Winter has passed and temperatures are now nearing extreme highs and no relief until fall, every driver has to consider the negative effect that the heat can have on an unprepared vehicle. The expert mechanics at Gurnee Ford have offered to share some advice that can save any driver time, expense, and headaches this summer driving season.

An easy first step is checking the tire pressure. Seasonal temperature changes affect tire pressures. Poor tire inflation affects ride quality and safety; remember that an over-inflated tire is just as potentially harmful as an under-inflated tire. It’s easy to forget to inflate the spare tire and check that the roadside tools (jack, lug-wrench, and wheel lock if necessary) are functional.

Next make sure all of the fluids are full including radiator coolant, motor oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid and wiper fluid. Pay close attention to the HOT and COLD zones on the dipsticks and only fill to the correct line. Adding too much oil or fluids can damage sensitive engine components.

Check that the battery is fully charged and the terminals are corrosion-free. Nothing is worse for a car battery than high heat combined with high humidity. Most auto parts stores will test a battery for free.

People often ignore shoddy windshield wipers until it is to late and they are in an unsafe driving condition. There should be no cracks and the steel hooks should be clear of the windsheild surface. A replacement set of wiper blades costs around $20 and can really take the stress out of summer driving.

Lastly check the serpentine belts for cracks and tension. A cyclical squeaking noise is the first warning sign of imminent belt failure. This belt typically runs the A/C compressor, alternator, and water pump so keeping a close watch on it can be the difference between a good running car and a ruined summer.

If you are not mechanically inclined bring your car to Gurnee Ford’s Service Department. Get your vehicle serviced by the pros. With their well-equipped shops, OEM parts and the factory certified technicians, Gurnee Ford can guarentee a wonderful and problem-free summer road trip. There are many potential headaches involved with summer driving, but with proper maintainance car trouble doesn’t have to be one of them.

Technorati Tags: Gurnee, Illinois, parts, service

Winter has passed and temperatures are now nearing extreme highs and no relief until fall, every driver has to consider the negative effect that the heat can have on an unprepared vehicle. The expert mechanics at Fair Oaks Ford have offered to share some advice that can save any driver time, expense, and headaches this summer driving season. An easy first step is checking the tire pressure. Seasonal temperature changes affect tire pressures. Poor tire inflation affects ride quality and safety; remember that an over-inflated tire is just as potentially harmful as an under-inflated tire. It’s easy to forget to inflate the spare tire and check that the roadside tools (jack, lug-wrench, and wheel lock if necessary) are functional. Next make sure all of the fluids are full including radiator coolant, motor oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid and wiper fluid. Pay close attention to the HOT and COLD zones on the dipsticks and only fill to the correct line. Adding too much oil or fluids can damage sensitive engine components. Check that the battery is fully charged and the terminals are corrosion-free. Nothing is worse for a car battery than high heat combined with high humidity. Most auto parts stores will test a battery for free. People often ignore shoddy windshield wipers until it is to late and they are in an unsafe driving condition. There should be no cracks and the steel hooks should be clear of the windsheild surface. A replacement set of wiper blades costs around $20 and can really take the stress out of summer driving. Lastly check the serpentine belts for cracks and tension. A cyclical squeaking noise is the first warning sign of imminent belt failure. This belt typically runs the A/C compressor, alternator, and water pump so keeping a close watch on it can be the difference between a good running car and a ruined summer. If you are not mechanically inclined bring your car to Fair Oaks Ford’s Service Department. Get your vehicle serviced by the pros. With their well-equipped shops, OEM parts and the factory certified technicians, Fair Oaks Ford can guarentee a wonderful and problem-free summer road trip. There are many potential headaches involved with summer driving, but with proper maintainance car trouble doesn’t have to be one of them.

Technorati Tags: Illinois, Naperville, parts, service

What’s the deal with the Auto Body Shops? Everyone might be asking themselves that question. It’s just a matter of knowing what things you should know before you get mad or happy with them. Your car is too important for you, and you should know how to save your money on some items before it’s too late.

I have seen numerous shops with very nice front offices and waiting rooms. These are not dealerships, but independent shops. I think the best way to handle this every changing economy effect on the auto body repair industry is to bond with the customer.

The customer is always right, I know sometimes this is hard to stomach, but unfortunately one happy customer might tell one our two potential or current customers, and an unhappy customer will tell twenty people. And there’s no worst thing for a business than the bad publicity through word of mouth.

A shop might want to utilize some reasonable concessions. Back to our example, the auto owner’s vehicle is inspected by the insurance company and is paid less the deductible. The auto owner takes vehicle to shop and schedules repairs.

The shop at that time could work out some concessions with the owner, such as usage of alternative parts, does this 2 year old vehicle really need a $400.00 original equipment manufacturer headlamp assembly, or would I be ok, with a $180.00 used (like kind quality) assembly.

There is a significant industry impact due to customers declining repairs. The local auto body shop now looses that work. That repair employs numerous people in the shop, numerous parts and supplies vendors, and keeps the industry on its toes with new technology and innovations.

The only way for a shop to keep absorbing blows like this from cash strapped consumers, is to take drastic cuts in what is owed to them, cut their estimate, or even eat the customer’s deductible, which is not even legal in some states. Why would a shop need to work to just keep the lights on, might be better to just close the doors. The insurance company pays the retail estimate, they by no means encourage the customer to cut deals with the shop, there objective is to put the customer back in there prior position. The repair decision ultimately lies on the finicky auto owner.

Even though quality is one of the biggest things you are looking for, you will want to get a good deal. Don’t just choose the first shop that you like. Look around at others and compare all aspects of them and then choose the one you feel is right for you and your vehicle.

Technorati Tags: accidents, auto, auto repair parts, body, business, cars, collision, insurance, parts, repair, shopping, tools, travel, trucks, vehicle

Your car costs you a lot of money and you depend on it to get you where you want and need to go. So, if something were to happen to it, you want to make sure that it is in the best hands possible. Choosing an auto body shop that will produce quality work is hard and takes time. You would not trust just anyone with your kids, why trust just anyone with your car. A car is for the most part replaceable, however if you spent money on it, and time to get it how you want you don’t want someone doing work on it who does produce that best quality work possible. Find an auto body shop that produces quality work to repair your vehicle.

If one store does not have it then you just need to go on and go to the next store. If you cannot find it in any of those kinds of stores then you just need to go to a junk yard because when you are looking for a car part that is the place to find them.

The first rule is how well the shop is known for its business. Talk to other sports car owners, your mechanic and others to find the shop that’s right for your sports car. A really good shop will be known by everyone in town.

Someone should stay far away from shops that don’t have a good word about them. Don’t be drawn to a shop just because of its big sign. So instead seek out other knowledge of experts who know of master body shops.

The second rule is your thinking of there work. Any shop should be happy to show you there current projects or cars they are working on. By looking at their actual work, you will be able to make the decision of if they can get the job done and done right. If you think that their work isn’t good enough and looks off, you can imagine what your car would look like if you let them work on it.

Ask what kinds of methods they use to repair vehicles. Then you can check them out on your own to see if they are beneficial and if there is anything else that could be done that is possible a better solution for your auto reconditioning needs.

Then you should find out if they back up their work somehow. Do they offer any kind of warranty or guarantee on their work. If they do offer some sort of guarantee then that shows they have confidence that their work is of good quality and if there is an issue they will personally fix the problem.

Finding the best auto reconditioning shop will take you a little time but is well worth it in the end, when your car is looking great!

Technorati Tags: accidents, auto, auto repair parts, body, business, cars, collision, insurance, parts, repair, shopping, tools, travel, trucks, vehicle

Get any form of work done to your vehicle is usually a little bit stressful. You will have to spend time and money to get your car in great shape, which are two things many of us don’t have a lot of.

If you vehicle does need repair, one of the biggest concerns car owners face is how much money will be coming out of their wallet. So, what you need to be doing is not only checking on the qualifications of the shop but also checking their prices by getting quotes to repair what you want and need repaired.

Getting quotes can be challenging and time consuming. You will find yourself repeating your vehicles problems and the concerns you have about your vehicle. You may even want to do some additional enhancements to really get your vehicle to shine. It is important that you first make a list of what you think you need done or problem areas on your vehicle and also write down the additional things you are thinking of investing in.

That way you will not leave anything out and you will get a more accurate quote. You may also get a notepad and write down information from each shop that you speak to, if they do not print the information for you. That way you will not forget which shop you already spoke to and what each shop has to offer and their prices.

Auto body repair shops have the potential to become a “green shop” in communities all around the world. First of all auto repair instead of replacement is great alternative to throwing the old pieces and parts of cars into landfills to sit forever. Many auto body shops have even begun recycling materials used on a day to day basis like card board, paper, and other such materials.

Next you should look for an auto body shop that will give you a warranty on the paint job that paid for. That paint job is going to cost you some time and money and you want to get a guarantee that it is a quality job that will hold up against the elements. Any shop that provided a warranty for their work must have confidence that their work is of good quality.

Most shops will offer the warranty for a specific time period and others will guarantee their work for the entire time you own the vehicle. This is a great option to look for when deciding which auto body shop to choose to complete your car’s paint needs.

So, if you need paint touch up for your car be sure to find a qualified professional for the job. One who uses top technology paint match up, a high quality paint product and one that will guarantee the work they perform on your vehicle. You can get your vehicle looking great and protected with paint touch from a professional.

Technorati Tags: accidents, auto, auto repair parts, body, business, cars, collision, insurance, parts, repair, shopping, tools, travel, trucks, vehicle