When it comes to car accidents, everyone can relate to the feeling. The moment after it happens, you feel a sense of shock. Your heart is pounding and you get a pit in your stomach before panic sets in. You can be distraught or angry but in the end, it’s an experience you have to deal with. As a result, some people forget or might not know the best way to handle the situation. To help handle automobile accidents when they occur, Mr. Muffler has put together a handy guide that will hopefully help.
You might suffer a little shock after an accident. However, safety is the most important thing for both parties involved. You should immediately check yourself for any injuries. If you are injured, you or another person should call 911 before doing anything else. However, if you are seriously injured, you should remain where you are if it is safe and wait for emergency services. After that you should also check on your passengers (if any) to see if they have any injuries. It’s best to make the 911 call and wait for emergency services in any case.
If you can move safely, you and your passengers should move off the road. However, if your car is causing a hazard and you still can drive, you should pull it over to the side of the road or a parking lot if one is near.
Depending on the state you live in, calling the police might be mandatory. Although involving the police might cause more anxiety, it can be important for insurance claims. Police officers will compile an accident report and also document the crash sight. It is important to ensure you have all the information that you need by getting the names of the officers and a copy of the documentation. During this time, you should exchange information with the other party.
In some cases, you may be the victim of a parking lot accident where the police are not required. Identifying the party and getting their information is the most important. Typically, insurance claims can be directly made to their insurance company, without police intervention (or even contacting your insurance agent). If you cannot get their information. Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. If it’s your fault then you’ll want to contact your insurance agent.
Typically, you’ll go to a body shop to get your car repaired. Although in Michigan they would like you to get multiple estimates, that shouldn’t be necessary. Get it fixed where you want. Let your repair shop make the case to the insurance company. If the accident involves mechanical repairs, Mr Muffler is ready to assist as well. Whether you have some front-end damage, exhaust leaks, or something more serious, we can give an estimate. The most important thing is that after an accident, your automobile is safe to drive!
Unfortunately, when you live in Metro Detroit, everyday driving takes a toll on our vehicles. Front-end damage is a very common and scary problem for Michigan drivers. Potholes, construction, and collisions are all common reasons for front-end damage to occur in cars or trucks. Driving around with this type of damage can be very dangerous. That is why you should get an inspection whenever damage is done to the front of your car.
If something just “doesn’t seem right” with your vehicle, whether it is; pulling, shaking, or rattling, it is important to have your car or truck checked out. Driving with front-end damage can be very dangerous as your steering is affected and avoiding more damage is very important. Having any of the above damages to your vehicle results in unsafe driving conditions, especially in Michigan’s crazy weather and construction.
Let Mr. Muffler help you will all your alignment repair needs. When roads start to get slippery it is important to have full control of your vehicle! Our professional mechanics will inspect your vehicle for free. Then we will give you a clear and honest appraisal of damage and a fair estimate on any necessary repairs.
The summer weather is setting in, making it the perfect time to get your air conditioning inspection! It’s normal for cars to struggle when temperatures are fluctuating.
Has your car been affected by having to switch from the heater to the air conditioner rapidly? No worries! Come on into Mr. Muffler and we’ll check the condition of your air condition and repair whatever you need to be repaired!
Check out our summer specials! We have a radiator coolant flush starting at $49.95 (price fluctuates with car make and model). And we have a thorough A/C check-up starting at only $19.95! Don’t suffer through the summer’s heat in silence. Come to us and we will fix your air conditioner at a great price!
When people think of AC problems, their thoughts go to the thermostat or control panel. This is due to the control panel being visible and in front of the driver. However, there are a lot of parts that make this cooling system. Just a few weeks ago, a customer came in with no AC running. After popping the hood, it was clear that the AC was running. However, no air was coming through. It was one of the moments where another component of a car can affect your car’s ability to cool down. These components include:
Fortunately, the only problem the customer had was a broken blower fan. However, replacing these fans can be one of the most challenging air conditioning repairs. That is why we recommend getting your car’s AC inspected.
Inspections can catch problems early, which can prevent expensive repairs. An inspection can catch issues like component wear/tear and refrigerant levels. In addition, you can ensure your system is working at optimal performance and has good air quality!
Here are some tips to help you keep your car cooler:
Use a Sunshade or Window Visor
Put up a sunshade or window visor every time you exit your car to keep the interior cool. Keep it even cooler by putting a sunshade in your rearview window as well. Block the sun’s rays from your car!
Use a Dash Cover
A fabric or upholstered dash cover can make your car’s interior more comfortable and a lot less hot. You won’t feel as overwhelmed by the heat if you don’t have to touch hot vinyl and leather surfaces.
Park in a Shady Area
So, whenever possible, park in a shady area. You’ll be happy to enter a not-so-hot car when you return from your being away.
Keep Windows Slightly Cracked
While it’s not a good idea to leave your windows all the way open, it is a good idea to leave them slightly cracked. Even the smallest crack will promote ventilation and help to keep your car from overheating.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Come to visit us today at 125 S. Wayne Rd. in Westland, MI or call us at (734) 721-2800. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Over the last couple of articles we have talked about the history of automotive brakes and how they function. Now we are going to talk about the cost of a brake repair. As you know, brakes are essential for your car to function. That means when there are problems with your braking system, you need to repair them as soon as possible. However, everyone gets nervous when it comes to the cost. So, let’s talk about the overall cost of brake repair, replacing your brakes and other factors.
First of all, let’s go over functions that need repair when brakes start to degrade. Most braking issues usually come from brake pads, rotors, and calipers. One of the best ways to ensure these parts don’t decay is to get regular inspections. These checks can help minimize repairs, extend caliper life, and prevent corrosion. This is the advice that I wish I had in college before my brake pads blew and caused massive damage to my car (and a big bill). Unfortunately, there is a point where extensive repairs are required.
Sadly, there is no exact number for the cost brake repairs. Different auto repair shops charge different hourly rates for their work. It also depends on what is being repaired. Fortunately, there are price ranges in parts that can give you an estimate. The cost for different parts are:
For most, the total cost of repairing your brakes can run between $300 – $800. Of course, the type and year of the vehicle are a major factors. Ultimately, it is the labor cost that determines if you are on the heigh or lower end of the spectrum.
If your car shows any signs of problems, you should bring it in for inspections and repairs. Signs that you should be looking for are:
Most people wonder if they need special brakes for foreign cars like Honda or BMW. While these cars were manufactured in different countries, disc and drum brakes are standard. That means you do not have to special order a set of brakes for your car. You can just use any set of disc and drum brakes available at the auto store.
Now that you know the history of brakes and different types of brakes, you might be wondering how the entire brake system works. In this second of a three part series on brakes we try to give some insight this.
Brake systems are what allow people to safely slow down their vehicles. Most of the time, drivers rarely have to deal with brake system failure. Usually, you just need to exchange the occasional brake pad or rotor. However, it is a good idea to know the full extent of your braking system to ensure you are aware when something is wrong with your brakes.
Most modern vehicles use hydraulic systems for braking. The hydraulics are activated once the brake pedal is pressed. Once the pedal is pressed, brake fluid is sent through the brake hose. The hose connects to the caliper, inducing pressure on the caliper’s piston. The caliper squeezes the brake pads on the brake disc, producing friction that causes the vehicle to stop. The same thing happens with drum brakes as well. However, it is the brake shoes that cause the friction to the wheels instead of the brake pads. Both of these brakes rely on the conversion of kinetic energy into heat through friction to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Most brake systems focus on the front wheels of the car, due to the energy from the back wheels being pushed toward the front. As a result, most brakes are focused on the front tires instead of the back tires.
Now that you know the fundamentals of how brake systems work, it is time to go over the warning signs that your brakes are failing. When your brakes fail, it can lead to serious safety issues. Fortunately, your car will give clear signs that there are problems. Signs that your brake system is failing include:
While you are driving, please keep a lookout for these signs so you can get your braking system inspected! If you ever run into brake trouble, you can always visit Mr. Muffler for a full brake inspection to make sure your car is in perfect condition!