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Taking Care Of Your Vehicle: Brakes

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While we primarily focus on auto glass replacement, we often get questions involving other parts of a vehicle and about basic car maintenance. So, here are some tips about taking care of the brakes on your vehicles.

Tips to keep your car from breaking down because of brake issues.

Your vehicle’s brakes are an essential component of your safety while driving. Any issues with your brakes should be taken seriously. Brake issues can put you and your passengers at risk as well as everyone on the road with you. Here are some tips for keeping your brakes in good condition

Practice Safe Driving Tactics

We all want to get where we are going as quickly as possible, but unnecessary wear-and-tear can severely shorten the lifespan of your brake pads. Practice safe driving tactics, like keeping several car lengths of open space between you and the next vehicle while driving. While this can be difficult, and annoying in Atlanta traffic, it gives you the ability to coast and gentle brake instead of the harsh stop-and-g0 tactic that most every driver uses.

Listen & Pay Attention

If you start hearing odd noises when braking or feel any shaking when braking, then it’s time to get your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic. Brake pads will often make a squealing noise when it’s time to change them out. This is intentionally done to alert drivers to issues. Ignoring signs of issues can lead to expensive damage to other parts of the wheels.

Get An Annual Inspection

Your vehicle needs periodic inspections to identify any issues and prevent them from turning into major, costly repairs. Find a mechanic that you can trust to do an inspection. If they find any issues, it’s okay to get second opinions and shop around.

Finding A Local Brake Repair Shop

Unfortunately, there is a stigma in the auto repair industry of dishonest mechanics tricking drivers into spending excessive amounts of money on unnecessary repairs. Before working with an auto mechanic, do your research. Google them and look at their reviews; specifically, look at what the reviews are saying and how recently they were given.

For instance, we searched for brake shops in Atlanta, GA and found Northlake Automotive located in Tucker, GA. They have a 5.0-star rating with 31 reviews. The general consensus is that they are honest and treat customers like family. Reviewing their website reveals that they have ASE-Certified Technicians with 50 combined years of experience and a variety of automotive repair services.

Get all of your vehicle repairs done in the same place! Our on-site auto glass replacement services can be done wherever you need them to be done in Atlanta and the surrounding area.

Taking Care Of Your Vehicle: Tires

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While we primarily focus on auto glass replacement, we often get questions involving other parts of a vehicle and about basic car maintenance. So, here are some tips about taking care of the tires on your vehicles.

Tips For Taking Care Of Your Vehicle

Tires are an important part of every vehicle. If you’ve ever had a flat tire, you know just how annoying it is to have something go wrong with them. Here are some basic tips for taking care of your tires.

Inspect Your Tires Regularly

As with any part of your vehicle, you need to periodically check your vehicle for any issues or needed tune-ups.

Check your tire’s air pressure. This can be tricky if you have a difficult time getting a good reading on the tire gauge. Take a couple of readings per wheel to ensure that you are getting an accurate measurement. You can visually tell if your tires may need more air by standing back about 10 feet from your vehicle and comparing the shape of the tires. Perfectly round isn’t good, but neither is flat. Often, you can compare the tires to see if something is wrong. And the outside temperature can affect the appearance of your tires. Either way, check your tire pressure every month or so.

You should also check your tire tread. A simple way to check is to take a penny and place it into the trends with Lincoln’s head into the tire. If his head is completely covered, you should be good. If not, you should take your vehicle to a tire shop to have it checked out.

Get Regular Inspections

Why are we supposed to go to the doctor every year for a checkup? So the doctor can identify any issues before they become a major issue. Same reason for getting regular vehicle inspections. You want to catch any issues before they become $$$$ fixes.

For your tires, you should take them to an auto shop to have them checked and rotated. Rotating is important because it ensures that your tires are not disproportionately wearing down. Every so often, you should also have your alignment checked and corrected, particularly if you’ve been driving around road construction or areas with uneven or bumpy terrain.

Respect Your Tires

If you mistreat your tires, they will wear down faster. Take good care of them, checking them regularly and getting checkups. You should also avoid traveling at excessively high speeds; high speeds can wear down the tread faster. And, if you think there might be an issue, use your spare tire and get the tires looked at quickly. Speaking of spare tires, don’t neglect it when doing your inspections. You don’t want to be on the side of the road with a flat tire and a flat spare tire.

Finding a local tire shop.

Finding a local tire shop is as simple as Googling it. Check a business’s reviews, available services, and location. Reviews are a quick way to tell if you should do business with a tire shop and what to be aware of.

For example, when we searched for a tire shop in Lawrenceville, GA, we found Global Tires Plus.

Global Tires Plus has a 4.8 star rating on Google with 163 reviews. They are getting consistent reviews and are responding to reviews, so we know that they are actively in business. From the reviews, we can tell that they have great customer service, good prices, and offer a variety of services. A quick glance at their website shows us that they were voted “Best of Gwinnett 2017” and that they have two locations.

So, if you’re looking for auto repair services, do some research and find a local shop to fit your needs.

Do you live, work, or play near Lawrenceville, GA? If your windshield or auto glass gets cracked or chipped, we can bring our expert glass services to your location and get you back on the road quickly.

Made In America – Auto Glass Supplier opens plant in Dayton, Ohio

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Knowing that the products that you purchase come from an American labor is important. With the economic issues of the past, it’s good to see jobs returning to America.

The China-based Fuyao Group is set to become the largest auto glass supplier in the world after it’s Dayton, Ohio plant hits full capacity. They estimate that between 1500 and 2000 workers will be employed in what could be the most automated glass plant in the world.

In the next couple of weeks, Fuyao Glass America should start manufacturing. With it’s location in Ohio, the plant is in a strategic position near all of the major automotive vehicles are made in the United States.

How does Fuyao auto glass differ from other brands?

Fuyao has an advantage by having government certifications, such as the GB96565 in China, the DOT in America, SAA in Australia, and the ECE in Europe as well as International Quality Certifications. They have also worked with many of the leading vehicle manufactures in China, Australia, Europe, and America – gaining a well-rounded set of expertise in many different vehicles and auto-glass requirements.

They produce everything from bullet-resistant glass to automotive safety glass, including laminated glass, tempered glass, insulated glass, and encapsulated glass.

What this means for you.

Fuyao provides a large portion of all auto glass in America. By opening up a plant in America, distribution becomes easier – deliveries faster and cheaper.

Need new auto glass? 

If you’re in the metro-Atlanta area and you need to replace auto glass in your vehicle, give a call. We’ve got a wide selection of auto glass to choose from and come out to your location to install it.

Read more about the Fuyao plant: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/blog/2015/10/fuyao-ready-to-roll-in-dayton.html

Fall Weather Driving in North Georgia

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On September 23, there was much rejoicing as the Fall season officially started. A favorite season for many people, Fall means Halloween is just around the corner and Thanksgiving isn’t too far off. Beautiful scenery, particularly in North Georgia, and cooling temperatures means camping and vacationing in the North Georgia Mountains.

Fall also means school is in session; hurricane season is in full force. The days are getting shorter resulting in driving in the dark more often.

Here are a few of the dangers of fall that you need to watch out for:

broken windshield on a small carFalling Limbs

Weather changes like more rain and the natural processes of nature often result in a greater likelihood for falling limbs. Falling tree limbs isn’t an issue IF those trees aren’t overhanging your driveway. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a lot of broken back glass (back windows) and broken windshields because of falling tree limbs.

You can prevent the likelihood of damage by surveying the trees surrounding your driveway for dead limbs; if you need help, consult an arborist. We recommend surveying your trees every 2 years at lest.

Dangerous Driving Conditions

Driving in the dark adds extra danger to your Atlanta area commute. Driving in the rain is even worse. The increase in dangerous conditions means a greater likelihood for car accidents.

Remember to be careful when driving in adverse conditions. The speed limit is the safe speed to drive when everything is perfect; when it’s dark, raining, and/or foggy, reduce your speed.

Deer aren’t dear to your car.

As winter comes, deer are going to be seen more often, usually around dusk when driving conditions start to deteriorate. When you’re driving through forested areas, slow down and watch the road. The last thing you want to happen is a deer dart in front of you, causing a crash. Deer accidents can break windshields and cause greater damage depending on your reaction.

Slow Down & Be Safe

Our job is to replace or repair broken glass in your car; but we’d rather not have to do it. Drive carefully and be alert. And if you need us, we’re only a call away. We’ll make it easy on you by coming out to your location to replace or repair your auto glass.

Is having a cracked windshield illegal?

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Your windshield getting cracked because of a car accident, tree limb or other random accidents is bad enough without having to worry about getting a ticket for not getting it repaired quickly enough.

According to state laws, driving your car while it’s damaged may result in a ticket or warning. Here is what you need to know about Georgia State Laws.

Mechanical Violations

According to most state laws, you are required to have certain equipment properly installed and working on your car. This includes brakes, mirrors, reflectors, safety belts, tires, and windshields to just name a few.

If your vehicle does not have the required equipment working properly, you can be pulled over by the police and given a warning or ticket.

Required equipment for personal vehicles in Georgia.

According to Georgia Code, personal transportation vehicles are required to be equipped with:

  • A braking system sufficient for the weight and passenger capacity of the vehicle, including a parking brake;
  • A reverse warning device functional at all times when the directional control is in the reverse position;
  • A main power switch. When the switch is in the “off” position, or the key or other device that activates the switch is removed, the motive power circuit shall be inoperative. If the switch uses a key, it shall be removable only in the “off” position;
  • Head lamps;
  • Reflex reflectors;
  • Tail lamps;
  • A horn;
  • A rearview mirror;
  • Safety warning labels; and
  • Hip restraints and hand holds or a combination thereof.

(Source: Georgia Code §sect; 40-8-7 to 40-8-90)

If my windshield is cracked, does it break the law to drive with it unrepaired?

The Georgia Code does not specifically say that your windshield must be undamaged. However, it is a safety risk to drive your vehicle with a crack in the windshield if the crack is longer than 12 inches or if there is a chip larger than a quarter. If the crack interferes with your field of view, it is a greater safety risk and could get your ticketed. Consult with a lawyer or a police officer to learn more.

Get your cracked windshield repaired quickly.

Whether you will get a ticket or not, repairing your windshield quickly will prevent further harm and potential safety risks. Finding a local auto glass replacement and repair service that has the right glass, good service, and can meet your schedule isn’t hard.broken windshield on a small car

Repairing Windshield Cracks

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Windshield cracks be a pain. Damaged windshields can also be a severe safety issue. Some drivers make an effort to drive as long as they can before they purchase windshield repair.

The experts at H-A Mobile Auto Glass are here to assist. Our goal is always to keep drivers safe, so continue reading for windshield crack safety tips.

How long can I drive having a crack on my windshield?

The best choice is always to fix it immediately. Even a small rock chip with your auto glass will start to grow while you continue driving. Worse, if debris, heavy rain or something similar hits the crack on your windshield, it could possibly break into a larger crack or shatter completely.

This is an extremely scary situation for almost every driver. Consider the following:

How severe is the crack on your windshield?

A minor chip is not a serious risk. You could probably drive for a long time without having problems. However, a big crack similar to a spider web needs to be fixed immediately.

Where is the crack on your windshield?

If the crack blocks the view from the driver’s seat, you shouldn’t drive until it’s fixed. Mobile windshield crack repair professionals exist especially for this reason. Just contact them up to make your windshield as good as new in just a few hours!

What is the cost of windshield crack repair?

This is the reason a lot of drivers will ignore cracks to start with. However, auto glass services are similar to any other automotive service. The longer you put it off, the greater it will set you back over time. Getting a small crack fixed will most definitely cost you less than a full windshield replacement.

The windshield crack repair professionals at H-A Mobile Auto Glass specialize in proving prompt, professional service. Let us know if you have specific windshield repair or replacement questions!

Keep Your Windshield from Freezing

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With the winter months coming quickly, we’ll all have to deal with freezing windshields, windows, and door handles. This is annoying to scrape off and wastes time in your busy schedule. There are multiple methods of dealing with a frozen windshield, but some can cause damage to the glass. Here are some examples of things NOT to do:

  1. Pouring hot water over the ice: the rapid change in temperature can cause the auto glass to crack or shatter.
  2. Tapping the ice to break it up: you need to be extra careful otherwise you could create a hole into your windshield.
  3. Using a metal scraper: using anything metal to scrape off the ice can make scratches into your glass.

The best methods are preventative rather than treatment. If you prepare your vehicle the night before the ice comes, you’ll save yourself a headache. Here are some preventative examples:

  1. Vinegar/Water mixture: use a mixture of 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water and spray your windshield, windows, and door handles. Some would say that this causes pits in the glass, but there is no definitive evidence of this. Vinegar is even stored in glass bottles!
  2. Rubbing onion on windshield: this might sound strange, but take a half of an onion and rub it against the windshield of your vehicle.
  3. Parking inside: the easiest method is simply keep your vehicle from the elements. Park your vehicle inside your garage and close any windows that lead to the outside.

If you are unable to prevent any ice from forming on your windshields and forced to remove it, here are some examples of things that won’t cause damage to your vehicle:

  1. Pouring cold water over the ice: the cold water is still above 32°F/0°C and will melt away the ice, but isn’t so extreme that it will crack your windshield.
  2. Using a plastic scraper: the plastic will not make scratches into your auto glass. Also a plastic bristle brush helps out.
  3. Defroster: simply turn on your car a few minutes earlier than you normally do to get your car warmed up. It only takes about 5-10 minutes.

If you ever have a crack or damage to your windshield or windows, give H-A Mobile Auto Glass a call and we’ll come to you and repair or replace what is needed. Our service teams are professional and quick! Call 404-610-1366 today! H-A Mobile Auto Glass services the Atlanta area including Lawrenceville, Norcross, Lilburn, and Snellville.

 

 

Broken down on the side of the road – Would you be prepared?

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Frustrating, nerve-racking, frightening – breaking down on the side of the road is not a fun experience. Being prepared for it can make it a lot easier. Here is a list of things we keep in our car in case we do end up on the side of the road.

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Roadside Car Repair Kit

Roadside flares and warning triangles

Safety is your first concern. If you break down on the side of a highway, you want to be seen by the other motorist so they don’t accidentally hit you. Depending on the time of day and the road conditions, you will need different types.

At night, a roadside flare is ideal; you can get basic 15 minute emergency road side flares that are one-use or you could invest in an LED roadside emergency flare. During the day, warning triangles will work just as well.

Spare Tire and jack

Some cars come with a spare tire and jack. Check to see if your car does and if so, become familiar with how to get to it and how to change a tire. And check to see if it’s a spare or full tire – if it’s a spare tire, it’ll be smaller than a full and you’ll need to be more cautious on the road until you can change it out for a full tire.

Small Tool Kit

If something does go wrong with your car, you want to be able to do some quick fixes if you can. Keep a small tool kit in your car for these quick fixes. You can usually get a basic tool kit for $30-$70.

Antifreeze and Water and Two Quarts of Oil

Once your radiator is busted, there isn’t much you can do but if you catch it early – like if you’re driving and see the heat rising – you can fix it. Keep some anti freeze and some water in your car (keep them separate, don’t mix them quite yet… the water could also be used for drinking water if need be). Also keep some engine oil on hand. If your car isn’t acting right, pull over and check the oil. If it’s low, you can add some on the spot. Also, it makes it easier to keep track of which oil is for which vehicle if you have multiple vehicles.

Paper Towels / Rags

Needed for when you’re doing repairs or if you just spill your coffee.

Duct tape and WD-40

Is there really any need to explain this one? If something is moving and it shouldn’t, use duct tape. If something isn’t moving and it should, use WD-40.

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These are just a couple of things you should keep in your car for emergencies. Check out our blog roll for “Be Prepared for Winter Weather” –  a post about what you should be carrying in case you are stuck out in the cold.

Cracked Auto Glass in Atlanta?
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Be Prepared for Winter Weather

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While two-inches of snow may not seem like a big deal for anyone living up north, it was a big deal for Atlanta. Georgia’s weather is known for being random and sometimes unexpected. In 2013, a snow storm dropped 2 inches of snow on Atlanta in a matter of hours; the roads were overwhelmed by the number of people trying to get home; children were unable to get home from school – it was a mess. Some drivers spent more than 12-hours on the road trying to get home; many were unprepared.

And now, snow and ice again threatens north east Georgia. This time we were better prepared and stayed home. But what if you hadn’t? What if you were stuck out there in the snow-ice? Are you prepared?

Car Emergency Kit – Don’t leave home without one.

Whether it’s snow, ice, ‘oops, I left the lights on’, or running out of gas, you should always carry certain items in your car for emergencies.

First Aid Kit

Little cuts, bumps, and bruises are rather annoying when you don’t have a first aid kit. You should carry the basics plus any specialty equipment based on you and your families medical conditions – inhalers, EpiPens, insulin, etc. Keep a list of emergency contacts and a list of known health condition of your family members (like if you are a diabetic, that would be information that a paramedic would need to know should you be found unconscious).

Here is a basic list from the American Red Cross for a First Aid kit for a family of four:

  • 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
  • 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
  • 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
  • 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
  • 5 antiseptic wipe packets
  • 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
  • 1 blanket (space blanket)
  • 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
  • 1 instant cold compress
  • 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
  • 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
  • Scissors
  • 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
  • 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
  • 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
  • 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
  • Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
  • 2 triangular bandages
  • Tweezers
  • First aid instruction booklet

Flashlight with extra batteries

Carrying a couple of good flashlight and spare batteries is a fanatstic idea. If you break down on the side of the road at night, the flashlight will give you light to make repairs; or if you have to leave your car at night and walk to a safe location, flashlights will help you do so.

Blankets

Hypothermia is not fun. You may think that you’re safe inside your vehicle but, unless you have house-grade insulation, you’re essentially sitting in a metal can that leaks heat. Get yourself a few good blankets and keep them in your car. They’ll come in handy when you’re stuck in the car in inclement weather or if you get to work early and just want to take a nap.

Water and Food

Carry a few bottles of drinking water and/or a gallon of water plus some granola bars or energy bars. Keeping hydrated is very important as is keeping up your energy levels. Also, the water can come in handy during the summer if your car is over heating and needs more fluid.

For more “must haves” for your car emergency kit, check out our next blog post.

Cracked Auto Glass in Atlanta?
Call 404-610-1366 Now!

Dangerous Road Conditions Increase Risk of Accidents

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Before you head out this morning, check the road conditions and weather forecast. You never know when it could save your life.

We all know that speed limits are posted for a reason – to give guidance to us about what the safest speed is for us to travel on that road. The speed limits take into account the road conditions (ie. the state of the pavement and how curvy the road is), the type of traffic seen on the road (ie. highway versus high pedestrian area), and various other factors. However, there are two things you need to really know about speed limits.

The speed limit assumes that the weather conditions are good (not raining or snowing, etc) and that it is fully lit outside. This is something everyone learned in the basic Drivers Safety courses. If the weather conditions are poor or if lighting is poor, it is your responsibility to adjust your speed accordingly. What happens when you don’t?

On September 29th, 2014, a 18 year old boy was killed when the car he was riding in crashed. Two other passengers were taken to local hospitals for treatment and the driver was arrested. The reason for the crash? The Georgia State Patrol officials say that the driver was going too fast for conditions, lost control of his vehicle, and the vehicle crashed [source].

So, before you head out on the road, whether it’s before work in the morning or after dinner with friends, check the weather and be mindful of the road conditions and speed limits. There are worse things than getting a ticket.

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