Add Your Vehicle to Spring Forward Safety Checklist

Spring is here and its arrival means warmer weather, more hours of daylight and spring break travel. As you set your clocks forward on March 11, and plan to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, take a few steps to make sure your vehicle is safe and road-trip ready, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

• Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving at night and during spring showers.
• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy and uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
• Check filters and fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant. Dirty air filters can waste gas and cause the engine to lose power.
• Check the hoses and belts and replace if they become loose, cracked, brittle, frayed or show signs of excessive wear as they are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical, air conditioning, power steering and cooling systems.
• Check the brake system and make sure the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
• Check if there is a defect in your vehicle on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at nhtsa.gov/recalls by using the VIN look-up too. Watch a step-by-step video on how to locate your VIN and find out more about how recalls work.

“Checking your vehicle thoroughly and taking steps to have auto repairs performed before the spring and summer driving season will not only give you peace of mind, but will also help avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down when you’re miles from home,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org.

to schedule your vehicle, please visit our website at

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Today’s Vehicles Driving Change Within the Collision Repair Industry

Specifically, newer vehicles tend to have more parts replaced, lower alternative parts utilization and a lower repair percent of total labor spend. Add to this the fact that vehicles overall have become more complex, and these trends accelerate even further.

Growth in electronic vehicle content---items added to address vehicle safety or convenience also add to the overall cost and complexity of repair and the need to understand OEM-recommended repair procedures. Not only are more parts per claim required, but additional labor not included in the labor for part replacement is needed for calibration, reset and scan operations.

Repairers, insurers and OE manufacturers managing certified collision repair networks know the importance of managing repair cycle time, and actively monitor the differences between the planned and actual events for key process steps such as vehicle in, repair start, repair complete and vehicle out. The primary goal? Shave wasted time from the claim and repair process and streamline communication among all parties.

Over the last five years, the average days between vehicle in and repair start, and the average days between repair complete and vehicle out have remained the same or seen moderate improvement, yet remain an opportunity for the industry to further streamline check-in and check-out.

But it is the full repair time, the average number of days from the date the vehicle is brought into the shop to the date it is picked up (a 24-hour / 7-day measurement), or “keys to keys”, that has seen the most change, growing from 8.5 days in CY2013 to 9.5 days in CY2017 (see Figure 1).

 Figure 1

The improvement in “vehicle in” to “vehicle out” days average between 2016 and 2017 may be driven most by the slight drop in the volume share that were both non-drivable and the highest appraisal cost (see Figure 2).

 Figure 2

Yet despite the drop in non-drivable and the repairs costing more than $10,000, volume overall has shifted into the higher dollar brackets, just as we saw with appraisal volume overall. With more parts and labor cost per claim, both the overall repair cost and the repair time have risen.

 Figure 3

Figure 3 illustrates how repair cycle times grow as do repair costs, with repair costs $0.01 to $500 taking 2.5 days, versus 20 days-plus for vehicles in highest repair cost ranges.

 Figure 4

Unfortunately, as repair costs rise, both efficiency of repairers (see Figure 4) and customer satisfaction with the repairer and the insurer fall (see Figure 5).

 Figure 5

A comparison of the ‘kept informed’ CSI score shows much less variation among repair cost dollar ranges, but the fact that there is a lower score for the higher cost repairs suggests those customers may need additional hand-holding and updates throughout the repair process (see Figure 6).

 Figure 6

Prior analysis of customer satisfaction data conducted by CCC shows quality repairs and few returns lead to scores; yet if the shop wants positive customer recommendations, it needs to make sure the service is great and customers are kept informed. In other words, quality is table stakes---Service gets repeat business. With “Previous Experience” and “Recommendations” chosen as key reasons why an individual selects a specific collision repairer, capturing business is as important as keeping it.

As repairers look to load balance among locations and specialize work, understanding the impacts to cycle time and productivity will become increasingly important. A shop handling non-drivable, higher-cost repairs could see significantly different results; factoring these differences in repair mix and performance assessment will be increasingly important.

The collision repair industry is challenged with repairing a broad range of vehicles, where vehicle complexity has grown dramatically for the youngest vehicles that have seen a resurgence in volume share on the heels of several years of record new vehicle sales.

The next several years will be challenging as automakers compete to position themselves for the changing world of personal mobility, introducing more technology that is complex and expensive to repair, but may not immediately deliver on all its promises in terms of accident prevention. Now more than ever, it is essential for the automotive claims and collision repair industries to stay current on new technologies, tooling and training. All increase the operating costs in a professional facility. Completing a vehicle repair in a manner that follows recommended repair procedures can help head off any potential unplanned returns of the vehicle, and keeping the customer well-informed throughout the process will help keep the ever-more demanding customer satisfied with their repair experience.

Technology plays a key role in a company’s ability to quickly assess and respond to consumer feedback and other information on market conditions. It also holds great potential for improving communication and collaboration with customers and business partners. Knowing how to use technology to cater the claims and vehicle repair experience to each distinct customer will lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction, retention and growth.

The information and opinions in this publication are for general information only, are subject to change and are not intended to provide specific recommendations for any individual or entity. Although information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, CCC does not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. CCC is not liable for any typographical errors, incorrect data and/or any actions taken in reliance on the information and opinions contained in this publication. Note: Where CCC Information Services Inc. is cited as source, the data provided is an aggregation of industry data related to electronic appraisals communicated via CCC's electronic network or from total loss valuations processed by CCC. Where AIS is cited as source, the data provided is an aggregation of industry data collected from claims data communicated via AIS’s electronic network.

source: http://www.autobodynews.com/index.php/industry-news/item/14984-today-s-vehicles-driving-change-within-the-collision-repair-industry.html

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The Average Airbag Replacement Cost (You Must Know!)

If your car endures a major impact and all its airbags are deployed, it will create a very high cost because all the relative system parts will be defective. This means you must replace all these defective parts such as front air bag sensors, airbag ECU, driver air bag, passenger air bag, front pretensioner seatbelts, dashboard (on some models the passenger airbag is fitted on the dashboard), and sometimes the steering wheel bent. For more information about airbags, please read the full article below:

What is Airbags

The airbags are a safety restraint which are installed in order to protect the head and the upper body of the driver and the passengers of a vehicle by inflating at a rapid rate and are used with the seat belts. If you want to replace the airbags of your vehicle, you need to know their costs so that you are not jumped at by any finance surprises.

The components of Airbags system

1. Front & side Airbags sensors (impact Sensors)
2. Airbags ECU (SRS airbags module)
3. Horn pad Airbag
4. Passenger Airbag
5. Knee Airbag
6. Side curtain Airbag
7. Pretensioner Seat Belts

All the components are linked to the airbags system. If the airbags are deployed, it will damage all relative airbag components, such as the Airbags ECU, Airbags sensors, and Pretensioner seat belts.  As a result, you’ll need to replace them together.

And to make something easier to understand, please watch the video:

The Average Costs of the Airbags

The airbags on the driver’s side can cost $200 to $700 or more per bag only for the replacement purposes. This price is dependent on the year, make and model of the vehicle. The airbags on the passenger’s side cost from $400 to $1000 or more. The side curtains and the knee airbags are not as common as the driver and passenger seat airbags but their prices are almost same as passenger side airbags. The prices may vary depending on the design and size of the side curtains and the knee airbags. The airbags could be cheaper if you buy from the online retailers, but they usually have a limited warranty.

The total cost to replace the deployed airbags from a professional can range from $1000 to $6000 which depends on the year, make and model of the vehicle, locations and number of airbags and the other related parts that need to be replaced like dashboards, airbag computer, springs, sensors, instrument panel, windshield and the steering wheel. The labor cost of the work is usually in the range of $30 to $90 per hour.

What should be Included

You have to hire a professional technician to install the replacement airbags instead of trying to do it yourself for your own safety. The airbags cannot be re-used. It may be legal to use an airbag, which has not been deployed yet, from another vehicle; this should be done as a last resort only.

An on-off switch should also be installed on the passenger seat of your car if you have 13 years old or younger passengers with you or someone with medical conditions since the size and air pressure in the airbag could cause serious injuries to them.

Shopping For an Air Bag

If you want a replacement installed or a new airbag installed in your vehicle, the best place for doing so is an auto repair shop, car dealership shops or an auto body shop. There are some shops which specialized services in airbags as well. Ask around for a good mechanic who can get the job done for you and also satisfy you with his work.

source: http://cartreatments.com/average-airbag-replacement-cost/

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U.S. Average Length of Rental by Region Decreased in Fourth Quarter

According to the latest research from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the collision repair industry’s length of rental declined in the quarter, but remained above 2016 for the full year.

Average Length of Rental (LOR) for Q4 2017 landed at 12.4 days in the United States, a decrease of .1 days compared to Q4 2016. This produced a final LOR for Calendar 2017 of 12.04 days, up slightly from 11.98 in 2016 according to Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Once again, there was very little consistency between regions and states, suggesting that the quarterly result for the U.S. is not reflective of a genuine national trend.

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source: https://collisionweek.com/2018/02/05/u-s-average-length-rental-region-decreased-fourth-quarter/

10 of the Most Hated Car Trends That Need to Die in 2018

We’re reaching the end of the 2010s, and things are changing fast in the world of cars. Strides in safety, technology, and fuel economy; the rise of electric powertrains; and the return of brilliant design have made driving easier and more comfortable than ever before. If you stop and take stock of things, it’s a pretty great time to enjoy cars.

But everything can’t all be wine and roses, right? For every amazing new feature there’s something equally as groan-worthy out there. Take a deep breath and vent with us. These are 10 automotive trends we’d like to see disappear sooner rather than later. 

1. Color (or lack thereof)

A gray crossover is the epitome of what’s on American roads in 2017. | Honda

Until the late 1980s or so, the automotive world was an exciting universe of brilliant reds, deep blues, and a host of other eye-catching colors. Since then, our roads have become a boring sea of black, silver, white, and neutral tans. Many experts say this soul-crushing conformity has a lot to do with customers being worried about their car’s resale value. But with new developments in automotive paints and vinyl wrapping, we’re hoping drivers start taking some risks with car color before we die of boredom.

Next: Cutting edge tech that’s anything but cutting-edge

2. Autonomous dead ends

In a few years, safety sensor technology will probably look ridiculous. | Micah Wright/The Cheat Sheet

The automotive world is in one of the most volatile transition phases in its century-plus history. Autonomous cars are coming, make no mistake about it. But we’ve got a feeling that most of the features we have today will just look crude and gimmicky in 10 years.

Buy a fully loaded car today, and you’ll likely be met with sensors that buzz and beep, steering wheels that vibrate and self-adjust, and jerky self-acceleration and braking systems that leave you feeling like you’re wrestling with your car on the highway. Until automakers figure out how to do self-driving cars, there will be plenty of drivers left confused and annoyed.

Next: This industry phrase has become self-parody. 

3. ‘Emotional styling’

Doesn’t the 2017 Audi S6 just scream “emotional styling” to you?| Audi

Maybe we’re sensitive to this because we pay more attention to cars than most. But almost every new model — from the Honda Odyssey to the latest Ferrari — was seemingly designed with “emotional styling,” according to the automakers. This phrase has become one of the most commonly used in automotive PR. The only thing it makes us feel is annoyed.

Next: We wish automakers had settled this years ago. 

4. Non-touchscreen interfaces

Lexus’ trackpad and mouse controller is infuriating to use. | James Derek Sapienza/The Cheat Sheet

For about a decade, the common layout for infotainment systems has been a touchscreen and a few analog controls for radio volume and the HVAC system. But a few automakers (Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, and Mazda come to mind) use features, such as a dial, track pad, or mouse to control their systems. Not only are these setups confusing and cumbersome, they’re also impossible to use when you have just a few seconds to spare at a stoplight. Touchscreen and knobs. How hard is that?

Next: If variety is the spice of life, this is the worst spice. 

5. Competing software

Cars should easily sync with phones. | Apple

Speaking of touchscreens, we’d love to see the day when Ford Sync, Cadillac Cue, BMW iDrive, and all the other company-specific infotainment software become a thing of the past. One of the greatest things to happen for consumers in the past few years was the introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Because most people have either an iPhone or Android — and seeing how most people sync their phones to their car’s infotainment system — it only makes sense that Apple and Microsoft would design software to integrate the two. Instead of glitchy, competing systems, we’d love to see these two simple, familiar, and easy-to-update systems rule the roost here.

Next: The evolution of these has been deadly. 

6. Confusing shifters

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee | Jeep

In 2016, Hollywood was stunned by the death of young actor Anton Yelchin. The cause? The confusing electronic shifter on his Jeep Grand Cherokee. The complex gear selector wasn’t in park, causing the truck to roll over him once he stepped out of it. The old-fashioned column or console-mounted automatics have recently been replaced with a host of knobs, buttons, stalks, and joysticks. These answers to questions no one asked are at best confusing. At worst, they’re deadly.

Next: Is this fuel-saving tech really worth it? 

7. Unrefined auto start/stop

2017 Buick LaCrosse | James Derek Sapienza/The Cheat Sheet

Auto start/stop systems have been used for years by automakers as a means to conserve fuel. But if you’ve driven a car equipped with the system in a busy city, it might feel like your ride is stalling at every stop light.

Automakers, such as Buick, have gone to great lengths to make their systems as seamless and unobtrusive as possible. Others, including a few premium automakers, still sell cars that shudder to life every time you take your foot off the brake. This technology has been around long enough. It should be refined and consistent or not offered at all.

Next: Too many cars; not enough feedback

8. Eerily quiet cars

Does this car look on to you? | Honda

One of the greatest advances in automotive comfort over the years has been isolating drivers from road noise. But over the past few years these advances, combined with smoother-running engines and push-button starters, have made it nearly impossible to tell whether you’ve turned your car on or off. We love cruising down the highway in comfort and silence, but automakers really need to do better than hope their drivers look at their tachometers to see whether their cars are idling.

Next: It’s a great idea — until the bill comes.

9. Wi-Fi

Chevy has been advertising Wi-Fi equipped cars for years. | Chevrolet

On the surface, Wi-Fi in cars is a great idea. But as Consumer Reports points out, having the service in your car is usually little more than a money pit. After the first few months with your new car, the honeymoon period ends. And you’re left paying yet another bill on top of your car — and internet — payments.

Next: This is a big target. 

10. Crossovers

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular cars in America. It’s also incredibly boring. | Toyota

Finally, we’re going to be bold and condemn one of the most popular aspects of the entire automotive industry. Crossovers are the the fastest-growing segment in America. They’ve become so popular, in fact, that they’re on the verge of killing off compact and midsize sedans once and for all.

Despite obvious selling points (a taller ride height, increased interior space, etc.) most crossovers are the four-wheeled equivalent of Novocaine. There are a few gems (the Mercedes GLA45 AMG, Mazda CX-5, and Jeep Renegade Trailhawk are favorites), but overall these amorphous two-box blobs are so bland they border on offensive. Sorry to the millions of Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav4 owners out there, but the roads would be a livelier place if crossovers weren’t so damn popular.

source: https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/most-hated-car-trends-need-to-die.html/?a=viewall

Philadelphia Auto Show hopes to ride wave of Eagles excitement

The annual event, which runs from Jan. 27 through Feb. 4 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, is planning football-themed tie-ins if the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl

If the Eagles upset the narrowly favored Minnesota Vikings in Sunday night’s NFC Championship Game, the entire region will be swept up in Super Bowl fever over the next two weeks.

The Philadelphia Auto Show is no exception.

For now, Eagles safety Rodney McLeod is scheduled to appear on Jan. 28, but if the Birds are in the big game, expect plenty of other football-themed tie-ins during the 117th edition of the auto show, which runs from Jan. 27 through Feb. 4 (Super Bowl Sunday) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

“If they do advance to the Super Bowl, we’re making provisions to be able to work off the energy in the city surrounding that,” Ian Jeffery, chairman of the auto show, said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “We had a conference call about this yesterday. We don’t have any specifics right now, but there are a couple of ideas out there.

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Camp Jeep, which allows visitors to experience on- and off-road adventures with professional drivers, returns for a sxith consecutive year. [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

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The Bugatti Veyron, worth millions of dollars, is among the vehicles featured in this year’s Super Cars display. [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

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The Philadelphia Auto Show, pictured here in 2015, attracts about 250,000 visitors annually to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

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Returning this year is the Hollywood Cars display, including the Mystery Machine from “Scooby-Doo.” [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

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New vehicles are always a big draw at the auto show. This year’s pre-production models include the 2019 Subaru Ascent. [COURTESY OF SUBARU.COM]

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There will be four collections of classic cars, including this 1907 Renault Vanderbilt Racer. [COURTESY OF SIMEONE FOUNDATION AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM]

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Camp Jeep, which allows visitors to experience on- and off-road adventures with professional drivers, returns for a sxith consecutive year. [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

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The Bugatti Veyron, worth millions of dollars, is among the vehicles featured in this year’s Super Cars display. [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

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The Philadelphia Auto Show, pictured here in 2015, attracts about 250,000 visitors annually to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

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Returning this year is the Hollywood Cars display, including the Mystery Machine from “Scooby-Doo.” [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

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New vehicles are always a big draw at the auto show. This year’s pre-production models include the 2019 Subaru Ascent. [COURTESY OF SUBARU.COM]

5/6HIDE CAPTION

There will be four collections of classic cars, including this 1907 Renault Vanderbilt Racer. [COURTESY OF SIMEONE FOUNDATION AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM]

6/6HIDE CAPTION

Camp Jeep, which allows visitors to experience on- and off-road adventures with professional drivers, returns for a sxith consecutive year. [COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW]

“There’s a lot of energy surrounding the Eagles, and we’d love to be able to piggyback off that energy. If people are happy and in a good mood, they tend to go out and do more things. I think, with what’s going in Philadelphia right now, even if you’re not a sports fan, for the next couple of weeks you’re going to be (if the Eagles win Sunday).”

Not that the auto show needs a winning football team to generate excitement. The event, hosted by the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, attracts approximately 250,000 visitors annually.

“I think cars in general just fascinate mostly everybody,” said Jeffery, a Northeast Philadelphia native who remembers attending the auto show as a kid and falling in love with a convertible truck that was gone from the market about a year later. “When you buy a car, it’s all about emotion. I’m a dealer, and I still have to tell myself sometimes, they’re spending 40, 50, 30, 100 thousand dollars, there’s a lot of emotion going on. Your next new car, whether it’s a Honda or a Bugatti, there’s going to be an emotional tie.”

A large part of the show’s appeal is the chance to see the newest, pre-production models before they end up at area dealerships. This year’s crop includes the 2019 Ram 1500, the 2019 Ford Ranger, the 2019 Subaru Ascent, the 2019 Volvo XC40, the 2018 Jaguar E-PACE and the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.

“People want to see the new cars and all the modern stuff,” said Clarence DeBolt, owner of C&C Auto Sales in Riverside. “My son goes down every year because he wants to see what’s new for this year.”

According to Jeffery, 47 percent of people who visit the show will buy a car over the next year, but it’s not just potential purchases that are a lure. The chance to get an up-close look at a car you’ll likely never own is also a big part of the fun.

“You could be a nobody sitting in a brand-new Jaguar,” DeBolt said. “Any Tom, Dick and Harry probably won’t just walk into a Jaguar dealership, but (at the auto show), you can sit in cars you’ll never be able to afford.”

The festivities get underway with the annual Black Tie Tailgate from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Friday. The party benefits Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, with this year’s event honoring the nurses. Jeffery said a crowd of more than 5,000 is expected (up from about 200 for the inaugural black tie party in 1986). He said the event has raised $8 million since its inception.

Highlights of this year’s show include the Super Car and Exotic Vehicle displays, the largest of their kind in the country and the biggest ever for the Philly Auto Show, according to a press release. The Super Car display will feature a Bugatti Chiron and Bugatti Veyron that are worth a combined $5 million, according to Jeffery.

The Exotic Vehicles display will feature such dream rides as the Aston Martin DB11, the Ferrari 488 Spider, the McLaren 720S and the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Another crowd-pleaser is the Hollywood Cars display, back for a second appearance, which features the Mystery Machine from “Scooby-Doo,” Tow Mater from Pixar’s “Cars,” K.I.T.T. from “Knight Rider,” “The A-Team” van and multiple cars from “The Fast and the Furious” franchise.

“That’s a really big draw for us,” Jeffery said. “I came back from the Detroit Auto Show where they had a car from ‘Bullitt,’ the Steve McQueen movie. Everybody loves a little bit of nostalgia.

“K.I.T.T. is one of the Hollywood cars you remember watching every week as a kid, or maybe you’re taken back to watching ‘Scooby-Doo’ every Saturday morning. It just makes you smile.”

Speaking of nostalgia, the show also features four collections of classic cars, dating back to the early 1900s. The wide range of vehicles includes everything from a 1933 Auburn Speedster to a 1970 Plymouth Superbird.

There are also ride-and-drive activities, including a sixth consecutive appearance from Camp Jeep. The interactive adventure zone allows visitors to ride with professional 4x4 drivers along on- and off-road indoor tracks.

Another annual attraction is the DUB Show Tour, hosted by DUB magazine and described as “the best tricked-out rides, bikes and the latest in after-market excitement.”

Scheduled guest performers and celebrities include hip-hop artist Chill Moody (4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27) and U.S. women’s soccer star Heather Mitts, who will be doing a meet-and-greet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 3. Several Philadelphia radio stations will also broadcast live from the event.

There’s always a party atmosphere to the show, and that could be even more palpable if a certain football team is playing in Minneapolis in two weeks.

“It’s just a great day out with the family,” Jeffery said. “Whether you’re a girl or a boy, people just have a fascination with cars. They love them.”

source: http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/entertainmentlife/20180120/philadelphia-auto-show-hopes-to-ride-wave-of-eagles-excitement