Automotive Service Work - Certifications

Finding an auto mechanic is a fairly easy thing, there are probably dozens in close to your town. Looking in the phone book or checking the internet will probably turn up even more than you thought there were. Rare is the shop that is high quality and it's not always the case that your auto mechanic can also perform auto body work as well. As a consumer it's important to know that your vehicle is in the rights and and getting the correct service.

 

Auto body shows a specialty car and truck repair shops that repair things as simple as scratches scuffs and dents and onto more significant vehicle damage repair from collisions or other major accidents involving your vehicle.  To receive the best work and care possible for your vehicle you'll want to work with a company that can provide permanent repair using the best staff and latest technology; a company that does more than the bare minimum of work.  One thing to look for when selecting your auto body shop is the ASE Certified stamp.

 

ASE Certified stands for Automotive Service Excellence.

ASE is a professional certification organization that is used solely in the automotive service and repair industry.  The organization has been in existence since 1972 and is an independent non-profit.  Their goal was to meet the consumer demand for some sort of rating or certification system that would help them to decide where to take their vehicle for service and repairs (essentially separating the very poor shops from the best shops which hire the most skilled and experienced auto techs.  The long term goal is to increase overall quality and consistency of the industry as a whole. Shops that aren't certified are more likely to not do good work and therefore get less business.  This works towards keeping the quality, certified shops in business thus increasing the industry quality as well.

 

ASE Certifications are acquired through ACT, Inc administered tests. The tests that can be completed are as follows: (A Series) Automobile and Light Truck, (C1) Automotive Service Consultant, (F1) Alternate Fuels, (T Series) Medium and Heavy Duty Truck, (E Series) Truck Equipment, (S Series) School Bus, (H Series) Transit Bus, (B Series) Collision Repair and Refinishing, (b6)Damage Analysis and Estimates, (M Series) Engine Machinist, (P Series) Parts Specialist, (L1) Advanced Engine Performance Specialist, (L2) Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnostics.  The test, as you can see, cover a wide variety of vehicle types and services. Testing, in combination with relevant experience (most often two years) are required for receiving certification.

 

Not only is ASE Certification a way to show that individuals and shops are capable of dealing with automotive repair and servicing work, in many places it is required.  So, be sure to inquire about ASE when you are looking for the right company to carry out your auto body work, it could save you a lot of time and hassle and produce a better result for your repair or servicing needs. So do yourself a favor and only work with ASE certified technicians.

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Preventative Automotive Maintenance

You can save a lot of time and money for yourself with just doing a little preventative maintenance on your car. Most people don't care about their car as long as it drives and it looks good. If you are a car owner you should be taking more caution with your car and checking up on it every once in a while to prevent later problems that can end up costing a lot more than the check-ups would have cost.

Checking the battery is one simple thing that you can do to prevent bigger problems later. Newer batteries don't really require that much maintenance anymore but you should still be educated on it. You should know where it is under the hood to check for leaks and water level. Some batteries now have little gauges on them that will tell you the condition of the battery. This will help you not come out to a dead battery one day before work causing you to be late.

Checking the oil and regularly changing it will help a lot with the engine. Using the dipstick, you can really see the condition of the oil and the level of the oil to see if it needs to be changed or more should be added. Changing the oil is going to improve the life of your engine. Letting it get sludge build up by not changing it often enough can cause your engine to seize and not last as long. If the car is leaking oil, there will be nothing to lubricate the engine and it will end up needing repair or replacement.

Having the antifreeze checked on and refilled will help keep the engine at a cooler temperature so it doesn't overheat. Having a bottle in your trunk at all times is a good idea just in case of emergency. It is a risk to have the wrong level of antifreeze in your car.

Other levels are important too like aligning your tires. This will help keep your tires from losing their tread faster than they should. Keeping your tires in good shape will also help you to not get a blow out or a flat on the highway. That can be bad news.

There are so many things that you can do to prevent disaster from happening later with your car. All you have to do is keep up with maintenance and the rest will fall in to place.

VW Repair Wake Forest

Auto Repair Raleigh

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Automotive Marketing - Cars: Buying versus Leasing

When it comes to automotive marketing, perhaps the name Brian Ongaro rings a bell. Brian Ongaro is a man who joined the Boardwalk Auto Group and eventually contributed innovative marketing experience to the company. Just like its founder, Scott Ginsburg, Brian Ongaro gained more experience in broadcast media. In fact, he was appointed as the market manager and executive vice president of AMFM, Inc. in 1997 and the executive vice president of CBS Radio in 2002. After twenty-eight years in the broadcast media industry, he was able to bring organization management knowledge and skills to Boardwalk Auto Group.

Today, you can be part of an automotive marketing team. You just have to be like Ongaro and possess the skills that he has. Also, you should be knowledgeable on the various brands of cars including Ferrari, Porsche, Volkswagen, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Audi.

In addition, you should be able to reach a wide range of audiences so you can introduce different automobile models, as well as provide information to them. You can make use of social networking sites, print ads, and direct mail amongst other marketing methods.

Moreover, you should know the pros and cons of leasing and buying a car. If you really plan to take on automotive marketing, you should be able to provide answers to your customers regarding this matter. As you know, leasing and buying have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. See to it that you guide your customers well. Otherwise, they will no longer believe in you and you may fail in your profession. The economy is not doing so well at the moment, so it is really important to make the most of the available budget.

For some people, owning a car is better than having to lease it. This is especially true for people who live far away from their workplace or whose jobs require that they travel a lot. On the other hand, some people may be better off leasing a car than buying one. These people are usually the ones who work at home or live near their workplace. Walking, taking a cab, or taking a bus to work may also be more ideal for some people since paying fare is cheaper than paying for gas. Again, the pros and cons of each option depend on the needs and lifestyle of the person.

When you buy a car, you will have to make several payments but the car will be yours. The greatest benefit of buying a car is that you will get to own the car and be free to sell it any time you want. The insurance limits on your policy will be lower compared to when you lease. You will also be free to rack up the mileage without any restrictions or penalties. However, you should realize that the monthly payments for buying a car are higher than for leasing one. You may also need to place a down payment; this could make initial out-of-pocket costs higher.

When you lease a car, you will also need to make payments but the car will not be yours unless you purchase it for its depreciated value. There are lower out-of-pocket costs and little or even no down payment at all, and the monthly payments are lower. However, your ownership of the car is limited.

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