost than automotive repair shops pay. Each subscription covers only one vehicle, but this works out great for the DIY'er that needs to access automotive repair information and would like to get it with the convenience of the internet.

ALLData is another very popular choice for automotive professionals. As with Mitchell, repair information that was provided by the car manufacturers are made available to the auto technician or car owner. Diagrams, timing belt marks, trouble code information etc. And ALLData has now made their products available online for the DIYer as well at ALLData DIY.

There are many other good automotive repair manuals available from other companies as well, but these two are the ones that I've used the most over the years. The tips and information that these two companies provide are likely to make any DIY project a success.

Hi I'm Dennis Bandy, thanks for reading. I've been an ASE Master Auto Technician for over 20 years and have also sold professional auto tools since 2005. I am in a unique position to help readers with automotive repair related topics since I've had personal hands on experience with many auto repairs and automotive specialty tools. This is not a hobby for me, this is my business. Your feedback is really appreciated, if you thought this article was helpful or informative, please rate it below (thank you in advance).

Half the battle when it comes to auto repair is having the right tools, that's why we have supplied name-brand automotive tools (like OTC, Makita, Ingersoll), shop supplies and automotive shop equipment at discount prices, at DenLors Tools since 2005, many readers put us on their favorites list and visit our site when auto specialty tool needs arise, we hope you do the same.

Automotive Repair Marketing - The Key to a Successful Shop

If you are a business owner and you would like to increase your revenue, it is important for you to understand automotive repair marketing and how this is a key to a successful shop. The automotive industry is said to be one of the most lucrative and stable industries in the business world. Because people from all over the world use autos in their daily life, auto repair businesses are steady and secure.

Automotive repair marketing is as easy as changing the oil in your car. Every few months, you are to check your progress, do some maintenance, and give some added boost and fresh ideas to your automotive repair marketing campaign. The public loves fresh ideas.

Automotive repair marketing is all about taking action. Therefore, you as the business owner should make sure you use the right automotive repair marketing tools. Here are some of the most effective marketing tools for your auto repair business.

1. Direct mail marketing method

One of the most preferred automotive repair marketing tools remains to be the direct mail method. Most auto repair businesses make use of this method by mailing postcards to homeowners in zip codes surrounding their shops. This is an easy way to promote your services to potential clients. However, you will need to mail sufficient quantities to generate a worthwhile response.

2. Start a blog or a website

The internet is probably one of the greatest automotive repair marketing tools you can use. Create a blog and spend 10 minutes each day writing interesting anecdotes, maintenance information, tips, advice, or even car reviews. The more you write, the sooner you will be crawled by search engines, and the sooner you will reach a bigger audience which will essentially result in more business.

3. Social media marketing

One of the best automotive repair marketing tools revolves around social media. Websites with Facebook and Twitter integration are becoming increasingly popular and more repair shop owners are making use of this tool in order to promote their shops and acquire new clients. If you use social media for your automotive repair marketing, you should know that you are instantly exposed to millions of people. So, guess what happens when Jason needs a new transmission and he sees your business profile on Facebook? Voila! You have a new customer. Even though this may sound a little impossible, but social media could be well worth thousands of dollars to your repair shop.

4. The good old word of mouth

This method of automotive marketing is known to be one of the oldest methods of marketing in the business world. However, this is also proven to be one of the most reliable forms of marketing. For example, you started your automotive repair marketing campaign with the direct mail marketing method. Now, because of this, you have just acquired two new clients. If you do a good job, guess what happens? These clients will tell their friends about it, and their friends will tell their friends, eventually forming the perfect marketing campaign you can ask for.

5. Press releases

Most business owners tend to give press releases a complete miss, thinking that there is no possible way that a press release could be of any advantage to their automotive repair marketing campaign. Wrong! In fact, press releases are very effective and can be done either online or off-line. With the off-line method, simply write, or have someone put together a press release on a timely topic and send it to your local newspaper. With the online method, do the same and publish it to a press release service. Press releases are usually ranked higher than normal web pages and blog posts. This can never be a bad thing.

There are several other automotive repair marketing tools available to you. If you are serious about taking your auto repair shop to the next level and getting more vehicles into your shop, then make sure you give these aforementioned methods of automotive repair marketing a try today.

Automotive Repair Equipment Financing

The very competitive automotive repair industry depends highly on sophisticated equipment which is very expensive. Automotive repair equipments like hydraulic lifts, alignment equipment etc play a vital role in the business operations of this industry. Although expensive, they are indispensable in various repair services. Therefore automotive repair equipment financing is assuming greater importance in the automotive repair industry.

The traditional lending institutions may not be willing to finance sophisticated automotive repair equipment due to their unique nature. However, there are a few genuine financing companies which understand your needs and requirements. They offer financial assistance under various categories and at better interest rates.

Commercial car wash requires lot of equipment and so an automotive repair industry needs to be equipped with all the essential equipments for the same purpose. Automatic car wash, In-bay car wash system, vacuum system etc are some of the sophisticated equipment required in car wash processes. But they are quite pricey especially in case of multiple car washes. Therefore, one can acquire the sophisticated equipments through automotive repair equipment financing.

Tire changer is another important component of any automotive repair shop. Nowadays people are particular about the tires they use and thus excellent tire changer equipment is indispensable for satisfying the customers. Automatic tire changer, PAX tire changer, manual tire changer are some of the equipments available in the market. They can be expensive and so the automotive shops need to look for automotive repair financing.

Auto body equipment plays a crucial role in making a wrecked vehicle to useful. This work however involves full line of auto body equipments like straightening equipment, painting bays and so on. In case they have to be worked on various types of vehicles, a full line of auto body equipment can be quite expensive. In such cases the help of automotive repair financing is much required.

Wheel balancer is another vital tool in an automotive repair shop which helps in assessing the potential problems in the wheel, quickly and accurately. Therefore this equipment helps in providing improved customer service. But the cost of wheel balancer is high and so wheel balancer financing provided by some reliable financing companies is essential.

Wheel alignment equipment is another valuable tool in an automotive repair shop. It saves time and helps the mechanic in easy and quick assessment and repair in any vehicle's wheel alignment. Though essential, they are quite costlier and so many repair shops are not able to afford it. However automotive repair equipment financing provides valuable service to repair shops to acquire these essential tools.

A frame machine in an automotive shop helps to provide life even to severely damaged vehicle. It is also quite expensive, but some valid financing companies offer easy financial assistance to acquire a frame machine.

Automotive repair equipment financing therefore helps almost all automotive shop owners to acquire the valuable automotive repair tools. The financing companies provide straight forward approach in offering financial help. They provide fast approval with minimum application process. Even an online application is enough to get financial help from them. These companies offer help at better terms so that owners can pay their bills in low easy monthly installments.