All posts in Auto Maintenance

Car Totaled in an Accident? 5 Tips on What to Do Next

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/11/29 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

A totaled car is one that has been destroyed in an accident. There is extreme damage to the front, back or side that is caused by a heavy collision. Handle your totaled vehicle quickly and effectively. There are certain steps involved in handling this situation. After you experience this accident, know five steps that you must take next.

Submit a Claim Immediately

It is not good to sit on any claim. A day or two after the accident, submit your documents to the insurance provider. The process could take a month or more, depending on the severity of the accident, so immediacy is important. Also, know if you car is even totaled. The repairs will cost more than the current value. Check over the vehicle and submit accurate information in your claim.

Tow the Vehicle Right Away

Contact a towing company right after the crash. The specific company does not really matter because the car is only being stored. The storage fees are usually high, so it is important to remove the vehicle immediately.

Know the Current Value of the Vehicle

To pay for repairs, know the current value of the vehicle. A claim is determined by the actual cash value instead of the repair costs. Review the numbers in the Kelly Blue Book and recent auto listings. Make sure that the insurance provider is working with fair prices. Know that you are receiving the right payouts.

Find the Title

Keep hold of your car title when it is needed. Otherwise, file for a lost one immediately. The insurance provider may require that you sign it over. To keep the car, you may have to file for a salvaged title. Reselling the car may be harder, but you can resell the parts.

Submit the Documents Immediately

Filling out numerous documents is included the total claims process, but you must submit them before the deadlines. It could take months before you receive results from an insurance company or lawyer. Jeffery C. Metler, a personal injury lawyer, always urges his clients to submit any necessary paper work as quickly as possible after the accident so that they will have the best chance of getting what they need from the insurance company. The process starts with your fast actions, which affects the chances of restoring your vehicle.

Communication and fast acting are important factors when you deal with a totaled car. Review the five tasks that you must fulfill to deal with this accident. Communicate closely with the adjuster. Most of all, act quickly before your benefits run out. Work through an efficient process of handling a totaled vehicle.

How To Know When The Right Time Is To Replace Your Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/11/18 in Windshield with Comments Off

A loud sound permeates your car’s interior and startles you as you drive down the road. This startling sound is typically an object striking the windshield. Depending on the object’s size and trajectory, you may have an instant chip or crack across your windshield. Before you resort to replacing the entire windshield, take a look at the crack to determine if it can be repaired instead.

Chip Repair Options

Take a look at your chip, or gouge, in the glass. If it is about the size of a quarter or less, it is possible to repair it. Use a windshield repair kit to save hundreds of dollars on replacement glass. These helpful kits use specialized resins to fill the chip and maintain a strong glass surface. It is critical to repair the chip as soon as possible, however. Allowing the chip to remain untouched may cause it to grow larger. Any chips outside of quarter size indicates time for a windshield replacement.

Determining Crack Damage

Use products from www.triglassinc.com to repair 3-inch-long cracks, or smaller, for an almost brand-new glass appearance. Resins quickly fill in the crack and prevent it from spreading. Order your repair kit quickly for these cracks, especially if they are along the windshield’s edge. There is a lot of glass tension at the edges because of the connection point to the vehicle itself. Neglected cracks at the edges spread rapidly, requiring an entire windshield replacement.

Driver’s Clear View

If you have a small crack or chip along the driver’s line of sight, most professional repair companies will not advise filling the damage. Although resin is strong and creates a neat appearance when cured, it does form a slight warping at the damage site. If you must focus on cars through the filled site, an accident could occur. In these case, you will want to replace the windshield. If you try to repair the damage yourself without a professional’s help, you may cause your own accident in the future.

Ticketing Damaged Windshields

Some states actively issue tickets for damaged windshields. Do not allow your cracks and chips to grow in size. Repair or replace the windshield as needed. Police want everyone on the road to be safe and a damaged windshield increases your chances of an accident, especially at night. Lights flicker and distort through cracks, impeding your depth perception.

Take a good look at your windshield. Use a quarter and ruler to determine damage sizes for the best evaluation. If you are unsure about the damage, ask a professional’s opinion or replace the windshield.

Five Tips For Saving Money On Automobile Repair Costs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/11/13 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

Every car or truck will require repairs at some point, and some can become very expensive over time. Many drivers decide to start performing do-it-yourself repairs to lower costs, which can quickly become even more costly than going to a professional. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid spending too much on your automobile. These five tips will help drivers to save money on automobile repair costs:

Look For Used or Aftermarket Parts

A good way to save money is to buy parts personally rather than relying on parts from a professional mechanic. It is often possible to find refurbished or used parts that are perfectly functional at a fraction of the cost of new components. Similarly, choosing aftermarket parts saves money over buying parts from the manufacturer of the car or truck.

Maintain a Good Relationship with a Mechanic

Another way to save money on repairs is to maintain a good relationship with a mechanic. A friendly auto mechanic can provide advice and expertise about different repairs. Mechanics might also be willing to lend out tools that make performing do-it-yourself repairs much easier. This can help to lower repair costs on small jobs.

Call Professionals When In Doubt

Some car and truck repairs should only be handled by professionals. Attempting to repair a vehicle without the right tools, parts or knowledge can result in problems that become exponentially more expensive to fix. Bad do-it-yourself repairs can make a vehicle unsafe or cause irreparable damage, warns a professional who specializes in truck repair Austin TX. Calling a professional is less expensive than paying for a mechanic after an incorrect do-it-yourself repair.

Always Compare

Some drivers use regular stores or mechanics for car and truck repairs. Comparison shopping can save money when repairs are necessary. Comparing estimates from two or three different mechanics allows drivers to find the best deals. It is possible to save money on do-it-yourself repairs by comparing the price of parts online or between different retailers.

Regular Maintenance

It is cheaper to align the tires on a car than it is to replace the transmission. Regular maintenance will save money on repairs. Ignoring small problems or annual maintenance will eventually lead to larger problems that cost far more to repair. The car or truck should be kept in good condition. Any small issues should be addressed immediately.

Lowering repair costs is something that can be done every day. It is important to minimize wear on the car by avoiding hard stops, sharp turns and sudden acceleration. It also helps to keep the car off bad roads. This will reduce the chance of damage that requires expensive repairs. Follow these simple to tips to save you money on the your car or truck repairs.

The Top 5 Fuel Efficient Vehicles For Your Daily Driving Needs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/11/01 in Saving Fuel, Uncategorized with Comments Off

Due to the expensive price of gas, many motorists are seeking to purchase an extremely fuel-efficient vehicle. Although hybrid vehicles are an option, some drivers are not willing to pay the extra premium. The good news is that there are a few gas-only models that deliver an outstanding fuel economy. Here are the top five fuel efficient vehicles for your daily driving needs.

Mazda Madza3

If you are looking for an agile vehicle that gets great gas mileage, then look no further than the Mazda3. With a highway fuel economy rating of 40 mpg, the Mazda3 is one of the best daily-drivers on the market. The availability of a sedan or hatchback model further sweetens the deal.

Hyundai Veloster

Are you the type of person that likes to stand out from the crowd? If so, the Hyundai Veloster is right up your alley. Boasting a unique hatchback design and a 40-mpg fuel economy rating on the highway, the Veloster is a true bargain. Some of the standout features include a hidden third door and a motorcycle-inspired interior.

Chevrolet Cruze Eco

The Chevrolet Cruze Eco is definitely one of the best bargains in its segment. Not only does it offer a superb fuel economy rating of over 40 mpg, but it also offers a surprisingly spacious interior. There is also an available six-speed manual gearbox, which gets a tad less gas mileage. The best part is that it comes well-equipped for under $20,000.

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio has improved by leaps and bounds over its predecessor. Aside from the fact that it gets great mileage, the Kia dealership Newark NJ also offers the Rio with plenty of high-tech amenities. Some of the available features include a rear-view camera, touch-screen interface, and paddle shifters. If you are in the market for an economy car, this option will also bring you some luxury.

Ford Focus SFE

The stylish Ford Focus SFE is definitely engineered to deliver driving satisfaction on a daily basis. With an impressive fuel economy rating of 40-mpg on the highway, the Focus SFE is destined to save a few bucks at the fuel pump. Its 160-horsepower engine also provides plenty of punch when called upon. The push-button start and heated seats are just icing on the cake.

All of these fuel-efficient vehicles prove that gas-only vehicles are still capable of delivering fantastic fuel efficiency. The fact that these cars are also affordable makes them an even more rewarding choice.

Car Maintenance 101: 5 Things To Get Fine Tuned Right Now

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/10/23 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

While all cars can run into some problems of their own that are defects, most car problems can be solved by keeping up with routine maintenance. From oil changes to tire alignments, taking some basic precautions can save you a lot of time and money in the long run as well as ensure that your car will run well for years to come. Here are the five things that you should get fined tuned on your car right now.

Engine

If your check engine light is on, that means you need to take your car to be repaired. This light could be a signal for a multitude of problems ranging from a broken or loose gas cap to a major engine malfunction. Take your car to a certified repair shop that can examine your car’s computer system and find the precise source of the error.

Oil

With insufficient, old, or even too much oil, your car will not operate properly. Check your car’s manual to determine if your car is due for an oil change. Most cars need an oil change every 3,000 – 6,000 miles. Depending on your driving conditions, your oil may need to be changed even sooner. If you drive in a lot of stop-and-go traffic or have not changed your oil in over a year, your car is due for an oil change.

Tires

It can seriously cost you in the long run to ignore your tires, especially if your tire bursts while you are driving and you wreck your car. Keeping your car’s tire pressure at the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) will increase your fuel mileage around 3.3 percent. Tire alignment should be done every 5,000 miles, and with the multitude of qualified specialists in tire alignments, Austin experts say it is an easy task to find a great mechanic.

Brakes

Replace your brake pads according to the schedule in the manual. It can wear our your car’s breaking system if you neglect to do so. The break pads usually last over 10,000 miles, so this replacement is something that most drivers should have done about once a year.

Spark Plugs

Old spark plugs can lead to expensive engine, coil, and catalytic converter problems. The plugs are relatively cheap and easy to replace compared to the magnitude of the problems that defective or old spark plugs can cause.

Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn’t writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.