Posted on 4/4/2018
If you brave the Jamestown commute, you perhaps think all the incapable drivers in the country live right here in New York. Whether they pull out in front of you and then slow down, ride your rear bumper for miles, ignore a red light or (gulp!) text—the driving behavior taking place on our nation's roads puts us all at risk. The data wizards at the tech firm Smart Asset used the following metrics to establish the top ten:1 Total number of drivers Number of DUI arrests Deaths per thousand drivers Percentage of insured drivers Number of Google searches about "speeding tickets" and "traffic tickets" Does your state make this hall of shame? Check the listing: Number 10 is Nevada, the home of glittering Las Vegas surrounded by miles and miles of lonely interstates. If you drive to Las Vegas ... read more
Posted on 3/28/2018
If you have ever been involved in a crash, you probably reviewed your auto insurance coverage when you filed the claim. We all expect our car insurance policy to cover the cost of repairs, and in unfortunate cases where someone suffers an injury, hospital bills. Did you know, however, that many auto insurance carriers cover a whole lot more? Here are some overlooked benefits that your policy may cover. Civil Mayhem It seems like riots and protests are occurring more frequently around the country and at times during these events cars are damaged or even set on fire when things get out of hand. If your car has suffered damage due to protests or demonstrations, your auto insurance policy may help pay for repairs. After checking with your insurance agent, call I-86 Truck & Auto Repair to schedule an appointment for any necess ... read more
Posted on 3/27/2018
Have you ever been driving a car and felt like you were gliding on clouds because the ride was so smooth? You can thank the suspension for that. And if you have been in an automobile that feels stiff and bumpy when you’re driving, then you can blame the suspension for that. Your car’s suspension plays an important role in how it drives. Let's review the most common varieties of car suspensions. Control Arm Suspension The control arm suspension is assembled with the shock in the middle of two wishbone shaped arms. The control arm suspension is one of the shorter suspension systems. Because it’s shorter than many other suspensions, it's a great option for sports cars that are low to the ground and don’t ... read more
Posted on 3/20/2018
Recent studies have shown that the median household in the country cannot afford an average-priced new automobile. Graph after graph represents the sticker price of new vehicles going up much more sharply than the median household income. But why? Cars have always been cars. What has changed? Safety And Emissions Our cars today are safer and cleaner than they ever have been. This is good news for drivers and good news for Mother Earth. However, one consequence is the rise of prices for these cleaner, safer cars. R&D Carmakers know more and more each year about how to make cars more efficient and safer, and the cost of that research gets passed along to auto buyers. All of the engineers, scientists, and designers need to be paid for analyzing data and integrating new knowledge into automobile design and ... read more
Posted on 3/6/2018
It happens all the time on Falconer streets and in parking lots. A driver hits another vehicle at slow speed. The damage is minimal. Nobody is hurt. So the drivers exchange insurance information and agree to leave it at that. Why call law enforcement for something so minor? There are actually several vital reasons. Why You Should Get A Police Report If You Are In A Fender-Bender 1. The other driver may sue you for damage you didn't cause. 2. You want a police officer to document the fender-bender. 3. You might need a police report to file an insurance claim. 4. An injury might not manifest until days later, and you will need the report. 5. The other driver and any witnesses may change their story in the days ahead. You want documentation to establish the facts—especially if you weren't at fault. What I ... read more
Posted on 2/27/2018
If you’re sick and need medical care, I’m guessing you don’t just randomly find any doctor to help you. You probably do your research, get advice from friends and family, read reviews, and make sure that the doctor is trusted and qualified to help you with your condition. Do you do the same for your car? Of course, your health and wellness is significantly more important than your auto, but cars also need specialized services to run well and avoid avoidable repairs. Today we’ll give you a few tips on how to choose the right auto repair shop for your vehicle. Consult Experts First we’ll start with qualifications and experience. This is essential when looking for someone to service your car. Sorry t ... read more
Posted on 2/20/2018
Are you old enough to remember what it was like to look for a car before the internet significantly upgraded shopping for, well, everything? If you wanted to buy a vehicle from a private seller, there was really only the newspaper. There had to be a better way. Now, every major automaker has a website dedicated to their vehicles. On these and other websites you can do all the searching, researching, and comparing right from the comfort of your home. This allows car shoppers to buy a lot of information before acquiring an automobile. Another considerable way the world wide web has impacted car buying is on prices. Now it is easier for customers to search their local dealerships for the particular car they want, and then compare the costs. This is prompting dealers to be more competitive than they’ve ever been. If you’re looking to ... read more
Posted on 2/13/2018
Many of us have grudgingly accepted the fact that Siri and Google know more about us than our moms. But how many drivers know that their daily driver is silently recording information? Almost every vehicle built in the last 15 years has an Event Data Recorder (EDR). The device is similar to the "Black Box" on an airplane. They are not quite as sophisticated as those used in aviation, but they are getting smarter all the time. EDRs record a plethora of data: speed, angle of steering, braking action, rate of acceleration, airbag deployment, number and location of passengers, and seatbelt use (or lack thereof). There are benefits and disadvantages to EDRs and the telematics they use to transmit information. ProsEDR data can help crash first responders make better medical transport ... read more
Posted on 2/6/2018
When it comes to increasing fuel economy, hypermilers have made it a lifestyle. While some of their methods are extreme by most peoples' standards, car owners seeking to spend less at the pump can learn a lot from them. Hypermiling is a term coined by fuel-efficient driving World Record holder Wayne Gerdes, a man who can squeeze an unheard-of number of miles out of tank of gas. Here are some of the fuel economy tips you can use to increase your fuel economy. Regular Maintenance Even a dirty air filter can decrease fuel economy. Your technician at I-86 Truck & Auto Repair can help you set up a schedule for oil changes, air filter replacement, spark plugs, and other recommended services that will not only boost fuel efficiency ... read more
Posted on 1/30/2018
For entirely different reasons, both teen drivers and senior motorists are involved in more accidents than the drivers in between these age groups. Today's message offers safety tips for veteran motorists (we address teens in another post), many of whom have mental and physical challenges that can influence driving ability. 1. Test Your Vision Regularly Our vision can deteriorate as we age due to conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. First off, always wear your prescription eyeglasses or contacts when you are on the road. If you experience a decrease in vision, see your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Many veteran drivers can see well in daylight hours but struggle after sundown. If this is the case for you, it may be time to restrict all driving to daytime. 2. Test Your Hearing Regula ... read more