Road Service

After a car accident, it is as important to find the right auto body shop, as it is to find the right contractor for home repairs.  You can have your road service program tow your vehicle directly to the repair shop that you choose.

There are over 34,000 auto body shops in the nation, which makes choosing the right one confusing.

Insurance companies will often make recommendations, yet drivers are ultimately responsible for choosing the auto body repair shop.  To get the best result, motorists need to find a shop that is trustworthy and does quality work.

The National Auto Body Council and the CBBB have joined to offer consumers some much needed tips on choosing the right auto body shop, finding a deal on a rental car, and settling disputes.

To find a trustworthy repair shop, first inquire about the shop’s qualifications.  You can do this by asking questions about advanced technician training.  There are national organizations that you can find this out from such as I-CAR or ASE certification.

The average vehicle will be worked on for about two weeks, so you will need to find a rental car.  Many times the shop will make arrangements for you if you ask them, or for a few dollars a month you can have a rental covered under your insurance.

Finally, make sure you get everything in writing.  You need an estimate of the price of the repairs to be performed.  Also, reputable shops might offer a warranty on their work.

Every year there are more than 10,000 vehicle accidents in the nation and approximately 450 people die as a result of the collision.  Many of these accidents can be avoided by having routine maintenance performed on your car.

The vehicle is by far the most popular means of transportation in the U.S.  In fact, 91% of adults in our country own, or have owned a car.

Before you hit the road again, check the following parts of your car to make sure that they are operating properly.

First, take a look at your tires.  Many people neglect to check their tires and end up with blowouts.  Make sure that your air levels are good.  You can reference your owner’s manual to find out what the right level should be.  Also, you want to make sure that there aren’t any leaks, low treads, or worn spots.

Next, change your windshield wipers about twice in a year.  Your windshield is actually one of the most important parts of your car because if you can’t see the road well you are in trouble.

Brakes should be monitored to make sure they are working correctly.  If your brake pedal is moving all the way down to the floor when you step on it, have your brakes looked at by a professional.  More recent cars have a warning system to let you know if your brakes aren’t operating correctly.

Maintenance can save you from a dangerous accident and calls for auto road service.  To save your wallet, make sure you have a good auto warranty that will keep you from paying unnecessary repair costs.  You don’t want to find yourself unprepared.

For you drivers out there who are determined to stick with your Bluetooth-less vehicle for a little longer, yet who would like to take advantage of that technology, there may be an easy solution that doesn’t attach to your sun visor.

The new Steering Wheel Bluetooth Adapter fastens to the steering wheel on the inside and adjusts for different fits and sizes.  This gadget comes with speakers and a microphone, as well as an SD port for MP3 players, an LCD display, a USB port and an FM-out that plays everything through your vehicle’s stereo.

The adapter requires a power source, which is why it utilizes the cigarette lighter.  You may think it would seem dangerous to have a wire that goes from the steering wheel to the dashboard.  It does work from a battery that is rechargeable, but when would you really recharge it except while driving?

Probably the best bet would be to charge the battery at home and bring it with you when you leave in the morning.  After all, there could be car accidents and road service calls from people trying to drive with a wire attached to their steering wheel.

Road service calls have been at an all time high because motorists are running out of gas.  It seems that people have been putting off trips to the gas pump because of the poor economy.

Many people run out of gas during snowstorms because they aren’t expecting to sit idle behind an accident or wait for a plow in front of them.  The result is motorists stranded on the side of the road.

Although it can be hard on your wallet to fill your tank of gas, it is much better for the engine of your vehicle.  If you are running on empty a lot, you are more likely to have the sludge sitting on the bottom of your fuel tank sucked up.  This will cause your fuel filter and pump to be gummed up.  In the long run it will create problems.

Motorists need to bite the bullet and fill up their tanks before cutting it too close.  Nobody wants to be stranded on the side of the road in a snowstorm.  Of course, make sure you have emergency roadside assistance in case of an unforeseen emergency.

Here’s why people need to be concerned about the state of the environment: Because a situation that is bad is costly-namely in money and lives.

California State University recently performed a study, finding that the two regions in California that are the most populated have air pollution that killed more people than car accidents.  This is saying a lot considering the amount of vehicular accidents and auto road service calls in California.  There were 2,521 deaths due to vehicles in 2006, however, 3,182 deaths were caused by respiratory illnesses as a result of particle pollution.

Ozone released from cars that are gasoline powered and particulate matter that comes out of tailpipes of diesels has been known to cause various coronary and respiratory problems, such as chronic bronchitis and asthma.

It’s very hard to estimate how much the severe air pollution in California costs, however, this study reveals that by bringing the air conditions into compliance with federal particulate and ozone standards could mean a savings of $28 billion a year.

Many motorists have been in the situation where an object hits their windshield and a big crack shows up.  Your windshield might even end up bad enough that you have to call your road service program.  However, when do you know if it necessary to replace the windshield or if the crack can just be fixed?

Windshield repair or replacement depends on the location, size and severity of damage.  Windshield shops can usually repair chips the size of a quarter, as well as cracks reaching three inches.  For bigger damage it is recommended that you replace your windshield.

The location of the damage is also a big factor in whether you can keep your windshield.  When a crack is at the edge of your windshield it can affect the structure of the glass.  In this case it is usually best to replace your windshield.

Many facilities won’t repair a chip if it’s in the direct line of the driver’s vision.  The repair process may result in minor glass distortions, which are unsafe for the driver. After all, you don’t want to end up calling for emergency roadside assistance.

Keep in mind, whatever the location or size of the glass damage, it is necessary to have it looked at right away.  Waiting can result in dirt getting in the damaged area, which can affect the repair job.  Make sure you protect yourself with an auto warranty since you never know when you will need repairs made.

What features can help older drivers stay safe and comfortable on the road and avoid road service calls?  The American Automobile Association has the following recommendations to help older drivers.

First, it is helpful to have a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes.  This puts the driver 10 inches from the airbag, and also alleviates shoulder and neck pain.

Also helpful are mirrors that allow for wide visibility.  This allows older drivers to compensate for a limited range of motion.

Seats that are heated with lumbar support allow relief from an aching back.

Six-way adjustable seats allow drivers who are short to see over the steering wheel, and allow for an easier entrance and exit out of the car.

A car with adjustable foot pedals will allow small drivers to be able to reach pedals while remaining far enough away from the airbag.

Four doors are better than two for older drivers because they are lighter and easier to open and close.

Purchasing the right car for an older driver is important for safety reasons.  Keep these things in mind to help your loved one avoid emergency roadside assistance calls.

According to a recent survey by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, many drivers believe they have super abilities to complete complex tasks behind the wheel.  And although it may seem monotonous to just drive a car, multi-tasking while driving increases the chance for having an accident drastically. In addition, many calls for road service are due to multi-tasking. So, what are drivers really doing behind the wheel?

Well, 32% of drivers surveyed admit to reading while driving.  The survey didn’t specify whether they are reading maps or autobiographies, but it doesn’t really matter.  Either way, these drivers are 3.4 times more likely to get in an accident.

And, although most of us detest seeing drivers eat behind the wheel, NETS says that 70% of the surveyed drivers do it.  These drivers have a two to three times greater chance of crashing because of their eating habits.

Another group of people are making work preparations behind the wheel.  In fact, 10% of motorists admitted to making phone calls, reviewing notes, using computers, and making lists, all while trying to navigate during rush hour.

Although driving may seem monotonous at times, motorists need to resist the temptation to multi-task behind the wheel.  These habits can result in accidents and calls for emergency roadside assistance.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that small cars aren’t as safe as big vehicles, back in 1997.  Yet, today there are more small cars than ever.  Small vehicles aren’t the only way to accomplish fuel-efficiency and reduced emissions.  There are now light construction materials that can accomplish this feat on larger vehicles.  In fact, making a vehicle lightweight will improve safety.  A car that is lightweight is more nimble than a heavy car, allowing motorists to avoid accidents and road service calls.

Many people make the assumption that weight and size of a vehicle go hand in hand.  This isn’t necessarily true.  Lightweight, strong materials, like carbon fiber tend to be expensive, however, certain high-end automakers are implementing it on roofs and hoods.

The Smart ForTwo is using plastic door panels.  The doors won’t ding or scratch, and are reinforced internally with steel bars.  This gives the best protection in the instance of a side impact, yet it is more lightweight than a conventional door.

Small vehicle sales are at an all time high in the U.S.  Currently, the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit are the top sellers.  Although consumers will have to pay more for big vehicles that are lightweight, it is worth it because of safety.  In addition, it will help motorists avoid calling for emergency auto assistance.

Most people would agree that shopping for tires is not one of the most fun things to shop for.  Basically, we would just like to find a set of tires that will fit our car and keep us from calling for road service.  Nevertheless, there are a few things that you should be aware of before going tire shopping.

First of all, you should buy new tires.  Saving a few dollars is not worth sacrificing traction and performance.  Your safety should be your first priority, so don’t buy used tires.

Next, you need to know what the factory size of your tires is.  You can find this out by looking on the inside of the door hinge located on the driver’s side.

Do your homework and shop around for good tire deals.  It is easy to make price comparisons online, just make sure you factor in shipping and installation costs.  Tiretrack.com is a good website that has practically every tire and they offer good deals.  Also, you can read reviews from other customers who have bought the tires you plan on buying.

Finally, do some research on different tires before you make a purchase.  All tires aren’t created equal and the expensive ones aren’t necessarily the best.

Although tires aren’t most people’s favorite things to shop for, they are an important part of your car.  Following these tips will allow you to get good tires at a low price.  After all, nobody likes to be stuck with a flat tire calling for emergency roadside assistance.