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All Car Repair Articles
All Car Repair Articles
of course car repairs are what we call a “bread and butter” job. Hence, i thought that i would show a video to demonstrate the things that our technicians have to do when repairing a car.
We often have our customers ringing us. Significantly, they ask the question, “how can i tell if my car needs repairing”. Therefore, I usually answer with the same explanation. You’ll know when the vehicle requires attention! So, when a car eventually arrives in the workshop. We treat it with extreme care and attention.
I will always remember my time working at Kurt Neild Tyres in Leeds,
UK. This is where I learned most of my tyre and business skills. Neilds always employed the best-skilled staff to teach others how to carry out tyre repairs. Especially on the large earthmover tyres. Importantly, all types of tyre repair are very much the same. The only difference is the physical size of the tyre that is to be repaired. From the giant earthmover tyres to the regular car tyres,.
Hence, the basic repair materials are made from raw rubber products.
Especially the repairs when using the new “hot vulcanization machine” that I have just bought to improve our tyre repair service offered to customers. As the saying goes, “What comes around, goes Around” So this is what has happened recently ! So, as I have said, one of the services that we used to offer our customers was a car tyre vulcanising service.
Discerning customers had to buy a new tyre. Because of the rules regarding tyre repairs at that particular time. So, the tyre with the nail in the shoulder or sidewall could not be repaired. The image to the left shows exactly what i am referring to.
A vulcanizing machine was purchased. Nail in your Sidewall
Customers had to buy a new tyre if they had this type of damage to their tyre. Passionate about my business, I took the decision to buy a specialist tyre repair machine. Enabling us to repair this type of tyre damage. So we offer a more complete service to our tyre-buying customers. Of course, the largest tyre sizes at that time were the new 16 inch tyres. Indeed, these tyres were very expensive when they first came out. So, it was more economical to have your tyre repaired at a cost of, say, £29.90 than to pay £80 for a new tyre.
Subsequently, the 16 inch tyres became cheaper ! Nail in your Sidewall
So making the tyre vulcanizing less viable. Customers would opt for the new tyre. Rather than have a vulcanised repair. Eventually, it became less profitable, and we stopped offering the service. However, we did continue with the standard puncture repairs and, of course, still do so today.
So this is where “What Comes Around, Goes Around” applies to our business today. SUV cars and larger tyre sizes have now become commonplace. Resourceful customers with these large cars are now having to pay well over £100 for a new economy tyre. Significantly, tyre sizes go well over the 20-inch mark with high replacement costs.
Specialist tyre repair is back on the agenda ? Nail in your Sidewall
Tyre vulcanization is the process of adding fresh raw rubber to a damaged section of a tyre to generate a repair that will last for the remainder of the tyre’s road life. Your damaged tyre will be prepped, with fresh rubber moulded into the damaged region before being placed in a tyre vulcanizing machine to cook the raw rubber at a high temperature.
So, because of the expense of these large tyres, we have made a corporate decision. Of course. to buy a new tyre vulcanizing machine. Enabling us to repair customers tyres (safely and legally) with, say, a nail or screw in the sidewall or shoulder area of the tyre. So, the machine will bring the repaired area of the tyre up to the new tyre standard and also within the tyre laws.
A vulcanised repair will be half the cost of a new tyre and just as safe. This work can be carried out at Pellon Tyres in Halifax, UK. It often saves the customer time and money.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tyre-with-a-nail-in-the-wall.jpg476476Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2024-05-16 07:39:122024-05-16 07:39:12Nail in your sidewall
I have a million things buzzing around my head. The main reason for this is the passing of my dear wife, Michelle. Michelle was an integral part of Pellon Autocentre here in Halifax, UK.
As a wife and a director, she was the one who had some forward thinking and pushed me into starting our first web site way back in the day. Michelle was the instigator of our first and last eBay store and ran the site until she fell ill with the dreaded MND, for which there is no chance of recovery.
I had to divorce myself from the everyday running of the business to become her main carer. Consequently, this lasted for two years.
Debbie Bastow and Ryan Linton, my two managers, ran my garage efficiently. However, when Michelle passed, it meant that we had to reassess our business strategy as we entered a new future without Michelle.
So we all put our heads together and came up with a strategy: how does one go about operating a modest garage business in the United Kingdom?
Ryan Linton an important member of my staff, is now a director
First, we looked at our strengths. Running a Small Garage in 2024
In this world of narrow margins and intense competition, each and every nut and bolt is significant. We knew that our online battery business was being squeezed from all angles. The actual servicing side and MOT testing were extremely busy and would have to take priority.
After giving the matter much thought, we decided to ditch the online sales of car batteries and concentrate on what we were best at.
As we looked ahead, we had to examine the challenges that small garage enterprises like ours encounter. Maintaining a foothold and achieving success in an industry that is constantly evolving due to new technologies and regulations can be likened to traversing the M62 on a hectic Friday afternoon.
Debbie Bastow is now the new company secretary
Challenges of a regulatory and environmental nature.
We decided to look at hidden costs that we may have overlooked in the past. This was the time for a complete rethinking of the way going forward. To begin, regulations. Constantly constricting, wouldn’t you say?
The regulations governing waste disposal and emission standards are increasingly stringent. Small garage businesses incur a significant financial burden in addition to the compliance requirement of staying abreast of these changes.
Our waste disposal costs had trebled in recent years and were the first thing we looked at. It was only a small thing, but they all add up in the long run. After looking into this, we halved the cost of our waste disposal.
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) serves as a noteworthy illustration. We have already had to pay for our senior staff to have training about health and safety when it comes to handling EV vehicles and their high voltages.
Investing in new technician training and installing costly new apparatus, such as EV charging stations and specialised tools, are required for this transition. Not precisely meagre in value!
I am, however, hoping that the UK government is having second thoughts about their EV strategy. Hybrid cars are beginning to become a more popular choice, thank goodness!
More importantly, the cost of heat and light has increased significantly. Although Ryan Linton took it upon himself to convert all our lighting to LED technology, our electric bills have still increased significantly. All these things should come naturally to business owners, but time flies when you are in a busy garage, and things are often overlooked.
Economic constraints put pressure on our customers. Running a Small Garage in 2024
It can be a double-edged sword, but while we are cutting our overheads, so are our customers, including the cost of running their cars. Considering the soaring cost of living and individuals increased fiscal restraint, discretionary expenditures on vehicle maintenance may be curtailed.
Drivers of cars may neglect that service or repair, thereby significantly exceeding the service dates on their vehicles. This not only has an impact on our financial performance but also has the potential to result in more significant and expensive issues for the client in the future.
Furthermore, it is crucial to consider the formidable competition posed by large franchise dealerships, which boast ostentatious offers and substantial marketing expenditures. Rivalries are difficult for smaller organisations to contend with.
However, this has always been a problem in my 45 years of being a garage owner. Franchises and other national fast-food companies will always have a market share. So I have always kept a sharp eye on any developments that may affect my garage business.
Technological Progressions
The impact of technology is dual-edged. One advantage is that it provides exceptional instruments that can enhance diagnostics and efficiency. However, maintaining the most recent technological advancements can incur significant costs.
Although diagnostic equipment, management software, and online booking systems are commendable, they can be prohibitively expensive for a small business to acquire up front. However, I feel that such technology is important for our future and for growth.
Furthermore, with the increasing integration of computer systems into vehicles, the intricacy of repairs escalates, posing a potential obstacle for conventional, older garages. I have always emphasised that a good POS system (point of sale) is imperative. Customers love the fact that all their car information and history is at our fingertips, should they want to see it. We are a 90% retail business, so it is important that we give our customers a quick and clean service when times are busy and customers may be waiting to pay their bills.
Skilled labour deficit. Running a Small Garage in 2024
Currently, locating proficient mechanics is comparable in difficulty to securing a secluded area on Blackpool shore during a sunny bank holiday. There is a severe shortage of competent professionals in the industry. Possibly as a result of the academic emphasis or the perception that automotive careers are less desirable, there is a decline in the number of young people entering the industry. This results in a reduced number of apprentices and significant concern regarding the succession of our experienced personnel.
Local Market Instability
As in many other regions of the United Kingdom, local market dynamics are significant in Halifax. Due to the region’s rich industrial heritage and robust sense of community, small enterprises are well-positioned to capitalise on their local expertise and connections. We must treat our customers fairly and honestly if we want their repeat business.
However, local infrastructure changes and economic fluctuations are also distinct obstacles that can have an impact on consumer behaviour and the viability of our businesses.
This, of course, will work to your advantage. For instance, a local brewery in north Halifax was closed and demolished. Fortunately for us, it is soon to be replaced by hundreds of new homes. This, of course, was to our advantage: a new batch of possible retail customers passing our garage as they go about their daily business. However, new road schemes and ring roads can have the opposite effect and cut traffic volumes.
A View Looking Forward with some optimism. Running a Small Garage in 2024
Consequently, what lies ahead? Overcoming and adapting are key concepts. Well, going forward, we will have three more staff members, so that’s going to be a big plus on the salary side of our accounts.
Developing our expertise, adopting emerging technologies, and, arguably most significantly, preserving the superior customer service that distinguishes us from the competition. Ultimately, it is our credibility and intimate approach that foster customer loyalty. There is no doubt in my mind that our staff must be the best trained in all aspects of the business.
Happy, smiling faces help us keep our customers, along with fair pricing and great customer service.
In addition to servicing vehicles, small garage enterprises prioritise their role as contributing members of the local community. By maintaining local allure, remaining informed, and being proactive, we can confront these challenges directly. It is imperative that we ensure our businesses remain as resilient as the automobiles we repair by navigating these challenges head-on. Therefore, prepare to have an exciting journey—roll up your sleeves.
Pellon Autocentre will be starting from a new platform and I am sure that Michelle will be watching down on us and pleased with what she sees.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpg00Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2024-05-14 08:35:592024-07-03 06:59:40Running a Small Garage in 2024
The car in the picture needs more than shock absorbers
Cheap Shock absorbers tend swing in and out of fashion? About twenty years it was all the rage to have your shocks checked out and replace, much the
same as wheel alignment is today. All the large equipment manufacturers were making machines to enable garages to check the shock on cars that were in for a menu car service.
So the role of the cars shock absorber. Shock Absorbers Update
is to keep the car’s tyres in constant contact with the road. Giving the car optimum grip. Of course, when the car is cornering and braking,.
Shock absorbers are part of the cars springs suspension. So if the shocks are worn, the vehicle’s ride and comfort are compromised, and you will get the feeling of drifting. Especially when cornering and general insecurity when driving.
I remember visiting a motor equipment show in London; I think it was in Earls Court. One of the companies exhibiting at the time was SUN Garage Equipment. Subsequently, SUN were a well-known Garage Equipment Suppliers, well established company and had on display a wonderful looking shock absorbers testing machine.
I asked for a demonstration and was very impressed with it. Shock Absorbers Update
The machine functioned by the car driving onto plates and shaking one axle at a time with an electric motor-driven shaker. The machine then printed out a sort of impression of how the shockabsorbers performed, If the lines were close together and tight-looking, then the Car Shock Absorbers were alright.
But if they were sort of wobbly and not consistent, then the shocks would wear out and need replacing Shock Absorber Replacement was a lucrative business for us The Sun machine was very accurate and popular amongst our customers.
Shock Absorbers Update
In those days, we used a few different makes. Shock Absorbers Update
but we became impressed with a brand called Monroe Shock Absorbers and tended to stick to this brand for the quality, and we also had a good deal of interest in the local factor, which helped in our decision to fit them.
I was most impressed with this machine, as it gave a print out and a visual aid to the customer. It was only a matter of days before I ordered one and had it delivered and installed. What a great asset this proved to be. I believe thatVOSA the UK MOT governing body, are considering a similar thing, with vibrating plates to test the shock absorbers
Eric Roberts says that with modern steering and braking, they are becoming more accurate. Then wheel alignment is becoming more and more crucial. Hence, for the correct handling of your car,.
As a result, it takes only a small misalignment to create problems with your vehicle. Which is why proper four-wheel alignment should be carried out on your car. Simply put, all of the combined components of your steering mechanism that help your vehicle keep in a straight line are only corrected by having a wheel alignment.
Why is four-wheel alignment in Halifax important?
Improper wheel alignment can effect driving performance as well as cost you money. Total four-wheel alignment sets all four wheels straight ahead. Including your steering wheel. The steering wheel gives you the first sign of out-of-alignment steering geometry. The first sign to the customer is that the car pulls to the left or right.
Four Wheel Alignment Halifax
Whilst driving, your vehicles steering can also cause a feeling of looseness or wandering. All of these signs can be corrected with a total alignment check. When corrected, your steering geometry will be corrected to the car manufacturer’s specifications. Of course, when the alignment is corrected, you will feel good again. Steering correctly and pulling to the left or right.
Another of the signs of wheel misalignment is uneven or excessive tyre wear. Therefore, if your vehicle is not aligned properly, your tyres can show premature wear. Usually on the inside or outside of your tyres tread area. This is because your car is not driving in a correct straight line. Hence, your tyres are sort of being dragged against their will. Thus, causing to wear off on the tread edges.
So, by having your vehicle aligned properly,
. It corrects any rolling resistance that affects your tyres. Another fact worth looking at is that when your wheels are out of alignment,. Then the tyres are causing resistance between the car and the road. Because of the dragging affect. Believe it or not, this means that your car engine is doing extra work to push the car along. This extra work then increases the amount of fuel that the car needs.
Having your cars wheel alignment correctly set up will help you drive more safely. Of course, you will not be consistently battling against your steering wheel to keep the car in a straight line.
Four Wheel Alignment Halifax: recommended
Simply put, your front wheels “steer” or drive the vehicle while the rear wheels “direct” the vehicle. Four-wheel alignment solves handling problems by referencing all four wheels to a common centre line. As a result of, say, an accident in the car, it is more likely or not that the cars alignment will need correcting. Also, hitting one of our millions of potholes will knock out your alignment.
It takes only a small misalignment to create problems with your vehicle
which is why proper wheel alignment is important. Simply put, all of components that make your vehicle go straight are called alignment. As I have said, a sizable pothole can bump your suspension out. Subsequently, of the precisely calculated set of measurements,. That is required to dictate proper wheel alignment.
When you have new tyres fitted, spend a little more to make sure that the alignment on your car is correct. This way, you will enjoy trouble-free driving. Without battling against your cars steering wheel.
Roadwork causing Broken Spring Problems to many cars, including many broken springs
WAFF
EricRoberts‘s insight:
Broken springs are a problem
As to damaging your car’s tyres. So potholes are notorious. Including, ruining the alignment of your wheels. Of course, as well as the suspension and undercarriage of the vehicle. Therefore,when the car’s alignment is affected. Perhaps most serious but often the most overlooked problem. Hence,is that your steering wheel wont be straight.
Importantly, this can cause your car to veer off to the side. naturally when you are driving. Thus, left untreated this can become a potentially damaging problem.
Potholes are bad news for motorists everywhere. Increasing the chances of hitting a pothole and having your tyres damaged. Hence is significantly high.
After the terrible winter we have just had,. Then it is important that drivers are on constant lookout. Especially for potentially dangerous potholes when out driving. As a result, some of the potholes. Arare a result of the terrible winter weather.
Literally tearing people’s car tyres to pieces when driving over them. Especially on those dark winter nights.
A broken spring problem caused by huge pothole. Broken Spring Problem
Potholes are impossible to see. It is estimated that in Britain the price of repairing all the potholes on the roads is in the region of ₤ 10 million and will take around ten years to repair every single one.
If you come across a particularly big pothole. That you believe is going to cause your car suspension including the springs and tyres some serious damage. Then the best course of action is to avoid them as best you can. If this is not an option drive over the potholes at a very slow speed, this should minimise the impact of hitting one.
There are some things though that people need to be made aware of when it comes to potholes. Including, the damage that they inflict upon a car’s tyres. Are you aware that you are not liable for the pothole damage to your car? Drivers can claim for damages caused by a pothole. Just send them the proof from a photo or an image from your cellphone.
If you are planning on travelling around Great Britain. So and would like to check what the roads . Especially, in the areas you are going to be driving. Then there are many websites that have been set up to inform you. Many even have maps. Hence,to let you know where potholes are. Simply search for this kind of information on Google.
Because, you are bound to find a number of these websites.
The broken Problem could be anywhere in the world
The problem of roadworks appears to be World wide. This article by WAFF is about the roads in the USA, but we have just the same problem here in
the UK. These roads with there ditches and potholes are not doing the cars suspension any good at all.
We seam to have half the roads in Yorkshire dug up at the moment ( probably getting ready for the Tour De France cycle race). The main problem for my garage at the moment is a broken wheel alignment in Halifax being knocked out of position. These roads also have other premature steering problems, such as worn-out ball-joints. All MOT test failures.
Mechanics said you should have your car alignment checked every year, but if you drive through a roadwork zone often or hit a big pothole, you should have it checked as soon as possible.
The main problem to me. Is when the authorities repair a road they do not fill back the hole correctly. Of course, in a week or two, holes appear in the road. Thus, causing the surface to break up and later more pot holes spring up.
Most motorists do not know that they have a Broken Spring Problem
Of course, until their car has an MOT test and it fails the test, they will not knowing that if they knew where the hole in the road was, then they could have taken a photo and claimed for the damage caused from the local council.
I suppose I should not be complaining as long as we get some of the work in our garage ?
Moving forward to 2019, then things have not really improved ! So, the old problems of potholes and motorists buying part worn tyres have not gone away. Significantly, it appears that the dreaded pot holes are affecting even our motorways. These days, I drive many miles delivering our battery products all over the UK.
As a result, the majority of motorways have these holes. Broken Spring Problem
which are primarily on the white lines where the carriageway divides.Some roads in Scotland are badly affected. So, I suppose these roads are extremely busy ! However, is there no excuse not to repair the holes to make driving much safer ?
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/car-suspension-only.jpg300400Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2024-05-06 19:39:022024-05-08 09:52:48Broken Spring Problem
Most female customers are very confident when buying anything, including having their car repaired.We now even have more female
So in general then I think that the garages who try to deceive female customers off. Of course, will be dishonest and also try to pull the wool over the eyes of all their customers ? men and women. “THESE GARAGES ARE A FOOL TO THEMSELVES”. So, our lady customers know when they are not been told the truth.
Hence, if the price looks and sounds wrong, then it probably will be wrong.
We are not currently members of Unipart Car Care Centres. Having regular Servicing tips meetings and contacts with other garages.
It is our experience that ourfemaley customers make up 60% of our total customer base. So, if a garage wants to keep this very important customerbase,e then the ladies have to betreatedt in the correctmanner,r especially by our mechanics..
Female customers look for a trustworthy garage- Servicing Tips for Women
Believe me the ladies know what they are on about and would not go to the garage with their car that they did not trust. So, if they thought that they had been ripped off, they would not go back there a second time. Another addition to this story is that we now have an increasing number of female mechanics, with many Motor Mechanic Jobs going to females.
Incidentally, they are just as competent as male mechanics and are probably more sensible. A strange thing happened the other day? a lady customer who was in for an MOT test asked us the price of a service to go with the MOT test. The lady agreed to the price and we duly did the work;The lady was happy with the job and the price paid and went home satisfied. About an hourlater, the ladies husband rang us up and told us in no uncertain words that we had RIPPED his wife off. WOW.
HERE IS A SECOND OPINION…Servicing Tips for Women
“You don’t ‘suggest’ a price to the garage looking to do the work, whether you know a bit or not. There is a price for the part(s) and a price for the labour. The part(s) you can research, but they may be privy todiscounts, etc. that you aren’t due to trade links, and the labour charge you either agree to or don’t.
You could dispute the number of hours charged, but if you think it would take a shorter time, do it yourself. What a daft American study from three probably biassed and slightly bitter women who have fallen foul, in theiropinion, of the motor trade”…
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/car-repair-garage.jpg331444Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2024-04-30 07:39:382024-06-23 16:18:24Servicing Tips for Women
Could this be the beginning of the end for Wiper Blades?
Of course, when you fit a new set of wipers. Definitely test out the wiper blades before using them in real rain situations. Therefore,you can go to a car wash or spray your car down with a water hose. Of course then click the wiper switch. Hence, you have successfully install your new set of windshield blades if all goes well.
Usually there is a locking mechanism that attaches the windshield wipers to the wiper arm. Of course, which is in turn, connected to the blade motor. Unlocking this portion will enable the old wiper to come loose. Consequently, all you have to do is snap the new one in place. Then lock the mechanism up again. Ensuring that the replacement wiper is secure.
Just like anything else, the very best windshield wiper blades can be very expensive. Since there is usually a rainy season, possibly in winter and autumn. Of course, one can buy winter wipers for that one time of the year. Then wait until the next year to buy new ones. Also they can be an MOT test failure!
MODERN WIPER BLADES can be expensive?
It is no secret that some of our jet planes do not have Flat Wiper Blades fitted, but use another method of clearing the winter weather from their windscreen.
The windscreen is kept clean by an instrument called an “Ultrasonic Transducer” which sends ultrasonic sound waves across the windscreen surface that clears all screen from such things as snow and insects apart from the normal rain. Another added bonus to making the car lighter would be that the cars would not need a wiper motor and the cables and things that go with it.
This would be great for use on today’s cars as it would also increase the effect a more efficient air flow, as the car is driven along, making the car more aero- dynamic and also more fuel efficient due to slightly less drag, as the screen would be cleared instantly all the time and not just when the Flat Wiper Blades were applied.
I have a friend called Peter, who would not clear the windscreen until the very last minute that he could not see the road in front of him. This system would keep his screen clear all the time, thus reducing the chance of an accident happening because of the lack of vision.
WIPER BLADES invented in the USA by a lady driver?
Just for the record the Window Wipers blades that we use today were invented by an American lady, she was called Mary Andersonand the idea came to her whilst she was on a trip to New York, when she noticed that the early car drivers were sticking their heads out of the door windows, so that they could see where they were going when it rained.
As a result, the first wiper blades were very simplistic. Just a metal arm device with a rubber blade. Operated manually by the driver. Thus, using a sort of lever inside the car. The invention was first thought of in 1903.By 1916 her invention became standard on all production cars in the USA. Only a year later in 1917 the first automatic wipers were invented by another lady in America called Charlotte Bridgewood, these were known as the (Charlotte Bridgwood’s “Storm Windshield Cleaner”).
Charlotte invented this electric wiper system whilst she was the president of the” Bridge-wood Manufacturing company” in New York.
The Mclaren super car maker to end the wiper blade.
Rumours are rife that the McLaren car maker are considering are to introduce this type of technology into their new models, it would be great to see if this idea works, but not if you are a wiper blade manufacturer.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/first-wiper-blades.jpg400267Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2024-04-30 07:39:362024-04-30 07:39:36WIPER BLADES-Could Be a Thing Of The Past? “Ultrasonic Transducer” could replace them?
Your Local Auto Centre will advise on timing belt change times
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure Waterloo Record Some of the most important maintenance services to have regularly performed at Local Auto Centre on your car include tyre rotation, four wheel alignment, transmission service, differential service,…
EricRoberts‘s insight:
Car servicing
So. this is a great saying ! and of course it is correct:an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Of course, the moral of the story is all about having your car serviced at your Local Auto Centre. So, by doing so, you are taking a preventative measure to find future faults and possible failures.
Importantly, things like rotating your tyres, wheel alignment, checking brakes and steering before a more major fault appears will be checked out at your local service centre.
Of course, you should also be advised. Especially about the time that you should have your timing belt changed. Hence, this is very important . Because it could mean a massive bill . Of course, for a new engine fitting . Thus, should you fail to change your timing belt.
Especially at the correct time. Please make sure that you have a regular service carried out on your car at a Local Auto Centre, Here in the UK, I recommend that you go online to find a Local Car Care Centre in your local town or look out for tyre prices online.
Back after Corvid 19
So, like many other auto centres then we are back to full strength. We have suffered the same millions of other small businesses. However we are pleased to say that our service and tyre business is picking back up nicely.
I would like to thank all our loyal customers for their support both now and in the future.
So. this is a great saying ! and of course it is correct”an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Of course the moral of the story is all about having your car serviced at your Local Auto Centre. So, and by doing so you are taking a preventative measure finding future faults and possible failures. Importantly, things like rotating your tyres, wheel alignment, checking brakes and steering before a more major fault appears, all these things will be checked out at your local service centre.
Of course, you should also be advised. Especially, about the time that you should have your timing belt changed. Hence, this is very important . Because it could mean a massive bill . Of course, for a new engine fitting . Thus, should you fail to change your timing belt . Especially, at the correct time. Please make sure that you have a regular service carried out on your car at a Local Auto Centre, here in the UK I recommend that you go online to find a Local Car Care Centre in your local town or look out for tyre prices online.
Back after Corvid 19
So, like many other auto centres then we are back to full strength. We have suffered the same millions of other small businesses. However we are pleased to say that our service and tyre business is picking back up nicely.
I would like to thank all our loyal customers for their support, both now and in the future.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/car-service-centre.jpg458688Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2024-04-27 07:39:382024-07-03 09:09:57Local Auto Centre
Automotive Catalyst Diagnostics: How, Where and How Much
The catalytic converter is one of the most important devices which make up the vehicle system. It was designed and implemented to solve emissions problems and make a growing number of cars more friendly to the environment. But a cat performs its functions properly only when the device is clean inside.
The worse the quality of fuel you use, the sooner shallow holes in the honeycomb inner structure of the converter get clogged. When this happens, the airflow is restricted and metal parts can crack under the strain. In the worst case, some engine problems occur.
That is why it is required to keep the cat unclogged. This is useful and pragmatic, since it is much cheaper to maintain the device rather than buy another one prematurely. But before contacting an automobile repair shop, you should get to know how the procedure is conducted.
How Emission Problems Can Be Solved
A comprehensive vehicle inspection consists of the following steps:
Obtaining the vehicle history and to answer the questions concerning fuel consumption, whether the engine is hard to start, the cat has been repaired or replaced, etc.
Correcting codes of the engine. You should know that typically codes from P0420 to P0424 and from P0430 to P0434 in order indicate some catalyst problems.
Checking cat temperature, back pressure, O2 sensor, and internal cooling system.
Fuel system inspection.
Measuring emissions with the help of a gas analyser.
Running a cylinder balance test.
Examining the mechanical condition of the parts and devices.
If you have noticed
some exhaust system troubles, the vehicle doesn’t need to undergo a full technical inspection. Contact a repair shop for just a catalyst test.
In the event that the inspection has revealed a crucial catalyst problem due to which the device should be replaced, we suggest you look for a new one on the website https://autocatalystmarket.com/us/en. This is the biggest catalyst market where you can select a catalytic converter for any car brand and model.
The range comprises over 24,000 items! The company has been working in the market of catalytic converters since 2005. Each device on the website has real pictures and a detailed technical description for you to facilitate the selection process.
How Much Does Catalyst Inspection Cost
The price depends on such factors as the car brand and model, current condition of the device, the amount of solid fuel residue in the grid holes, etc. In general, a cat repair costs between $900 and $2500. If you fill your vehicle with fuel of good quality and keep the engine maintained, you need to have the converter repaired not less than every 100,000 kilometres driven.
As an Independent Garage owner I look forward to the future (with the help of social media)
Surprisingly, this is one of those articles that I thought up when waking at 4 am in the morning. I had been watching a webinar about where we were all heading !Of course, due to the changes that Google have been making. Consequently, over the past couple of years whilst trying to link this with my garage and tyre depot. Of course, for some sort of future reference and guidance for myself (speaking as the SEO guy for my business). So, in order to plan some sort of future path towards where an independent garage in this day and age would be heading.
Of course, this webinar was very interesting and it is not often that they hold my attention ! But this one did ! The guy explained what they thought the Google updates had meant, for the Independent Garage. Including the Panda, Penguin and Hummingbird updates. All this has tied up with the things that we have been doing to make our garage business successful in these vastly changing times. One of the most important things that I now think that we got right, was by actively taking part on the social media sites, especially Facebook.
This brings me back to the webinar. Independent Garage-Important
It is thought that Google’s aim is to clean up the internet from all the spam and bad linking that has been going on in the past, and this is what the recent updates have been doing. I have had to learn the hard way about promoting my Independent Garage web-site through my blogging and I have been one of people that these updates have punished.
My crime was to buy some links to my site which were not suitable for Googles new regime and I was downgraded in the rankings. I am just in the process of trying to get these removed and I am now complying with the new rule book as millions of other web and business men have to come to terms with the new way of promoting their sites and businesses.
However, back to Facebook: Independent Garage-Important
Naturally, we have been working on our Facebook page. Now for about three years and are now beginning to feel the benefits. Google have said that in future searches will be aimed at local areas and businesses ! (except for the companies with a national interest, of course).
Perhaps we will go back to the days when we could afford to compete with large companies. Of course, by putting a full page on the local paper, you can just wait for cars to roll in. Google do not like the smaller businesses using Ad-Words and just paying a few hundred pounds at a time. Subsequently, they want the larger companies that pay them thousands at a time. Predominantly, Google say that a new platform will be formed ! For the smaller businesses . Linking with their popularity on the social media sites.
In other words I think that we having been doing the job right,
Without knowing it? Businesses will have to write top class articles in their blogs and other articles. So, to promote their Independentcar repair Garage .Businesses and will not be able to rely on linking strategies. But become far more social on sites like Facebook. It is most important for the Independent Garage and tyre centres to create Facebook pages .Of course, in touch with their local public ! Known as Facebook friends.
Not only will this keep you up to speed with the local public,! Independent Garage-Important
But you can offer them all sorts of offers and build up a relationship with your customers. I used to wonder where all our lady customers came from, but when I was thinking about this article, the “penny dropped” and I realised that many of the ladies were our Facebook friends. We have also discovered that people can instant message us if they have a problem with their car and indeed they will book their car into us for a service or a new tyre.
We can also test the water by offering competitions and monitoring the response we get from the competitions, small things done at regular intervals, such a recent one that we did was to win an MOT test or a wheel alignment. Last week we did a win an oil and filter change. We find that these competitions are won in the same day and they keep our face book friends interested.
This type of business promotion is going to fall in with the future of Google.
So, social media sites will be the main driving force. Subsequently, the success of the Independent Garage or tyre outlets. So, to enable them to compete at a local level ! In my opinion this is the best time to start. Also I believe that the next generations of young people and future car owners will be drawn towards our garages .
From social media sites and mobile communications. Importantly, this is already happening now ? More and more younger drivers are contacting us on their mobile phoneiPadsPads. Incluing through Facebook or Twiter. Of course, it will be imperative that the independent garages and service centres involve themselv sooner than later. So,keephead of the game to fit in with GoGoogle’sfuture strategy.
Now resigned from Point-S. Independent Garage-Important
Since this post was first written, we hIndependent Garage-Importantave left an international tyre group. Consequently, we joined to improve our customer services. Offering different products has definitely improved things ! However, it was found that they were not moving forward enough for owner Eric Roberts and we resigned.
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