Be honest – how handy are you? Not just hanging picture handy – really handy? Is your significant other planning copyright infringement against the show Tool Time? If you’re not on the ball – I mean really on the ball – consider hiring a professional garage door installer to do the job for you. Remember, those smiling faces on the television won’t be there to clean up, fix your mistakes or take you to the hospital.
And I’m really not really kidding on the hospital part. The garage door is the largest moving thing in the average house – and you plan to attach an exposed chain drive to the thing. So, be honest. Are you really up to this project?
You are? You’re going to take the plunge? Okay, the first thing you’re going to need to do is to measure the garage door. Keep these numbers in mind when you go buy the opener. Find one that has all the bells and whistles that you want. Once you get the monster home, do yourself a favor – read the instructions. But don’t just read them – check and see if you have all the parts. Be serious about this step – it will save you a lot of grief later on.
Is everything there? Good! Next, you’ll need to attach weather stripping to the bottom of the first panel. Put the panel in the door and put it in place by driving nails some of the way into each jamb. Do this at an angle. This will wedge the door in place. Put the hinges on the top edge of the door. Depending on the door you purchased, they may already be attached.
Now, follow the instructions to assemble the opener. Install the rollers and any brackets on the door section and on the wall- or jamb-brackets. Be sure to do this according to the manufacturer's directions – no improvisation here. On one side of the door, slip the track on the rollers of the first section and then repeat on the other side.
Next, it’s time to install the rollers into the second section. It’s best to have some help with this one. Lift the section, put it in place and slip its rollers into the vertical tracks. Fasten the first section to the second. Repeat this to install the third section and be sure that everything is level.
Once this is completed, attach the jamb brackets onto the tracks. Be careful not to make it too tight, as you’ll have to adjust them later. Install the curved and horizontal tracks along the roof, making sure that the alignment is true.
Finally, cut the rear track hanger to the necessary length. Attach the track hanger to a solid framing and loosely mount the track to the hanger. Repeat this process with the track on the other side. Put up the last door section, remove the temporary nails and tighten everything down. Install the driver as per the manufacturer directions and test the door. You may have to make some alignment adjustments, but go ahead and pat yourself on the back – for the most part, you’re done installing your new garage door.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
How Will GM's Bankruptcy Affect the Auto Industry?
You may be old enough to remember the heyday of American-made automobiles. Gas was plentiful and cheap, cars were big and powerful and the economy was booming. Then things – as they always do –changed. Gas became more expensive and even scarce. Cars needed to be more fuel efficient and handle our changing two-income lifestyles. Imports started rolling in to fill a need that the American car manufacturers hadn't quite yet realized.
And still things continue to change today, with the economy struggling, gas hitting more than $4 a gallon and American car companies rolling out cars that most Americans can't afford and don't want. Think about it – out of the last dozen or so car advertisements you saw trying to entice you to buy by offering large incentives, how many were for imports? You don't have to try to persuade people to buy what they're already buying.
In the midst of all this, GM has declared bankruptcy. The bailout attempt last fall didn't work – whether it was ill advised is water under the bridge. What we have to deal with now is the reality that one of the Big 3 – an American car manufacturer once though invincible – is in the hands of the federal bankruptcy court. What does this mean for consumers? And what does this mean for the auto industry?
For starters, GM is downsizing, with only the GMC, Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet lines remaining. Pontiac, Hummer, Saturn and Saab will likely be sold to help boost the company’s flagging stock. GM says they’re committed to continuing to serve their customers and honoring their warranties, but already a number of dealerships have closed, making it harder for those who need service or who want to buy GM vehicles to find what they’re looking for.
It's too soon to tell whether or not the bankruptcy process will succeed in reducing the bloat that GM has been carrying and turn it into a lean, consumer-satisfaction driven entity. It’s also too soon to tell whether or not consumer confidence in GM will ever return.
But more importantly, this development has to shake the auto industry to its very core. GM was one of the Big 3 – unassailable, or so it seemed. The lesson for the auto industry is one that other industries have been learning for a while now. You can't tell the consumer what they want to buy – you have to listen to what they want and give them what they need. You’ve got to be nimble and able to respond to changing needs and demands.
In other words, you've got to give people the cars they need, rather than trying to create desire for the cars you want to make. And you've got to do it without so much industrial bloat – on both the corporate and manufacturing levels. And, perhaps above all, you’ve got to provide the quality and customer satisfaction people expect from today’s producers. If you can't do that, it seems likely that this bankruptcy won’t be the last we see in the auto industry.
And still things continue to change today, with the economy struggling, gas hitting more than $4 a gallon and American car companies rolling out cars that most Americans can't afford and don't want. Think about it – out of the last dozen or so car advertisements you saw trying to entice you to buy by offering large incentives, how many were for imports? You don't have to try to persuade people to buy what they're already buying.
In the midst of all this, GM has declared bankruptcy. The bailout attempt last fall didn't work – whether it was ill advised is water under the bridge. What we have to deal with now is the reality that one of the Big 3 – an American car manufacturer once though invincible – is in the hands of the federal bankruptcy court. What does this mean for consumers? And what does this mean for the auto industry?
For starters, GM is downsizing, with only the GMC, Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet lines remaining. Pontiac, Hummer, Saturn and Saab will likely be sold to help boost the company’s flagging stock. GM says they’re committed to continuing to serve their customers and honoring their warranties, but already a number of dealerships have closed, making it harder for those who need service or who want to buy GM vehicles to find what they’re looking for.
It's too soon to tell whether or not the bankruptcy process will succeed in reducing the bloat that GM has been carrying and turn it into a lean, consumer-satisfaction driven entity. It’s also too soon to tell whether or not consumer confidence in GM will ever return.
But more importantly, this development has to shake the auto industry to its very core. GM was one of the Big 3 – unassailable, or so it seemed. The lesson for the auto industry is one that other industries have been learning for a while now. You can't tell the consumer what they want to buy – you have to listen to what they want and give them what they need. You’ve got to be nimble and able to respond to changing needs and demands.
In other words, you've got to give people the cars they need, rather than trying to create desire for the cars you want to make. And you've got to do it without so much industrial bloat – on both the corporate and manufacturing levels. And, perhaps above all, you’ve got to provide the quality and customer satisfaction people expect from today’s producers. If you can't do that, it seems likely that this bankruptcy won’t be the last we see in the auto industry.
Monday, June 1, 2009
What is Airbag Fraud?
When we get into our cars to drive, we trust our very lives to the safety of our vehicles. Most vehicles come with air bags as standard equipment for good reason – airbags can save lives. But if you’re buying a used car or are having your new car repaired, you have to be very, very careful to avoid becoming a victim of airbag fraud.
Airbags are expensive and difficult to replace. A new airbag can cost from $700 to $1,000 and they aren’t “one size fits all” – each vehicle requires a different airbag based on the make, model, and year of the car, as well as the location of the airbag inside the car. The airbag must be carefully installed by a skilled professional if it’s going to work properly, and all necessary electronic and computer circuitry must be checked to ensure that it will work properly in the event of another crash.
When the airbag isn’t properly replaced and installed as outlined above, the airbag won’t work. In fact, there have been cases reported where the old airbag was just stuffed into the cavity and the cover replaced, as well as cases where trash was used to fill the space where the airbag should have been. For less than $100, you can buy a replacement cover and a module that will reset the dash sensor light that shows if there’s a problem with the airbag, making it easy for unscrupulous shops to overcharge for work they don’t do. All of these situations represent airbag fraud – profitable for the person committing the fraud (at least until they’re caught) and potentially deadly for the buyer and passengers of such a used car.
The only way to make sure a used car has a properly installed and functioning airbag is to take the car to a certified airbag mechanic. Look for a shop that boasts the ASE Blue Seal Recognition Program in airbag repair. This is just as important as having a mechanic check the rest of the car for damage. You should never attempt to remove the airbag cover yourself; to do so could cause you serious injury and damage the airbag.
In addition, you shouldn’t rely on car vehicle reports to determine whether or not an airbag has deployed. Some insurance companies don’t provide this information to the vehicle report companies and not all accidents are reported. Further, there’s a lag between when an accident happens and when it shows up on the vehicle history report. Instead, look for telltale signs of the car having been in an accident and look for seams and cuts along the airbag cover.
If your car is involved in an accident, make sure that you use a collision repair shop with mechanics that are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, and make sure the mechanic who replaces the airbag is a certified airbag mechanic. Ask to see the new airbag before it’s installed. It should come from the manufacturer in a sealed container and the packaging information should match the make, model and year of your car. You can also ask for a copy of the invoice where the repair shop purchased the airbag from the manufacturer.
When you get your car back, your airbag light should function normally. For most cars, this means that the light will flash briefly when you crank your car, then go out. If the light doesn’t flash or comes on and stays on, the car needs further repairs.
Finally, if you suspect airbag fraud, you can call the National Insurance Crime Bureau hotline at 1-800-835-6422 for more advice on the action you need to take.
Airbags are expensive and difficult to replace. A new airbag can cost from $700 to $1,000 and they aren’t “one size fits all” – each vehicle requires a different airbag based on the make, model, and year of the car, as well as the location of the airbag inside the car. The airbag must be carefully installed by a skilled professional if it’s going to work properly, and all necessary electronic and computer circuitry must be checked to ensure that it will work properly in the event of another crash.
When the airbag isn’t properly replaced and installed as outlined above, the airbag won’t work. In fact, there have been cases reported where the old airbag was just stuffed into the cavity and the cover replaced, as well as cases where trash was used to fill the space where the airbag should have been. For less than $100, you can buy a replacement cover and a module that will reset the dash sensor light that shows if there’s a problem with the airbag, making it easy for unscrupulous shops to overcharge for work they don’t do. All of these situations represent airbag fraud – profitable for the person committing the fraud (at least until they’re caught) and potentially deadly for the buyer and passengers of such a used car.
The only way to make sure a used car has a properly installed and functioning airbag is to take the car to a certified airbag mechanic. Look for a shop that boasts the ASE Blue Seal Recognition Program in airbag repair. This is just as important as having a mechanic check the rest of the car for damage. You should never attempt to remove the airbag cover yourself; to do so could cause you serious injury and damage the airbag.
In addition, you shouldn’t rely on car vehicle reports to determine whether or not an airbag has deployed. Some insurance companies don’t provide this information to the vehicle report companies and not all accidents are reported. Further, there’s a lag between when an accident happens and when it shows up on the vehicle history report. Instead, look for telltale signs of the car having been in an accident and look for seams and cuts along the airbag cover.
If your car is involved in an accident, make sure that you use a collision repair shop with mechanics that are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, and make sure the mechanic who replaces the airbag is a certified airbag mechanic. Ask to see the new airbag before it’s installed. It should come from the manufacturer in a sealed container and the packaging information should match the make, model and year of your car. You can also ask for a copy of the invoice where the repair shop purchased the airbag from the manufacturer.
When you get your car back, your airbag light should function normally. For most cars, this means that the light will flash briefly when you crank your car, then go out. If the light doesn’t flash or comes on and stays on, the car needs further repairs.
Finally, if you suspect airbag fraud, you can call the National Insurance Crime Bureau hotline at 1-800-835-6422 for more advice on the action you need to take.
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