Car repairs- Getting what you want and controlling your costs
If you’ve ever found yourself baffled by a range of costs for car repairs from different repairers, you’re not alone. Any form of car repair is potentially expensive, but you shouldn’t have to have a guessing game about how much you’re paying. The theory of the market is that competition drives rates, but in practice some repairers don’t mind making a few extra bucks at the expense of consumers.
The best way to find a good repairer with reliable costs and upfront quotes is to do some shopping around before you need help. It’s just too expensive and too uneconomic to be guessing about your costs. Running a car is expensive enough as it is, without unknown extra costs added.
Defining what you need in car repairs
The most effective way to find anything is to define exactly what you’re looking for before you start.
For motorists, the list of basic needs is pretty straightforward:
• Local service: This is a natural requirement, saving costs and time. It’s much more convenient, and it’s also better economically, reducing the need to reshuffle your life to get your car serviced.
• Top quality parts and service: There shouldn’t be any reason to worry that your car is being repaired with the serviceman’s collection of antique car parts or “interesting” foreign components. The only standard is the industry standard, and anything else isn’t good enough.
• Upfront quotes for work, parts and charges: This is best practice, and it’s also a reasonable consumer demand. The cost should be disclosed upfront, before work is undertaken. It’s not really acceptable to expect consumers to simple agree to pay anything and everything in the way of charges that someone feels like putting on a bill.
• Guarantees of service on time: The usual curse of car repairs is the time frame. The tired old scenario of “Guess when the car will be ready” is ridiculous in this day and age.
• No charges for travel time: Efficiency also means no dubious charges like travel time or extras. These charges are rip-offs in any sense of the word, and they’re also avoidable.
• Service quality: The best car repair services provide excellent quality service on a routine basis.
Finding the right car repair service
Finding the best service can be quite easy. The best car repair services are the major companies. Those who also provide mobile car repair are often the best of the lot. They can provide fast on-road service and are extremely well-organized.
The most important features of these services are:
• Scheduling: This is one of the most important parts of any type of car servicing, and whether the repairs are minor or major, the schedule is a sign of real efficiency. The best service companies don’t guess, they schedule, and they deliver on time.
• Brand name service: This can be very important for warranty purposes, and it’s also important for ensuring that the work is appropriate for the car model. That can be the difference between a running car and total immobility, so it’s worth considering.
Check out your local franchise car repair service, and ask a few questions based on the points above. Good car service is only a phone call away.
Driving Tips That Will Help You Avoid Even More Trouble
Insurance is something that you pay for to protect you in the worst case situation. By that time the worst damage could already be done. Taking your own precautions as a driver, and understanding that you cannot predict what other drivers will do, is extremely important. You cannot rely on others obeying the rules and the laws. It is too late if you lose someone you love, and no amount of car insurance, will cure that. Some driving tips to help you now and not later.
Tail-gating. Are you one of those people who drives along the highway too close to others, and seems to think that you are not going to cause an accident? Can you predict if the car in front of you is going to suddenly stop. Why do we always see a number of cars involved in an accident on a highway? Because everyone was driving too close. You should at least use the 2 second rule, and why not a little more? If someone is tail-gating you, you might only see their car in the rear vision mirror and nothing else. This is also particularly dangerous. If you are subject to such and annoying and dangerous driver, you are better off slowing down, as they are already the impatient type, and letting them pass. Speeding up is not an option. Tail-gating is a major cause of accidents and is all too common on our roads. Avoid it at all cost.
Rage. If you are going to play music when you drive, it might not be a good idea to be listening to hard-core heavy metal or other music that will increase your motivation. WE are all affected by the sounds that we hear, and there is more likely the chance that you will become irritated if you are listen to sounds and music that have a high beat per minute. Safe driving is also about controlling your emotion. Note that all of your car insurance quotes did not have cover for road rage for a reason.
Tunnel Vision. After a long day at the office or hours in meetings, we are all driving home in a state of daze. You might want to make sure that you have had a little rest after staring into that laptop all day. Keeping your eyes moving when you are driving is extremely important. Tunnel vision is very dangerous. Moving your eyes from close to look far ahead (especially when going around corners) and checking your rear vision mirror will stop your eyes and mind from slipping into tunnel vision.
Mood. The old saying is, “Less haste, more speed”. The less that you rush, the faster you will get there. Controlling your mood and your mind can be very important. Is it really that things on the road went all your way today, or is it just that you think that it is so? It is more likely the latter is true. Keeping a good mood, and having a little patience, will not only have better effect on your car and definitely less fuel and brake consumption, you might actually get there are little faster. Time and perception are often related in ways that we don’t understand. A calmer approach is just plain safer. If you have just had a fight with your partner or work colleague, you might want to wait a little before driving.
Aids. If you have to drive long distances, or you just like to have something to keep you feeling good, little things can go a long way. Your favourite peppermint chewing gum might have a few sugars that keep you feeling good, and the taste might just be improving your mood.
Cool, calm and calculating – what you need when you drive.
Tips for Saving Fuel with a Dual Cab or Ute (Pick-up)
Many people who live in regional areas have good reason to have a dual-cab, ute (pick-up) or tray top vehicle. Those working in the trade industry will be using them too. With modern car insurance, you can save a lot of money, but there are also modern accessories and changes you can make to the way you use your vehicle, that can save you a lot of money. Here is a look at the best of them.
• Fuel type. Hi-octane fuel is good for your engine and good for your fuel economy. Don’t be fooled by the price at the pump. Because the fuel burns better, you will get more out of the fuel that you use. You will not have to press as hard on the accelerator as you did before. You can get other solutions to add to your fuel tank, such as fuel line cleaner, and octane-boosting liquids. You cannot really have too high octane, but you should be sensible about it.
• Cover up the tray. An open rear end of your ute (pick-up) or dual cab creates a huge amount of wind-resistance. This will mean a huge amount of drag on your car. Covering it up with a cover will fix this problem, and you will see a radical difference in the amount of fuel your vehicle uses.
• Don’t carry what you don’t need. We can all slip into the habit of leaving tools and the like in our car because we use them regularly. If you are not using them that day, you should be taking them out of your vehicle. An extra 50 kilos can mean a whole lot more petrol use. Change your habits and spend that few minutes to load, and unload, your vehicle.
• Tires. With a work vehicle, or one that is used to carry loads, checking your tires more often than you would in a sedan, is extremely important. Your tires are under greater pressure, and you might find they can get low on pressure inside a day.
• Don’t fill over ¾. Over filling a car is a big mistake. Much of that fuel will be wasted. If you fill a car to just over ¾ you will notice that you will get only slightly fewer kilometres than filling it to full. Make sure you always have your fuel cap on extremely tight. Evaporation is another cause of bad fuel economy. Fuel evaporates much easier and faster than water because it is a lighter liquid.
• Convert to Gas. Gas conversions are a real option for someone who does many miles. The investment cost will be earned back relatively fast. You will have the extra value of having that addition in your vehicle when you come to selling it. Remember, all of us looking for a car that uses less fuel.
• Use a new Petrol Station. Newer petrol stations have newer tanks. This means the fuel stored in those tanks will be cleaner and therefore, better. You will notice the difference.
As with every area of your car use, you should be frugal. Like you check with several insurers to get the best car insurance quotes, check with the petrol stations and know when to get the fuel at the best prices.
Why Insuring Your Limousine Is A Little More Complicated that Normal Car Insurance
If you are considering purchasing your own vehicle in Sydney and joining the ranks of the owner operators already in the business, with some good marketing and management, you know a limousine hire Sydney could earn you quite a lot of money. This owner operator business does not come without some risks and issues you will need to understand well. Because of the nature of this activity, getting the correct car and other insurance at the right cost will be big some of your biggest challenges. There are some common mistakes that can be made.
• Getting Quotes. Because of the nature of this business, in the fact it is quite limited, you might think that your normal car insurance provider does not have this product. This is not always the case. You can either look for brokers who specialize in car insurance for this particular purpose, or talk to car insurance providers to see whether they have this product or not. The products do exist, and they are available. It is just they are not advertised as much because there is a limited number of clients.
• Reporting New Drivers. Many companies will require you to report new drivers to them immediately. All your limousine drivers should have full background checks, including medical history, criminal history, driving records and credit history. All of these issues will affect the cost of that driver being insured. Reporting the driver will mean the insurance company has the driver on record, and if something happens, and that driver has not met all of the requirements, you might not be paid your claim. An insurer may only check all of these details once you go to claim. Just because they have accepted your notification, it does not mean you are actually insured. With on going policy, it is important we understand the requirements to maintain that policy’s validity. The insurance company will only investigate the issue once a claim is made. In the meantime, they will continue to collect your policy.
• Research. When doing your research on any insurance provider, you need to research on the underwriter. There are a number of rating and comparison sites that may help you. They may also be biased and influenced by the insurance companies. Finding the right rating site will only mean you have something to reference your own research against. The internet is a wonderful source of information and disinformation at the same time. Our own judgement, experience and decision-making abilities will always come into play.
• Issues Related to Independent Drivers. There are a number of other issues related to working as a contractor, or even a subcontractor driver. Most independent owners will subcontract drivers. The days of casual employees are long gone. If this is the case, each driver and the owner will have a number of issues to consider.
Your car insurance company can only help you so much. Talking with some of the existing operators and organizations, and learning from their experience and advice will be crucial. You could start by talking with some of the biggest limousine hire suppliers in Sydney. They will probably point you in the right direction and give you advice. By contracting yourself out to them, you know fitting their requirements will also mean you are meeting all of the requirements to be an independent operator.
When Your Car Needs a Premium Service
For all car service, vehicle owners can now enjoy the convenience of a mobile mechanical service. Simply make a quick call or internet order and have an expert mechanic come right to your door. Regular and thorough car services are essential to your own safety and to ensure the long life and smooth running of your car but it can be a hassle to lose the use of your car for a day. An on-site mobile service saves you time, taxi fees and towing fees. It’s easy, fast, hassle-free and cost-effective!
Skilled mechanics are available to service your vehicle six days per week, usually the same day or next day after booking, and arrive at your home or business premises in a van fully equipped with the complete range of tools and equipment needed to do a full service on your car and make almost any necessary repair on site using only high quality parts.
You can have car service at home or drive to work, have the service done on-site during the day at a time that is convenient to you and drive home at the end of the day knowing your car has been well attended to and is in peak condition. If you wish, you are welcome to be there to observe the whole process and see for yourself what work is being done on your car – there’s no being ushered out of the workshop. Read more
Some Car Noises You Should Not Ignore
If your car is making strange noises, it is often an indication you are in need of urgent car repair. Some noises could be indicators of a big problem just waiting to happen. You should not leave these issues unattended. With so many moving parts, odd noises are usually a sign of a dangerous situation and you should seek to fix, or get professional attention. It is just too dangerous to wait and see if it will fix itself – rarely the case. Here is a look at particular noises that mean urgent attention is required.
• Grinding, Squealing or Clicking From the Wheels. Any noise from your wheels should not be ignored. Most noises that come from your wheels will indicate you have bearing problems. This could even result in your wheel falling off. Very dangerous at any speed. Not to mention the damage a wheel flying out of control can cause. A clicking noise that is only heard when your front wheels are turning is an indication you have other joint issues. All noises coming from the wheels should be treated seriously.
• Squeaking When Braking. Sometimes your wheels will make a slight noise even when you are not breaking due to changes in temperature or humidity. Brake pads can change in size depending on the environmental conditions. Any noise that is consistent should be checked. A constant squealing noise every time you put on the brakes, usually indicates that your brake pads have worn out. This means you are squeezing steel onto the steel of your disk each time you stop. It will not take long for you to cause major damage to your disks. This can be very expensive to repair. When your brake pads are worn out you will not be able to stop as well as you should. Regular car service will normally prevent this kind of problem although harsh driving and hard braking can often cause brake pads to wear out before they should. Another very dangerous situation that needs attention immediately.
• Hissing Sound from the Engine. Hissing sounds emanating from underneath your hood are normally the result of your engine overheating. If left unchecked you could find yourself unable to start your engine, or even worse. An overheated engine can damage itself without warning and could result in total failure. You might just be low on coolant or you might have a leak in your engine cooling system. Always allow your engine to cool before removing the coolant cap. Add more coolant with the engine running to remove any air pockets in the system. Check beneath your car for leaks. Do not confuse leaks with the overflow of coolant from a hot engine. If you do have a leak, you need to get it fixed fast.
• Exhaust Roar. In the beginning it may sound that you have done some work on your engine. Exhaust that is making a louder noise than normal will soon deteriorate. This is an indicator of leaks in the exhaust system. The sounds could be coming from anywhere near the tail of your car to near your engine. Leaks near your engine can have disastrous consequences. A leaking exhaust could get you in hot water with the law and should always be fixed as soon as possible. Temporary solutions are available in the form of special tapes that harden with heat. These should only be used for a minimum amount of time until repairs are sought.
• Tapping Noise From the Engine. Your engine should not be making any strange noises and this is a big indication of many problems. Only a professional will know when listening and some investigation will be warranted. With so many fast-moving parts, and extremely high pressures, any small problem with your engine will result in major damage. Seek attention immediately.
RETRO ELECTRO
Steam Whistle brewing, arguably Canada’s greenest brewery adds to their environmental commitment with a custom-built, earth-friendly vintage ride. RETRO ELECTRO, a 1958 Chevy Apache Pickup 1/2 ton short box with side step, retrofitted with a high-efficiency AC motor capable of generating 465 foot-pounds of torque, is on par with the power of any gas-guzzling muscle car; yet emissions-free as it is Bullfrogpowered® with 100 per cent BC wind power. This will be no coddled show car for the brewery, but a beer-hauling workhorse and daily ride for Steam Whistle’s resident manager, Mike Kiraly, the brains behind the Retro Electro project.
Although the electric motor means this wind-powered hot rod will cruise in silence, it’s sure to make a whole lot of noise with car enthusiasts, beer drinkers and supporters of the environment.
When Steam Whistle Brewing launched their iconic green-bottled Pilsner into BC in early 2009 and hired long-time Vancouver resident Mike Kiraly to head up sales, the brewery shipped him the pride of their vintage fleet, a 1957 Chevy pickup. And while Kiraly, himself a vintage car enthusiast, was proud of the brewery’s reputation for green manufacturing, he understood that older engines were blowing a lot of black smoke. “What if we could take a sexy vintage ride, save it from the metal scrap heap and outfit it with a zero tailpipe emissions engine. Old-school style combined with a modern conscience.” And so Retro Electro was born. Read more
The main factors that affect the cost of your car insurance
There are a few main factors that will affect the cost of your car insurance. Of course, it pays to shop around, but there are a few things you will find result in similar premium costs no matter which insurer you decide to go with.
• Market value vs agreed value- The cost of the insurance will vary depending on whether your car is insured for the market value or the agreed value. Market value is the price that you would get for your car if you were to sell it in the open market. The agreed value is a price that the insurer and the insured agree on that the car is worth, and thus insured for, should anything happen.
• Where you live and work- If you live in a suburb where you are more likely to have a car accident or have your car stolen, it is more likely that your car insurance will be more expensive than if you live and work in an area that is considered low risk. This also takes into consideration where you park your car. Is it parked in a secure garage, or on the street?
• Your experience as a driver as well as your age-If you are under 25 or 30 car insurers generally have higher premiums for younger drivers. This is because the younger you are the less driving experience you’ve had and also the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. Older drivers can also qualify for discounts in some cases.
• The type of car you have- The type of car you drive will also influence how much your car insurance will be. This is calculated by looking at a number of factors including any modifications and the costs the car will incur if it needs repairing. Often the more powerful the engine and type of car, the more likely it will be broken into or even stolen.
• Your history- Your driving history will also be taken into consideration when getting your car insured. If you have previous driving offences, previous claims and have had a number of accidents you will most likely be required to pay higher premiums than a driver that has had none or little driving offences against their name.
Other factors such as the level of excess you agree to pay, the number of people driving the car and whether you own the car or have a loan for it will also influence how much you pay for insurance.
It’s a good idea to get a number of car insurance quotes from a number of insurers before deciding on going with one over the other. You may find huge differences in the prices you have been quoted as well as the level of cover on offer.
I hope our list of some of the factors that affect the cost of your car insurance premiums has given you some insight into the different factors taken into consideration when an insurer is calculating how much you should pay to insure your vehicle.