Category: Maintenance

According to most insurance companies in New Jersey and throughout the US, damaged windshields rank the highest among reported insurance claims in the industry. It doesn’t matter how good your driving record is or how safe you drive, windshield damage can happen when you least expect it. Most drivers on the road today at one time or another have experienced an airborne rock that hits their windshield from another passing vehicle that causes damage.

If your windshield becomes damaged, there’s a good chance that you will need to either have it repaired or replaced with a certified windshield installer in New Jersey before too long. Please continue reading to learn when to repair or replace damaged windshields.

 

Damaged Windshield Factors

Windshield chips are not created equal; therefore, the size and shape of a chip can determine if the damage is repairable or not. If the chip is beyond repair, a windshield replacement is your only option.

The location of a chip can also be a leading factor when it comes to either a quick repair or replacement if the damage extends beyond the outer perimeter of the windshield. Windshield replacement may also be necessary if the crack is obstructing the driver’s view or causes a crack that spreads across the windshield.

 

6 Types of Windshield Damage

Knowing the six different types of windshield damage can help you determine the severity of the damage and just how soon you should contact a New Jersey repair specialist. Failure to repair or replace a damaged windshield can obstruct your view, cause an accident or get you pulled over by the police.

1. Surface Pit: Chips in the glass are known as surface pits and are generally small in nature. They don’t cause significant damage to your windshield and surface pits bigger than 1/8th of an inch can be repaired.
2. Crack: A crack typically starts out small and gradually expands or instantly forms when an object impacts it. They extend horizontally across the windshield and can be repaired as long as they’re not in the driver’s view or smaller than 14 inches.
3. Bullseye: A bullseye forms a dark circle at the sight of impact with a cone-shape around the outer layer. A bullseye in your windshield can be fixed as long as the diameter is less than one inch, not in the driver’s view, and doesn’t contain any debris or dirt.
4. Star Break: A star break can oftentimes look like a star or spider web. Many cracks form in several different directions from the site of impact with a star break. A star break can be repaired if it’s less than three inches in diameter.
5. Half Moon: Half moons are half the size of a bullseye, and they can be repaired as long as the damage is less than one inch in diameter.
6. Combination: A combination will include several of the elements listed above and look like an impact from a baseball. Combination windshield damage can be repaired if the damage is less than two inches in diameter.

 

Finding a Good Windshield Repair Company in New Jersey

With standard rates for windshield replacements ranging between $200 to $1,000, it’s important to hire a company that installs high-quality auto glass and guarantees their work. A trustworthy business will have a strong community presence with a solid reputation for quality installations and customer service. Most professionals will have have a website that explains more of their services and provides contact and additional information.

Hiring a business that is certified as an auto glass technician is a good way to ensure that you’re getting the best in industry and safety standards. If you live in the greater Medford area and have a damaged windshield? Please fill out the contact form to be put in touch with a certified technician for immediate repair or replacement windshield services in South Jersey.

We’ve all experienced the dreaded “scratches.” You come out from your work, the grocery store or the local mall and make your way to your parking spot only to discover that your vehicle has experienced scratch damage.

 

All the Usual Places

You can usually find scratches on the driver’s side of a vehicle or on the passenger side as well as other larger areas of a vehicle. Discovering any major scratch, especially on a newer vehicle, can be exasperating, maddening and nerve-racking. Once it happens, you wonder how you’re going to fix it all, and at what cost. So, how do you deal with any significant scratch or scratches? Here are some answers.

 

Dealing with Car Scratches

In relation to car insurance coverage, scratches are dealt with differently. There are factors that determine exactly what kind of coverage is necessary for the repair of various kinds or types of damage that are due to scratches. In addition, certain types of coverage govern whether a scratch or scratches can be repaired at all.

 

Scratch Category

The actual cause of a scratch or scratches will dictate whether your insurance is going to reimburse you for the damages. If you don’t carry the right type of coverage, your scratches may remain scratches, unless you fit the bill for the expense. Filing a claim will depend on the category of scratch and how it happened.

 

Insurance Breakdown

In order for a scratch or scratches to go through the repair process, certain kinds of insurance coverage are necessary. One insurance coverage, comprehensive, is part of that coverage. Though it is an optional coverage, it does safeguard a vehicle in the event that scratches occur in certain situations.

 

Scratches Covered by Comprehensive Insurance

To begin with, comprehensive insurance covers damage that is not within a driver’s control such as fire, natural disasters, vandalism, theft, windshield damage and other calamities. Coverage is necessary if you want to protect your vehicle against scratches and receive reimbursement for the repair costs.

 

Scratches that happen within the bounds of comprehensive coverage include:

• a runaway shopping cart that is driven by the wind, collides with a vehicle and causes a scratch or scratches
• defacement by a criminal deliberately scratching a vehicle with a car key or other device
• a falling object, like a tree branch, that falls on a vehicle and causes scratches

 

There will likely be a deductible with comprehensive coverage which means paying that before insurance will take effect and payment made for any repairs. If a scratch or scratches occur because of deliberate defacement or vandalism, making a police report is the first step in the process. Filing an insurance claim is the next step but only if the policy includes comprehensive coverage on the vehicle. A deductible is taken and any remaining repair costs are covered by the insurance policy.

 

Scratches Covered by Collision

When it comes to collision insurance and dealing with scratches, this type of coverage applies to a vehicle that hits an object and the damage results in a scratch or scratches. Many times scratches are hard to avoid particularly when the circumstances are such that there is not enough maneuvering room to get out of a tight situation. There will be a deductible to fulfill with collision insurance. Damage from a scratch will fall under that deductible rule unless another person (other than the driver) was the cause of the damage.

 

Scratches that happen within the bounds of collision coverage include:

• Scratches that happen in a car wash
• Scratches caused by sideswipes involving another vehicle
• Scratches from barely rubbing or scraping against a stationary object (light pole or mailbox)
• Scratches from a car door that hits your parked car
• Scratches that occur during driving because of tree branches

 

Anonymous Scratches

It’s hard to know what to do when there are no clues as to how your vehicle was scratched. A claim can still be filed and the circumstances discussed with an insurance claims adjuster. A good claims adjuster will be able to assess the damage and pretty much determine how the scratch or scratches occurred. More serious scratches are usually caused through a collision but it will be up to an adjuster to determine that.

 

Do-it-Yourself Repair

If you’re up to repairing your own vehicle scratches, there are numerous sources of information on and offline with detailed repair tips. So, if an insurance claim is hard to determine, the DIY route for repair may be the way to go.

Scratch damage varies as well as the costs to repair them. Once you have a valid insurance claim or simply need to repair scratches quickly and aren’t covered by insurance, it’s best to get a few estimates as to the cost of repairs. If you’re unsure as to what to do about those nasty scratches, complete the online contact form and an expert will get back to you with the answers you need to make a decision.

There is nothing quite as exasperating as a newfound ding or a dent on a vehicle, especially if you discover it on your newer car or truck that you have babied along and kept in pristine shape since you bought it.

Parking Perils

Maybe your vehicle has never been exposed to the perils of a parking lot, driveway, parking garage or anywhere else where close contact with another vehicle is bound to happen. Unfortunately, that day will likely come along when you discover that your vehicle is vulnerable to just about any kind of ding or dent. Walking out to your vehicle and witnessing its first ding or dent is a hard thing to accept. Lo and behold you discover a ding or dent you thought would never happen. You try to recover from the shock of how the whole thing could have happened, but you pull yourself together and admit that the problem is up to you to resolve. Just how are you going to return your prized possession to its old, new self?

Difference Between a Ding and a Dent

Car body damage can go from small scratches to a state of total disrepair and those unsightly dings and dents are somewhere in between, but they still are unappealing and can be damaging to a vehicle. So what is a ding as opposed to a dent?

Ding

A ding is usually about a half inch in diameter. A ding won’t damage a vehicle’s paint or leave a bare area where rust can form. Dings usually occur in parking lots and causes are due to runaway shopping carts, rocks or opened car doors. Hail showers or storms can also cause dings. Damage from hail can be extensive and repair costs costly, but there are newer paintless repair processes that can help with ding removal.

Dent

A dent is larger (over half an inch wide) than a ding and covers a more extensive area of a vehicle. Paint damage occurs with a dent as well as underlying damage that can result in rust formation on the frame. The same factors that govern a ding can also affect a dent, but a collision with another car or object is another leading cause of dents. Even a slight impact with another bumper can create a dent that is critical enough to require repair. Dents are more difficult to repair, and damage can lie beneath an indentation in the metal of a vehicle. Rust damage is enabled because of bare metal exposure that happens when a dent is exposed to moisture and the elements. With the larger area of exposure that a dent causes, damage can involve substantial metal work as well as repainting and panel replacement.

Major Differences

The major difference between a ding and a dent has to do with size and whether the paint is damaged as well as the amount of labor and expense required to repair any damage.

Repairs

Small ding repair doesn’t appear to be a top priority with vehicle owners and oftentimes dents are treated with the same lack of urgency. The absence of concern is often linked to the fact that dings and dents are cosmetic issues rather than mechanical. Though the thought of cosmetic repairs, any damage, large or small, should be attended to, particularly if a vehicle owner is leasing a car, planning on selling it or using it as a trade-in for another vehicle. A leasing company will likely charge for any wear and tear on a leased vehicle, and car dealerships may limit trade-in value on a vehicle that has dings. So, there are financial implications when there is no follow-through on dings and dents.

Financial Loss

When ignoring dings and dents is connected to major financial loss, vehicle owners should make it a point to deal with dings and dents and a repair process.

Proper Repair Process

With the possibility of major financial loss due to ignoring ding and dent damage, it’s in the best interest of any vehicle owner to look at the repair process. Currently, the best repair procedures involve what is called paintless dent repair. This involves the use of slow pressure on the ding or dent. With this process, no damage occurs to the original paint job. This procedure is less costly than other methods used to remove dents and dings.

Now that you know the difference between a ding and a dent, you might want to take into consideration what repairing either one can do to the value of your vehicle as well as any mechanical and safety factors that may come into play with a more involved ding or dent. If you are concerned about any dings or dents on your vehicle and need some quick answers as to the repair process and the costs involved, complete the online contact form and a repair specialist will get back to you with the answers you need to determine what can be done to resolve the ding or dent issues plaguing your vehicle.

Changing your vehicle’s paint color involves many considerations and decisions. If you have an older, or even newer, vehicle in good shape, you may want to use the same color to renew its original vibrancy. You may want to change color altogether to achieve an updated or different look. There are some factors that you need to consider before taking the color change plunge. Here are some of those critical details you shouldn’t forget to take into account:

Paint Deterioration

 If the paint on your current vehicle is showing wear from simple age, years of exposure to extreme temperature changes, and plain old everyday wear and tear, it may be time to consider a new paint job. Though the original paint may have been factory perfect, enough time will deteriorate any paint job. When the paint on your vehicle shows extreme fading as well as cracking, peeling, scratches, and bare spots, it’s probably time to evaluate whether the paint on your vehicle has reached that stage. 

Expense

 The cost of painting a vehicle is always going to come into play. Painting almost any vehicle, regardless of its size or color, is going to be expensive. A new coat of paint is going to be less costly than purchasing a new vehicle, but there are still factors to weigh when trying to keep the expenses of painting to a minimum. The least expensive paint jobs available are usually through discount oriented paint companies with fast turnaround times, but as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” If your vehicle needs a decent and lasting paint job, you’re better off spending a little more at a reputable shop with expert paint technicians who are willing to go the extra mile. 

Color Changes

 Changing a vehicle’s original color to another color is going to increase a paint job two-fold. That added expense is due to the exterior parts of a vehicle’s body being regularly exposed to the elements, as opposed to interior areas that are hidden from view like a trunk, hood, engine, door jams, and other surfaces and openings. When the outside color is dramatically changed, then the interior parts will have to go through the same process at a higher price to ensure the colors match. 

 Another aspect to think about when you want a complete color change is that you won’t be able to reverse your choice to another color, or back to your vehicle’s original color, once your vehicle has gone through the painting process. Most of the original paint and any original sealant will have been stripped away. So, you need to think hard about a color choice long before your vehicle is in the body shop. 

Complete Removal

 If you plan on a total color change with your vehicle, be prepared. The interior of your vehicle will be stripped of both interior and exterior parts to do the job right. That means the removal of the seats, console, panels, trim pieces, and even the engine and other major components. You can save by going to a two-tone appearance with all those hidden spots, like the inside of the trunk, engine compartment, and door areas. The entire color change process is one reason why shops charge higher rates for a complete color change; whereas, there is usually a reduction in price and savings with the two-tone effect. 

Resale Value in Color Change

 Another important factor to be aware of with a complete color change is the effect it has on the resale value of a vehicle. Unfortunately, that value is usually affected negatively. Most repaints, regardless of the condition or appearance of the vehicle, will likely not increase its value. The same is true, if not more so, when it comes to more valuable vehicles. Most people want to remember the original factory colors on older or antique vehicles. If you’re planning on keeping your newly painted vehicle, the resale value is not as critical. If you are contemplating selling it, you should probably keep its original color to make a faster and more profitable sale. 

Never Going to Look the Same

 Any repaint job is never going to look the same as the original, fresh off the assembly line paint job. When someone other than the manufacturer applies the paint, it’s simply not going to look like the original. The reason for this is that the factory painting process involves the use of equipment that is specialized for the job. A new paint job will usually look good, but it just won’t be the genuine article. 

Lots of Preparation and Time

 Preparing a vehicle for a complete paint job means removing any clear coat and wax, as well as a good portion of the original paint. When a vehicle has major imperfections, dents, scratches, cracks, or other issues, all of these areas will have to be sealed, filled, sanded, and smoothed out. A lot of preparation is involved with scuffing up the painted areas and applying several primer coats to make sure any remnants of the old paint aren’t allowed to come through and combine with the new paint.

 Some less costly painting companies can complete a vehicle paint job within a couple of days, but with a more precise and thorough paint job, it’s going to take at least a week. The painting process involves a significant amount of work and time with a complete repaint, particularly when a new color is required. The job entails several days, not a few hours. You’ll need to be prepared to let go of your vehicle and make plans ahead of time for a rental car or another ride. 

 There are many factors outlined here that you should consider before changing your car’s paint color. Sometimes, the cheap route seems like a quick fix, but in the long run, finding a reliable paint and body shop with experienced technicians is the answer to giving your vehicle the superior paint job it deserves. If you are unsure of what choices to make when repainting your vehicle, complete the online contact form and an experienced technician will get back to you with the information you need to make the right color choice for you and your vehicle.

Winter is just around the corner, and it’s time to start making preparations. Unless you are lucky enough to live in a place where it never snows, you will certainly need to take a few precautions to make sure that your vehicle can make it through the rough months ahead. In this article, we will go over five of the things that you really need to do (right now) in order to prepare your car for the winter.

1. Get An Engine Tune-Up

When it’s cold outside, the oil in your engine will become thicker. This isn’t a huge problem, but it does make it harder to start the car. At this point, any little problem in your engine or ignition system will make the situation worse. All of these problems might combine to create a situation where your vehicle won’t start at all.

A tune-up can include a lot of things, as it’s just a general term for preventative maintenance. The job might include replacement of filters, spark plugs, spark plug wires, replacement of the distributor cap and/or its internal rotor, oxygen sensors, or PCV valves. Talk to your mechanic and make sure that all of your vehicle’s needs are met.

2. Replace All Fluids And Filters

If you think about it, there are quite a few liquids that we put into our vehicles. There’s oil (which isn’t really a liquid but functions like one), transmission fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and your vehicle may have others. That’s a lot of liquid that could possibly freeze. Even if these substances do not freeze in the winter (and many of them do not), they will still become thicker and less able to move through the system quickly.

All of those liquids that we put into our cars tend to break down over time. This is just a natural consequence of those liquids having done their job. So, before winter gets here, you should immediately do an oil change, and change all of your other fluids as well.

3. Buy Some Fuel De-Icer

Ideally, you should always buy premium gas that is free of fillers. However, most of us just can’t afford to do that. For the vast majority of the population, regular gas is the norm. That means that your car will end up burning more than just gasoline. As you probably know, gasoline does not freeze. However, some of the filler substances will thicken or freeze.

You can deal with this problem before it happens by stocking up on fuel de-icer, also known as gas-line antifreeze. It’s not hard to use, either. All you have to do is empty the bottle into your gas tank once a month. Of course, the instructions could vary somewhat, depending on what brand you buy. Either way, this stuff can go a long way toward keeping your vehicle functioning well in the snowy winter months.

4. See To Your Windshield And Heater

Have you ever noticed that car heaters tend to stop working right when you need them most? Those things always seem to break down right around the time when the weather is at its coldest. If you think about it, that makes a lot of sense. The heater will be working its hardest during the coldest months, and that makes it more likely to break down. You can deal with this issue by getting your heating system inspected and repaired before you actually need to use the thing. That way, your heater can go into the winter fresh and prepared to do its job.

We should also talk about your windshield. Ice on the windshield is probably the most annoying thing about winter driving. Unless you feel like getting real familiar with that scraper, we would advise that you also have your defrosting system inspected and repaired if necessary. It should be mentioned that heating/defrost systems are not that complicated. If you are technically inclined, you might want to do some DIY work.

5. Check For And Correct Any Electrical Issues

You may already know this, but car batteries just don’t work as well during the winter. If you want to know why this is, take a look at the label on a car battery some time. You will see two sets of numbers marked “CA” and “CCA.” That first one stands for “cranking amps,” and it’s a measure of how much power the battery can put out at one time.

The numbers marked “CCA” stand for “cold cranking amps.” You will notice that the CCA number is always lower than the CA number. This is all the proof we need to understand that car batteries don’t put out as much power when they’re cold. That’s why you need to make sure that your battery (and everything to which it is connected) is in good shape before the weather gets cold.

You can buy an electrical tester, but most auto parts stores will check your electrical system for free. Make sure they check the battery, alternator, starter, and ignition coils. If even one of these parts stops working, it can cause the whole system to malfunction.

Conclusion

Even in the modern age, the weather still presents us with certain problems that must be overcome. There are some other things that you can do to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the winter. However, it would be outside the scope of this article to go into the entire list. We would recommend that you do some further reading, and you will see that we have given you the five most important points. We thank you for reading this article, and we ask that you do us one more favor and fill out the contact form below. That will enable us to continue educating you about all kinds of useful topics like this.

Emissions Testing has been in existence since the state of California initiated the process in 1966. Subsequently, other states followed suit and required testing. There are 32 states that conduct inspections that have varying factors that influence an emissions inspection. Failure to pass an emissions test means making adjustments and repairs with follow up retesting.

Varying Factors Influencing Emissions Testing

There are varying factors that influence emissions testing through the states that currently conduct inspections. Those factors include:

• The age of the vehicle
• The type and weight of the vehicle
• The kind of fuel or power that a vehicle utilizes
• The kind of use the vehicle engages in, which require yearly inspections
• The local area as whether urban or in a particular zip code
• The registration of a vehicle whether in or outside of a state

Emissions Testing Specifications

States involved in vehicle emissions testing determine their own terms and conditions. Testing usually consists of detecting for levels of:

• carbon dioxide
• carbon monoxide
• hydrocarbons
• nitrogen oxide
• emissions concerning evaporation

Differences in Emissions Testing and Vehicle Safety Inspection

These two operations are usually separate in nature, but various state emission and vehicle safety inspection locations may have available equipment to perform both procedures.

Cost of Emission Testing

Again, the cost for emissions testing differs from state to state. Most costs can be anywhere from $15-$25. Vehicles that require yearly testing pay lower fees.

Emissions Test Failures

There are states that offer free retesting if a an initial test is failed. With states that do require emission testing, a vehicle has to go through a repair process in order to fulfill emission requirements. Assistance with repairs for lower-income individuals is made available, in some states and under certain instances, and waivers may also be given under certain circumstances.

Testing Failure Causes

• Fuel Mixtures – There are any number of mechanically related problems that can cause the release of pollutants. Mechanical issues can cause a vehicle to release excess pollutants. As an example, rich fuel mixtures can heighten the release of higher levels of carbon dioxide.
• Air Injection – A faulty air injection system can also lead to the release of higher levels of hydrocarbons and even carbon monoxide.
• Spark plugs – Worn spark plugs can cause increased gas emissions. They should be inspected and replaced when necessary.
• Gas cap leakage – A leaking gas cap seems trivial but it can cause emission test failure If leaks are emanating from yours, replace it with a sealed one that has a secure seal.
• Check Engine light – A malfunctioning check engine light can cause an emissions test failure, even when every other test has been successfully passed. The check engine light is an indication that the OBD-II device has found a failure or flaw in a the emissions control of a vehicle.
• Unclean air filter – A dirty air filter can contain elevated hydrocarbons that can cause it to be clogged. An air filter is another part that requires cleaning and replacing if necessary.
• Catalytic Converter – A catalytic converter should be inspected before any emissions testing is performed. If it is damaged, toxic gases will not be converted from harmful to those that are not dangerous to the environment and public health.
• EVAP or Evaporative Emission Control System – If this system is malfunctioning, vapors from the gas tank will pollute the environment. The cause of this is usually attributed to hoses or vents that are leaking.

Other Problems Concerning Emission Testing Failures

• oxygen sensor impairment
• ignition system flaws
• vacuum system leaks

Repair Costs for Emissions Problems

Any repair costs that involve remedying emission problems are going to depend on the actual vehicle make and issues with the vehicle. Transmission related repairs could run in the hundreds of dollars, or even into the thousands, while a single replacement, such as an oxygen sensor could run around $100.

Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic testing can be performed by a qualified mechanic, which should reveal what failures were noted in previous emissions testing. A mechanic will have to have the necessary tools and expertise to determine whether the problems lie. Also, an individual vehicle owner can also use a diagnostic program tool but most of these monitoring devices are only set up to identify a problem, not completely solve it.

Maintenance is a critical issue when it comes to emissions testing. If you take care of and maintain your vehicle before any testing is performed, you should be able to pass the various emissions testing monitors. It is important to have a professional mechanic take a look at your vehicle to determine if repairs or replacements are needed before any emissions or safety inspections are completed. If you are uneasy about an upcoming emissions test or inspection and need answers to your questions about the process, complete the online contact form, and an expert will get back to you as soon as possible with those answers.