Sunday, November 6, 2011

Why Buy a Nickel Plating Kit

It's important to choose the right nickel plating kit for your needs. While there are professional nickel plating companies you can take your old and vintage car parts, motorcycle restoration parts and bicycle parts, these businesses will always work to make the most money possible for their nickel plating services. There is nothing wrong with a business trying to make money but there may also be a better way for the weekend plater to get the most for their money.

A smart move is to buy a nickel plating kit from an online or local dealer. Isn't working with your own material what working on a hobby is all about? Why take a motorcycle part into a plating shop when this is something that can be done inside one's own garage or at-home workshop? One thing to keep in mind is that there are chemicals involved in the kits but modern plating kits are said to be safer and more accessible than kits in the past.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Insurance Claim Tips for Auto Glass Repair or Windshield Replacement

Accidents or damage to a vehicle's windshield happen from time to time, and when that happens, it is essential to be aware and know the information of your car insurance to see how it can be paid for. Windshield claims, which fall under the area of comprehensive auto insurance, deals with damage to the windshield in the form of chips, cracks, or severely damaged windshields. If the driver carries comprehensive insurance (liability coverage only covers the cost of other vehicles/persons), the person is able to file a claim to entirely cover or partially cover the cost of a repair or replacement. This has to do with the deductible, and varies from policy to policy, and from state to state.

Before a claim is filed, however, it is important to consider a couple of things. First, you should identify what your insurance deductible is, and second, an auto glass quote should be obtained to see how much the cost of the repair is. These things need to consider in that the number of claims can sometimes elevate the customer's premium. Here is an example: Let's say that your auto glass deductible is $300, and after you obtain an auto glass quote to fix your windshield the total was $330. It is here that you will have to decide that filing a claim, in which the insurance company would pay $30, is worth having a claim on your auto insurance history.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Things to Consider Before Taking Your Car To A Collision Repair Shop

The majority of the people around the globe drive a vehicle of some sort, whether it have 2 wheels or 4, or be economical or a "gas pig". Because of the amount of vehicles on the roads these days, the number of accidents has risen significantly. Therefore, its highly recommended that you find a collision repair shop that you trust.

When it comes to collision repair, finding the right body shop isn't just a "nice to have", its a necessity. However, to select the best one, there is a lot that needs to be considered. Here are some things you should consider before taking your car to a collision repair shop:

Read reviews of the business, or be referred by a satisfied customer
One choice that you have when it comes to finding a suitable body shop in your city is to ask friends, family, neighbors, or even co-workers. Word of mouth advertising is the best form of advertising that a collision repair shop can get.

In order to have good word of mouth advertising, the body shop needs to provide excellent customer service, be dependable, and do a thorough job. If you consider recommendations before choosing a body shop, you can be fairly certain that you are making the right choice. If a friend or family member was satisfied by a collision repair service they received from a body shop in their city, then you can be relatively sure that you are being referred to a reliable business.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

How Often Should I Change My Brake Pads?

You have had your vehicle for three years, you have put 45,000 miles on it, and the only maintenance repairs that you have had to put into the vehicle are a few oil changes. You usually don't worry about your vehicle unless a trouble light comes on, but suddenly you notice your vehicle screeching whenever you come to a stop. You assume this is being caused by the brakes but you have never had to do any brake repairs before, so you ask yourself "How Often Should I Change My Brake Pads?"

If you are uncertain you should have a mechanic inspect your brake pads to see how much of the pad is left. It is recommended that you have this done every 20,000 miles. There is usually a large range for when brake pads are changed on cars. A heavy-duty truck that is driven by an aggressive driver (brakes hard), mostly in stop-and-go city traffic may have their pads wear out at 15,000 miles. On the contrary, a small car that is driven with care and mostly on the highway may not have to replace their brake pads until 45,000 miles. Other factors such as the quality of your brake pads and whether they are semi-metallic or ceramic will also play a factor in when you need to change your brake pads. It is important to note that if you have 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, you will probably have to change your front set more often than your rear set. This tends to be the case for 90% of the vehicles on the road.

Friday, August 12, 2011

What to Do If Your Check Engine Light Comes On

We all know how pesky the Check Engine light on your dashboard can be. It is inconvenient and troublesome to take your car in to get this checked. There are a few common triggers for the Check Engine light that all drivers should be aware of. Check Engine lights can be complicated to repair - knowing how they work and what to check for will help you take the best care of your vehicle, as well as avoid unnecessary trips to an auto mechanic.

Understanding the Check Engine light

This light serves as a warning indicator. It is a response of your vehicle's computer to changes or hindrances in the emission control system. When the light comes on, it is a result of one of many trouble codes stored in the system. These trouble codes are what auto mechanics use to determine the cause of the light.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

High Mileage Maintenance Tips for Your BMW

If you have had your BMW for several years now, then it might be time to consider keeping a closer eye on it. It is a simple fact that as cars (or anything for that matter) age they start to require more maintenance and quality care to function properly. To help you make sure that your high mileage BMW continues to perform to its highest ability for years to come, here are some maintenance tips to consider:

• Spark Plugs: these are good indicators of engine condition. The removal and inspection of spark plugs can tell you a lot about engine performance and where any problems may be sourcing from. Spark plugs should be removed, checked, (and if necessary) replaced every 30,000 miles. This is especially important if you vehicle has over 100,000 miles on it.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Tips for Saving on Brake Repair

Brake repair is never something a car owner should put off. If there are any indications that the braking system on a vehicle is not working to the highest standard, it is necessary to bring the vehicle in for an inspection. Doing so may take only moments but the peace of mind it offers to the driver can be very important. Prior to investing in any service, though, it can pay to know a few ways to save money. In nearly all situations, consumers will find more than one way to reduce the costs associated with these repairs.

Do Ask for the Discount

When calling a brake repair location to schedule a service, ask about any discounts or promotions currently available. When you do this, you open the door for the company to provide you with a reason to make an appointment. Often times, they will negotiate a deal with you especially if a competitor has a promotion running. The only thing you have to do is to ask for the discount. Sometimes, it is possible simply to ask for a lower price or to ask for a free inspection. You do not have to expect the company to be running a promotion. Ask for a deal and the manager may provide it to you.