Tag: Seattle Auto Body Repair

Our auto body shop in Seattle knows that locking your keys in your car is never a pleasant experience. So, how can you prepare for when this happens to you? Even if you would prefer not to take the risky measure of hiding a spare key on the exterior of your vehicle, there are several measures you can take to reduce your risk of being stranded outside your car.

One simple strategy is to put a spare key in your wallet. Since you’re unlikely to leave your car without both your keys and your wallet, this is a pretty safe alternative to the magnetic hide-a-key.

If your car doors can be locked from the inside, try to get in the habit of only locking your door with your keys. Further, should you ever have small children in your car, never leave them alone where they might accidentally lock the door on you.

Should the worst happen, identify a service that can unlock your door for you. Even if you do not subscribe to a service like OnStar, there are options available. Some police departments will unlock your car for little or no fee.

We’ve all been hearing a lot about automotive recalls lately. Car recalls in 2013 were up 20% from the year before, and recalls in 2014 have already reached 220. This makes 2014 the biggest year for recalls since the record 224 set by 2004. With that in mind, should you be concerned about the safety of modern cars? Is buying a new car today a quick ticket to our auto body shop in Seattle?

In truth, the high level of recalls is actually a positive development. It is indicative not of a decline in the quality of cars being made today, but of an increase in our standards. The first thing to understand is that most of the cars being recalled are older models with recently-discovered defects. Meanwhile, tighter safety standards are forcing action on unsafe vehicles that have been on the market for several years. So, if the recent trend of recalls is preventing you from buying a new car, put your worries to rest.

Some people are surprised to learn that their cars have fuse boxes. It’s here that some of the simplest solutions to problems with your lights, radio, or possibly even ignition system may be found. As much as we appreciate your visits to our Seattle auto body shop, Greenwood Collision recommends that you familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s fuses; though it may seem like a daunting prospect, it’s an easy part of troubleshooting your car’s problems that can save you a lot of time and money.

Many of today’s cars have two fuse boxes: one underneath the dashboard and one under the hood. They should be marked clearly and feature a diagram that will tell you which fuse corresponds to which system. If your headlights are not working, for example, seek out the fuse marked “headlights” and pull it out. Some cars will supply you with a tool for removing the fuses, but it should be easily done with your hands as well. You’ll see a melted “bridge” going between the fuse’s blades if it has been blown, at which point you should replace the fuse. Your new fuse must be of the same amperage as the old one; you’ll be able to find a fuse’s amperage based on its color coding. Simply push the new fuse into place as if you were pushing a plug into an electrical outlet.

By familiarizing yourself with your car’s fuse boxes and keeping some extra fuses on hand, you may be able to save yourself a few unnecessary trips to your auto shop. Failing that, however, you can at least help your auto mechanic narrow down the cause of your problems. So get to know your fuses! It’ll pay off in the long run.

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