Shop Talk
Welcome to the Gold Coast Auto Body “Answer Blog,” where we periodically post news updates, technical articles, and other items of interest to our customers and friends in the luxury car community.
Category: Repairs
COVID 19 OPERATING PROCEDURES
Effective Monday 3/23/20
As the Pandemic continues, we’d like to reassure you that Gold Coast Auto Body is committed to remaining open and available to serve your collision repair needs.
In order to do so safely and effectively, we’ve instituted sweeping changes to our operating procedures designed to safeguard the health of our customers and staff members.
ABBREVIATED HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday closed
VEHICLE PICK-UP & DELIVERY
In order to minimize unnecessary customer visits, a valet pickup and delivery service will be available for pre-scheduled repairs at the start of service, and upon completion of repairs.
PHOTO CONSULTATION/INSPECTION
To facilitate a contactless preliminary inspection and consultation, a unique secure link will be provided for customers to upload their own photos of vehicle damage.
TOUCH-FREE PAYMENT PROCEDURES
Pre-payment by credit card is available.
PROTOCOL FOR SHOP VISITS
In the event an in-person visit to our shop is necessary, we ask everyone to adhere to the following safety guidelines (a pre-scheduled appointment is advised):
- Consultation/Inspection – Customers are encouraged to remain inside their vehicles throughout the inspection/consultation process. If you need to use the restroom, please ask before exiting your car.
- Vehicle Dropoff – If you would like to drop your vehicle off in person, please pre-arrange return transportation to minimize your time inside the facility.
- Vehicle Pickup – Our waiting room is reserved for customers picking up their vehicles, and we ask that you remain there until you leave.
These emergency procedures will remain in effect until further notice. We regret any inconvenience and ask for your patience as we all work together to get through this most difficult time. Thanks for your understanding and continued patronage.
Dominic & Mario Martino
Gold Coast Auto Body
The Human Cost of Shoddy Repair
As readers of this blog know full well, Gold Coast Auto Body is committed to repairing vehicles the right way. We use OEM parts and never cut corners on repairs, often times to the chagrin of many insurance companies.
While it would be incorrect to state that all insurance carriers value the dollar more than human life, there is a battle going on within our industry to make safety the predominant deciding factor when it comes to repair.
Case in point: In 2013 Marcia and Matthew Seebachan were in an automobile crash. They were driving a low mileage Honda Fit with one previous owner.
During the after-crash investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle had been improperly repaired during the previous owner’s tenure. The roof had not had the needed number of spot welds in order to keep the cage intact in the instance of a crash.
Both Matthew and Marcia suffered severe injuries and their lives will quite literally never be the same. Matthew endured such severe burns that there was no skin on his legs, allowing the muscles and tendons to be visible to the naked eye. It took over two years for the burns to heal. In Marcia’s case, the tendons connecting her skull to her spine were severely torn. Both Matthew and Marcia had to undergo multiple surgeries in the ensuing years.
The point? All of this could have been avoided. The investigation showed that had the spot welding been done properly, the cage would not have collapsed, and the car would not have caught fire. The worst outcome would have been Matthew might have suffered a broken leg.
The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) is a forum made up of participants from all industry segments for the expressed purpose of discussing and exploring common concerns.
In December 2019, Chairman Jeff Peevy and his wife Marie interview Matthew and Marcia to put a human face on the topic of what can happen when a repair shop doesn’t adhere to quality standards established by automakers and repairers.
Says Peevy: “If I was to have a vision for this industry it would be that we put the value of human life ahead of everything else.”
Which is exactly the philosophy we adhere to at GCAB. Our customers are customers for life because we put their lives first. Can your insurance carrier say the same?
Winterizing your car, Chicago style
Chicago is a city with its own style. We’ve got Chicago style pizza. We’ve got Chicago style hot dogs. And Lord knows, we have Chicago style weather – especially in the wintertime.
Yes, from blinding blizzards to bone-chilling cold, the severity of winter in Chicago is legendary. Which means if you want to keep your car not only running, but also healthy for the long term, you’ve got to winterize your vehicle, Chicago style.
Of course, in the event of an accident, Gold Coast Auto Body is equipped to get you back on the road in like-new condition. But wouldn’t it be better to avoid the accident all together?
One thing to keep in mind as you debate how detailed you want to get in your winterization of your vehicle is that many winter collisions that could result in damage to your automobile are easily preventable if your car is truly road worthy for winter driving.
Fluids
The first thing you should do in winterizing your car is to be sure to fill your windshield wiper fluid with a winter blend. These blends contain a heavier balance of alcohol to water, translating to a lower freezing temperature.
If you can’t see the road clearly, you’re inviting an accident. Making sure your windshield wiper fluid is working properly despite winter temperatures and conditions is vital to preventing auto collisions that could find you bringing your vehicle to GCAB for repair.
According to an article in The Columbus Dispatch, the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration lists the inability to see the road clearly is a leading cause of automotive accidents.
As its name suggests, antifreeze is specifically formulated to regulate your engine during extreme temperatures. Whether you are talking about extreme heat in the summer, or extreme cold in the winter, it ensures that the engine block stays at an even operating temperature.
You should check your antifreeze (more commonly referred to as “coolant) at least twice a year – at the start of summer and at the start of winter. And be sure to flush the radiator on a regular basis. As a general rule of thumb, flush and fill service is recommended every 30,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. For more information on engine coolant and considerations you should check out this article from Cars.com.
Your gas line can also benefit from its own type of antifreeze. Putting special fuel-line antifreeze in the gas tank during winter will help eliminate water from the fuel line to prevent freezing. It’s also a good idea to keep your tank at least half full during the winter months to prevent a fuel line freeze.
Finally, don’t forget to change the oil. For Chicago winters, you’ll want to use an oil with a lower viscosity – that is, the relative thickness. A lower viscosity oil will be more fluid and flow better at lower temperatures. For information on oil types and viscosity read this FAQ from Valvoline.
Rubber Belts and Wipers
Like fluids, rubber products can be adversely affected by cold weather. Your serpentine belt (also referred to as the “S belt”) has grooves like a tire. If these grooves are worn out and cracked it’s a good idea to have the belt changed to avoid having it snap in the winter. Older neoprene rubber belts typically last about 50,000 miles. By contrast, newer ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber belts can last up to 100,000 miles.
Windshield wiper blades also feature a partial rubber construction. Properly functioning wiper blades are just as important as having the right windshield wiper fluid. According to the Federal Highway Administration, visibility is associated with almost 50% of fatal crashes.
You may want to consider installing winter wiper blades, which are generally bigger and have a sturdier frame. The rubber is typically constructed of synthetic materials such as Teflon and silicone to stand up to the harshest temperatures. For information on the difference between summer and winter wiper blades, read this article from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
Tires
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire problems are associated with 35% of accidents studied for the administration’s Traffic Safety Facts Crash Stats report. While Gold Coast Auto Body will always be ready to repair any collision damage to your car, obviously you are going to want to avoid collisions whenever possible.
Some people change their entire wardrobe from summer to winter; it can be a good idea for your tires, too. Don’t be misled by the term “all-season tires.” The truth is, such tires generally don’t measure up in snow and ice. Winter tires are constructed of a softer rubber to enhance grip, and feature superior tread patterns that are specifically designed to achieve better traction on ice and snow. For a more detailed explanation of the advantages of winter tires consider this article from AutoBlog.com.
Tire pressure is another important point. When the temperature drops by as little as 10 degrees, it can cause a 10 percent loss of tire pressure. Since having the correct tire pressure is vital to ensure proper handling, it is very important that you check your tire pressure frequently during the winter and adjust accordingly.
Battery
Typically, it is recommended that you replace your battery every three years. While you can push that timetable to up to five years in some parts of the country, in Chicago three years is the safe way to go.
Even if it’s not time to replace it, you’ll still want to inspect the battery for corrosion, which usually shows up as a white powder around the nodes and clamps. While this can be cleaned with baking soda and water (usually with a toothbrush or similar soft bristled device), you may want to just replace the battery early and give yourself peace of mind that you’re not going to get stranded in the middle of a Chicago severe weather situation.
While checking your battery, make sure you ensure the cables are nice and tight. You should also take the opportunity to replace your spark plugs.
Of course, even a brand new battery can fail you in the face of a subzero cold snap. So while you are winterizing, make sure you have a working set of jumper cables in your car. You can never be too cautious. Other winter items to have onboard include a first aid kit, kitty litter or rock salt, emergency flares, gloves and hat, a blanket, possibly a shovel if you have space, extra windshield washer fluid, and a sturdy ice scraper and snow brush.
In summary, even “mild” Chicago winters can be brutal for your car. Make sure you take all of the proper steps to winterize your car in advance. If you don’t have the time or know-how to do it yourself, take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic to handle winterization for you. Just make sure you do it. Better safe than sorry!
For more information on the specifics of winterizing in the Windy City, take a look at this Chicago Tribune article.
Our Customers Weigh In
We take great pride in the work we do here at Gold Coast Auto Body, and we’re not the only ones. Read a few of the recent endorsements we’ve received from thousands of satisfied customers who know first-hand the quality and commitment we bring to every job we do.
