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Hi Need help...bumper dented ...anybody got good recommendations? Thanks!

hi,all found that my dash board got one crack due to sunlight,its about 6cm long,but looks really ugly,any place can repair it?or is there any repair kit?? thanks in advance

Hi, I wonder if anyone knows whether there is a repair & service manual for skoda fabia. I check the web & there's such a manual for skoda felicia(?).

Some links to repairing paint chips. http://www.autoeducation.com/carcare/paintchips.htm http://www.autoswalk.com/howtoproprep.html http://platz.com/.../blatt/Blatt%207.htm http://www.autopia-carcare.com/rechsc.html

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/autorpr.htm The best way to avoid auto repair rip-offs is to be prepared. Knowing how your vehicle works and how to identify common car problems is a good beginning. It's also important to know how to select a good technician, the kinds of questions to ask, and your consumer rights. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), this kind of information about your automobile may help you keep a lid on mechanical mistakes. REPAIR INFORMATION How to Choose a Repair Shop What should I look for when choosing a repair shop? Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and other people you trust. Look for an auto repair shop before you need one to avoid being rushed into a last-minute decision. Shop around by telephone for the best deal, and compare warranty policies on repairs. Ask to see current licenses if state or local law requires repair shops to be licensed or registered. Also, your state Attorney General's office or local consumer protection agency may know whether there's a record of complaints about a particular repair shop. Make sure the shop will honor your vehicle's warranty. How to Choose a Technician Is one technician better than another? Look for shops that display various certifications - like an Automotive Service Excellence seal. Certification indicates that some or all of the technicians meet basic standards of knowledge and competence in specific technical areas. Make sure the certifications are current, but remember that certification alone is no guarantee of good or honest work. Ask if the technician or shop has experience working on the same make or model vehicle as yours. Repair Charges: Unlocking the Mystery Before you arrange to have any work performed, ask how the shop prices its work. Some shops charge a flat rate for labor on auto repairs. This published rate is based on an independent or manufacturer's estimate of the time required to complete repairs. Others charge on the basis of the actual time the technician worked on the repair. If you need expensive or complicated repairs, or if you have questions about recommended work, consider getting a second opinion. Find out if there will be a diagnostic charge if you decide to have the work performed elsewhere. Many repair shops charge for diagnostic time. Shops that do only diagnostic work and do not sell parts or repairs may be able to give you an objective opinion about which repairs are necessary. If you decide to get the work done, ask for a written estimate. What should a written estimate include? It should identify the condition to be repaired, the parts needed, and the anticipated labor charge. Make sure you get a signed copy. It should state that the shop will contact you for approval before they do any work exceeding a specified amount of time or money. State law may require this. What should I know about the parts to be repaired or replaced? Parts are classified as: New - These parts generally are made to original manufacturer's specifications, either by the vehicle manufacturer or an independent company. Your state may require repair shops to tell you if non-original equipment will be used in the repair. Prices and quality of these parts vary. Remanufactured, rebuilt and reconditioned - These terms generally mean the same thing: parts have been restored to a sound working condition. Many manufacturers offer a warranty covering replacement parts, but not the labor to install them. Salvage - These are used parts taken from another vehicle without alteration. Salvage parts may be the only source for certain items, though their reliability is seldom guaranteed. What do I need after the work is done? Get a completed repair order describing the work done. It should list each repair, parts supplied, the cost of each part, labor charges, and the vehicle's odometer reading when you brought the vehicle in as well as when the repair order was completed. Ask for all replaced parts. State law may require this. Preventive Maintenance What are the consequences of postponing maintenance? Many parts on your vehicle are interrelated. Ignoring maintenance can lead to trouble: specific parts - or an entire system - can fail. Neglecting even simple routine maintenance, such as changing the oil or checking the coolant, can lead to poor fuel economy, unreliability, or costly breakdowns. It also may invalidate your warranty. What maintenance guidelines should I follow to avoid costly repairs? Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving. Some repair shops create their own maintenance schedules, which call for more frequent servicing than the manufacturer's recommendations. Compare shop maintenance schedules with those recommended in your owner's manual. Ask the repair shop to explain - and make sure you understand - why it recommends service beyond the recommended schedule. Warranties What warranties and service contracts apply to vehicle repairs? There is no "standard warranty" on repairs. Make sure you understand what is covered under your warranty and get it in writing. Be aware that warranties may be subject to limitations, including time, mileage, deductibles, businesses authorized to perform warranty work or special procedures required to obtain reimbursement. Check with the Federal Trade Commission or your state or local consumer protection agency for information about your warranty rights. Service Contracts Many vehicle dealers and others sell optional contracts - service contracts -issued by vehicle manufacturers or independent companies. Not all service contracts are the same; prices vary and usually are negotiable. To help decide whether to purchase a service contract, consider: Its cost. The repairs to be covered. Whether coverage overlaps coverage provided by any other warranty. The deductible. Where the repairs are to be performed. Procedures required to file a claim, such as prior authorization for specific repairs or meeting required vehicle maintenance schedules. Whether repair costs are paid directly by the company to the repair shop or whether you will have to pay first and get reimbursed. The reputation of the service contract company. Check it out with your state Attorney General's office or local consumer protection agency. How do I resolve a dispute regarding billing, quality of repairs or warranties? Document all transactions as well as your experiences with dates, times, expenses, and the names of people you dealt with. Talk to the shop manager or owner first. If that doesn't work, contact your Attorney General or local consumer protection agency for help. These offices may have information on alternative dispute resolution programs in your community. Another option is to file a claim in small claims court. You don't need an attorney to do this. HEADING OFF PROBLEMS The more you know about your vehicle, the more likely you'll be able to head off repair problems. You can detect many common vehicle problems by using your senses: eyeballing the area around your vehicle, listening for strange noises, sensing a difference in the way your vehicle handles, or even noticing unusual odors. Looks Like Trouble Small stains or an occasional drop of fluid under your vehicle may not mean much. But wet spots deserve attention; check puddles immediately. You can identify fluids by their color and consistency: Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange colors indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator. A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak. A red oily spot indicates a transmission or power-steering fluid leak. A puddle of clear water usually is no problem. It may be normal condensation from your vehicle's air conditioner. Smells Like Trouble Some problems are under your nose. You can detect them by their odor: The smell of burned toast - a light, sharp odor - often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. To be safe, try not to drive the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed. The smell of rotten eggs - a continuous burning-sulphur smell - usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter or other emission control devices. Don't delay diagnosis and repair. A thick acrid odor usually means burning oil. Look for sign of a leak. The smell of gasoline vapors after a failed start may mean you have flooded the engine. Wait a few minutes before trying again. If the odor persists, chances are there's a leak in the fuel system - a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention. Burning resin or an acrid chemical odor may signal overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop. Allow the brakes to cool after repeated hard braking on mountain roads. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake. The vehicle should be towed for repair. A sweet, steamy odor indicates a coolant leak. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station, keeping an eye on your gauges. If the odor is accompanied by a hot, metallic scent and steam from under the hood, your engine has overheated. Pull over immediately. Continued driving could cause severe engine damage. The vehicle should be towed for repair. Sounds Like Trouble Squeaks, squeals, rattles, rumbles, and other sounds provide valuable clues about problems and maintenance needs. Here are some common noises and what they mean: Squeal - A shrill, sharp noise, usually related to engine speed: Loose or worn power steering, fan or air conditioning belt. Click - A slight sharp noise, related to either engine speed or vehicle speed: Loose wheel cover. Loose or bent fan blade. Stuck valve lifter or low engine oil. Screech - A high-pitched, piercing metallic sound; usually occurs while the vehicle is in motion: Caused by brake wear indicators to let you know it's time for maintenance. Rumble - a low-pitched rhythmic sound. Defective exhaust pipe, converter or muffler. Worn universal joint or other drive-line component. Ping - A high-pitched metallic tapping sound, related to engine speed: Usually caused by using gas with a lower octane rating than recommended. Check your owner's manual for the proper octane rating. If the problem persists, engine ignition timing could be at fault. Heavy Knock - A rhythmic pounding sound: Worn crankshaft or connecting rod bearings. Loose transmission torque converter. Clunk - A random thumping sound: Loose shock absorber or other suspension component. Loose exhaust pipe or muffler. Feels Like Trouble Difficult handling, a rough ride, vibration and poor performance are symptoms you can feel. They almost always indicate a problem. Steering Misaligned front wheels and/or worn steering components, such as the idler or ball joint, can cause wandering or difficulty steering in a straight line. Pulling - the vehicle's tendency to steer to the left or right - can be caused by something as routine as under-inflated tires, or as serious as a damaged or misaligned front end. Ride and Handling Worn shock absorbers or other suspension components - or improper tire inflation - can contribute to poor cornering. While there is no hard and fast rule about when to replace shock absorbers or struts, try this test: bounce the vehicle up and down hard at each wheel and then let go. See how many times the vehicle bounces. Weak shocks will allow the vehicle to bounce twice or more. Springs do not normally wear out and do not need replacement unless one corner of the vehicle is lower than the others. Overloading your vehicle can damage the springs. Balance tires properly. An unbalanced or improperly balanced tire causes a vehicle to vibrate and may wear steering and suspension components prematurely. Brakes Brake problems have several symptoms. Schedule diagnosis and repair if: The vehicle pulls to one side when the brakes are applied. The brake pedal sinks to the floor when pressure is maintained. You hear or feel scraping or grinding during braking. The "brake" light on the instrument panel is lit. Engine The following symptoms indicate engine trouble. Get a diagnosis and schedule the repair. Difficulty starting the engine. The "check engine" light on the instrument panel is lit. Rough idling or stalling. Poor acceleration. Poor fuel economy. Excessive oil use (more than one quart between changes). Engine continues running after the key is removed. Transmission Poor transmission performance may come from actual component failure or a simple disconnected hose or plugged filter. Make sure the technician checks the simple items first; transmission repairs normally are expensive. Some of the most common symptoms of transmission problems are: Abrupt or hard shifts between gears. Delayed or no response when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse. Failure to shift during normal acceleration. Slippage during acceleration. The engine speeds up, but the vehicle does not respond. TROUBLE SHOOTING Car trouble doesn't always mean major repairs. Here are some common causes of trouble and techniques to help you and your technician find and fix problems: Alternator - Loose wiring can make your alternator appear defective. Your technician should check for loose connections and perform an output test before replacing the alternator. Battery - Corroded or loose battery terminals can make the battery appear dead or defective. Your technician should clean the terminals and test battery function before replacing the battery. Starter - What appears to be a defective starter actually may be a dead battery or poor connection. Ask your technician to check all connections and test the battery before repairing the starter. Muffler - a loud rumbling noise under your vehicle indicates a need for a new muffler or exhaust pipe. Tuneup - The old-fashioned "tuneup" may not be relevant to your vehicle. Fewer parts, other than belts, spark plugs, hoses and filters, need to be replaced on newer vehicles. Follow the recommendations in your owner's manual.

http://www.autohausaz.com/html/tech_tips.html Auto Repair #1: Brake Repairs Needed? Don't Take Chances with Your Brakes - Repair Them Now Auto Repair #2: Cooling System Repairs: It's Easy to Prevent Breakdowns BEFORE They Happen Auto Repair #3: Fuel Pumps & Fuel Injection Repairs Auto Repair #4: Troubleshooting Noises Coming From Your Import Car (Is Your Car Trying to Tell You Something?) Auto Repair #5: Engine Knock? Low Oil Pressure? How To Diagnose Needed Repairs Auto Repair #6: Use These Tips When Shopping for Import Parts & Save Big $$ on Auto Repairs Auto Repair #7: Tuneup & Auto Maintenance Tips to Lengthen Your Import Car's Life Auto Repair #8: Replacing Wiper Blades Regularly Saves Lives & Windshields Auto Repair #9: Understanding Your Import Car's Electrical System Auto Repair #10: Oxygen Sensors Are Critical Key to Passing Emissions Auto Repair #11: Know Your VIN & Get Exactly the RIGHT Auto Repair Parts Every Time Auto Repair #12: Perform Monthly Car Maintenance & Keep Auto Repair Costs Way Down

http://doityourself.com/auto/ Finding Your Way Under The Hood & Around The Car Introduction Engine Exterior Inspection Keep An Eye On Your Car's Filters A Roadside Emergency: Would you Know What to Do? Flats and Jumpstarts Breakdowns Preventive Measures What You Should Know About Your Car's Drive Train Introduction Definitions Tips Which Way To Go? Replace Your Car Or Rebuild Your Engine Replace Rebuild Why Rebuild What's in a Rebuilt Engine Performance Annual Vehicle Inspection: Introduction Maintenance Tips When to Have Your Brakes Serviced: Introduction Cylinders and Sensors Brakes How to Keep Your Wheels on the Road: Bad Shocks Warning Signs Tips Is it Time for a Tune-Up Yet?: Introduction Hard Starting, Knocking, Stalling Power Loss and Poor Gas Mileage Dieseling, Exhaust Odor, Rough Running Auto FAQ's: Air Conditioner Belt, Coolant, Guage and Pump Brake Electrical Oil Tire and Alignment Transmission Windshield Miscellaneous Automotive Questions Prepare Your Car for the Seasons: Introduction Prepare your Car for Winter A Winter Coat For Your Car Prepare Your Car for Summer Electrical Ignition Emmission and Fuel Cooling and Under Lube, Visibility and Paint Emergency Kit Tips Car Maintenance Info: Auto Body Repair & Refinishing: Touch up Small Rust Spots Car Care Investments: Increasing the Longevity of Your Car Car Maintenance Tips Car Stereo Speakers in Dash Choose a Repair Shop Clean Car Battery Clean Up Your Engine and Save Get Better Automotive Service How to Change Your Oil Polishing Mag Wheels and Chrome Tip Profits in The Auto Polishing Business Profits in The Auto Tune Up Business Repair a Dent in a Car Repair an Auto Ding Stuck Oil Filter Tip NEW! Time for a Change Tint Removal Tips to Make Your Vehicle Go the Distance How to Help Your Car Keep its Cool Engine Check Cooling System Check Clean, Flush, Refill Various Auto Pages Car-ramba! Down on the Farm: Harvesting the Agricultural Parts Market Fueling the Future: The Road to Zero Emissions [/color]Learning to Drive a Standard Transmission Made Easy Pump Up Your Product Remanufacturing: The Original Recycling Take a New Look at Recycling: These Programs Save Money, While Keeping Regulators Happy The Automotive Technician Shortage The Extended Drain Interval Debate

Yesterday as I was driving on the PIE, I heard a loud "TOK TOK" sound. Next thing I knew I got a chipped windscreen from a small flying gravel. Where can I get the windscreen repaired to remove the minor chip?

my new car got dented and scratched cos my wife bang the car into the pillar in the car park. I went cycle and carriage for the repair. didn't claim insurance. didn't went other workshop cos if i do that, warranty might be void. the dent is abt 2 fist big. The scratched park about one palm size. paint came off. Cycle and carriage quote me abt $700 bukcs for the repair. I LPPL agreeded although i know i confirm kanna KA CHA TAO. But inorder to prevent my warranty void for my 1 mth old car i go on with the repair. AM I STOOPID???? Or there should be a better solution???

Anyone knows where to repair clarion head unit?I've got a set that cannot play CD

Anybody knows where I can get this type of tape?

Hi, Need some help from the brudders here wrt the above. Just changed my tyres and while doing rotation found that 2 of my rims are bent (can see it wobbling while on the machine). According to the guys there this will cause some vibration during driving and braking. True enuff i feel it. So that means I need to repair the rims and do high speed balancing. Any good place to do both? Recommendations will be appreciated. BTW, the uncle recommended to repair at $60 per rim and leave it there for 2-3 days. Is this reasonable?

Have any one try the can of the emergency repair kit sold in most petrol kiosk? Was thinking of removing the spare tyres and use this for Singapore; (of course need spare tyre for trip up north!). What do you think? Am I nut to do so? Thankszzzzz

Referral from LegacyB4