Rubber-Stamp Isn't A Verb Here.

Importing a vehicle under 15 years old to Canada? It might be a good investment, but please do your research first! Many folks jump in blindfolded and expect everything to work in their favour. The onus is on the importer to provide documentation to the agencies involved. For the best information from the people who handle the program, head over to www.riv.ca

How To Protect Yourself From Injury In Case Of An Accident.

I just saw the aftermath of an accident. From the looks of it, a small SUV had either failed to stop, or not seen the oncoming car before it pulled across an intersection. The end result was an ugly t-bone. Kudos to the folks who jumped into action, helping the vehicle occupants and guiding traffic. I believe everyone ended up being okay. The situation also reminded me that SRS systems do save lives. Chances are your vehicle has multiple safety systems that, when functioning properly, can be the difference between a minor scrape or serious injury, or worse. If your ABS lamp is lit on your dash, there is a fault in the system and your brakes will operate in standard mode. In an emergency stop, your wheels may lock up leaving you without steering control. ABS helps you to change course while trying to stop by preventing your wheels from fully locking up. If your SRS lamp is lit, there is a fault in the system and your airbags will not deploy in an accident. The implications are immediately obvious of you observe a crash scene where airbags have been deployed. I wouldn't want to see one where they didn't. The good news is that these systems can be serviced. If your lamp is lit, see your trusted service center to have these faults checked and fixed.

You've Been Approved!

The shop I work for is part of a larger chain that offers its own branded credit card. From time to time they try to drum up more sales in the auto shop by having promotional finance rates on repair bills over x number of dollars. I rarely spend time pondering the complexities of my customer's finances, but today I found myself thinking about how dangerous credit can be to some folks. I suspect the majority of people have felt uncomfortable after realizing they had spent more on their credit cards or other loans than previously anticipated. With some common sense this can be avoided, but what about those who feel compelled to spend because they fear something is dangerous on their vehicle? What's worse, what if it isn't? If my car were in a repair shop, and the mechanic told me it needed ball joints, tie rods, struts and an alignment, and I didn't know any better, what could I do? I don't keep $1000 aside in an emergency car fund(admittedly I should). A credit card with a special rate may be just the ticket to getting my car safely back on the road. If the shop wasn't truthful and just wanted to make a buck, I could be an easy target with a shiny new limited time offer low-rate credit card itching to buy. Thankfully, my technicians are honorable folks who wouldn't take advantage of such a situation(I often double check their diagnosis' to better advise customers in their repair decisions). I guess my conclusion is that special rate credit cards can be beneficial in a pinch for ill-maintained cars, but being prepared for automotive disaster by having some cash in savings earmarked for car repairs is better. Regular maintenance by a garage you trust should help prevent surprises, but ultimately, parts do wear out.

Can You Do Me A Favor?

I like to assume things will be quick, but usually, they aren't. I also like to prepare myself for these eventualities. This isn't a normal mindset. Today I wasn't working, but I happened to be at the shop where I work. My boss asked me to do him a favor by boosting a truck with a dead battery. I found the booster pack and headed outside. There sat the truck which had become a part of the landscape. I can only assume the owner forgot it existed, but was given a tip that it might be his. First problem: The hood would not release. The owner and myself spend several minutes pulling cables, fonzi-ing the hood, and after I retrieved some tools, poking and prying until by mere fluke the hood chose to open. Second problem: The booster pack was dead. No problem. Booster cables work, when used by a competent individual. Third problem: Am I competent? I don't own a magic 8 ball, so we may never know. As the man drove away, I thought about all the "quick jobs" I hand my technicians in a week. It is rarely my idea that the job be quick, as I believe a job done right is better than a job done hurriedly, but these days, folks expect a job done well, in a hurry, for the best price. The compromise is difficult to choose, especially when techs are distracted by "quick jobs."