What Are The Safest Cars To Survive an Auto Accident?

What Are The Safest Cars To Survive an Auto Accident?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Despite advances in car safety, death and injury continue to rise on the nation’s highways. In the first nine months of 2017, 27,650 people died in car accidents, higher than the 27,618 who died in all of 2016. Lower gas prices and vehicles with better fuel economy are causing more cars to be on the road, which may lead to more crashes. We also have more distractions in our vehicles, from cell phones that are constantly ringing due to texts, emails and calls to DVD players that keep our kids occupied. For this reason, you want to be sure that your family is riding in the safest car possible. Here are a few things to look for when you are buying a new vehicle.

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Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Safety Guidelines

The IIHS is the main authority in the United States for determining the safety of vehicles on the road. They use the following criteria to determine how safe a car is:

  • Frontal crashworthiness – cars that do well in the federal government’s 35 mph head-on test as well as the IIHS 40 mph moderate overlap test are considered safe
  • Side crashworthiness – if your car has a good rating in the IIHS side-impact test, you are 70 percent less likely to die in a side-impact crash
  • Roof strength – good IIHS roof-strength ratings will protect you better in a rollover crash than those with a poor rating
  • Head restraints – a good IIHS head restraint ratings means you are 15 percent less likely to suffer a neck injury in an accident
  • Electronic stability control – cars manufactured after 2012 have this as a standard feature and lowers the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes by around 50 percent and risk of fatal rollovers by 80 percent
  • Car weight – IIHS says that the safest cars weigh between 3,500 and 4,500 pounds. Smaller, lighter vehicles do not offer as much protection as larger vehicles

It is also important to check the NHTSA recall database periodically to be sure your vehicle does not have a recall notice you are unaware of. If you find that it does, you need to get it to a repair shop immediately.

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Top Safest Vehicles

According to the IIHS, the Toyota Avalon Sedan and RAV4 Mini-SUV are in the top five safest vehicles you can buy for under $30,000. The Volkswagen Passat, Nissan Maxima Sedan and Chrysler 200 also fall under this category. Autobytel lists five vehicles for under $40,000 that their editors find safe. These include the Honda Odyssey Minivan, Hyundai Genesis Sedan, Toyota Hylander SUV, Volvo S60 and XC60. Below are the 2018 IIHS Top Safety Picks:

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Small Cars:

Midsize cars:

Large luxury cars:

Midsize SUVs:

Midsize luxury SUV:

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Small cars:

Midsize cars:

Midsize luxury cars:

Large cars:

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Small SUVs:

Midsize SUVs:

Midsize luxury SUVs:

Minivans:

Large pickup:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At Elmer’s Auto Body, we want your family riding in the safest vehicle possible. If you’ve been involved in an accident, bring your car in today for a complete check-up to be sure it is operating safely and efficiently. You can schedule an appointment online or give us a call today. For more information on vehicle testing and ratings visit iihs.org/iihs/ratings.

 

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What Do Collision Repair Technicians Look For When Assessing Collision Damage?

What Do Collision Repair Technicians Look For When Assessing Collision Damage?

When your vehicle is involved in a collision, you want to get it repaired as quickly as possible, but you also want to be sure the car is as safe as possible. When you take your car to a NJ collision repair technician, one of the things they should do is inspect the car for a wide range of problems. A highly-trained collision technician will not simply address the cosmetic damage or the issues that can be seen with the naked eye. There are many other factors they must consider when they determine what repairs are needed.

Door Panel Damage

Door panel damage may initially seem minor and you may believe the damage is only to the exterior of the car. A collision involving the door panel can cause significant damage, however. A collision repair technician will inspect the damage to determine if an entirely new panel is necessary. They check for misalignment or unevenness in the door gaps, and if any exists, the entire door panel should be replaced. If there is no misalignment, it is possible the panel can be repaired rather than replaced.

Damage to Fenders or Bumpers

Fender and bumper damage are the most common after a collision which is why they are designed to absorb a significant amount of impact. The fender and bumper are often made of lightweight material, so a collision repair technician will look for cracks or scratches which can usually be fixed easily. If the damage is severe, the fender or bumper will need to be replaced.

Cracked or Chipped Windshields

Your windshield is part of the roof support in your car. Even if the collision caused a minor crack or chip, it could lessen the integrity of your roof. If you are involved in another collision, the roof of your car could collapse. If a chip has broken through both layers of glass in your windshield, you will need to have it replaced. In addition, it is possible that an accident could cause tiny cracks that are not clearly visible. A collision repair technician will recognize those cracks and replace your windshield, keeping you and your passengers safe.

Collision repair technicians should be able to recognize all types of vehicle damage, even damage that is not easily seen. If you have been involved in a collision, schedule an appointment with Elmer’s Auto Body today by calling or by filling out the form online.

What Is Paintless Dent Removal?

What Is Paintless Dent Removal?

No matter how careful you are with your car, dents are going to happen. It doesn’t take much for something to cause a dent, whether it is a rolling shopping cart in a parking lot or the handlebar of a bicycle in the driveway. Even a minor dent should be addressed as a break in the paint could lead to rust, something that is extremely damaging to your car’s exterior. Due to modern technology, minor dents can now be repaired using paintless dent removal which requires no body filler, sanding or painting.

In the Past

In the past, when your car suffered a minor dent, a body repair technician had to either replace the entire section of the car or use a suction tool to remove the dent. The suction tool required that a small hole be drilled near the dent which then required body filler, sanding and painting. The repair was often noticeable because it was difficult to match the paint exactly.

Paintless Dent Removal

Today, instead of removing the section with the dent or drilling a hole and suctioning the dent, auto body technicians can use paintless dent removal. Using this process, the technician restructures the dent from behind or below by pushing the dent back into place. Because the pressure is behind or under the dent, the outside of the car remains intact. This means that there is no need for body filler, sanding or painting the damaged area once the dent is repaired.

What Are The Benefits of Paintless Dent Repair

  • Restores Car to Original Quality.
  • PDR is much more cost-effective than your average traditional dent repair service.
  • There is no body fillers, sanding or repainting.
  • Antique cars can also benefit from paintless dent repair without worry of losing its vintage value.
  • Reduces Repair Time.

What Can Paintless Dent Repair Fix?

Vehicle Value

One of the benefits of using paintless dent removal is that the repair is virtually undetectable. This means that the resale value of your car is unaffected. Your car is returned to its original condition and the turnaround time is much faster than with traditional repair methods. Not only does paintless dent repair restore your car quickly, it is often less expensive than traditional types of dent repair.

Dents will happen to your vehicle, no matter how careful you are. If your care suffers a minor dent, it is possible that paintless dent repair can return it to its original condition. If your vehicle has suffered a minor dent, or you have been involved in a collision, contact Elmer’s Auto Body today. You can schedule an appointment by filling out the form online or you can give us a call to speak to our customer service representatives.

18 Ways You Can Save Money On Car Expenses in 2018

Your car is one of the largest purchases you will make, second only to your home. Like your home, the expense of a car does not end when you leave the dealership. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, your vehicle is the second-largest household expense, costing the average person $8,700 per year. Despite the fact that vehicle ownership can be expensive, there are things you can do to minimize your costs over the years.

1. Avoid Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving practices like speeding, accelerating rapidly or hitting the brake hard can reduce your fuel economy. In fact, one study conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that aggressive driving can reduce your gas mileage as much as 33 percent.

2. Watch Your Speed

Once your speed exceeds 50 miles per hour, your gas mileage begins to decrease. For every five miles you drive over 50, you are paying an additional 20 cents per gallon in gas.

3. Turn Off the Engine

If you are waiting in your car, turn off the engine rather than letting it idle which can use up to a half gallon of fuel per hour. In contrast, only ten seconds of fuel is used when you restart your car. You also no longer need to warm up your car in the winter. Instead, drive slowly for about 30 seconds after you start it as the engine warms up more quickly when the car is being driven.

4. Limit Air Conditioning

Running your air conditioner can reduce your fuel economy by more than 25 percent. If possible, drive with the windows down. If it is too hot to do that, at least ride with them down for a short time before you turn on the air to let the hot air out of the car.

5. Motor Oil

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to use a grade of oil other than what the manufacturer recommends. This causes increased friction in the engine and can lead to lower gas mileage. If possible, choose an oil labeled energy conserving which means it includes additives that reduce friction.

6. Inflate Your Tires

Check the inflation on your tires often to be sure they are at the manufacturers recommended level. Proper pressure in your tires can increase your gas mileage more than three percent. Even if you have a tire pressure monitoring system, manually check your tires as electronic systems may not alert you until the tire is underinflated by five pounds.

7. There’s an App for That

There are several apps available that can help you reduce expenses for your car. GasBuddy helps you find the lowest gas prices in your area, for example. Just be sure to look for stations near your route as it is not costs effective to drive out of your way to save a few cents on gas.

8. Use Cash Back Cards

Many credit and debit cards now offer cash back options that can save you money. You may also be able to save using gas station loyalty cards that might offer reduced gas prices if you use their card for payment.

9. Shop Around for Auto Insurance

According to J.D. Power, only 39 percent of Americans searched for new auto insurance rates over the past year. When it is time to renew, look for quotes from at least four companies to be sure you are getting the best price.

10. Reduce Coverage on Older Vehicles

If your car is more than ten years old, you may be paying more in collision premium than the vehicle is worth. You can save up to 40 percent on your car insurance by eliminating collision coverage.

11. Insurance Bundles

Placing your house, car and other insurance with one company can save you on insurance as well. Some estimates are that bundling your policies can save you about 10 percent each year.

12. Limit Insurance Claims

If you are involved in a small accident where you are deemed at fault, you may be able to avoid filing a claim with your insurance company as long as the accident did not involve others and you were not injured. Filing a claim with your insurance could increase your rates by 40 percent.

13. Know Your Car’s Maintenance Requirements

Read your owner’s manual so that you understand what maintenance is required and when. Some mechanics will try to perform maintenance that is unnecessary. For example, they may suggest you have the transmission fluid drained and replaced although most modern cars do not need that service unless they have been driven over 100,000 miles.

14. Don’t Tailgate

Although this may seem like more of a safety tip, it can also save you money. Hard braking can reduce the life of your brakes. By easing to a stop rather than slamming on the brakes, you extend the life of your brakes as much as 30,000 miles.

15. Rotate Your Tires

Because front tires wear faster than rear tires, you can extend the life of all your tires by rotating them regularly. You can rotate them yourself or have them done when you take your car in for its regular oil changes.

16. Replace Air Filter

Your engine’s air filter keeps dirt out and improves your gas mileage. Therefore, it is recommended that you change the filter every 30,000 miles although your owner’s manual may have a different timetable. You can change the air filter yourself in less than five minutes.

17. Do Minor Repairs Yourself

You can do minor repairs to your car on your own. Replacing wiper blades is relatively easy and you can replace lights or fuses on your own. If you are unsure, search for how-to videos online or check your driver’s manual.

18. Oil Change Frequency

Most newer cars that use synthetic oil do not need the oil changed more than every 10,000 miles, although some mechanics will say it still needs to be done every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual and stick to the schedule recommended by the manufacturer.

These tips can help you extend the life of your car and save you money over the years. For more information on how to maintain your car, schedule an appointment today by filling out the simple form online.

11 Things You Need To Know About Collision Repair

11 Things You Need To Know About Collision Repair

After an accident, you may not know what to do to get your car back on the road. There are insurance claims to file, police reports to obtain and you may be dealing with injuries that mean doctors or tests. Throughout all of this, you need to get the damage on your car repaired so you can manage all the other details of the accident. This may be the first time you have dealt with collision repair, so there are some things you need to know to make the process go smoothly.

Use a Skilled Appraiser

The insurance company will probably send their own appraiser to determine how much the damages will cost. A good appraiser should identify all damage done to your vehicle, even damage that may not be visible. If something is found during the repair, you want to be sure the appraiser is willing to convince the insurance company to pay for the additional repairs. Talk to them about their knowledge and experience when they come to appraise the damage. Be sure to ask about hidden damage and what the process is for those repairs.

You Can Choose the Repair Shop

Insurance companies often have relationships with certain collision centers and this is where they typically send one of their policyholders after a collision. You are not required to use a facility that is recommended by the insurance company and have the right to choose where your repairs are done. This is often in your best interest to insure the repairs are high-quality.

Extensive Repairs

You may think the damage to your car is minor but when your car hits something, the impact affects the entire vehicle. Even a minor collision can damage the frame, wheels, interior or drivetrain. Choose a shop that will inspect the entire vehicle and repair damages that may not be visible.

Repairing Body Damage

Commercials for products on television that claim a body panel can be popped back into place using a special tool or household item are not factual. Although there are paintless dent repair techniques, they must be performed by trained technicians who use special tools to gently bend the metal back into shape.

Repairs Without Body Filler

Not so long ago, you could determine if a car had been in an accident by running a magnet over the surface. Sections with body filler meant the car was probably in a collision. That isn’t the case with today’s cars as they sometimes come from the factory with body filler in order to hide any imperfections in the metal. New paintless dent techniques allow body shops to make repairs without the need for body filler or sanding as well.

Warranty Work

Sometimes, insurance companies will tell you that if you go to a repair shop that is not recommended by them, the work will not be covered under warranty. However, warranties are provided by the collision center, not the insurance company. Choose a location that offers a written warranty and guarantees that you will be satisfied with the work.

Original Manufacturer vs. Aftermarket Parts

Original manufacturer parts (OEM) are often higher quality than aftermarket parts. They are parts that were originally made for your vehicle and are patented by the manufacturer. Aftermarket parts may be compatible, but they are not the same as OEM parts.

Do Your Research

You want to be sure your repairs are done in a shop with a good reputation. A good shop will put your needs first and use the highest quality materials. They also offer warranties and satisfaction guarantees. Research any shop you are considering by reading online reviews and talking to friends or relatives.

Is the Car Totaled?

A car is “totaled” by the insurance company when the cost of repairing it is more than the value of the car. An older car will meet the threshold for totaling quicker than a newer car. If your car is only a few years old, it will need to be significantly damaged in order for the insurance company to total it.

Repairs Can Make Cars as Good as New

In the past, a car that had been in a collision was never the same after a repair. With today’s new techniques, vehicles can be returned to their original condition after a collision as long as repairs are done correctly. Today’s repairs give your car the same sound structure, functionality and appearance as it had before the collision.

If your vehicle has been in a collision, schedule an appointment with us today by completing the simple online form. We will get your car back to its original condition and offer a satisfaction guarantee on all work we do.

What Does The Check Engine Light Mean?

The “Check Engine” light on your dashboard is probably one of the most misunderstood warning lights in your car. Although the warning light may look ominous, it may be as simple as a loose gas cap or it could be as serious as a misfiring engine. If you are driving down the road and the light pops on, it does not mean you need to pull over and call a tow truck immediately, but it does mean you need to get the car checked as soon as possible. You do not want to ignore a check engine light, or you could face major repairs down the road.

What Is the Check Engine Light?

Since the 1980s, cars have more vehicle performance monitors that are part of thet onboard diagnostics system (OBD). The OBD regulates things like engine speed, ignition timing and fuel mixture. It may even tell your engine when to shift if your car is an automatic. When a problem occurs that cannot be corrected by the electronic controls system, a warning light is illuminated letting you know that you need to “check your engine.” The light may be the outline of a car engine, which is the International Check Engine Symbol, with the word “check.” When the light is illuminated, the engine stores a code that identifies the problem. Auto shops use a diagnostic computer to read the code and learn what the problem may be.

Emissions Systems

The OBD in cars manufactured after 1996 are also built-in emissions test systems. It constantly monitors and adjusts things like your exhaust system, your fuel system and other features that are related to your cars emissions. That’s why a check engine light could simply mean that your gas cap is loose as the computer thinks that your car is allowing gasoline vapors to escape into the atmosphere. Some states now check for stored trouble codes rather than using the tailpipe emissions testing system.

What to Do When the Check Engine Light Comes On

If your check engine light comes on, it may blink, or it may be a constant warning light on the dash. In some cars, a blinking light, or a check engine light that glows red instead of yellow, means the problem is serious and you should have it checked immediately. There are some models where a blinking light means a serious engine misfire. Check your owner’s manual and, if this is the case, reduce power and take the car to a mechanic as soon as possible. Look for other lights on the dash that may indicate a problem such as oil pressure or temperature. These lights indicate that you should pull over and turn the car off as soon as possible. Remove your gas cap and replace it tightly to see if the light goes out. Auto parts stores sell scan tools for around $40 so you can diagnose the problem yourself.

It is possible that your check engine light means a minor problem with your car. In some cars, the check engine light comes on when maintenance is necessary, like an oil change. If your check engine light is on, schedule an appointment today by filling out the easy form online so we can address your problem and get you back on the road.