Off Roading Safety Basics

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Off-roading has become one of the most popular summer sports in the world, thanks to the fact that many ATVs are now easily affordable. Off-roading can be loads of fun, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. There are a few things that you need to know about being careful while off-roading, things that can save your life as you have fun going through rough terrain in your ATV.

Safety Gear

The most important thing to remember is that safety is the most important thing. If you aren't well protected, you can get yourself into a serious accident. Eye goggles are one of the most important pieces of safety gear to wear, as they can protect your eyes from flying rocks and dust that could cause you to go blind. Using a safety helmet is also vital, as it will protect you from a head injury if you get into an accident. Wearing the right body armor and suit will help to keep you from any serious injuries to your chest, as well as from tearing up the skin of your legs and arms. Never go off-roading without the correct safety gear.

Be Wary of Stunts

Just because you have ridden an ATV for a few months or years doesn't mean you are ready to do stunts yet. Unless you have some serious stunts training, avoid doing crazy things that can land you in the hospital. A surprising number of people have died or gotten seriously injured thanks to their trying to do something crazy or showing off to their friends.

Learn to Ride Properly

Riding an ATV may look easy when doing it on a track or the road, but off-roading can be extremely dangerous. If your ATV, dirt bike, or mountain bike flips, your injuries can range from broken bones to death, a permanent condition. Consider taking a class or getting tips from an expert before venturing out.

Not all Paths are Crossable

Just because you are riding a dirt bike or ATV doesn't mean that you can go everywhere. There will be terrain that will be impassable, and you need to accept that. Avoid getting into mud or waterholes, even if you think your bike or ATV can take it. Above all, avoid any paths that you know have dangerous drop offs or end near cliffs. As mentioned above, just because you can go off-road and into rough and rugged places, doesn't mean you have to.

Keep Your Vehicle in Good Shape

If you let the condition of your vehicle decline, you could end up getting seriously hurt. Old tires won't grip the road well, and worn out brakes won't allow you to stop in time. A used chassis will cause the ride to be extremely bumpy, and an unchecked motor can leave you stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Keeping your vehicle in good shape is a vital part of staying safe while off-roading.

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Maintaining a Car: Air Filter and Battery

Some auto maintenance jobs are simple enough to be done by someone with relatively little technical knowledge. Auto repair services that can be performed with a minimum of tools and knowhow include changing a tire, replacing an air filter, checking and changing oil, checking and topping up transmission fluid, and checking battery, spark plugs and other electrical items.

Some of these things sound quite complicated to someone who has never worked on a car before. But, don't let the unknown scare you. Identifying the problem is often the hardest part of performing auto repair services; keeping a car maintained is often much easier.

The air filter is probably the easiest thing to change or check besides getting gas. On a car such as a Volvo 850, you will not need any tools whatsoever. K&N filters for a Volvo 850 are often rated to a million miles. Maintenance will involve cleaning out the filter and not replacing it. Air filters are mostly just dusty, so cleaning them is simple, and not too messy. Fram filters are cheaper, and are disposable.

Locate the filter case on the top of the engine. It's a box about 9 inches square with a round tube coming out of one side. The box is held shut with three or four metal clips. Unclip these, and open the case. Either clean the filter or replace with a new one. Once the filter is back in place, clip the case shut again.

Checking battery and other electrical connections is important and also quite easy. A car battery is filled with highly corrosive sulfuric acid. This acid is in liquid form and in hot weather will partially evaporate. The evaporating vapor results in adverse effects. One is that the level of liquid in the battery drops. If it gets too low, the battery will not work.

To maintain proper levels in a battery, pop the rectangular caps off the top. Protective eyewear is recommended, since spraying battery acid can cause blindness. Don't smoke or put any open flame near the battery when doing this, and never open the battery when the vehicle is running. Use a flashlight to peer into the holes. There will be three round holes under each rectangular cap. Each hole has a tab that extends downward toward the acid inside. The proper level of liquid will just barely reach the bottom of the tab. If there's a space between the tab and the top of the liquid, add distilled water to make up the difference. Don't use any water other than distilled. To ensure that the water does not become contaminated before getting into the battery, use of a large eye dropper or turkey baster might be helpful.

The other adverse effect of acid vapor is corroded terminals. Clean battery terminals with battery cleaner designated for this purpose to remove any corrosion. Apply a layer of battery terminal protectant to prevent further corrosion. Both battery terminal cleaner and protectant are available in small aerosol cans, and resemble spray paint. These two, basic auto repair services will ensure that your battery continues to operate properly and doesn't go dead prematurely.

Tanner Motors is a great source for auto repair services more complicated than the simple tasks outlined here. Located in Phoenix, AZ, they specialize in Volvos such as the Volvo 850.

How to Know When It Is Time to Change Your Cars Brake Pads and Shoes

Many drivers' biggest fear is to be driving on the highway and coming to a stop, only to find that the brakes are no longer responding when they're pressed on. The fact is, brake failure is a serious cause of collisions on the highway, and while it's less common today than it used to be, it's still a problem to be kept at bay for all motorists.

Older drum brakes were not nearly as reliable as today's braking technology. Drum brakes were susceptible to seasonal and environmental factors which could decimate their ability to stop on time. In the heat of the summer or the cold of winter, drum brakes could easily stop responding or fail to provide the necessary friction to stop the vehicle in a timely manner.

Today's newer anti-lock brakes don't tend to fail nearly as often as the previous standard in braking technology used to. More sophisticated braking systems, along with advanced materials and design used on braking pads and shoes, have led to much safer and much more stable brakes that are better apt to stopping in any weather.

Here are a few signs it might be time to replace a piece or all of your braking system. Brakes and their parts are inexpensive pieces of an automobile that can be easily replaced without a lot of time and hassle, so it pays to make sure they're in good working order (especially when your body will absorb whatever kinetic energy they fail to prevent you from hitting).

Troubling Noises - They're not always the same kind of bad noise, but you can usually hear when your brakes or their components have begun to wear down. Of course you'll notice a sluggish, less complete stopping of your wheels when you press the brake pedal, but you'll also hear grinding, squealing, or whining coming from your wheel well.

Poor Road Traction - If you've ever depressed your brakes only to feel your car try, but fail to stop, you know how scary bad traction can be. Perhaps what's most scary about these situations is that they tend to be more common in inclement weather, which is not how you want to discover a crucial flaw in your biggest safety system.

Brakes will keep you and your car safe, but they need some TLC with regular upkeep in order to continue doing their job. Make sure you get yours checked out before you find out they need work the hard way.

Your car's braking system is probably the most important function of your vehicle. You'll want to use a qualified car repair shop to inspect or replace brake parts. If you need a brake job, then stop in the Shawnee Service Center in Wilmette Illinois.

Tips to Get Your Motor Running

If your car has been feeling a little sluggish lately, there are some things you can do to get your motor running right again.

First change your oil and oil filter. Make sure to use the grade of oil that is recommended by the maker of your car. If you do not have the owner's manual for your car, you can probably find out what grade of oil is recommended from the manufacturer's website. Using the wrong grade of oil can reduce the performance of your car and its gas mileage.

Now that most gas stations no longer check the oil when they fill up our cars, most people rely on the check oil light to tell us if our car is low on oil. By the time that light goes on, some damage to your engine may already have been done. To prevent this damage, check the oil in your car often. When you check the oil, you should also check the brake fluid and transmission fluid levels in your car and top them off if necessary. Most car manufacturers recommend flushing the brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant system every 2 years or 30,000 miles. Keeping fresh, clean fluids in your car will keep your motor running smoothly.

Two other things that will also help your motor run smoothly are replacing your air filter and fuel filter frequently. Clean filters will help keep dirt out of your fuel injectors, fuel pump and engine. That will help your car to run better and give you better gas mileage. If too much dirt accumulates, it will lead to expensive repairs.

You should also change your spark plugs every other year unless your car has long life plugs. Worn spark plugs will cause your engine to misfire and waste a lot of gas. While you are replacing the spark plugs, check the plug wires for signs of wear.

Also, check all the belts and hoses in your car, especially the timing belt or timing chain. If that breaks, it can destroy your engine. Many car makers suggest replacing the timing belt every 75,000 to 100,000 miles. When you do replace it, replace the water pump too since the procedure for each is the same.

You can do many of these maintenance procedures yourself. You do not have to be an ace mechanic or have a lot of experience. You just need the desire, a how to manual and a few tools. Then, when you get your motor running right, you can head on down the highway looking for adventure and be able to handle whatever comes your way.

If your car will no longer run on down the highway, please consider donating your car to charity. If you do donate your car, it will be picked up fast and free and you will get a tax deduction of at least $500 if you itemize on your federal tax return. The process is very easy and there are a great many charities that can benefit from your car donation.

Karen Campese is the Co-founder and CEO of Cars4Charities, a not for profit car donation center. They have over 1,000 respected charities that you can donate car to. When you donate your car, you get a tax deduction and help a good cause.

Bleeding Brake Fluid For Optimal Car Performance

Choosing the right brake fluid is crucial. Most general-use cars should use a DOT-3, which has a dry boiling point of 205 degrees Celsius and a wet boiling point of 140 degrees Celsius. DOT-4 has a slightly higher boiling point, but is also much more viscous, making it a poor choice for some vehicles. DOT-5 fluids, which are silicone-based, are best for cars which are not driven often, such as older cars which are being restored. Silicone-based fluids should never be used in a car with an anti-lock braking system.

The process is easiest when all four car wheels are off of the ground. However, since most home mechanics don't have that capability, the car can stay on the ground, as long as there's room to use a wrench on bleeder valves. Loosening bleeder valves may be a challenge, so a drizzle of penetrating oil the day before brakes are bled will help to budge the bolts. A box wrench which fits the brake bolts is the best tool for the job. Tapping lightly with a hammer will help to loosen bolts, and break through corrosion.

In the beginning, bleeder valves should be loosened, but not open. Then, utilizing a disposable turkey baster from the kitchen, car owners should suck out as much of the old, inky liquid as possible, from the top of the master cylinder reservoir. Any visible contaminants within the reservoir should be cleaned with a lint-free rag. Also, car owners must be careful with brake fluid, which will immediately ruin any painted surface.

Car owners should push one end of a piece of cheap aquarium tubing, over one of the bleeder bolts. The other end should be placed into a clear plastic bottle, into which about an inch of clean brake fluid has been poured. Under the pedal, a one-by-four piece of wood should be placed, to keep the pedal from being depressed too far, when line pressure is released. Then, fresh brake fluid should be poured into the master cylinder reservoir, before replacing the cap.

The next steps in the process are easiest with a helper, to push the pedal. The car owner should signal the helper to push the pedal down, and, when the pedal is pushed down, should turn the bleeder bolt about a quarter turn. Old liquid will trickle into the clear container, through the aquarium tubing. When the trickle stops, the car owner should signal the helper to release the pedal, and should close the bleeder valve. This process should be repeated, until clean liquid begins to come through the tubing, into the container.

After five pushes of the pedal, the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir should be topped off. Allowing the reservoir to be less than half full invites more air into the system, which defeats the purpose of bleeding the brakes. When clean fluid is coming from the brake, then the bleeder bolt should be tightened. Then, the bleeding process should be started on another wheel, until all four wheels have been bled of contaminated fluid.

To dispose of old or unused liquid, pour it into a container of kitty litter. The liquid will evaporate within a few days, and the contaminated litter may be thrown in the garbage, in a closed plastic grocery bag. To decrease the likelihood of waste, car owners should always purchase eight-ounce containers of fluids, instead of purchasing larger containers. Always, old fluids, even when drying in kitty litter, must be kept away from animals and children. Also, fluids are extremely flammable, and must be kept away from any ignition source.

Bleeding an anti-lock braking system may be more complicated, so car owners should consult their owner's manual before making an attempt. By bleeding the lines every two years, or every 24,000 miles, car owners will ensure that components, including calipers and the master cylinder, last for a long time. The right fluid, the right tools, and the right helper will make bleeding brake fluid an easier, if not less dirty, job.

Prevent breakdowns by keeping your car in top condition. AutoWerks of America is a great source of replacement parts for German cars and other imports.

Should You Extend Your Auto Warranty

There are more and more advertisements these days telling us to extend our car warranty. The marketing pitches make it sound like we'll never have to pay for car repair again. While extending a car warranty may make one feel better, it is, in many cases, a waste of money. Here are a few things to consider.

Extend Car Warranty - 3 Points to Consider:

1) The first and most important point to consider is money. Auto warranty advertisements state "we'll never have to pay for car repairs again;" yet, we will have to pay a significant dollar amount up front for the warranty. Some car repairs may indeed cost $2,000, but many extended warranties cost significantly more than this. In other words, "we are" paying for auto repairs. In fact, they're asking us to pay now, rather than keep our money in the bank.

2) Although many extended warranties list off an impressive amount of items covered, many expensive and very common auto repairs and maintenance are not covered. This would include items such as tires, brakes, and maintenance services. Also, repair shops often charge above and beyond what our warranty company suggests, leaving us to pay the balance.

3) Even though a particular car repair is covered under an agreement, it may still cost us money. For example, most of these extended warranties have deductibles. Some will not cover what's known as "tear down" charges. This is when a shop has to disassemble our vehicle in order to determine the root cause. Also, many car warranties have caps on the hourly labor charge, which again, leave us to pay the difference.

Extended Auto Warranty - Additional Thoughts:

If the above doesn't deter us, consider too that an extended auto warranty is time and mileage sensitive. It's a race against the clock to get any actual monetary value from an auto warranty. Put another way, if we spend $3,500 for a warranty, our car needs to have at least $3,500 worth of "covered repairs" during the coverage period to break even. Not sure we want to even be driving a vehicle that needs this amount of work in such a short period of time.

Are there times when extending a car warranty makes sense? Yes...

1) when it's included with a certified used vehicle one is considering purchasing.

2) If we can get a significant discount, as these warranties are heavily marked up.

3) If it can be rolled into low finance rates.

Finally, if money is not an issue, and it makes you feel protected, go for it. Personally, I'd prefer to keep my money.

-Theodore P. Olson
RepairTrust
Making sense of Auto Repair Prices

How to Find a Good Car Mechanic

Is there a single person alive that does not feel that at one time or another in their lives that they have not been ripped off by their car mechanic? Sorry, there are a few, the car mechanics themselves. If you have been wondering how to find a good car mechanic, then please keep reading and you just might find out.

It does not matter if you know little to nothing about cars, if you follow the advice mentioned below you should be able to change this sometimes awful experience, into a regular normal everyday occurrence. For all the females that may be reading this, sorry to inform you, but most mechanics will not think you know anything about a car, and will not understand anything that they tell you.

So, the first rule is, do not let this happen to you. You need to pretend that you understand everything that they say, by asking questions about all of their comments. You want to know what they are going to do, why they are going to do it, what are the alternatives, and what it is going to cost you. If the mechanic is not polite, and answering you as you would expect, find someplace else to give your business to.

You want to do this because more than likely you will not be happy with your repair job you receive from them. The second rule is please do not wait until you do not have any alternatives. In other words, if the light on your dashboard is showing low oil, then fill up the oil and starting going to car repair shops to try and figure out what is wrong.

If you wait until your engine blows up, or your gasket springs a big leak, you will more than likely have to take it to the nearest shop where they can charge you whatever they want. The third rule for finding a good and honest car mechanic is to ask your family and friends who they use. Without question, this will be the most reliable source of information that you can receive.

You will be getting totally unbiased opinions from people that care about you. The fourth rule is to try and use small shops where the owner of the shop is either doing or supervising the work himself. If a mechanic has worked himself into a position where they have enough money to open their own shop, they will usually be very good at their jobs.

If you use a very large type of establishment, in most instances the mechanic will be doing the work on their own with no supervision or quality control. This simply does not happen in small mechanic owned operations.

Now, you should know all you need to know about how to find a good car mechanic. The most important piece of advice mentioned above, was not to be intimidated and be afraid to ask questions. In fact, the more questions you ask, the more you will come to understand, and the better car repair consumer you will become.

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Tips in Looking For a Commercial Truck Part

If you are still searching for a specific commercial truck part then you have to conduct a good research about the best specialty stores available in the market. These vehicle components might be very costly because of the intense demand coming from vehicle companies, rig owners, truck owners, and auto equipment sellers. If you want to save substantial amount of money, then take your time asking for recommendations from your colleagues, family, and friends.

A lot of large vehicles are in need for component replacement everyday and there are few people who can immediately afford to buy these fittings and vehicle components. You can choose to buy used spare vehicle pieces in order to save cash. These used truck parts are still in its best shape and it can provide the same efficacy as those of the brand new ones. In this way, you can save money and use it to other necessary operation expenses.

You might think that it will be easier for you to buy a vehicle parts because there are plenty of company providers and specialty stores that you can find both online and offline markets. You can have to reconsider because there are some companies that sell unsatisfactory vehicle spare parts that will not last for a long time. You will surely lose large amount of money and it will be more difficult for you to continue your business operations due to broken and dysfunctional trucks.

Always remember that in choosing a specialty store, hardware, or company provider, make sure to ask if they offer warranties on vehicle components. With warranty, buyers are assured that in case of any problems with the product, buyers can rightfully claim replacements or product returns. If you chose a used component for your truck then it is difficult to search for a certified one. Better widen your research in order to maximize the value of your money and time.

A good company provider or specialty store has a good selection or inventory of products and a large warehouse for different brands, sizes, and designs of vehicle components. They can also provide excellent advice for their customers and services. It is best to go for a store that sells affordable prices of vehicle components.

Always check whether the company provider or store is selling genuine products. You can learn it through reading your local newspapers, online blogs, articles, previous customer feedback, and more. Easy research and fast gathering of information can only be through internet browsing.

They are stores that have their own websites wherein they have posted their services, price ranges, available truck parts, brands, sample photographs, inquiry box for customers, contact number and the store's address. Before you go to a store or you buy online, better the check the number or size of the needed vehicle component, so that you will not lose money and so much time.

Remember that when you buy an incorrect commercial truck part, you will not be able to replace it for a correct one. Be a smart buyer and always check your needs so that you can discuss it with them.

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The Best Wheel Balancers and Where to Find Them

Wheel balancers are an essential piece of equipment for any place that calls itself a tire shop. After a new tire is bought, the wheel has to be balanced before it's put back onto the car. If the wheel isn't balanced it could cause a very noticeable and annoying vibration throughout the car.

The wheel balancer comes in many different models, with many different features. Top of the line models can cost more than $10,000, while others may cost as little as $1,500. There is also the used option, which the internet is great for. Almost every product you buy on the internet comes with a discount, simply because you bought it online.

An in-shop wheel balancer is no different. The used wheel balance tool, over $10,000 brand new, can be bought online through auction websites for as little as $2,000-$3,000 USD. For example, the COATS XR1850 is currently going for just over $2,000 with online bidding, when brand new it costs $13,000, plus tax.

The top of the line wheel balancer system is really the only way to go if your shop wants to ensure repeat business. The XR1850 is an advanced system that is capable of solving the toughest vibration problems on most vehicles. This balancing tool is able detect vibration problems, including any problems relating to radial or lateral run-out, and even residual static.

Top of the line wheel balancers, such as the XR1850 will automatically make all the measurements for the technician, removing all human error from the process. The design of this balancer has been done to take into consideration the vast array of different wheel designs, making it easier for the tech, and quicker turnover for the customer.

Anything the tech does have to do is easily outlined and visible to see on the real time 3-D animated screen. This makes the graphics and visual cues given to the worker very easy to see and respond to. This particular Wheel Balancer, as with many higher end models, comes with its own printer to instantly share information with the appropriate parties. This touch screen model, literally, gives the wheel balance technician a wealth of information at their fingertips.

Over all, by investing in one of these types of wheel balancers, every step of the process is quicker, thanks to the well-planned ingenuity of the XR1850's designers at COATS. Examples of this are: this design is equipped with a slide nut for improved mounting times, once the protective hood is lowered on the machine it automatically begins its work, and there are visual and audio cues for the worker to know when the proper amount of weight has been reached and when the weight has been positioned appropriately, for optimum performance for your car.

Wheel balancers can be easy and quick for you technicians and you customers, encouraging your customers to come back and also tell their friends how fast the service was; or it can be slow and laborious, causing the flow of work to slow and making customers less than enthusiastic in singing the praises of the shop.

Adhesive Spray 101

A good used car dealer will have a shop in which to do a full check on all of his cars. He may even have a car repair expert to work for him to do the work. He has a service garage with a lot of tools, parts, supplies and gadgets to make his job easier. He may even use a variety of glues for things that are loose or broken in his cars. After time, many things in a car, such as the ceiling tend to fall and loosen with gravity and need a little help and care.

Investing to make money

The used car sale man knows he must invest in many good products in order to get his vehicle purchases looking in tip-top shape for the sale. People want to buy a used car that isn't falling apart. Just a little touch here and there can make a difference. If a door panel falls off when the door is opened, the first thought in the buyer's mind is-this car is in bad shape! If the used car dealer has a good supply of glue, it could make for a great car sale that he can profit from. It's too late for glue after the customer is gone.

What is a great, fast glue?

The High Performance Spray Adhesive has a lot of benefits and is the answer to anyone who needs a great spray adhesive that does a quick and clean job. High Performance Spray Adhesive is a thick mist spray adhesive that dries clear and adheres extremely well, permanently bonding surfaces. It is also resistant to water and humidity. This high performance spray adhesive won't bleed through, curl or wrinkle paper and can be used in a large variety of car and home uses, such as mounting pictures, fabrics, and cardboard, wood that is lightweight and other board material such as foam, foil and corkboard. High Performance Spray Adhesive It comes in a 11 ounce spray can that can be applied between 65 and 95 degree temperatures. Simply hold the can vertically and spray 8" to 10" away from your item. Continue spraying in an even and continuous motion to avoid a buildup of spray in one place. This spray can be used for light to heavy adhesion purposes, depending on the application. More or less spray can be added by following the directions for a light or permanent bond. Several coats may be needed for porous surfaces.

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How to Pass Your Emissions Test With Flying Colors

Environmental standards for the amount of pollution cars can emit have been going increasingly higher for the last several decades. As people have become more knowledgeable about pollution, they've tried to decrease the amount of environmental contaminants that we emit through our lifestyle. A car is certainly a producer of smog, but there are several ways in which you can decrease the amount of emissions that come from your vehicle.

Don't Be a Lead foot - The more fuel your car has to burn in order to reach a destination, the more atmospheric pollution your car's exhaust will release. People who are liberal with the gas will notice they use considerably more fuel than those who don't, and the more fuel you use, the more emissions you'll have to deal with.

Go Efficient - The better the gas mileage a car has, the lower its emissions will be. Completely electric vehicles have almost no emissions to speak of, while you've seen the smoke belching from the large diesel engines of a semi-truck. So the greener your car, the fewer emissions you'll have in the first place.

Keep Your Engine Clean- Keeping your engine well cared-for is another way to limit what comes out of your exhaust pipe. Aged oils tend to burn off, saddling your engine with all kinds of gunk while leading to horrible and unhealthy emissions of chemical air and particulate. The cleaner your engine and the oil in it is, the less burn-off you'll have to deal with.

Using Accessories Less - Many accessories your car uses requires more fuel or electricity use than your car normally requires. The more you crank up the A/C the more fuel you're burning, and the harder you force your engine to work. This cool air feels good, but when you think of all the fuel being used and all the emissions thus created, you get a little hot under the collar.

The air is a very important thing you know, for everything alive on this planet. Keeping it breathable starts with limiting what you put into the air in the first place. Older cars are usually less-efficient than their newer counterparts, but even older cars can deliver emission efficiency if you take the time and effort to do so. Higher fuel economy standards will hopefully reduce pollution even further, but for now we have to keep the cars on the road from producing too much toxic exhaust.

If you have an emissions test approaching visit Shawnee Automotive to ensure you'll pass without a problem. Our automotive techs have performed many emission repairs. Our NorthShore Automotive Center is the premier choice to get your vehicles repairs.

Smack Then Crack - Windshield Repair or Windshield Replacement?

As you are driving down the road, it happens. You hear that dreaded sound. Your car windshield gets hit by a rock or debris and a crack appears. Sometimes the crack is gigantic and sometimes only a teeny tiny crack appears. Cracks and chips of all sizes are not only unattractive, but they can make driving unsafe too. When you hear the sound of something hitting your windshield, in comes the dread and so does the fear of what it's going to cost to replace the complete windshield or get a windshield repair begin to set in. Will it even be necessary to have a complete windshield replacement?

Without saying, any major damage received that causes huge cracks or shatters to any part of the windshield or the entire windshield, yes, definitely, a complete replacement is necessary. However, newer cars have windshields installed that are regulated by the government and in some situations it may be better to have the windshield repaired instead. Keeping as much of your vehicle in original condition is best for resale value and safety.

As well, many insurance companies are referring their customers to have windshield repair done now instead of a windshield replacement. You may wonder why, right? Well this alternate method is not only less expensive than a complete windshield repair, but there is less time where you are without your car. So the insurance company has to pay less to get your car fixed and maybe even eliminate the need for a rental car too.

For you the driver, repairs to your windshield will hold up as well as the replacement too. The quality is just as good, you won't even know it by looking. If your insurance doesn't cover windshield damages, you certainly want to go the less expensive way out and repair versus replace is the right choice in this situation.

You may wonder if it is absolutely necessary to have a professional do your windshield repair. You've noticed the do-it-yourself windshield repair kits at your neighborhood auto parts store and looks like it would be simple enough, right? Well, think again, it is not that simple. Taking out the old and popping in the new takes special tools and techniques that the professionals have been trained for.

At the first sign of damage, it may not be as clear if repair or replacement is best and a professional is trained in knowing whether a repair is even feasible and will be successful. Not to mention that if trying to do this yourself at home, it could lead to a serious safety issue. Keep in mind also, that with a professional mobile auto glass service, there will be a professional, in flesh and blood, in your driveway or work parking lot that you can tell if they are being straight with you or not.

For the sake of safety and convenience, instead of taking your car to the shop, always consider using a mobile service instead. There are mobile auto glass services in the Virginia area now with experienced trained professionals. No need to try to drive with a busted windshield or a huge crack running across the drivers' view!

So the next time you hear that shuttering sound of a rock hitting your windshield, don't panic! A phone call to a mobile auto glass service will get you a windshield repair or windshield replacement in no time.

For mobile auto glass service in Northern Virginia and Washington DC, call Lucas Auto Glass for all your windshield repair or windshield replacement needs.