Sometimes it is important to answer the simplest of questions first. What auto body shops do is about the simplest and a good place to learn about the industry.

Basically, an auto body shop repairs a damaged automobile. This is different from fixing a car that is not operating properly mechanically. The damage to the car is not related to a mechanical failure, but is caused by either a collision or by neglect. The most common cause is collision. Old and abandoned cars may suffer body damage due to rust, but it is the accident that causes a collision that is the main source of work for an auto body shop.

So, what exactly do auto body shops do for you? Well, just about anything related to the body of your car. They can do simple things like pop out dents and remove scratches. On the other end of the spectrum, they can also take “bent” car frames and straighten them out. For the older car, you can get services ranging from repainting to the removal of areas that have decayed from rust and general wear and tear. If you are looking for an upgrade, they can also trick out your ride.

If you get in a bad accident, you are looking at a situation where the body of your car probably needs significant rebuilding. This can also include the structural frame depending on the situation. In many cases, the process works by first figuring out what is wrong and then working from the interior out. Structural issues are fixed first, followed by panels impacted and then glass. For whatever reason, windows almost always seem to crack or outright shatter in crashes. A body shop can do all this for you.

With auto accidents, you will hopefully have car insurance that covers the damage. In such a situation, you can be assured the shop involved will be a full service outfit. Put another way, the shop will be able to handle all areas of the repair. If you don’t have insurance, you need to get a clear understanding of what the shop can and cannot do. Some shops tend to specialize in certain areas and send the car out to other shops for other work. The problem, of course, is you don’t know if the other shops are any good.

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FUEL SAVING TIPS Here are some tips that will save you money. It we all followed them then we would reduce the demand for petrol and other fuels. This would conserve oil and may reduce its price as well save billions of tons of greenhouse gasses. Most of these are at no cost, but require your commitment to at least try them out for a few weeks so you can see the results for yourself. Easy things you can do. Pump up your tyres and keep at the correct pressure. At least 32 psi or higher if the manufacturer recommends. Under inflated tyres can use up to an extra 7% fuel. Check pressure every 2 weeks when tyres are cold. Faulty wheel alignment will also increase the rolling resistance of your car, which will increase your fuel consumption and wear your tyres out quickly. Remove anything from your car boot that you do not require- an extra 30 kgs adds 2% to fuel consumption. Remove roof racks if not in use as they cause air drag. Fill up your car when you see the price reduced at a service station. There can be a price difference of 10c per litre within a week. Buying premium-unleaded fuel will only benefit fuel economy in some cars, and it costs more to buy. Check your owner’s manual to see if your car does actually benefit by using premium fuel. It is time for us to pull together and help our environment. Log on to begreen.com.au where you can find many tips on environmental issues in Victoria. OzFreeOnline.com has ‘random’ and ‘popular’ listings pages where you can find all the newest up to date information on environmental issues not only in Australia, but also around the world. AIR CONDITIONER We take our air conditioning for granted, and wonder how we ever got along without it, but we rarely check the system until it begins to blow out hot air. This is probably something you may have encountered as I have. Not only have I discovered that fixing an inoperative air conditioner costs a small fortune, depending upon the make and model of vehicle. General Tips

It doesn’t matter if your car is old or new, because even though reliable, it may break down when you least expect. You may say that your car has never had problems. Well if this is the case then to keep it that way, now is the time to check out some of the problems, which may occur. Cars, no matter how old or new can have unforseen problems. It is only when we come to a decision that we have a ‘lemon’ that we do something about it. If you haven’t checked your car over for a few months, then perhaps it is time to take a closer look. What do you see that needs to be inspected, and when will a service or repairs have to be done. We are having one of the longest summers on record, even though we are well into autumn in Melbourne. The weather is fluctuating. With it, come periodical showers, and intermittent dry, hot days. Make no mistake, our cars are suffering. CAR BATTERY The excessive heat we are getting and overcharging of your battery are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. We all know that heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, damaging the internal structure. And a malfunctioning component in the charging system; usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. Now that is a slow death for a car battery. Your car battery must be able to hold enough charge to start your car on a cold morning and also run all your electrical accessories. It is important that the acid level, battery connections (they must be tight and free of corrosion) and the charging system are all checked at each service to ensure trouble free operation. Do not smoke or use naked flame near the battery, as hydrogen gas given off by the battery is explosive. Never tip your battery sideways as the corrosive acid will leak out and may burn your skin and clothing. Cars Tips