Happy Holidays!
Though the Bay Area doesn't get massive blizards that other parts of the country do during winter, there are still plenty of hazards to watch out for this holiday season: thick fog, heavy thunderstorms, and the like. So whether you're planning on visiting family or just doing your usual commute, it's important to make sure your car is ready for the upcoming weather. Here's a list of things you should check out:
- Windshield wipers: It doesn't rain much during most of the year, so wiper blades are often overlooked - until you need them!
- Tires: With rain comes wet surfaces... and hydroplaning! Without proper tread depth to channel away water, your tires won't have enough contact with the road for proper grip. You should also ensure that the tires are properly inflated.
- Brakes: Compared to dry pavement, braking distances can increase by up to 50% during and after a storm! If you haven't had your brakes serviced in a while, now would be a good time.
- Lights: Not just the headlights, but your turn indicators and tail lights! You might want to get another person to help you activate all the lights as you take a quick trip around the car.
A leaky sunroof usually isn't a safety issue, but it isn't any less annoying. If you find that the front carpets or headliner are damp or dripping, you may want to open up your sunroof and examine the front corners. There is usually a drain hole located in each corner that empty out in the front wheel wells; if they become clogged or otherwise damaged, water can get backed up and seep into the passenger compartment!
If you don't have a regular mechanic and would rather have a professional inspect your automobile, try one of the two previously mentioned shops:
- Market Garage: (415) 673-8626
- B & W Brake and Wheel Service Center: (415) 285-2439
Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year!
Don't let your car trip up your roadtrip!
Summer’s coming, and we at Rich’s Auto Body Shop know that a lot of you will be hitting the road in a few weeks. You might even be planning out your trip right now! Well, you should add one more thing to your plans: bring your car to your favorite mechanic and have it checked out. Make sure that your radiator hoses and A/C system are in good shape. After all, you wouldn’t want anything interrupting your getaway, would you?
For those who don’t have a regular mechanic, we’d like to recommend two garages that we frequently work with: Market Garage and B&W Brake and Wheel Service Center, in the northeastern and eastern part of the city respectively.
Market Garage
Jeff’s the man to meet at this garage just a few blocks away from Market Street. If you work Downtown, it’s especially convenient: drop off your car and enjoy a brief walk to work! Of course, Market Garage has more going for it than just location! Jeff has been in the business since 1983. He and his service advisors can handle any make and model vehicle you bring to them!
Market Garage
541 Ellis St
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 673-8626
Map
B & W Brake & Wheel Service Center
In their own words:
Wayne and Bill Mufarreh have been in the auto service industry since 1977. They started their business out of their home, and since then have become experts in automotive technology. They have worked hard to become the number-one rated automotive service center in San Francisco.
B & W Brake and Wheel Service Center and the brothers have given advice on all your automotive needs for over 20 years. They pride themselves on the customer relationships they have built, and their quality work. You can call them the Click and Clack of San Francisco.
B & W Brake and Wheel Service Center
3260 26th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 285-2439
Map
Website
Rich's Auto Body, Your Insurance Company, and You
Recently we’ve been getting a lot of customers bringing in estimates from their insurance companies after seeing our wonderful reviews on Yelp and CitySearch. They feel more comfortable having our shop do the repair work on their car after hearing from other satisfied customers. However, there’s a fairly common question. “Rich, can you repair our car even though your shop wasn’t on the list of shops given to us by our insurance company?”
Absolutely! You are allowed to have your car repaired at any shop; it’s the law! Do a little research and check out the shops on the list. Even though other facilities might have network status with your insurance agency, there still can be a huge difference in the performance between garages. We’re confident that Rich’s Auto Body Shop will provide the best possible experience for you. In many cases we can save you part or all of your deductible!
- Visit one of the shops on your insurance-provided list and get an estimate.
- Bring your car and estimate to us. If there are any additional necessary repairs that the previous shop missed, we can communicate directly with the insurance company, saving you time and hassle!
- Pick up your car when repairs are completed. That’s it!
Greener auto repairs, even if your car is red - no joke!
When it comes to the environment we're no fools! Starting today, Rich's Auto Body Shop will be using environmentally friendlier water-based paints and materials for refinishing your car. We're one of only a very few shops in San Francisco to do so! Why did we switch?
Traditionally, paint jobs on cars being repaired involve an organic solvent carrier that help paint pigments adhere smoothly and evenly on your car. Then they're supposed to get out of the way by evaporating as quickly as possible. Good for refinishing... but bad for the air - and you! Those very same solvents tend to promote ozone formation low to the ground. All sorts of health problems can occur with long-term exposure to ozone. However, the new refinishing materials we contain a minimal amount of solvent; instead, they're mostly composed of pure water.
What does this switch mean for you and your car? Our workmanship won't change a bit! Rest assured that your car will look just as good with our new materials. In fact, vehicle manufacturers have been using water-based paints for many years now. However, you can also be sure that when you bring your car to us, you'll help save the environment, as well as your wallet!