Category: Auto Body Blog

Every hour in the US, approximately thirty-three cars catch fire. This can be a frightening and costly experience, particularly since many insurance plans do not cover fires. Fortunately, with the following tips from our auto body shop in Seattle, you can work to defend yourself against automotive fires and reign in the potential damage in the event that your engine goes up in flames.

• Keep your car in good working condition, bringing it in for regular maintenance once a year.
• Look out for the smell of burning rubber or plastic. This is a sign that you should pull over and investigate.
• Most fires are the result of a faulty fuel line or fuel pipe. If you suspect that there might be a leak in your gas or oil, lay out a newspaper under your car overnight and check it for stains in the morning.
• If you catch fire out on the road, calmly signal and move to the right shoulder or lane. Shut off the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle.
• A miniature fire extinguisher can be a good addition to your car’s emergency kit.

Do you ever feel like you could take on some of your own auto maintenance? Indeed, while there are many jobs that you will likely need to turn to our auto bodyshop in Seattle for, there are also plenty of tasks that even the least engine-savvy driver can shoulder. All you need is the right set of tools, and you should be able to tackle many of your routine (and a few of your not-so-routine) maintenance and repair jobs by yourself. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Screwdrivers: A good set of screwdrivers goes a long way. At the very least, it’s good to have a medium-sized flat head and a medium-sized Phillips head, but a complete range of sizes can be a boon for many repair jobs.
• Pliers: These tools are valuable for manipulating metal parts and cutting wires. You can find them in sets, including expandable combination pliers, wire cutters, and needle-nose pliers.
• Wrenches: When looking for a set of wrenches, you want to look at your car’s manufacturer. This will tell you whether you want a metric set or an SAE set. In addition to conventional wrenches, it also pays to have a set of allen wrenches for most modern cars.
• Ratchets: Though ratchets and wrenches do a lot of the same jobs, there are times when one works better than the other. As with wrenches, you’ll want to check to see if you need a metric or an SAE set.
• Jack and Stands: If you want to work under your car, you’ll need a jack and at least two stands. Be sure that the jack is up to the task of supporting your vehicle.

Not every mechanic is as honest as our auto bodyshop in Seattle. Indeed, mechanics have a certain reputation for padding your bill. Unscrupulous mechanics are in a minority, of course, but they’re still something you want to keep an eye out for, particularly if you are either elderly or a woman.

Though it can be hard to measure such things, evidence has indicated that mechanics are more likely to overcharge women and the elderly. To defend yourself against this, there are several measures you can take. First and foremost, it pays to send the message that you are at least somewhat auto-savvy; do a little research on automotive fundamentals, and try to diagnose your own problem before you go into the shop. If you are able to discuss your repair needs intelligently and knowledgeably, your mechanic is more likely to see you as a peer and less likely to think they could get away with dishonest behavior.

Secondly, if you have the luxury, try getting two written estimates for parts and labor. Make it clear that you have another option available; when businesses need to compete for your money, you come out on top.

The point of an engine flush is to clean out the inside of your engine, breaking up deposits of sludge that can gather over time. It’s a good thing to have done if you require it, but the unfortunate truth is that many mechanics will try to pad your bill by conducting a flush that you do not actually need. It is for this reason that, should you ever find yourself needing to rely on a mechanic you don’t trust as much as our auto bodyshop in Seattle, you should be aware of how to tell when you need an engine flush.

A modern engine does not need to be flushed as part of its regular maintenance. In fact, you probably don’t need a flush unless you’ve really been neglecting your car. You can get a sense of the state of your engine by taking a look in your oil-filter lid, but if you’ve been taking good care of your engine you probably won’t find much. Talk to a trusted mechanic if you require any further information.