Whole Auto

We aren't all driving new cars, so I feel it's ok to mention some older school repair tricks from time to time. Ever hear of the soapy string trick for installing a windshield? It's pretty fun, and it works pretty well, too. Check out the soapy string trick and let me know what you think!

Old School Trick, the Soapy String originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 23:37:35.

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Enterprising shop owners are always looking for ways to attract and keep new customers. These efforts usually amount to coupons or free gourmet coffee in the waiting room. From time to time, however, we find shop owners who have gone the extra mile, tapping the inner folds of their minds to come up with a truly novel idea. Elle Auto Care in Calgary has done their part to revolutionize the people part of auto service. Their waiting room is its own experience, with manicure and mini-spa services, WiFi, leather furniture, an indoor children's zone and reportedly one of the nicest bathrooms ever to grace an auto shop. And yes, they have gourmet coffee. I can't tell you whether it'll fly, but if a shop is this focused on the people side of things, chances are they will stand behind their work, too.

_{Read more about Elle Auto Care in the Montreal Gazette}.

Need an Oil Change ... and a Manicure? originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 21:04:32.

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This just in. Five more members of
Congress declared their support of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057). Reps. Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), Christopher P. Carney (D-PA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Michael K. Conaway (R-TX) and Brad Miller (D-NC) are the most recent co-sponsors of Right to Repair, which has gained steady support since its introduction. The bill now has 45 sponsors.

For those of you who aren't familiar, Right to Repair legislation has been gaining momentum on a Federal and state levels for some time now. If passed, the Right to Repair Act would give independent repair shops access to important repair information as soon as it's available to dealerships, and we know what that would mean!

Read more here.

More Movement on Right to Repair originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 23:55:24.

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This happens to repair shops more often than any of us would like to imagine. It's hard enough being a small, independent shop, but insurance adjusters often find a way to make it even worse. Some (but not all, of course!) adjusters take kickbacks in the form of cash or gift cards in trade for sending business in one shop's direction. We don't do insurance work, but my friends who do have spoken of this "pay to play" game often. It's a horrible practice that takes the emphasis away from important things like quality of work. If this type of scenario is in play, the most honest shop in the area is the one that loses. In the end, the real loser is you, the customer. Bummer. For an example, check out the story of good samaritan Ralph Galluzzi from Bison Plate Glass in Buffalo, New York. He was fed up and blew the whistle to the state. If you ever need glass in Buffalo, I think you should reward Ralph Galluzzi for risking his business and get Bison Plate Glass to repair your vehicle, even if the insurance adjuster tries to send you someplace else.

Pay to Play Scenario Busted originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 09:31:05.

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If you haven't started your seasonal maintenance procedures for the winter, it's time to get crackin'! There's lots to do to keep your car or truck in top shape, especially if you live in a cold climate. Think of all the money you save by keeping your car out of the repair shop. It can be overwhelming, but before you decide to hand your credit card to the guy in the coveralls take a look at my 5-week Winter Maintenance E-Course. Like everything on About.com, it's free. Just sign up and every week you'll receive a lesson with step-by-step instructions including photos. Each week you'll tackle a different maintenance procedure or safety check. By the time you're eating turkey your car or truck will be looking and feeling good.

Winter Maintenance Made Easy originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 22:59:12.

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These days a shop's customer base isn't limited to male heads of households. It's important for a repair shop to work with car owners of all types. Generally, an always-honest-and-upfront day to day business practice is enough, but one shop in Phoenix, Arizona decided to woo its female customers through a redesigned bathroom. According to MotorAge, the response to Community Tire and Auto Repair's bathroom remodel has been impressive. I can't tell you how it will affect business, but take a look and I think you'll agree it's the nicest bathroom you've ever seen in a repair shop!

Shop Aims To Be Female Friendly originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Thursday, October 8th, 2009 at 23:53:13.

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Taking care of your car is the best way to be prepared for an automotive emergency -- you'll avoid having one! But sometimes no matter how careful we are, we're presented with a situation that's less than friendly. If you find yourself stranded due to a breakdown, are you prepared to handle the situation safely? I've found the most important five pounds in the trunk to be my emergency preparedness kit. Do you have one? Do you have one in each one of your vehicles? If you don't, now is the time! Winter weather is especially dangerous to be stranded in. A good emergency kit can be purchased for not much money, or you can assemble your own kit. Whichever you choose, be sure you have one.

Are You Prepared for an Emergency? originally appeared on About.com Auto Repair on Monday, October 5th, 2009 at 20:53:14.

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