Chipped Winshield: Temporary Solution

Ever had a chipped windshield? It can be annoying in several ways, first off, it's an eye-sore for sure. Secondly, gasses and air pockets can build up in these cracks resulting in windshield fractures or breaks, so it's crucial to fix the issue quickly.

But what if you can't afford to replace a windshield right now or there's too much going on for you to leave your car to get repaired? Fortunately there's a simple solution from the guys at HowStuffWorks!


What Types of Windshield Damage Can be Repaired?

Any chip in the glass as large as one inch in diameter as well as a small star crack with no more than 2 small arms extending less than a half inch in length are good candidates for a store purchased repair kit. Longer cracks can sometimes be repaired by a professional depending on the severity of the crack, the tools used, and the repairers skill level.

The window for any successful windshield repair is usually within the first month the damage occurs. Older chips can be repaired, but in general the sooner you get to it the better your results will be. You also have to keep in mind that a chip or crack left on a vehicle for any given period, may spread quickly and become unrepairable during a spout of one cold evening, rainstorm, or jarring bump on the road.

Read more: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/repair-crack-windsheild.htm

Read more »

What To Do After A Collision

Up until now you possibly haven't had to deal with being involved in an auto collision (we hope). In the event you do get in an accident down the road, there are a few steps you should take to ensure your insurance situation can be handled appropriately.

*Tips from Bankrate.com


1. Be prepared before it happens
While auto insurance policies don't make for exciting reading, you need to understand exactly what's in yours. "A lot of people don't even know what their policies are," says Michael Gutter, assistant professor of family financial management at the University of Florida.
"It's important that you take a look at that. State laws vary. You'll want to know what protections are there for you, particularly if the other person doesn't have insurance."


Make sure you have your insurance information -- name of provider, policy number and phone number -- in both your wallet and your glove compartment, as the glove compartment could be damaged in an accident.
It's also a good idea to keep a disposable camera -- unless you use your cell phone for a camera -- and a pen and paper in the glove compartment.

2. Make sure everyone is OK, then call the police.
"Obviously the first thing you want to do is make sure everyone involved is OK," says Kip Diggs, a spokesman for State Farm Insurance. If injuries are serious, of course, dial 911 for an ambulance. Otherwise, move your cars out of traffic to avoid another accident.
Experts advise that in any accident you should call the police. "Even if the other person says, 'I'll take care of you; I've got a brother-in-law with a body shop that can fix your car,' you still want to call," says Beth Hanlon, an agent for Allstate Insurance in Riverhead, N.Y.

That's because you don't know how things will turn out, and a police report will provide an official record of the accident. If you're on an interstate highway, call county or state law enforcement.

If it's a minor accident without injury or much damage, the officer will merely file an incident report, which functions as an information exchange. If the accident is more serious, the officer will create an accident report to assist the insurance process and establish legal liabilities.


Read more: 7 steps to take in an auto accident http://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/7-steps-to-take-in-an-auto-accident-1.aspx#ixzz24Oe3OQAQ

Read more »

Keeping Up On Brake Pads

Are you the "Get your hands dirty and do it yourself" kind of person? Well, if you are and you are into your own vehicle maintenance don't forget to check your brakes. Weak brakes can lead to collisions so we want to show you how to check them to keep them in top notch shape!

HSW has a fantastic step by step tutorial:


Washing your car can be a pain in the rear. Especially when you get to the wheels. But once done, there's something gratifying about driving around in your gleaming ride. Then it never fails. The next day you look at your front wheels and notice they're all dirty again. What's going on?

What you're seeing is all the brake dust from your front brake pads. The fine powder is created from the rotor wearing away the brake lining. When you step on the brake pedal, it's this wearing process on the brake material that creates the necessary friction to stop the vehicle.

Brakes are designed to wear out. But sometimes we may go too long between brake jobs and run into additional costs we could have avoided had we checked the brake pads regularly. If the pads wear too far, the metal backing on the brake pad comes in contact with the brake rotor. Once you make metal to metal contact, you've not only damaged the rotor, but put yourself in a dangerous situation. And, you've added a good bit of money to the costs you're facing for new brakes.

This article will give you the insight you need to inspect your brake pads so you can avoid a major brake problem both mechanically and financially. Let's start with how to determine brake wear.

Continue Reading?

Read more »

Prevent Automotive Rust

Rust... in a car it's the root of all evil! It's not just something that affects the metal on the outside of your car keeping it pretty and preventing it from being an eye-sore, but it can affect the workings of your car...

For cars, rust is a disease, and it can spread like one too... once oxidation happens and a small hole opens it can spread like wildfire.

Howstuffworks has a fancy guide to preventing rust to keep your car in top shape:

Keeping your car in good working order requires regular maintenance and careful observation. One problem any motorist wants to avoid is rust. Rust not only makes your car less attractive, it can cause serious damage if left unchecked.

Rust is iron oxide, a molecule consisting of two iron atoms and three oxygen atoms. It's the product of an electrochemical process called corrosion. To create rust, three factors must be present: an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. An anode is a piece of metal that will readily release electrons under the right circumstances. Cathodes are metals that will accept electrons. Electrolytes are liquids that facilitate the movement of electrons.

Keep reading to learn how to prevent rust: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/prevent-automotive-rust.htm .

If your car is already a rust victim visit our Facebook site for details on how to contact us for a FREE repair estimate: http://www.facebook.com/CraftCollisionCenter .

Read more »

Cheapest Cars To Maintain

We know cost-effectiveness plays a huge role in the market today, and that one question on everyone's mind is "What's this going to cost if it needs fixed". While there's no easy answer, we have a small list of cars that are the cheapest cars to maintain due to parts and general need.

#1 on the list is the Honda fit:

Average maintenance: $1,494
Average repairs: $1,444
Total 5-year service cost: $2,937
Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Much better than average.

Drivers of compact SUVs should give cars such as the Honda Fit a try. Because even though it looks small on the outside, the Fit is so cleverly packaged that it feels nearly as versatile and spacious as some small crossovers — no joke. Yet it gets much better mileage and costs less, not only to buy, but to maintain and repair. The Fit will face increasing competition in years to come, not just from the Ford Fiesta, but also from the Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Hyundai Accent and a host of other cars that pack tons of value into tiny packages.

This list comes from MSN, if you'd like to read more, click here!

Read more »