Anything For Auto and Auto Parts

When you take your car to a dealership for repairs, you know you are getting original equipment parts, but is this your best option? If you take your car to an independent repair shop, you probably will get aftermarket parts. Is there anything wrong with that? Do less expenses parts mean poor quality? What situations should you use only original parts?

What are aftermarket parts? These are parts not made by the original manufacture of your vehicle. As long as the aftermarket part is a direct replacement part, your warranty will not be voided. A large number of companies make parts designed to function the same as, or better than original parts.
Here are some Pro and Cons to help you to make a good informed decision when choosing parts. You should be able to make some informed decisions about cost and quality as well.
Aftermarket Pros Fact is aftermarket parts are normally less expense, but the amount you save may vary by brand. Shop around some if you can to get an idea of how much the part normally cost.
Sometimes the parts you end up with may be better than the originals. Many times the aftermarket manufactures will re-engineer and remove any weak sections of the part. Better performance is the goal of the aftermarket manufacture.

Aftermarket suppliers also offer more variety. Some will specialize in specific parts only. More selection means wider pricing ranges and better selection.
Aftermarket Cons - Quality can vary greatly amongst the suppliers. As if they say, "You only get what you pay for" they must mean it. Sometimes these parts can be inferior because they use low quality materials. You should stick with aftermarket brands that are recommended to you by a mechanic you trust or your experience with the company.
If the price you find seems too good to be true, please ask some questions. They may be made in another country with less quality than you desire for you vehicle.

Even the simple parts are made by many different companies and numerous variations. Ask your mechanic about using original or aftermarket parts if the prices are similar.
Original Factory Pros - When using original parts they are exactly the same as those installed as when it came off the assembly lines at the factory. All these parts should be identical to the original parts. With some people, it comes with more peace of mind about it being correct.
Original Factory Cons- Parts are normally more expensive to support the dealership sales department. Some dealerships are trying very hard to compete with independent shops. Many times parts must be ordered slowing the process of repair.
You may find that if you have an accident your insurance company may insist on using aftermarket parts because they cost less. You can insist on original parts but they probably will charge you for the difference in cost. Check what your insurance provider will cover beforehand in case you do have an accident.
If you are able to work on your own vehicle using aftermarket parts can save you lots of money. This of course is not always the case with some of the new vehicles of today without proper training.

Shipping Cars and Trucks around the Country If you are planning on auto shipping your car or truck across the country, you will need to find a dependable auto transport company to get your vehicle to its destination safely. Since your vehicle is one of the most expensive possessions you own, you should take all possible steps to see that it makes it across the country on time and without damage.
Getting personal references from people who recently used auto transport is a good way to start your research. If you are relocating for your job, you may want to check with relocation experts associated with your company or with co-workers who went through the process and are willing to share their experience with the companies they worked.
Once you have collected these personal references, you should conduct research on your own into the companies you have selected. Auto shipping experts who are dependable will utilize good quality equipment, effective transportation methods and would back their service with ample insurance.
When you contact them, make inquiries about the maintenance schedule and the age of their haulers, and also the insurance amount covered by their company. Request a free quote with no obligation, and you will find that many auto shipping companies will provide one by phone, email or by fax upon request. Request information on the expected arrival time at your vehicle's destination, and ask about any guarantees that are provided in case of a missed deadline. If you are dealing with a reputable company they will be very forthcoming with this information and will be able to provide up to date and regular maintenance records on all its car hauler inspections. Also, a reputable auto shipper will provide at least partial refund for missed deadlines.

Having decided on which auto shipping company you will be using, the vehicle will have to be dropped off. The better auto transport companies will pick up the vehicle at your location. Be certain that you retain spare keys just in case the original set is lost during transportation.
When the car is picked up, it will first be inspected and any damages will be noted in a report, and then it will be loaded into the auto carrier to begin its journey. At this point a full or partial payment is collected by the shipper before the vehicle is loaded onto the hauler. At its destination the vehicle will be further inspected and the results noted in the logs.
Transportation costs will be partly determined by the vehicle's weight. To reduce this charge as much as possible, it is advised that you remove as many things as possible from the vehicle, including the spare tire, and also reduce the fuel in the gas tank before transporting. Of course, all valuables should be removed, since at any time an intruder may break into your vehicle and take anything of value.
Auto transport companies utilize a variety of methods to transport you vehicle between locations. They may start the journey by using car hauler trucks all the way to the final destination, or they may use rail transport to transport the vehicles between transport hubs. Some may use the truck haulers all the way through to the final destination but may pick up vehicles along the freeway route.
Another option with auto transport companies if the choice of choosing between covered and uncovered trailers for your vehicle. The covered choice is more expensive and would be reserved by those people who are seeking a little more protection for their vehicles.
Auto shipping your vehicle across the country has become a very smooth process these days. The most dependable companies will be very forthcoming with information you request of them as regards their operations and maintenance of their haulers. They will also provide warranties on meeting their deadlines, and insurance coverage against any problems or damages that may occur.

On the side of auto wreckers and tow trucks is often the slogan "We meet by accident". No one plans to have an auto wreck or vehicle, truck or car collision yet for most of us and almost all automobile drivers it is just a matter of time and miles.
Yet assuming that we have our auto insurance in good order and paid up and current to date what are the steps to take in the eventuality that we are on the crash scene and coherent?
First of all if there is major collision and this is a major automobile traffic accident call the police on your or a bystander's cell phone, iPhone or Blackberry phoned device. An ambulance or ambulances may have to be called as well. In some locales you can call 911, in others the police or fire department or by calling the police on an emergency line you may also have solicited ambulances and the fire department as part of the emergency response system.
Next after injuries are taken care of have a good walk around the damages to both or all vehicles. If you have a camera take photos, a picture says a thousand words.
If you do not have a camera available or it is out of film or an electronic camera has dead batteries think of your cell phone or that of bystanders. Most have a high quality camera to take photos of the accident scene built in. Just do not forget in all the action to take the name, address and phone number of the budding photographer if it is not your phone or camera.

Take notes immediately, while it is fresh in your mind of details. Which vehicles, from what directions and roads, vehicle speeds, names and addresses of witnesses and bystanders. Take down the license plates of the vehicles involved. In many constituencies now the most important thing is not your end legal satisfaction but rather "privacy" especially if minor are involved perhaps in a stolen vehicle. They have their apparent privacy protected while you are inconvenienced and out of pocket with no vehicle to drive. A most amazing but little realized or publicized fact of insurance coverage of automobiles is that if a stolen vehicle is involved in a collision or damage nether the owner of the vehicle nor insurance company has any liability or need to pay you anything what so ever. Even if you were disabled for life and your family has zero income as a result of the accident or hospital charges. Somehow the logic is that if the stolen vehicle was used in a bank robbery how could the owner of the vehicle or the insurance company be held liable. That being said people rob banks not cars, and their car with insurance purchased by the owner of the vehicle hit yours. Hopefully you are covered by your auto insurance and this does not become an issue. Yet by having the actual vehicle license numbers you should be able to locate and determine both the owners of the vehicles and auto or truck insurance companies involved if need be in the process.
Lastly is the step that most people take first. Rush out of their vehicle to exchange particulars with the other driver or drivers. Fine but complete the other steps first and foremost should you be involved in an untimely auto accident or collision.