Repair Parts – Do You Know What You Are Getting?

When you have a vehicle that needs repair, do you typically take it into a collision facility or a body shop and ask for an estimate? That’s what most folks do. But if you really want to be sure you get the best result, you may want to ask questions about the parts they are planning to use.

And we’re not just talking about fenders and bumpers, but the tires, brakes and battery – all the parts that go into a used car or truck repair. Don’t take their expertise for granted, ask about the materials that go into the job.

You may be surprised at what they plan to use.

Whether or not you are covered by insurance, you have the right to choose the quality of each piece. You’ll want to have a discussion with your repair facility about which of the following three types they are planning to use. Here are the three types:

  • OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer
  • LKQ – Like Kind and Quality
  • After Market

There is an appropriate time to use each of the types.

Whenever possible, it is best for the integrity of the vehicle to use an OEM part. This is the manufacturer’s brand and was designed specifically for your car, truck or SUV. When you use an OEM part, your vehicle will work more efficiently and last longer. For instance, if you’ve got a Ford Mustang, Edge or Transit you want the parts that were created for that vehicle.

The LKQ (Like Kind and Quality) parts come from the salvage yard. This means they are used. They’ve been on a car or truck before and have been in an accident or a vehicle that has been scrapped for some reason. An LKQ is the best way to go when the manufacture doesn’t make that part any more.

After Market parts are usually made by off-shore companies in countries like Mexico, Korea and China. Since they can’t make an exact duplicate, you’ll find that the fit and finish are not the same. While the price may be less, the appearance and sustainability will typically not match the original. Read more

2011
04/28
CATEGORY
Repairing
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Auto Development Comes With Auto Safety Despite Increasing Fuel Price

By Joe Thompson

Although automakers face soaring gas prices, the automotive industry still prioritizes safety amid the fast-paced race to which brand is the best in terms of fuel-economy.

The industry’s new ‘pre-crash’ safety technologies target the crucial milliseconds before a crash or help drivers avoid the crashes in the first place, according to a report by the Associated Press.

On the other hand, according to the survey conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), gas prices are pegged to reach more than $4 a gallon by 2015 and over $5 a gallon by 2020. The US auto industry has long resisted this, according to the academic survey released early this week, but it seemed inevitable now.

The UMTRI said it surveyed more than 100 power train experts, including chief executives, from across North America for the report.

There is a consensus that fuel economy and emissions regulations will not just continue but substantially increase over the next decade,” said UMTRI researcher Bruce Belzowski in a statement.

Rising gasoline prices last year prompted U.S. consumers to move away from large fuel-guzzling sports utility vehicles to smaller, fuel-efficient cars and crossover vehicles.

This survey shows that though manufacturers are developing alternative power trains, they may not be working fast enough to meet the challenges imposed on them by government regulations or by potential dramatic increases of fuel prices,” Walter McManus, director of UMTRI’s automotive analysis division said.

However, despite such economic difficulty caused by the unending turmoil in the Middle East, the auto industry still manages to pursue what they have been doing since then; that is serving the consumers with innovative systems; an now with safety. Read more

2011
04/22
CATEGORY
Automotive Industry
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