Helpful Tips

Common questions and tips for getting the most out of your vehicle.

The Best Driving Apps of 2020

  • Google Maps Phone Driving App
  • Aceable
  • Roadtrippers
  • Waze
  • GasBuddy
  • PlugShare
  • DashDroid
  • LifeSaver Driving App
  • Automatic
  1. Google Maps: Google Maps is the versatile  navigation helper. It is equipped with all the perks that come with being a Google product. That means it’s hooked up to Google street views, giving you a true look at what the restaurant or dentist office really looks like before you show up. It also has a huge inventory  of such businesses, meaning you can find just about anything relative to your location if you simply search for it.
  2. Aceable: If you are hoping to become a better drive, there’s an app for that. Aceable is a fantastic online traffic school app that can help you train in various areas of driving. Whether you need driver’s education or even a course in defensive driving, Aceable will help you get more comfortable behind the wheel.
  3. Roadtrippers: This app is the indispensable app for those long treks on the open road. Especially for people who don’t like planning or need a schedule to stick to, this app has tools to help you completely map out the trip, complete with  features catered to road trips. Searchable items range from hotels to campgrounds to places to stop and check out along the way, and everything has reviews.
  4. Waze: Waze helps when driving in heavy traffic. It compiles live traffic reporting from your fellow drivers so you can jump on alternate routes before you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper madness.
  5. GasBuddy: This app has almost every gas station in the United States in its database, so you’ll always be able to find the cheapest gas near you, no matter where you are. Plus, user corrections and updates are always coming in, so you can expect a pretty accurate gas price.
  6. PlugShare: Electric  car owners, this one’s for you! Many electric car drivers know the struggle to trying to map out all the available charging startions along their trip. With PlugShare, you get an interactive map of the 40,000+ charging stations across the U.S. so you should never be without a charge.
  7. DashDroid:  If you have an Androi and a sub-par dashboard interface, DashDroid will be your ne
    w favorite app. With a central display and eight custom buttons tailored to the apps you use the most. DashDroid is a dashboard replacement with convenience on the mind. You can use it for everything from playing music to checking the weather to hands-free calling and texting.
  8. LifeSaver: Safety should always be a priority when you’re driving. LiveSaver can certainly help you be safer on the road. Meant to help you break your dangerous distracted driving habits, this app has a rewards system that can be set up by a parent to keep teen drivers safe. LifeSaver disables phone use while driving, and with its GPS monitoring, it automatically lets friends or family know when you have arrived safety at your destination.
  9. Automatic: Though it requires  separate attachment, Automatic will help you stay on top of your vehicle’s diagnostics. It plugs into your car’s diagnostic port so you can see all kinds of stats such as gas mileage, engine performance and health, and more. The dongle (that plugs into the port is $100, but it pays for itself pretty quickly). It can even alert authorities if you’ve been in a bad accident. Plus, most of the apps you can use with Automatic are free.

 

Auto Body Xperts

August 2020

August News Letter

Wayland Car Show at Gun Lake Casino Recap

Saturday, July 25, 2020 Auto Body Xperts and Gun Lake Casino hosted their 2nd annual car show. Along with the car show, the Wayland Farmers Market joined as well. The car show was limited to 150 pre-registered vehicles. Many additional vehicles showed up and parked in the overflow lot next to the show lot. Multiple safety procedures were put into place to ensure all participants and patrons remained safe and healthy. Masks were required and social distancing. Auto Body Xperts raised $2,062.70 for the Wayland VFW.

 

Free Popcorn Week

August 10th – August 14th stop into any of the Auto Body Xperts locations for a large, pre-scooped bag of popcorn. Due to COVID-19, we are unable to have our annual open ho

uses which means we have lots of popcorn to give away! Stop in between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM to pick up your bag.

We are hiring!

We are hiring a full time Qualified Oil Change technician in Wayland. Submit your resume on indeed.com or www.autobodyxperts.com

Follow us online on   Facebook. 

Safety Tips for a Fun 4th of July Weekend

Due to COVID-19, many cities and towns in West Michigan are not lighting off fireworks. For example, Kollen Park in Holland postponed their firework show on June 17, 2020.

Other west Michigan cancellations include:

Baroda Township fireworks

St. Joseph fireworks

Marshall Fourth of July Celebration

Ionia fireworks

Schoolcraft Fourth of July parade and fireworks

Ada Township Fourth of July events

Cascade Township Fourth of July Festivities

Grand Rapids fireworks

Lakewood Club fireworks

Montague/Whitehall fireworks

Muskegon Rockstock fireworks

Hesperia Family Fun Fest and fireworks

Pentwater fireworks

Grand Haven fireworks

South Haven fireworks

Manistee National Forest Festival

Hamlin Lake fireworks

Ludington’s Freedom Festival

W. MI Fourth of July events: What’s on and gone for 2020

 

However, it is important to mention areas where the fireworks are still taking place!

  1. July 3; 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM FireRock Fireworks in Caledonia
  2. July 3; Green Lake Boat Parade and Fireworks in Caledonia
  3. July 4; 10:30 PM – dusk Dorr’s 4th of July Celebration: Parade and Fireworks
  4. July 4; 10:45 PM Camp Lake Association Fireworks and Boat Parade
  5. July 4; Caledonia Township Fireworks
  6. July 4, Allendale 4th of July Fireworks
  7. July 4, Silver Lake Fireworks: Thunder over the Dunes

Check out any of these seven places to catch the fireworks. However, if you chose to stay home and light off your own fireworks, it is important to remember a few important tips on having a safe and fun Fourth of July, according to FEMA.

Remember, in Michigan, it is illegal to light fireworks on public property, such as schools, churches, or the property of another person without permission.  Those who violate this law can be subject to a $500.00 fine.  Fireworks are permitted from June 29 at 11:00 AM until July 4th at 11:45 PM. Those who violate the ordinance created by a community will receive a fine of $1,000.00 fine.

  1. Be sure all fireworks at legal in your area before using or buying them.
  2. Always have  an adult supervision. Fireworks are dangerous so never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers alone account for 1/4 of the emergency room firework injuries.
  3. If you set off fireworks, have a bucket of water handing in case malfunction.
  4. If a firework malfunctions, don’t relight it! Douse it in water then throw it away.
  5. Never ignite a firework in a container, especially glass or metal.
  6. When cooking on your grill for all guests, keep it away from deck railings and your home. Away from branches and overhangs.
  7. Open your gas grill before lighting.
  8. Periodically, remove grease or build up from the trays of the grill to prevent the grill from catching fire.
  9. Keep pets at least three feet away from the grill. Create a “pet free safe zone”.
  10. Avoid wearing loose clothing while igniting fireworks and cooking on a grill.

Now some of these may be no-brainers but they are equally as important to remember. We hope everyone has a fantastic holiday weekend with friends and family.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/05/14/faq-michigan-fireworks-laws-memorial-day/3665537002/

What now?

 

There are over 6 million accidents each year in the United States.  Most involve property damage (damage to vehicles) instead of occupants, fortunately!   However, one in three accidents in

 

volve personal injury  to the occupants of the vehicles.  After you’ve been involve in an accident there are important steps to take to protect yourself and your interests.

Below is a list of the top  9 things to do after being involved in an accident.
  1. Stop! Never drive away from the scene of an accident. Even if you think it is minor.
  2. Protect the scene.  If you have access to flares, set them up to reduce the chances of further damage by other vehicles or turn your flashers on to warn the other drivers on the road.
  3. Call the Police. Whether there are serious injuries or not, it is a good idea to call the police. You may need a police report to file a claim for damage to the vehicle.
  4. Make an accurate record. Be sure to tell the investigating officer exactly what happened. If you are having a hard time recalling specific events, tell the officer. Do not speculate or assume. If the officer asks if you are injured and you’re not sure, say that as injuries can take up to a few hours to appear due to the adrenaline  from the accident.
  5. Take pictures. Take your own pictures of the accident scene. This can be done on you phone camera. In no way should you interfere with the on-going police investigation of the vehicles. If you have visible injuries, photograph those as well.
  6. Exchange information. Exchange information with the other party in the accident. Usually the investigating officer will do this but in case they have not arrived or they do not, make sure to do this on your own.  Obtain the name, address, telephone number, and insurance information. In the case that there are witnesses at the scene, try getting their information as well.
  7. Report the accident.  Report the accident to your insurance company.  Some insurance companies require immediate reporting. Plus, once you report the accident they can begin filing the claim  to make it easier when you get an estimate for the damage to the vehicle.
  8. Seek medical attention. Although most report not feeling pain until two to three days after the accident, it is important to see your physician or visit the emergency room. Even in minor accidents, you could suffer from damage.
  9. Keep a file. Keep the photos you took of the damage, your injuries, and statements made to officers. You will also want to keep the claim number, adjusters name and phone number, and names and phone numbers of all other contacts during your accident and claim process together.

We know the reality of accidents and how stressful they can be. Following and obtaining the information listed will help ease the process from beginning to end.

Protecting the interior integrity of your vehicle from the sun

We have all been in a vehicle that looks like the interior has gotten dull because of the sun wearing it down.  It is very common  for vehicles to get this way if the vehicle is left in direct sunlight. The sun bakes the interior creating it to dry out, crack, and become dull in color.

There are multiple ways to protect the integrity of the interior of your vehicle from sun damage.  The easiest, no brainer tip is to park in the shade. Parking in the shade protects the interior of the vehicle from reaching extreme heat temperatures, protects the exterior finish of the vehicle, as well as the engine.  If it is safe to do so, crack your windows to help lower the interior temperature and equalize the air pressure.

Another easy way to protect your vehicle is using a windshield sun protector.  Not only does it protect your vehicle from the sun but it also helps keep it cooler. Some can be tricky to figure out but others can be rather simple! Try WeatherTech SunShade.  You can also wipe down your dash with a microfiber cloth. Dust and dirt can accumulate  on your dash creating tiny scratches that overtime can get worse due to sun exposure creating cracking and dryness. Wiping down your dash removes these dust and dirt particles. Using a low gloss detailing product can protect the surface and reduce the glare.

If you have leather seats, investing in seat covers will help keep the integrity much longer. The wear goes onto the seat cover instead of the leather seat itself. The seat covers protect the leather from the sun  leaving it looking newer longer. If you do not want to invest in seat covers, try a leather conditioner. The sun can do a number on them between the heat, dryness, cracking, and dust. Be sure to condition them regularly to keep them moisturized.