Advertisement

Car Repair Tips: What To Do When Your Vehicle Is Acting Up

There is no definitive guide that will give you the right instincts to repair your car. You have to have some basis of knowledge with your own. It can be nerve wracking to even think about making repairs to your vehicle.These tips will ensure you do the situation better if it comes up again. 3D AAT rubbing compound is an advanced formula that wipes out unsightly imperfections leaving your vehicle’s paint looking smooth and glossy.

This means that the technician has passed a written test and has more than two years of experience under his or her belt. This is one good way to separate the best of the best repairing your automobile.

You need your car’s records in a handy location. You may want these with you when you go to get repairs done; a great place to store them in the glove compartment. The auto mechanic will need to look over these records. This will help them assess the process go more smoothly.

Test out your vehicle after repairs before paying for its repairs.

Never leave anything in your car when it is getting repaired. Mechanics might have to empty the inside of your vehicle and they aren’t responsible if you discover something missing. Remove everything from the trunk too.

Watch out for blatant signs that don’t know what they’re doing. If they ignore your questions or talk in circles, then you will want to go elsewhere. You should feel like you can trust them, so don’t be afraid to choose another one.

A spare tire and a jack need to be in case of an emergency. Most of the new cars come with them. You don’t need to be stuck somewhere you don’t know and be forced to spend money on a lot for towing. It is simpler and less costly when you do it yourself.

Replacing the bulbs on your taillights or taillight is much cheaper when you both time and money. It’s easy in some vehicles, but it’s more cost effective than hiring a mechanic. Ask a friend if they’ll help you how its done.

Think about using a mechanic who fixes cars in his or her own garage. If they are experienced and skilled, they can typically do jobs for far less cost. You may save a lot of the repair.

The weight of a big key chain. If your keys stick, you need the tumblers replaced.

It is important to have your oil changes. You should regularly to keep your car running smoothly. If you don’t change it, your car may not last as long as it could.

You don’t necessarily have to go through your auto dealer to get work done. There are a great shop 10 minutes from your house or whether you decide to go to the dealer further away. Find a mechanic who you are comfortable with and stick with them.

It can be dangerous to fix your own. Always get someone to be near you in case there is an emergency. Purchase quality tools you do not have to worry about breaking. This is very important for the tools you need to change your tires. The jack needs to be reliable so you are safe when you go under the car secure above you. That’s why sometimes it’s smart to use a good hydraulic jack with jack stands that are approved.

Even if the problem you are having seems minor to you, you should definitely have it looked at. A seemingly small problem can become a big one if don’t pay attention to it.

Don’t let a mechanic insist that an engine flush is a common maintenance procedure. This service and not be necessary.

Don’t allow people to sell auto parts to you that say they’re going to last a lifetime. This is a scheme for the business to take as much money as possible from vulnerable consumers. One example is that some vehicles say their transmission fluid.While this won’t have to be changed often, it must be changed around every 80,000 miles or so.

Bleed your brakes before taking your car out on a test drive. Test for any leaks to ensure that no fluid coming out. You are then ready to test drive the car safely on roads that don’t have a lot of traffic. Start slowly to make sure that the repair before you start to drive faster.

OEM also known as the Original Equipment Manufacturer. Remember this when you have parts replaced. You will sound better educated on auto repair by telling your mechanic to use OEM parts. This will reduce the likelihood of a chance at getting used components in your vehicle.

If you are happy with the work done at a particular repair shop, then you need to return there every time. You could qualify for discounts and free tips from your mechanic once you become a loyal customer.

Ask for your mechanic to give you the old parts that had to be removed. This can help you feel comfortable that the repairs have been done. This is not important if you get your exhaust system replacement. It is easy to see whether or not an exhaust has been installed.

Do not put regular water for the compartment for windshield wiper reservoir. Water is going to be able to clean off your windshield, sure, you could damage it.Check that compartment frequently and refill it as necessary. Do not insist when the reservoir appears to be empty.

When obtaining a quote from a mechanic, make sure all of the labor and parts are itemized. This will give you in comparing quotes between several mechanics. The parts should cost about the same, so you are really comparing the cost of the service.

Once your car is diagnosed, look online to determine how much parts are going to cost you. There are may websites you can use to get an estimate of how much the repairs for your vehicle. Compare these estimates with the quotes that repair shops give you.

Having read these tips now, aren’t you expecting a better outcome when your car needs some repairs down the road? It’s not fun to have your car repaired, but it can be less stressful. Use these tips to be in control of all of your vehicle repairs.

Advertisement

Digital Signage Insight: Working With Graphic Artists

Whether working with an in-house art department or an outside agency, here’s a handy checklist to make sure your digital signage content achieves what you want. Vehicle signage Sydney is the most cost effective form of advertising for any business big or small, we will wrap your vehicle with professional appearance while on site.

Digital signage is going mainstream as a medium. Simply look around in retail stores, shopping malls, arenas, gas stations, hotel lobbies, restaurants, and just about any other place you can image, and you’re bound to see one or more digital signs.

However, even though digital signs are growing in popularity, they are likely to be a rather new medium for the majority of graphic artists and other media creators, like graphic designers and animators, which you may turn to create compelling content to achieve your communications goals.

Perhaps, you will be working with in-house graphic artists whose expertise is the design of brochures, reports and other printed collateral. Or, you may find yourself working with a creative agency that specializes in television commercials. Both are creative, talented and have an abundance of knowledge and experience to bring to the table. Your challenge will be communicating the unique demands of digital signage content to them and directing them so they deliver the message you need.

Following some or all of the recommendations on this handy checklist should help you focus your creative team’s talent regardless of their prior experience, or lack of experience, in creating a digital signage portfolio.

* Clearly state what you wish to accomplish. Explain precisely how the signs are to be used. Will they be informational in nature? Do you want to sell a product or service with the signs? Is the communication mission straightforward like that of a menu board or more nuanced?

* Define your target audience. Layout as much demographic information, i.e. age, sex, ethnic background, and psychographic information, including interests, attitudes and opinions, of your intended viewers as possible.

* Identify where the sign or signs will be located. Giving your creative team this information will inform decisions they make later about the appearance, placement and dwell time of content they will create.

* Explain desired quality. In today’s world, it is hard to imagine that the display or displays to be used won’t be HDTVs. But even if that’s the case, will they be 720p, 1080i or even 1080p displays? That information will be helpful when content is created and may reduce the need for up, down or cross conversion of video, graphics and animation content.

* Visual SPAM. Because digital signage is becoming more common, the level of “visual noise” is also increasing. This should be considered along with the sensibilities of the target demographic. Work with your designers in creating a pleasing visual environment that will be more readily received by a discerning audience. Avoid excessive in-your-face content that may wax against the shopping experience by overloading the senses. Too much eye candy is not a good thing -it can give eye pain.

* Define duration. On a macro level, your messaging will be used for a finite period before it must be updated or changed entirely. On a micro level, individual pieces of content will dwell on the screen before being updated by the next item in the list. Information about both will help your team in creating content that can accomplish its communications task in the allotted time on screen as well as give the team a way to begin building a workable content production schedule.

* Discuss the number of onscreen zones desired. Start out by giving your team an idea of how many discrete areas of onscreen real estate you envision to communicate your message and what you believe should be communicated in each. Don’t consider this the last word on the topic. Rather use your list as a point of departure to discuss and ultimately define how many zones actually will be used.

* Identify existing content resources. While you will want your content to be fresh, engaging and designed to meet your communications goals, there is no sense reinventing the wheel when existing resources can be used or repurposed. For example, if you intend to communicate to owners of high performance cars as they wait in a car dealer’s service area, an existing RSS feed of Formula One, Indy Car and NASCAR race results and news might be available already for an onscreen crawl.

Whether or not your designers are experienced with digital signage, they will appreciate the guidance you give by discussing the items in the checklist. More importantly, reviewing the points in the checklist will help ensure you receive the content you need to achieve your communications goals.

David Little is a charter member of the Digital Screenmedia Association with 20 years of experience helping professionals use technology to effectively communicate. For further digital signage insight from Keywest Technology, visit our website for many helpful tips and examples. For more in-depth research from Keywest Technology, download our free digital signage white papers and case studies.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_Little/58036

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6843205

Advertisement

Car Wash Equipment and System Strategies

With recent trends in the economy, many car wash equipment owners are focusing their efforts on cost effective ways to bring in new customers and keep existing ones. There are several different strategies that can be used when marketing or promoting a car wash business. Most owners are familiar with banners, signs, and advertising in the newspaper. But community involvement, customer appreciation, and face-to-face product education are also great ways to market. The bottom parts of your car accumulate the most dirt, so starting at the top will help to avoid dragging dirt onto other parts of your car then apply the best car wash products from detailcentral.com.au

PROMOTE YOUR CAR WASH WITH SIGNS AND BANNERS
Banners are a cost effective way to get a new message across. For example, as an owner it is your responsibility to promote the addition of a high-end wax to an in-bay automatic or triple-foam polish to the self-service bays. A 3′ x 8′ vinyl banner can cost as little as $150. Depending on the complexity of the company logo and additional graphics this cost can escalate. Sticking with something simple – for example, “Try Our New Triple-Foam Polish” – and using a three or four color scheme will cost approximately $200 per banner.

How is a banner going to increase business? A banner’s message draws attention and generates consumer interest, particularly when potential new customers pass by. If the current location they support does not have the function highlighted on the banner they will be intrigued to try it out. Positioning the banner properly is critical. Having as many potential customers that pass by view the new banner as possible is the goal.

SELF-SERVICE CAR WASH EQUIPMENT
Existing customers like to have the proper bay signage to both instruct and market the service selections. Self-service car washes should have the following signs posted in each bay.

1. The primary signage should be the instruction menus. The menu should have short descriptions of products available and how the products should be applied.

2. Secondary signs should highlight any new equipment that have been added, such as an in-bay dryer, triple-foam polish, and tire dressing. Based on the number of functions, instruction menus will range in cost from $50 to $125 per bay. Secondary signs such as triple-foam polish and tire dressing will range from $20 to $35 per sign. Keep in mind that overuse of signage in your bays can be confusing to customers.

It can be overwhelming to a customer when pulling into a bay to see the whole wall covered with different signs. Additionally, customers may not be able to recognize any changes or new products. When installing new marketing or instruction signs, evaluate the existing signs; determine the importance of each, and whether any of them could be removed. Remember, the goal is to market and promote the new functions and/or changes.

IN-BAY AUTOMATIC CAR WASH SYSTEM
In-bay automatics have a few areas of opportunity. The appropriate use of banners, menu boards, and windmaster signs can help increase a wash’s volume and average ticket price. As in the case with self-service washes, anytime you add a feature such as an all-season protect-ant, wheel cleaner, or triple-foam polish make sure to create and hang banners to make customers aware of the change. Again, make sure to place the banners in a location visible to customers passing-by.

Defining your car wash packages presents another opportunity. A menu board will help customers understand the differences between each package. If the customer does not know what the benefit of the higher-end package is, he or she will not be willing to pay for it. When the customer pulls up to an auto cashier and views this menu (below left), what information is available to make the proper choice? Looking at the next menu (below right), one can see that each wash package is clearly defined.

Customers can see what the top package has to offer enabling them to make a more informed choice. This not only promotes a higher average ticket but also repeat business. Customers get what they expect and don’t leave the wash feeling mislead.

Ideally, this menu should be attached to or printed as a decal for your auto cashier. Other options include printing out the menu as an insert for a driveway windmaster sign holder or wall-mount unit. Select the option that keeps the menu in the closest visual range to the auto cashier and customer.

CAR WASH EQUIPMENT EDUCATION
Over the past few years, the self-service industry has seen many upgrades specifically to the appearance and function of car wash meter boxes. Standard eight-function meter boxes are being replaced with 10 and even 12 functions. The upgraded boxes have credit card readers, bill acceptors, and fleet-card systems. Considering the magnitude of these equipment changes, does the customer really know how to use them properly? More importantly, do they understand their benefits? As an owner, what can be done to market and promote the changes?

SELF-SERVICE CAR WASH SYSTEM
Many owners spend countless dollars to upgrade the equipment in their facility but fall short on face-to-face customer education. If customers do not understand the changes, they will be less likely to try them out. Even with the proper instruction signs, a small portion of customers will shy away from new products. This is a great opportunity to both educate and develop personal relationships with customers.

It may sound a little old fashioned, but time spent at your wash educating customers on product benefits and proper use is priceless. For example, a car wash owner spends money to upgrade his bay package to include in-bay dryer systems. He installs the units, hangs the provided instruction signs, and months later is upset because he is not seeing the increased profits as advertised. Where did he go wrong? Again, do not underestimate the benefit of going into a bay and dropping a few quarters into the meter box to demonstrate the proper use and function of a new product. Time spent physically educating your customers is time spent building future equity. Don’t forget, as a self-service owner, the goal is to sell time to customers. The more functions they use during each visit, the more time in the bay – hence, increased revenue.

IN-BAY AUTOMATICS EQUIPMENT
With in-bay automatics, the task is a little more difficult. It never hurts, though, to help customers evaluate their selection while they are waiting in line. Offer a free upgrade to the next or best package available. Make sure to point out the differences between the packages and why they get more value out of the top package. With the current state of the economy customers are going to be more interested in the upkeep of their vehicles. Explaining how the higher-end wash packages help preserve the car’s finish is a must.

CAR WASH CUSTOMER APPRECIATION
Another simple way to promote your wash is to have a customer appreciation event. This yearly event should be centered on thanking regular customers while trying to draw in new clients. Typically, events are held over the weekend and give customers discounted wash rates. Make sure to supply refreshments such as soda pop, popcorn, and hot dogs. Don’t over-complicate the event; just keep it simple and focus on face time with customers and showing them your appreciation.

CAR WASH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Many car wash owners overlook being involved with their local communities. Involvement with Rotary or local kids’ groups can help to promote your wash through association. Committed long-term customers are typically involved in local fundraising groups. Associating with these groups can help drive up regular business. People are willing to help those who are giving back to the community. Volunteering one’s wash for a local fundraiser is a diamond in the rough. Short term, it may set back the wash a few dollars for chemicals and utility costs. Long term, the fundraiser will draw in new clients who may not have tried the wash under regular circumstances. Secondly, you are supporting a good cause and helping out the community. With economic times being as tough as they are, reaching out to your community will go a long way toward increasing business and building a loyal customer base.

The marketing of a self-service, in-bay automatic wash will continue to evolve as new car wash equipment, parts, systems and services are introduced and new promotional techniques emerge. In this article we have but scratched the surface of this wide-ranging and heavily discussed topic. At the end of the day, any opportunity taken or effort put towards promoting and marketing your wash is a good investment.

Trent Walter – General Manager
National Pride Car Wash Equipment – Ashland, Ohio
Car Wash Equipment, Systems and Parts
(800) 537-6788
http://www.NationalPrideCarWash.com

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Charles_Collins/17693

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1927399