Archive for May 2010
Auto Repair Estimates And Car Repair Prices – The Real Information To Avoid Car Repair Scams
May 31, 2010 | 
Author Worrying whether or not you were overcharged for your car repair is an awful feeling. There’s tons of advice on how to avoid getting ripped-off, but few discuss the actual car repair prices. We really need to look at the charges on a car repair estimate or auto repair invoice to determine if we’re paying too much.
The focus needs to shift from giving outdated and ineffective advice to addressing the “actual” and “specific” charges. Are they legitimate charges? Can they be justified by industry guidelines?
Now car repair estimates can be confusing. So let’s break it down to get a better idea if your auto repair shop is billing you appropriately.
First, a glossary of terms is in order, as the auto industry has a language of its own…
Aftermarket Parts: parts not made by the manufacturer.
MSRP: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer. Manufacturer approved parts designed specifically for your vehicle.
TSBs: Technical Service Bulletins. Notes and instructions provided by the manufacturer for known and specific concerns(they are not recalls).
Flat Fees: services such as alignments that don’t get broken down into parts, tax, labor
Miscellaneous Charges: these can include, but are not limited to shop supplies – rags, chemicals, hazardous waste disposal fees, waste oil …etc.
Labor Rate: a repair center’s hourly charge to service your vehicle
Labor Time: the amount of time or hours determined that it will take to fix your vehicle
Labor Description: the step-by-step written details of repairs and/or services
Ok, let’s look at the Anatomy of an Auto Repair Estimate:
There are six basic components to a car repair estimate
1) Customer/Vehicle Information
2) Parts
3) Labor
4) Miscellaneous Charges
5) Flat Fees
6) Summary of Charges
Customer and Vehicle Information
Using a generic “top down” style estimate, the top portion simply contains your personal information and your vehicle’s specifics: year, make, model, mileage…etc, as well as your request or concern.
We also want find the shop’s labor rate. The labor rate is critical in determining if you paid too much. Most repair centers don’t list the labor rate. We’ll discuss why shortly.
Auto Parts
Parts are listed usually with a brief description, as well as the quantity, and the price. There are three types of parts: OEM (parts made by or for a manufacturer). These are the parts installed by a dealer, although many local shops use OEM parts too.
Aftermarket parts are non OEM parts, and there are various degrees of quality, depending on the brand and where they’re made – China versus USA, for example.
Then there are Used parts purchased from a salvage yard.
To determine if you paid too much for parts, first find out what type of parts are being used. With OEM parts, you don’t want to pay more than MSRP, although most people do without realizing it. Premium aftermarket parts are similarly priced across brands, although beware not to pay more than MSRP, which again, many folks do. Used part prices are all over the place, so pick the price in the middle.
Auto Repair Labor
Labor is billed in tenths. So 1.0 equals 1 hour. 1.5 equals an hour and a half.
Labor rates range from $60 to $100 per hour at local repair shops and $80 to $140 per hour at the dealer level. Labor times are based off established industry guidelines, which are frequently abused.
If you don’t see the shop’s labor rate posted on the car repair invoice, ask your service center for the rate. Repair shops can manipulate the labor rate (among other things) with a labor matrix. Matrix pricing is a complicated and ethically questionable practice discussed at length in RepairTrust literature. What you need to know is that you can pay as high as $150 per hour rather than the posted labor rate of $105 per hour.
To ensure that you’re being charged properly, you’ll want to multiply the number of hours billed (which is also often not posted) by the shop’s labor rate.
Most labor descriptions are poorly written and difficult to understand. So ask questions.
Here’s a “clear” labor description for a 30,000 mile service on a Toyota Camry.
Performed 30,000 mile service per customer request, and in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Changed oil and filter, installed new air filter, cabin filter and performed all necessary tests, checks, and procedures, including road test (miles 30,123 – 30,125). Performed lubrication services and confirmed proper vehicle operation. Set tire pressures, and checked fluids, belts and hoses. Note: vehicle is pulling slightly left. Needs alignment
Miscellaneous Charges
The bulk of your car repair invoice will be parts and labor, but we can’t forget about Miscellaneous Charges. These charges can include, but are not limited to, shop supplies – rags, chemicals, hazardous waste, disposal fees, waste oil …etc. The latter of these may be billed out separately in a summary at the bottom of your repair invoice.
Very few of these “extras” are actually used during regular repairs. Miscellaneous charges are calculated off the amount of labor hours billed, not the amount of miscellaneous items used.
Flat Fees
Flat fees can be another very tricky area. Flat fees are services, such as an alignment, which don’t get broken down into parts, tax and labor. This makes it difficult to determine the real and fair price. On the plus side, most flat fees are competitively priced.
Be warned however, another term for Flat Fee is called Menu Selling. In other words, you might see Tune Up: $99.99 or Transmission Flush: $89.99. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations only, not a dealer’s or repair shop’s menu.
Summary of Charges
The last part of an auto repair estimate is the summary of charges. It’s usually found in the bottom right hand corner of the invoice. Check it against the charges above to ensure that it all adds up mathematically, as well as logically.
This basic estimate outline may differ from your particular invoice, which may have other categories such as “Sublet” or “HazMat.”
A sublet charge is added when your auto repair shop uses another vender to fix or repair your car, such as a glass company that replaces your windshield.
A HazMat charge may include waste oil or other disposal fees. Just make sure that the charges are warranted, as again, they too are often calculated off the labor time rather than actual need.
In sum, understanding the “actual” charges, asking the right questions, and breaking down your auto repair costs is the best way to avoid paying excessive car repair prices.
All About Supercross Motorcycle Racing for Kids
Are you a parent? If so, whether you are the parent of a boy or a girl, you will find that your child may be interested in supercross motorcycle racing. Supercross motorcycle racing is a sport that is popular among individuals of all ages; however, the action packed excitement is what appeals to most teenagers and other children.
This is why there is a chance that your child will not only be interested in being a fan of the sport, but a participant as well. The good news is that, in most cases, they can, if you want them to. This is because there is such as thing as supercross motorcycle racing for kids.
Supercross racing is most well known for its indoor racing events. Supercross motorcycle racing was derived from the popular sport of motocross. Motocross, like supercross racing, involves an offroad track and offroad motorcycles. Since motocross tracks are outside, they are often larger and the races tend to take longer.
However, except for those differences, the two sports are the same. If your child is interested in motocross, it may be a good idea to start them out on a supercross track since it is smaller.
Perhaps, the first thing that you should do is see if there is a local track in your area. If you live in the rural country area, there is a good chance that you will have access to a motocross track, since they are outdoors. There are some rural areas, as well as city areas, that have developed indoor supercross motorcycle racing tracks.
Many times, the only difference between these tracks and professional tracks is that they are permanent. Professionals need to travel around the country to race; therefore, their racing surfaces are only temporarily laid down.
If you are unable to find a local supercross racing track, or even a motocross one, you shouldnt necessarily discourage your child from participating in this sport. Although supercross racing does involve racing on manmade tracks, almost always indoors, you can still help keep your child interested in the sport. Depending on where you live, you may have a backyard that is perfect for offroad motorcycle riding.
Your backyard would be the perfect place for your child to learn traditional motocross or supercross techniques. In the event that you later find access to a supercross motorcycle track, especially one that will allow children to use it, you may find that your child is bettered prepared from all their practice.
Once you have found that you and your child have access to a local supercross motorcycle racing track, or even if you decide to you use your own backyard, you will want to purchase the necessary equipment. Depending on where you live, you should easily be able to find a supercross bike, as well as all of the needed safety equipment. Some large sports stores carry the safety equipment.
Recreational sports stores, such as the ones that sell offroad motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles, should not only have the motorcycles, but the safety equipment needed as well. If, by chance, you cannot find what you are looking for, you are urged to examine online shopping. With online shopping, you have a better chance of finding what you are looking for.
Although, shopping for supercross motorcycle racing equipment may seem easy enough, it isnt always. You will want to remember that it is your child who will be participating in the sport. This means that you will want to purchase supplies that will fit them. This often means that you not only need to shop for youth safety equipment, but a youth motorcycle as well.
If you need assistance, picking out these supplies and equipment, you may want to think about shopping at a recreational or outdoor sports store. Many of these store employees have experience with sizing children to equipment, including offroad bikes.
After your child is all setup and ready to go, you will probably enjoy the experience just as much as they do. Although the experience will likely be fun, it is important to remember that supercross motorcycle racing can be a dangerous sport.
You may want to think about enrolling your child in an offroad motorcycle course or a youth racing course. If you are unable to do this, it is okay. You just need to remember to always keep an eye on your child, regardless of whether they are in a supercross motorcycle racing venue or in your own backyard.
Posted in Motorcycles | 
Tags: child, dirtbike, equipment, motocross track, motocross tracks, motorcross, motorcycle, offroad motorcycles, offroad track, racing, supercross, supercross track | 
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3 American Performance Cars
Bear with me as I step back in time to formulate what I believe are three terrific American built performance cars: the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro. Currently, only the Mustang is in production with the Challenger coming back by 2009. GM hasn’t committed to building the Camaro just yet, but the company is likely to make a decision in favor of the car and its sibling, the Pontiac Firebird, by this summer. So, what is it about American performance cars that set them apart from the rest? In one word: muscle. Read on as I compare and contrast these three vehicles and share with you my feeble attempts to explain the culture behind the cars.
So, you think I forgot the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Viper when talking about performance cars? No, I did not. Both models are performance cars as well as race cars. On the other hand the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro are mass produced performance cars with muscle. There is a difference in the way a typical race car handles, rides, and performs vs. a muscle car.
Typically, a muscle car was a coupe version of some of the larger cars that were pervasive on U.S. highways in the 1960s and 1970s. The Mustang and Camaro, however, were designed separately [although they both heavily borrowed parts from other models] and these “pony” cars were a category all to themselves. For comparison’s sake, they join the Dodge Challenger, a performance version of Mopar cars of its time. All three were compared by critics of that time and all three will once again be compared in a few years when production has been ramped up.
Ford Mustang -– Step back in time with me to April 1964 to an era when America was heavily involved in the space race, Lyndon Johnson was president, and General Motors ruled autodom. Ford, for its part, had been nipping at GM’s heels for years, but the failed Edsels of the late 1950s had cost the company dearly. Still, it was the time of the New York World’s Fair and Ford used the fair and television technology to promote its newest offering, the Mustang. A 2+2 coupe borrowing parts from the Fairlane and Falcon, the 1964 ½ model was the first one sold and is widely credited with being the best introduction of a new vehicle ever. With a V6 engine standard and V8 optional, the all new Mustang quickly broke sales records and has been a hot seller ever since. Indeed, with the introduction of the “retro” look Mustang in 2005, the car once again has spawned interest in the muscle car segment as both DaimlerChrysler and General Motors craft competing models of their own.
Dodge Challenger -– After the success of earlier muscle cars including the Dodge Charger and Plymouth ‘Cuda, the Dodge Challenger was launched as a 1970 model. The car borrowed heavily from the ‘Cuda although the sheet metal was somewhat different and the wheelbase was stretched by a couple of inches. Because the muscle car era was in decline at the time of its introduction, the Challenger lasted only five model years before it was cancelled. The concept Challenger currently on display at many auto shows is based on the 1970 design and is the talk of message boards and blogs across the nation. Look for Hemi powered engines as being favored by many owners; the car is likely to share some technology with the current Magnum wagon and Charger sedan.
Chevrolet Camaro — GM was asleep at the wheel when the Mustang came out. It took nearly three years before the company could respond and when it did the Camaro and Pontiac Firebird were the result. Although both cars sold well over the years, neither one could match the Mustang’s sales levels and by the time the last cars were sold in 2002, production dropped to a trickle. Still, the end of the Camaro after 35 years has stirred renewed interest in the name and thanks to the retro Mustang, the entire muscle car category is growing once again. Look for a 2010 Camaro to be the first Camaro since 2002; a ragtop version is also being considered.
So, just who can be expected to purchase a muscle car these days? People just like me: middle aged men who grew up with the original models. In addition, a whole new generation of younger drivers tired of the “me too” look of so many of the compact cars out there. Muscle cars of today are so much different from earlier era cars as they incorporate the look of the originals while harnessing today’s technology. Thus, fuel savings will be decent without sacrificing performance: a true win-win situation.
No, I cannot wait to see a Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro lined up at a traffic light waiting for the light to turn green. A new muscle car era is upon us and for that I am very excited.
Posted in Cars | Tags: 'Cuda, America, Camaro, car, chevrolet camaro, Chevy Chevelle, chevy corvette, Corvette, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang, GM, Lyndon Johnson, muscle, Mustang, New York, Plymouth, Pontiac, pontiac firebird, pony cars, Read, U.S. | No Comments »
Car Audio Systems – A Brief Overview
When we hear the phrase car audio, we automatically assume that a person is taking about the sound system in their car or vehicle. The most common piece of audio equipment used in cars in the radio/CD player which in generic terms is known as the head unit. This is the item that is most commonly upgraded and as technology changes and moves forward this is the part of the cars sound system that also changes.
Up to a number of years ago most car audio systems were fitted with a cassette player but this then became a CD player. With technology ever expanding CD players now also have the capability of playing MP3, WMA, AAC, and there are even car stereos that are now going to be equipped with USB slots.
The majority of cars have a CD player and there are others that also include the option for a CD changer which can hold multiple disks. These CD changers can be housed in the car stereos head unit itself or stored in a separate unit which is normally stored in the trunk. Some car stereos now even support DVD players and LCD screens which have been designed to entertain children on long journeys.
Speakers are also an integral part of the audio system in cars and these are generally located in the doors at the front of the car and over the trunk in the back of the car. There are a wide range of speakers available on the markets today and just like the head units, technological advances also impact on these.
Another component of the audio system can also include amplifiers and these are vital if you wish to have a number of speakers in your car.
As you can see the audio system in your car does not just consist of the small unit that takes your CDs or plays the radio, and these systems do in fact have a lot more components to them.
Posted in Audio Video | Tags: audio, car, car audio, car audio systems, car stereos, generic terms, lcd screens, player, radio cd, system | No Comments »
Backgrounds You Must Know Before You Buy A Jet Ski
Knowledge of a thing can always be of great help, especially if your planning of purchasing one.
Brief History
Invented by Clayton Jacobsen II, Jet Skis are the first of its kind. Kawasaki became the pioneer in the industry and they were the first to release and mass produce the vehicle. Later during the developmental stages, Kawasaki released the model JS-400 with 400cc two-stroke engines. This event then lead to the eventual success and recognition of the new vehicle in the sports world.
Description
Depending on the model, a jet ski can accommodate one to four people. Initially developed as a personal watercraft, jet ski has now evolved into a sports and transportation vehicle.
The one-person model initialized its popularity which later caused manufactures to mass produce similar watercrafts to cater the growing market.
Originally, the design was meant for crouching and standing on a platform roughly located at the rear of the equipment. However, innovation caused newer models to provide the flexibility of varying positions through the use of engineered designs. Add to it the steering column that allows vertical and horizontal movements. All these added to the rider’s freedom of movement and whenever necessary, wave actions.
The jet propulsion system, being the main reason why jet skis are called was the most innovative addition to personal watercrafts. This happens when the water is driven into a tube attached in the craft and is then ejected in the rear, thus the jet effect.
This same tube in jet skis is also capable of moving horizontally from side to side, which helps a great deal during steering actions.
The power system of jet ski, being the ideal one for personal watercrafts features safety and speed. External propellers can’t be found so riders need not worry on this part.
While jet skis have become the generic name for personal watercrafts designed through following the general outlines and use of the first jet skis, it would still be good to note that Jet Ski is the trademark of what Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. have produced some decades ago. The term Jet Ski is also commonly used for personal water craft versions which are equipped with handpoles, such as the stand up jet skis.
For Rent Options
Because buying a jet ski means taxing your pockets, there had been a common consensus among dealers and customers to have jet skis available for rent. This action allows many to enjoy the sport while not exhausting bank accounts.
Posted in Boats | Tags: clayton jacobsen, Clayton Jacobsen II, Jet, jet ski, jet ski tips, jet skis, jetski, jetski tips, Kawasaki, model js, personal watercrafts, ski, two stroke engines, vehicle | No Comments »