All the best in 2012

The countdown is on!

Have a safe and happy New Years Eve...

and all the best to you in 2012.

And please, please, please remember: Stay sober and STAY SAFE on the roads!

Turning Points: Why turning your car can cause a collision

When you're parked in a parking lot and you pass all the other cars on the way to your own, do you notice how many of them have scrapes, scratches, paint rubs, and dents on the corners of the bumpers? There's a good reason for that: Turning causes collisions.

I'm talking about regular turning in normal conditions – going forward or going backward while your wheels are pointed in a direction other than "straight".

While turning, drivers tend to forget where each of the four corners of their car is. It sounds strange but a lot of people have this same struggle.

Think of your car's four corners as being a triangular shape – the one point is the wheel, the second point is the corner of the car, and the third point is a space about a third of the way across the front or back of the car. That's the "danger zone" on your car which tends to swing wider than you might realize and also has a blindspot.

What adds an additional challenge to this is the relationship that these corners have: One corner will swing the widest around the outside of the turn while the opposite corner will swing the least around the inside of the turn. But all four corners will move!

It's one thing to know that this is how it works, but it's quite another thing to see it in action. If you want to be a better driver, take your car to an empty lot and try some of the following things:

• Create a corner and turn going forward. Stop two or three times in the turn and take note of where the four corners of your car is.
• Do the same thing going backward (it's harder to do because the wheels that steer you are at the "back" of your car when you're in reverse!). Train yourself to pay very close attention to the front right corner of your car if you are backing to the left, and pay very close attention to the front left corner of your car if you are backing to the right.
• Also, be aware of the blindspots. Lean a stick (use a broom or a garden rake) straight up against the bumper of your car. Then sit in your car and notice how close it is to your car.
• To further understand your blindspots, sit in your car and have someone else walk diagonally away from each corner of your car. As soon as you can see their feet, have them place a pylon on the ground. Then get out and walk around the car to see exactly how much space is in your corner blindspots!

Even with all of that practice, you might still end up in tight corners that scrape or dent your bumper. When that happens, bring your car to collision repair experts Boyd Autobody & Glass. We'll restore the look of your car and its safety (even a bumper dent can compromise your car's safety).

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

Happy holidays from Body Autobody & Glass!

Please drive safe and sober this holiday season!

13 Tips for driving in blizzards

A general rule of thumb is: If it's blizzarding out, don't drive.

Unfortunately, that's not always a possibility. I confess that there are many times in my life when I've driven somewhere in conditions that could only be described as "snow-laden mayhem". I've regretted the decision more than once.

Blizzard driving is horrible. Visibility is minimal and safety is minimal (not just because you can't see in front of you but because other people can't see in front of them). It seems like every year or two there's a news story about a huge pile-up of cars on a highway because of a blizzard.

If you HAVE to drive in a blizzard, here are some tips:

1. Don't drive. Do whatever you can to avoid it.
2. Call your destination before you leave and tell them when you're leaving and what route you're taking.
3. Before you leave, depending on how long your trip is, make sure you have survival gear (including a parka and some candles), a shovel, and a charged cell phone.
4. Check your fuel level. If you're on a long trip, top up your tank often. (I tell you this from experience).
5. Test the roads before you leave. If the roads are even slightly icy, it could be worse with a layer of dusty snow on top of it.
6. Turn off the radio. Focus. Put both hands on the wheel. Put the coffee down. Put the cell phone down.
7. If necessary, open the windows slightly or turn the heater from "recirculate" to "vent". That will keep your windows from fogging up when you need all the visibility you can get.
8. Don't stare into the blinding white snow. Look in front of your car and out over your hood. Chances are, you have better visibility lower to the ground because the car in front of you is kicking up snow from its wheels.
9. From time to time (and only when safe to do so), get out and check that your head lights, air intake grill, and rear lights are not obstructed by snow.
10. Maintain a steady rate of speed. Speeding up could cause a collision with the car in front. Slowing down could cause a collision with the car behind.
11. Your high beams will probably be ineffective. Keep them on low. Maybe even use your four-way flashers.
12. If you have to pull off the road, pull way, way, way off the road.
13. If you are stranded, make sure that you and your car are out of harm's way. If you can leave your car running to stay warm, make sure that there isn't any snow plugging up your exhaust pipe. If you hail down another car, make sure that they pull off the road before helping you. If you have to stay in your car overnight, light a candle for warmth but open the windows slightly to clear the smoke.

Blizzards are dangerous to drive in! If you get into a collision during a blizzard, stay safe. And when you can, bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass for a quality collision repair… so the next time you have to drive through a blizzard, your car will be as safe as it can be!

The best part of a romantic comedy is the worst part of winter driving

In every romantic comedy set in the summertime, the girl is just about to leave on an airplane and the guy is somehow able to circumvent a million National Security regulations and run out onto the tarmac and win the girls' heart back.

Winter RomCom "Serendipity"

But in every romantic comedy set in the winter, the girl and boy meet in the evening on a beautifully plowed street (and perfectly shoveled sidewalk) and there's always a good, steady snowfall of those thick flakes.

Either the girl or the boy will, at some point, stick out their tongue to catch a snowflake. Every romantic comedy set in the winter is like this. You know the snowfall I'm talking about, right? It's the really good kind of snowfall – the one rare time when you actually like winter and want to invite everyone over for hot chocolate and carols.

Well, the best part of romantic comedies is the worst part of winter driving. Have you ever driven down a dark highway when it's snowing like that? It's horrible. Hey, I've been driving long enough to know how to drive in blizzards, how to dig my car out of the deepest of ditches, how to navigate some black ice like I'm in an Olympic slalom… but the worst part of winter driving is a night of steady thick snow.

It's the kind of snowfall that seems to come down nice and heavy when you're standing still but when you're driving, the snow streaks toward you like you've just taken the Millennium Falcon into warp speed. (Uhh… my editor is a nerd and pointed out that I just mixed up my sci-fi references there).

It's nice for about 5 minutes as you pretend to be Han Solo rescuing what's-her-face from the dude in the mask. (My editor is now shaking his fist at me). But then something happens. That nice, fluffy, romantic-comedy-meets-the-Millenium-Falcon snow starts to mesmerize you. It starts to hypnotize you.

Within a few minutes of driving like this, you're cross-eyed as if you are trying to see a 3D tiger in a Magic Eye picture. You're magically lulled into a weird zombie-like mental state where you can't look anywhere else but straight at those streaking star-like snowflakes. Your mind is numb. Your body is frozen.

Obviously, it's horribly dangerous. And weird. But mostly dangerous. For a brief moment, you really are lulled into some kind of Twilight Zone and, unfortunately, just about anything could happen and you wouldn't notice until too late: Deer, car, sleigh ride of merry-making snowmen, Santa, whatever. Too much of that mesmerizing snow and suddenly WHAM! (No, not the band from the 1980's – I'm making a graphic onomatopoeic reference to a collision).

It's too bad we can't use that hypnosis in our favor. Perhaps when you're driving in that kind of weather, you can convince yourself to quit smoking or lose weight or cluck like a chicken. (I'm sure people go to hypnotists for other things, but those are the 3 things I've gone to a hypnotist for).

On second thought, maybe it's not such a good idea. Maybe if that kind of snow starts falling, it's best just to stay off the road. After all, there's a good chance that a bunch of lovebirds are out catching snowflakes on their tongues.

If you don't have choice and you DO happen to go out into that hypnotizing snow, if you do happen to crash into a snowman or Wham (now I am referring to the band) or to anything else, bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass for a quick safe repair to get you back out onto the road this winter season.

Six skills you need when driving

It's unfortunate that most of us learn to drive when we are young and don't need to recertify throughout our lives. It might actually help to diminish some of the collisions on our roads today.

If you are a driver who wants to drive safer, here are six skills that you should work on improving:

1. Use your full field of vision: Look all around you (including blindspots) and sweep your eyes around your field of vision frequently to take everything in. Also, pay attention to your peripheral vision (most people don't) and make sure that what goes on in your periphery registers in your mind.
2. Speed of response: Good driving is all about responding to what is going on around you. The faster you respond, the better. Unfortunately, most of us get complacent as we drive (a combination of fatigue, age, and habit) but we can push through and speed up our response.
3. Learn to make quick decisions: A fast response (above) is only as good as your ability to respond in the right way. Work to improve your decision-making speed. You can do this by following the next step.
4. Know all of your options: Driving in your current lane at the current speed and assuming that no one else wants to occupy the same physical space as you is dangerous! You have several lanes to choose from, you have several speeds to choose from, and there are plenty of other drivers on the road who are not as skilled at driving as you are. Smart drivers know that they have several options at all times.
5. Anticipate: Try to figure out what other drivers are likely to do. Is there an intersection ahead? The car you're following could turn left, turn right, drive straight through, or brake. All of those options will change how you have to drive. That is anticipation.
6. Courtesy: Courtesy is a skill that needs to be honed. After years of driving and seeing the nonsense that goes on around us, it's easy for us to become less courteous. However, a courteous driver gives people plenty of space, doesn't provoke other people, and doesn't respond when provoked.

Driving with these six skills will make you a safer driver, they'll help to make your travels more enjoyable, and if we all work at improving these six skills in ourselves, our roads will be that much safer.

Unfortunately, you might come in contact with a driver who has missed out on some of these six skills. When that happens, your car pays the price. If you are in a collision, bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass for fast, safe repairs to get you back on the road. The six skills are things you'll have to work on yourself but we can help to make sure the car you're driving is the best it can be.

The most annoying part of winter driving

If you were to have people to make a list of all the different aspects of winter driving that they hate, you'd get stuff like "it's cold", "it's hard to steer", "the car won't start", "I have to shovel my driveway to get to work". Pretty standard stuff. No surprises there. Part of what makes us Canadian is our shared dislike of the coldest 6 months of our seasonal year.

Everyone has something they hate about winter driving. Want to know the thing I hate most?

It has nothing to do those things listed above (although they can be troublesome, I'll admit it). What I hate most about winter driving is something I call "The Tank Syndrome".

Here's what happens: You (yes, YOU) get up in the morning and it's cold and you don't want to go to work. And when you get out to your car, you notice that there is snow and ice all over it. Instead of taking the three minutes to brush off all of the snow and then using the ice scraper to completely clear all the windows, you create a wee little opening to see out of.

This little opening is probably the size of a postage stamp or, if you're really diligent, maybe it's the size of a business-card. It's small enough to make old-time pinhole camera manufacturers jealous. For those who are really conscientious, they can boast about creating a panorama with their postcard-sized hole.

I call it "The Tank Syndrome" because it reminds me of military tanks – the car is armoured in show and ice and there is a small slit in the front window that the driver can see out of but the enemy can't shoot inside. You feel invulnerable in that kind of rolling cage of safety.

How does this happen? During the summer, the windows are down (or better yet, the convertible roof is retracted), and you have full range of vision and can drive safely. That makes sense.

But during the winter our minds somehow change and we decide that the weather is bad so we don't want to see any of it. Somehow, the short days and bitter temperatures confuse us into thinking that we shouldn't have a clear field of vision to drive through ice and to swerve around snow banks and to battle through blizzards. We somehow think that our cars – armoured in snow and ice – will protect us from the worst weather and we minimize our field of vision to the narrowest possible amount.

By the end of winter, the ice and snow on our cars have built up so much that only a team of archaeologists could chip down to the original surface of our car.

Please! Take a few minutes and chip off the ice and snow. Ignore your desire to drive around in a tank and do battle with the snow.

And, if you get hit by a moving ice-tank, bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass and we'll restore the REAL safety features of your car so you can get back out there and face the elements.

Five lessons that poker can teach us about driving safely

Poker is a fun game! There is a small amount of luck, a surprising amount of skill, and you can win a lot and lose a lot on every hand. In this article, we'll look at five truths about the game of poker that can help you be a better driver.

1. Read your opponents: Good poker playing is all about understanding who your opponents are and what their "tells" suggest about the cards they have. Sometimes your fellow drivers do a good job of telling you what they are doing (with signals or appropriate braking) and sometimes they don't. Watch the other drivers around you and try to figure out what they are planning on doing before they do it!
2. Think ahead: Good poker playing means thinking ahead – calculating the odds that the card you want is going to turn up and figuring out what other cards are likely to have been played on the table. As a driver, you should think ahead before every trip so you can make sure you take the best route.
3. Never bet on a short straight: This is a common problem in poker. Between the cards in your hands and the ones revealed in the flop, you end up with 4 cards of a 5-card straight. So you stay in. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against you and you'll frequently lose the hand. Good drivers make sure that their cars are mechanically sound – the brakes work, the lights work, the car is as safe as it can be – so that the car will be responsive if you need to drive defensively.
4. There is no room for cheats: Poker has its rules and players who break those rules aren't likely going to be invited back for more gameplay. In driving, the consequences of cheating (i.e. skirting the law) are harsher and can include financial punishment or even the revocation of a drivers license.
5. Know when to hold' em, know when to fold 'em: In poker, good players get out when they should get out (instead of staying in and playing a particular pot through to the end). Likewise, in driving, some drivers choose to drive even though they shouldn't. Fatigue and inebriation are frequently the cause of collisions because they impair our ability to drive safely. Smart drivers recognize when they should and shouldn't drive.

Poker can be a fun game for those who know how to play and who sit at a table of other players who are serious about a good game. Likewise, driving can be an enjoyable experience when everyone is following the same set of rules and intent on getting where they need to go safely.

If you're driving your car and you collide with someone who should not have been playing the game, bring your car in to Boyd Autobody & Glass. We'll fix up your car and get you back on the road so you can play a strong hand and get where you need to go.

Basics for Babies campaign was a success!

Babies deserve every chance they can get to grow up with the right food and clothes, but not all families have the means to provide their children with those essentials...

So the Basics for Babies campaign (which is put on by the Greater Vancouver food bank) is a really exciting opportunity for Boyd Autobody & Glass to get involved and make an impact in the community.

The Greater Vancouver locations of Boyd Autobody & Glass collected donations from staff and vendor partners. 

Thanks to the effort of Boyd staff and our vendor partners, Basics For Babies received 29 boxes of baby related items plus cash/cheque donations. In total, the combined food and money donations exceeded $5,000.00.

Special thanks to our vendor partners who participated!

• Performance Radiator 
• Marrand Auto
• Hemrich Bros. Garage
• Granville & Avery
• Carter GM
• Metro Motors
• Pro Body Parts
• Auto Tech Air Conditioning
• Lordco Auto Parts
• Caruk & Associates
• Anvil Auto Glass
• Autohouse Technologies
• APT
• QRP
• Wolfe Langley Mazda
• Jonker Nissan
• Maple Ridge Chrysler
• Vancouver Auto Colour
• Kent Automotive

Reduce the chance of automobile vandalism

Aside from your house, your car is probably one of the biggest purchases you make; therefore, it's important to keep it in good shape. It's frustrating to walk out of the shopping mall only to find that someone has vandalized your car – by painting it or keying it.

Here are some ways to help you reduce the chance of automobile vandalism

• If possible, park in a closed, locked garage.
• Lock your car and use a club and/or an immobilizer. (This will help to eliminate vandals who are looking for a quick payday from the cash in your ash tray.
• Be discerning about where you park your car – An area that has a lot of graffiti might mean that your car is a blank canvas waiting to be tagged.
• Understand that there are different kinds of vandals out there: There are vindictive vandals who will key your car because you parked too close to theirs or because your car is nicer than theirs, and there are thrill-seeking vandals who just vandalize things for some laughs. You need to keep both types of vandals in mind when parking your car.
• Choose parking lots that are monitored by CCTV or security. Even if these cost a little more, the few dollars of parking fee will more than cover for the peace of mind that you'll have (compared to the cost and inconvenience of having to get your vandalized car repaired).
• Park as close to a source of light as possible. A street light, for example, will help to keep your car illuminated and can deter vandals who are looking for some quick laughs.
• Park close to where other people are walking around. Vandals are less likely to act when they could be spotted by others.
• In a shopping mall parking lot, don't park too close to the store or too far away. If you part half-way to three-quarters of the way from the store, you'll hit the "sweet spot" of the parking lot: Close enough to other people so you reduce the thrill-seekers; far enough from other people so you reduce the vindictive vandals.
• Avoid controversial bumper stickers that could invite a response – such as political or religious bumper stickers that could be viewed negatively by others.
• Repair vandalism as quickly as possible (even if it doesn't appear to impact the integrity of your car's body) because some vandalism can attract other vandalism.

If your car is vandalized, assess the damage as soon as possible. A car that has been spray painted doesn't look good but can still be driven for a while. A car that has been keyed might have to be looked at by an autobody shop sooner because the paint could be scratched off, exposing the metal and risking a foothold for rust.

If your car is vandalized, bring it to Boyd Autobody & Glass. We can take a look at the damage and help you understand what needs to be fixed right away and what can wait (if you choose to wait). A quick visit to Boyd as soon as the vandalism happens can help you to restore the value of your vehicle and protect it from rust

5 ways to master the dreaded snow bank

One of the very first times I drove into a snow bank, I was by myself in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night. It was not good. It was too cold to walk anywhere and I didn't have the kind of emergency survival equipment that one might need to stay alive in a situation like this. It was a "dig out or else" situation… and not something I ever want to repeat. (And since I'm writing this, you can probably figure out that I survived).

I did some pretty crazy things to get out of that snow bank (including leaving the car in drive while I ran out behind it to push (NOT ADVISABLE). Fortunately, that stupid solution didn't work. I was stuck solidly. I didn't get out until someone else happened to be driving down the same remote road some time later that night. We used a snow shovel, some car mats, an old coat, and a heck of a lot of muscle-power to unstick my car.

Since then, I don't travel without a few things in my car that will solve the problem. Depending on where I'm going and how bad the weather is supposed to be, I travel with some combination of the following items, and you should consider including some of these things in your car, too:

1. Snow shovel. I like using a plastic shovel that is lightweight and doesn't take up a lot of room in the trunk. It does the job in a pinch and doesn't cost a lot. (Also, the plastic ones won't puncture the rubber if you're digging around your tire).
2. Cat litter or salt. This is good to get traction on ice… especially if you've spun your tires a lot and turned the snow into ice!
3. Towel. I was surprised at how well this worked: It was enough traction to get out of snow.
4. Wooden boards. I've used these with some success in the past. They're good for those occasions when you are on some deep snow and have a little bit of distance to traverse before you get out. Just be careful that you don't stand directly behind them when driving because they can shoot out from under the car!
5. Tow rope. Tow ropes are great if you have another vehicle to help you get out.

Once your car is out of the snow, walk around it to make sure that there isn't a big build-up of snow around the tires or in the exhaust pipe or engine compartment. Snow in these areas can degrade the operation of your vehicle and can even be very unsafe to drive!

Also, walk around your car and check for damage. The snow, ice, or something hidden by the snow can damage your car. Check under your car, the body of your car, and keep an eye on your wheel alignment.

If your car's body is damaged, bring it to Boyd Autobody & Glass right away. We'll restore it quickly and professionally to help keep rust out of the damaged area and to return the car to its safest condition.

4 great mobile tools for drivers

When an earthquake struck the east coast of the US, recently, people were receiving tweets about it and then feeling the earthquake's shockwaves moments later. What a world we live in where news can travel that quickly. And while it's true that some news ends up being fake (Justin Timberlake is still alive and the Balloon Boy never was in the balloon) technology can be harnessed positively to make our lives better. Drivers have great tools available to them to help them arrive at their destinations on time and safely.

In this article, I’m going to give you a few tools you can use to help you drive better:

Twitter: Twitter is a great tool that provides real time information. Sometimes it's not so helpful (I don't care what kind of sandwich you're eating) but sometimes it can be helpful. Use Twitter's search function (http://search.twitter.com) to help you plan your route. Search for the name of your city or town plus the word "traffic". For example, search "Vancouver Traffic" or the hashtag #vancouvertraffic if you live in Vancouver. (Of course, substitute your own city or town). This can alert you in real time to accidents, construction, lane closures, and more, without having to wait for the traffic report on the radio.

Apps to read your emails: If you can't wait until you get home to read your emails, tweets, Facebook statuses, and whatnot, many mobile devices have apps that will read these for you while you drive. It's much easier and safer to have them read to you than to read them yourself (and, in some jurisdictions, it's illegal to use your phone while driving). Each mobile device is different so I'm not naming any specific apps here, but if you search your app store on your mobile device, you should find an app that can read your emails for you.

Waze: Here's an interesting app that has some interesting potential. It's called "social GPS" and it provides turn-by-turn GPS functionality for your iPhone or Android device. So, how is it different than regular GPS? As a "social GPS", it builds off of information from other users so it can respond in real time to road conditions. If only a few people use it, it's frankly not going to be that helpful (because there is less input for the "real time" component). But if many people use it, every additional piece of information can help it to become a useful tool to everyone.

Car Accident Report: There's an app for everything, and it turns out that there's a app for when you are in a collision. With Car Accident Report (C.A.R., available on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/c.a.r.-car-accident-report/id320377277?mt=8) you get an iPhone tool that can record a whole bunch of really helpful information when you get into a collision. It will pull in GPS information and Google Maps to help you report what happened, and there is a place to collect driver and witness information.

There isn't an app yet for when you need a repair after a collision, but when you bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass, we can repair it for you quickly and easily to get you back on the road.

Easy ways to eliminate road rage

It doesn't seem that long ago when you would hear a news story about someone who "lost it" during rush hour and picked a fight with the driver in front of them. But today, news stories about road rage are becoming increasingly common. We're not as shocked by them, and we chalk it up to "road rage" (now that we have a name for it).

But road rage is completely avoidable. If you tend to fly off the handle while driving (and if you don't want to) then here are some easy ways to eliminate road rage.

First, plan ahead: Before jumping in the car to go somewhere, take a moment to plan your route. Consider taking a slightly longer route that has no stop lights. Chances are, it will take about the same amount of time but it will feel faster… and less frustrating.

Second, do a bit of research: It's not as boring as it sounds. Instead, check a couple of websites for road conditions, construction, and traffic jams. For example, many cities will post information about road construction sites so check them first. Also, search on Twitter (http://search.twitter.com) for local traffic. If you live in Winnipeg, for example, you can search #winnipegtraffic to find out up-to-the-minute traffic conditions.

Third, mitigate your frustration triggers. Do you find bad drivers annoying? Do you hate stop-and-go traffic? Do you get frustrated by not having enough room while you drive? Figure out what frustrates you and make changes accordingly. For example, travel when there are fewer cars on the road or take routes that have fewer stop lights.

Fourth, leave early. Road rage can stem from a combination of factors – frustration at other drivers and stress from work – but it can also be caused by a feeling of being late. You can easily eliminate that by adding a few extra minutes to every trip.

No one is saying that you have to start driving like a sightseeing, Sunday-driving slowpoke. And these four tips won't completely eliminate the frustration you feel when you drive. But if you want to remain a little more patient and calm while driving, these four tips can help.

In spite of your best efforts, sometimes a collision can still happen. When it does happen, remain calm – although you might feel that your frustration has peaked, this is when it is most important to remain calm… for everyone's safety and to help the police and the insurance companies sort out the situation.

When a collision does occur, bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass for a high quality repair to put your car back into great shape. We'll make sure your car looks great, drives well, and keeps your family safe while on the road.

Misconceptions about collisions (and what's REALLY going on behind the wheel)

According to Transport Canada, there were over 120,000 collisions in Canada in 2009 (the last full year that statistics are available for). That's approximately 13 or 14 every single hour, or slightly more than one every five minutes.

Now, you might be thinking to yourself: "I'm not going to get into a collision; I'm a safe driver". But many people who say that have two misconceptions that they are not considering.

1. First, no one ever plans to get into a collision. So deciding not to get into a collision isn't really a "decision" you can make.
2. Second, collisions don't just happen because two unsafe drivers crash into each other. They happen when one unsafe driver crashes into a safe driver or when one safe driver loses control of their vehicle and crashes into another safe driver.

Collisions occur because of a combination of factors, and not all of those factors are entirely controlled by the person sitting in the driver's seat:

• The environment can make it difficult to be aware of what's going on around you. For example, fog can limit your ability to see very far or lightning can momentarily blind you.
• The environment can foil your quick and accurate reactions. For example, icy roads can keep you driving straight even when you're doing your best to turn.
• Numerous distractions can cause you to react a second or two too late. Even if you're not on your cell phone or yelling at the kids in the back seat, it can be easy to take your attention from the road to shift gears or turn on the air conditioning or reach for your coffee. That second or two makes all the difference.
• In the milliseconds before a collision, your mind unconsciously evaluates as many possibilities as it can to protect you. That's why you might automatically steer away from the potential collision or brake suddenly or even stiffen your body as a natural response to the danger. And sometimes, a collision with a car might have been your preferred unconscious response to some other potential collision (such as a collision with a cyclist who is not protected in a cage of steel).
• Other drivers – unsafe drivers – drive on the same roads you do but don't take into consideration all of the rules of the road that you do. If even half of the collisions in 2009 were the result of an unsafe driver crashing into a safe driver, that's still 60,000 safe drivers who were in collisions!

As you can see, even a great driver who decides that they are so safe they can't get into a collision can still find themselves in a scenario where a collision is inevitable in spite of their safe driving. When a collision like that occurs, it's no longer about how safe your driving is but rather it's about the safety features in your car.
After your collision, bring your car to Boyd Autobody & Glass for repairs. We'll work hard to restore your car to pre-collision condition and we'll restore the safety features that are built into your car to protect you in case of another collision… so you can get back onto the road safely.

Top Reasons Why Your Car Won't Start

Top Reasons Why Your Car Won't Start

There's nothing like that sinking feeling when you turn the key in the ignition, nothing happens. And since a car is a big group of complicated systems – with each one connected to several other systems – it can be daunting to know where to start. Fortunately, there are a few common reasons and these are a good place to start.

Here are a few of the top reasons why your car won't start.

Immobilizer. Many cars are equipped with immobilizer devices and those devices are engaged and disengaged through computer chips embedded in the key or a key fob. Unfortunately, those chips aren't always durable when they're jammed into your pocket with your cellphone, chewing gum, and coins. Check to make sure the immobilizer light isn't flashing.

Fuel. You have enough fuel in the car, right? And it's not in a big pool under the car, right? That might seem like a silly question to ask but it's a good first place to check. If you've tried starting the car and you smell fuel – but there isn't any under the car – it's possible that the engine has been flooded (by inadvertently pressing the gas pedal too soon).

Transmission. Sometimes, it's as simple as your transmission isn't fully in "Park" (even though the stick shift seems to be). Put on the parking brake, turn the key slightly, put the transmission in neutral and try again.

Battery. Like any other battery, your car's battery carries a charge and can lose its power over time. This can be hastened by leaving lights on. Try turning on your headlights and seeing if they come on. If not, you might need a jumpstart.

Connections. Canadian roads can be rough and winters can be harsh, so wires that connect one part of the car to another can loosen and corrode. Lift your hood and check to make sure everything is connected and that each connection is clean.

Fuses. You're probably familiar with fuses in your house. If you plug too many things into them at once, they can blow. The same thing can happen to your car. Pull out your owner's manual and check those fuses.

If you're still not sure what it could be, try lifting the hood so you can watch, listen, and smell what's going on. Your senses could give you a clue as to what the problem might be. Of course, there are many reasons why your car may not start and if none of these work, seek the help of a professional mechanic to analyze and fix the problem.

Financing vs Leasing

The Difference between Financing and Leasing... Which one is Right for You?

If you are thinking about getting a new car or truck, one of the things you'll need to consider is whether you want to finance your car or lease it.

Financing your car is where you borrow the money to buy your car. You pay regular payments to the lending company. Leasing your car is where you borrow the car and pay regular payments to the company lending you the car.

With financing, you own the car. If you cannot make payments, the lending company will repossess the car to try and sell it and recoup what they couldn't collect from you. With leasing, the dealership owns the car. If you cannot make payments, the dealership will repossess the car to try and recoup what they couldn't collect from you.

The key difference between the two is who owns the car. This difference will have an impact on how you drive the car and what you do with the car at the end of the loan period.

With financing, you own the car. When the loan is over, you own the car "free and clear" and can continue driving it or resell it or whatever. The advantage to you is that you actually own the car and are free to do whatever you want with it. The disadvantage to you is that you actually own the car and are now responsible for selling it.

With leasing, the dealership owns the car. At the end of the loan period, they would like to get the car back in great shape so they can resell it. The advantage to you is that you're paying a small monthly fee to drive a nice new car and you don't have to worry about selling the car at the end of the loan. The disadvantage is that the dealership might charge you extra for mileage over a specified annual mileage allowance or they might charge clean and repair the car when you're done with it.

So, which one is right for you? That depends on you, of course. If you want to own your car and not worry about the shape you'll return it in at the end of the loan, then financing might be the way to go. If you want to always drive the latest car, and you don’t mind paying extra if the dealership doesn't feel that the car is pristine, then leasing might be the option you prefer.

We've tried to take a balanced approach on financing versus leasing. For more information about financing and leasing (although they are not necessarily neutral on the topic!) check out these links:

·        This article from Investopedia takes a mainly balanced approach and digs in a little deeper into the topic: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/05/042105.asp#axzz1UYnOEaF8

·      

     LeaseGuide has some valuable tool and tips for leasing: http://www.leaseguide.com/index2.htm

·       The Buy Versus Lease Decision: Suze Orman is no fan of leasing! Find out why she doesn't like it: http://biz.yahoo.com/pfg/e16buylease/

Preserving your car's value

Several Ways to Preserve and Improve the Value of Your Car

It's said that cars lose half their value the moment you drive them off of the lot. While that might be an anecdotal estimate at best, the truth is that cars devalue every time the odometer clicks past another number.

Just because your car will constantly depreciate doesn't mean that you can't manage its depreciation and help to minimize the loss of value over time. Here are some tips to do that effectively.

• Keep the inside of your car clean. You probably keep the cup holders wiped clean of coffee rings, but a key area where cars can deteriorate on the inside is completely unseen: Carpets in the foot-wells build up with dirt and debris. It's often wet and it tends to get ground into the carpet, damaging the carpet fibres and the deteriorating the metal below. Rubber floor mats help but vacuuming out your interior regularly will significantly preserve the floor of your car.
• Keep the engine tuned. This might seem like a "no brainer" but the cost of not doing it is even higher than you might think. Keeping your engine tuned will not only improve gas mileage and ensure that your car runs longer, but it also helps to keep your engine working less. The less efficient your engine operates, the harder it has to work to travel the same distance; and the harder it has to work, the more wear-and-tear will degrade your engine.
• Slow down and pay attention on the road. I can't stress this one enough. We live in a time where everyone is in a hurry and there are so many distractions (in the car and on our minds!) that keep us from giving 110% to the road ahead. By checking your speed slightly, and putting your problems aside during the trip, you'll increase your chances of arriving to your destination safely and with an intact car.

• Watch for wear on your paintjob. Your car's paint helps to protect the metal body of your car. But when that protective barrier is breached, you will start to get rust. Wash your car and take a close look for door dings, scratches, and paint chips, and deal with them immediately. And, from time to time, have your car detailed and waxed to help add to the protective barrier.
• Watch for trouble spots. Use a site like www.lemonaidcars.com to find out some of the typical top concerns for the car you drive. Deal with those problems right away.
• Rent a car for other uses. Sometimes you need to tow a trailer or haul something heavy or messy. Rent a car for those uses to help maintain your vehicle as a people-mover only.

You may never be able to increase the value of your car but you can improve it, or at least preserve it, to slow its depreciation.

Organizing a Car Show

A How-To for Organizing a Local Car Show

Local car shows are a great way to get people together who share a common appreciation for cars. Car shows are also good for business and they can help to raise money for charity. If you run a business or want to raise money for a good cause, here are some tips to help you organize a local car show.

· Decide on a theme. Do you want a classic car show? Do you want a motorcycle show instead? Do you want an antique car show? Or maybe just a general car show that auto enthusiasts of any type can participate in?

· Gauge interest. Talk to potential participants to see if they are interested in taking part. Check a calendar of local events to make sure that there aren't other car shows at the same time.

· Choose a charity or local cause to raise money. You'll also need to decide how to raise support – will you charge admission? Will you hold a raffle? Will you take donations? Remember, it doesn't have to be financial support; your local food bank will probably welcome donations of canned goods.

· Find a good location. Your location should be central to the area you hope to draw a crowd from. Talk to the owner of a restaurant, ice cream shop, or coffee shop; they might welcome a car show in their parking lot if it will draw crowds to their establishment.

· Start advertising! You'll need to advertise to two groups of people – car owners and car show visitors. Get car owners to register with you ahead of time so you can manage how many people will show up. Encourage car show visitors to mark their calendars. Talk to local radio and TV personalities to "talk up" your car show on the air. Find local events calendars to include your car show on. Hand out flyers. Create the event on sites like Facebook, http://tweetvite.com/, and http://eventful.com. Encourage social media users to post on Twitter and Facebook. This step should be the one you spend the most time and effort on!

· Round out the show with other participants. Don’t forget that other participants might want to take part: Invite hotdog vendors to sell food, invite an inflatables renter to set up a "bouncy-house" for the kids, ask auto-related vendors if they would like to set up a booth or donate prizes.

One final tip – this one is critical! Always talk to local authorities to make sure that you have the proper licenses and permissions to hold an event. You might require a permit to hold the event, and you might require a different permit to serve food or alcoholic beverages.

A car show can draw a big crowd of people because it's a lot of fun. It can also help to raise money and awareness for a good cause. Organizing a car show is a lot of work but with proper planning and some organization, it can be worth it.

5 Ideas for an End-of-Summer Road Trip

End the Summer with a Bang!

It won't be long before the days get cooler, the leaves start changing colour, and the geese are seen flying to Orlando to spend the winter at Disney World.

As summer winds to a close in the next few weeks, there is still time for one last "hurrah"; a weekend to make memories with a friend or loved one that will keep you going through the cold, dark winter months.

Here are a few tips to enjoy one last end-of-summer weekend road trip that won't break the bank or require that you burn up any more vacation time, but will put the finishing touches on a great summer.

The explorer. Get out the map and sit down with your travel partner and find a place that is a 3-6 hour drive away… but it must be a place that neither of you have ever been to. Call ahead to locate a place to stay. On Saturday morning, head out on your trip and discover an entirely new place! Return home Sunday morning but take a different route.

The scavenger hunt. This is a day-long in-town road trip! You and your travel partner each write out a secret list of 20 or more things you might see around town and put each item on a separate 3x5 card. (Some ideas include: A pond, a cathedral gargoyle, a sequence of street address numbers, a cell phone tower, a mailbox of a specific color, etc.). On your "road trip", the driver pulls a card from the secret list created by the passenger and goes off in search for that item. Once the first item is found, switch seats and the new driver pulls a card from the secret list created by the new passenger.

The wanderer. Identify a number of small towns in a big loop that starts and ends where you live. Drive from one to the next, taking a picture of you and your travel partners in front of each town's sign. Spend a few minutes exploring the town before moving on.

The movie star. Choose a nearby destination then search for that location on IMDb.com (by using their location search at this link: http://www.imdb.com/search/text). Watch the movie first before you visit the destination and then see it in real life.

The new you. Rent a vehicle that you don't normally drive – perhaps a classic car, a convertible, a luxury car, or a sports car – and hit a rural highway for the day. Enjoy the quiet ride, take in the scenery, have a coffee or ice cream at a destination, and return by the end of the day.

Want to enjoy your trip even more? Make sure you have someone else along for the ride, assemble the perfect playlist of music for your trip, bring your camera to take pictures along the way.

Summer's almost over… but there's still a little more time to enjoy one last road trip!

Apps For Your Car

Top 5 Apps for your Car
By Josh Briggs

These days, technology has evolved to the point where imagination is the only thing slowing the gadget world down. Yet it seems like even our imaginations are running more and more rampant. The result: smartphones.

In this article we will look at iPhone applications available for your car. We know that you're probably thinking, "What's the big deal? Any app on an iPhone is accessible in the car." However, these five apps are specifically designed around motor vehicle operation. They cover a wide range of features and functions. Some are practical while others are just downright fun. So here are, in no particular order, the top five iPhone apps.

#5 - Carticipate
Carticipate brings fellow commuters together into a large social network of individuals looking to save money on fuel while also contributing to the environment by emitting less CO2 into the air in the form of emissions.

#4 - iGasUp
For just $2.99, iPhone users can download the iGasUp application and have updated gas station locations and fuel prices at their fingertips. The app gives users the 10 closest gas stations based on the phone's current location. This app is for US gas stations only.

#3 - Trapster
Have you ever driven down the road only to have an oncoming vehicle flashing its lights as you approach? Chances are someone is trying to warn you of a speed trap. If you have an iPhone, you won't have to rely on these visual signals from other drivers. With Trapster, you can scan your area for any known speed traps, police hang outs, speed cameras or even stop-light cameras.

#2 - TripAlyzer
TripAlyzer will let you know how well you're doing with your eco-friendly driving skills. After each trip, TripAlyzer can also give you a bottom line cost of how much you spent.

#1 - Dynolicious
If you have a hot rod, or at least you think you have what it takes to be the next John Force, Dynolicious may be the right iPhone application for you. Similar to other performance meters (some that cost hundreds of dollars) Dynolicious is the equivalent of having a radar gun, a drag strip timing mechanism and a dynamometer in the palm of your hand.

Source URL: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/automotive/5-iphone-car-apps.htm

Will electric vehicles survive Canadian winters??

Above is a photo of the MiEV - the Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle. Alternatives like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt offer options to consumers looking for non-gas-guzzling vehicles

An important question to ask is how these electric vehicles will fair over the course of a frigid Canadian winter. Batteries can lose 20-50% of their charge due to cold temperatures.

Websites like http://www.evcanada.org/ represent interest-group campaigns that promote the uptake of zero-emission vehicles by Canadians. But if these vehicles lose half their range for six months during the year, do they become impractical?

What do you think?

Dirty air box??

Does Your Air Box Need Cleaning?

By Matthew Wright, About.com Guide  May 5, 2011

Gunk is the enemy of your engine both inside and out. Your air filter catches lots of dust and larger particles that could potentially harm your engine, and you replace your air filter when it's dirty. But is that enough? The roads are unleashing an unending barrage of sticky stuff. Some of that is being sucked into your air filter housing, or air box. As this gunk builds up, it can adversely affect your car's performance. If you've never cleaned your air box, now's the time!

http://autorepair.about.com/b/2011/05/05/does-your-air-box-need-cleaning.htm

Boyd's new website a great success!

We’re very excited about the reception of our new website which went live last week! We’ve taken strides to improve our customers’ online experience and we are confident that the new site allows for easier navigation and new features!

Customers can now locate their nearest Boyd location through Google Maps by inputting their Address or Postal Code.

Our site now offers direction to help customers understand and move efficiently through the collision repair process. Employment opportunities with Boyd are accessible online as job postings will be updated regularly. We also share car care tips, a customer feedback channel, and highlights of some of Boyd’s community enrichment projects!

Finally, our new site now allows customers to book appointments online quickly and easily. Boyd’s Lifetime Guarantee continues to maintain confidence amongst our friends and visitors, assuring them of an excellent autobody repair experience. We invite you to visit our new site and look forward to serving you!

Myth or Truth: Does bird poo ruin the paint on your car? The answer is slightly more complex than you may think…

Study: Bird poo does not destroy your car's paint... at least not by itself

by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on May 4th 2011 at 4:01PM

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/04/bird-poo-does-not-destroy-your-cars-paint-...

Every summer we're stuck with the same dilemma. We can park the car out in the sun, which will inevitably will lead to scorching hot interior temperatures. The alternative is to park under a shady tree, where birds will undoubtedly poop all over our freshly washed ride. We usually opt for the sun out of auto vanity, but at least we don't have to worry about bird poop messing with the paint.

We've heard that acid from the bird droppings is the reason for the doo-doo perforations, but a study by UK car care experts Autoglym reveals that the excrement is only part of the problem. The real culprit is the sun, which expands and warms the paint on your vehicle. When the sun hits that bird poop, the poo hardens at the same time the paint expands. When the sun sets and the vehicle cools, the paint then contracts and forms itself around the hardened crap.

If a bird does his or her business on your vehicle, the best thing to do is remove it, and fast. A moist cloth will do the trick in most instances, or if you're not into close encounters of the rectal kind, you could also hit the car wash. We would go into more detail, but we're thinking that's enough excrement talk for one day. You can, however, hit the jump for more detail via the Autoglym press release.

***The following is from a Press Release by Autoglym, a UK leader in vehicle care products***

Show full PR text

New research from Autoglym, the UK's leading car care experts, suggests that the familiar sight of car bodywork 'etched' by bird droppings are not the result of any corrosive property in the deposit, as is commonly believed. In fact, damage instead results from the paint lacquer contracting upon cooling and moulding to the uneven texture of the hardened deposit.

As paint lacquer warms – in the direct summer sunshine for example – it softens and expands. At the same time, that heat dries and hardens any bird droppings on the surface. Autoglym's researchers discovered that as the paint lacquer cools, overnight for example, it contracts, hardens and moulds around the texture of the bird dropping. To the naked eye, this moulding at a microscopic level appears as dulled or etched paintwork. The light's reflection is interrupted by the imperfect surface, unlike the undamaged paint surrounding it which gives a clearer reflection.

Autoglym's tests with strongly acidic, neutral and strongly alkali bird dropping substitutes highlighted negligible differences in the damage caused. However, differences in paint damage were noted when the substitute bird deposits had varying degrees of grain-to-liquid content. A grainier texture caused greater light distortion (dullness) when the paint moulded around it.

Wax and polish treatments – that protect against chemical attack from acid raid and UV sun damage, for example – provide limited protection from the paint moulding to bird droppings, although they will make them easier to remove. The longer the deposit remains on the bodywork, and the higher the temperatures, the harder the dried deposit will be, and the greater the propensity for the paint lacquer to mould to it as it cools. Bird dropping damage can only be prevented by motorists remaining vigilant and removing the deposit as soon as possible.

Autoglym's has outlined some tips for minimising the risk of damage from bird droppings:

- Remove the deposit at the earliest opportunity

- Motorists should use a moist cloth – Autoglym's Bird Dropping Wipes are ideal – to gently lift the deposit from the surface

- If the deposit is dry or doesn't lift easily, place a moist cloth over it for ten minutes to soften the deposit

- Dispose of any cloth or wipe used to remove bird droppings immediately and carefully wash your hands, as bird lime can harbour diseases

Paul Caller, CEO of Autoglym, said: "It's a great shame when an otherwise fabulous-looking car is blighted with a tell-tale patch of dull paint. As a result of this new research by our R&D team in Letchworth, we now understand why bird droppings are a frighteningly potent hazard to bodywork.

"As bird droppings become ever more prevalent through spring and into summer, motorists must be extremely vigilant to avoid permanent damage, especially those who park their cars under trees at home or at work. The only way to prevent the paint becoming noticeably tarnished is to carefully remove deposits as swiftly as possible."

Autoglym's Bird Dropping Wipes (RRP £5.25) – in a handy compact pack to keep in the car – are impregnated with a cleansing formulation to remove bird droppings quickly and safely.

More information about Autoglym's range of premium vehicle-care products, and details of nearby retailers, is available at www.autoglym.com or by calling 01462 677766.

[Source: Autoglym | Images: MyFavoritePetSitter – CC 2.0]

 

With 45 locations across Western Canada, Boyd is the largest operator of collision repair facilities in the country!

Boyd Grooves for Charity!

By Ashley Kodak

Boyd Autobody & Glass put on the dancing shoes as title sponsor of the inaugural “Move ‘n Groove A-Thon,” a fundraising event for the Movement Centre of Manitoba held last month.  Boyd is a proud supporter of the Movement Centre, a non-profit rehabilitative organization that uses conductive education to help people with movement disabilities.  The Boyd Group’s founder and Executive Chairman, Terry Smith, served as Honorary Chairman and Spokesperson for the event.  Conductive education helps individuals learn their way to independence by facilitating movement and promoting healthy living.  The Centre is one of only two centres in North America to provide conductive education beyond school age and into adulthood. 

 

Billed as the first event of its kind in Manitoba, the dance-a-thon was a 12-hour event held in Winnipeg.  Thirty teams (including Team Boyd) danced the day away to a combination of live and recorded music covering a variety of genres.  Terry is proud of Boyd’s involvement in the event.  “Becoming involved with the Move ’N Groove A-Thon represents a fun and easy -- key word FUN -- way to support a very special organization within our community that delivers an important service to those who are less fortunate with respect to movement disabilities. We made a difference!” Terry said.  Indeed, the event was a success, raising over $100,000 for the Movement Centre.

Boyd gets in on biggest hit of the NHL playoffs so far! Keith Ballard’s hipcheck sends Tootoo cartwheeling to Boyd! Classic

Link to the Vancouver Canucks clip featuring Boyd Autobody here!

The word is out! It's recommended that you rotate your tires every 8000 km

What to do with a damaged Windshield BEFORE you bring it to Boyd!

Few of us wake up thinking about windshield replacement. In fact, the first time the thought comes to mind for most people is in the immediate aftermath of a windshield crack. But what if you're on the road when the glass breaks? What should you do ?

Windshield Breakage

 First, don't panic. Though the car's windshield is indeed made of glass, it's rare for the windshield to break completely. That's because the windshield is actually made of two sheets of glass laminated into one stronger piece with a sheet of clear laminate sandwiched in between. When the windshield breaks, even if it's shattered into pieces, the inner sheet of laminate holds the shards in place. If you're on the road and debris or an object shatters your windshield while you're driving, the next few seconds could be dramatic. As long as the object doesn't penetrate the glass, you should have time to move to safety and figure out your next step.

Windshield Rock Chips
In most cases, a simple cracked windshield (such as one with a small rock chip or crack) won't interfere with your car's operation, especially if the damage is not in the windshield's critical viewing area. When this is the case, continue on to your destination. When you arrive, place a piece of clear tape over the rock chip to keep the chip clean until it can be repaired. This keeps debris and gunk from accumulating within the cracks and can help ensure a more cosmetically pleasing windshield repair.

Windshield Cracks
If the windshield crack is more serious, you may need to pull over to a safe spot and call a tow truck. For example, if road debris shatters the windshield to the point where safe driving is impossible or illegal, you'll need to pull over and call for assistance. Obviously, serious damage requires a windshield replacement.

 

Tips to help you care for your freshly painted vehicle

1. Wash the vehicle by hand or a touchless car wash system, not a commercial brush or soft cloth system.
2. Wash with cold water only in summer, in the shade, and with warm water in the winter. Do not use detergents or cleaners.
3. Wipe off all waterspots with a soft clean cloth or chamois after a wash.
4. Do not wax, polish, or apply any sealant products for at least 90 days.
5. Keep the vehicle from unnecessary extremes of high and low temperatures.
6. Do not park under trees or near industrial facilities with heavy fallout/smoke.
7. Avoid driving over gravel roads.
8. During winter months, have under fenders and hidden areas force pressure washed to remove road salts.
9. Avoid scraping ice and snow from the painted surfaces, brush it off.
10. Wipe off any antifreeze or windshield washer solution spills immediately.