Friday’s Advice: Voiding Your Auto Warranty

Last week, we’ve talked about checking recalls and TSBs as a means to save on auto repairs. There’s actually another means to save, if you’ll just pay attention to it: your auto warranty. There may be parts in your vehicle that are covered by specific warranties, so you don’t have to shell out big bucks when you replace them.

If your car is still covered by warranty and you want to be sure that you’ll get the most out of that warranty, it’s important that you take care not to commit actions that can result in voiding the warranty on your car and its parts. What are some of the actions that you have to watch out for?

Well, one is maintenance. When a part gets damaged and the manufacturer finds that it is poorly maintained, you may be denied a warranty claim. While your car is still under warranty, it’s very important that you follow the recommended maintenance to avoid problems should the need for warranty claim arises.

Another is the installation of aftermarket parts. It’s not advised that you mount upgrades to your vehicle while it’s under warranty. When any problem occurs and the carmaker finds any relationship between the upgrade and the problem, your warranty will end up void.

The use of your vehicle in extreme activities can also void its warranty (especially if your car is not designed for such rides). This is termed as misuse, and this can include the use of a vehicle in such activities as racing.

Finally, odometer tampering is one other common reason that can void an auto warranty.

If you want to know all the dos and don’ts when it comes to your vehicle, carefully read the contract as this will state all the requirements that you need to follow.

A Look at After Warranty Assistance

Most warranties cover three years, but do you know that the said rule can be bent a little when needed? About.com talked about what is so-called as a “secret warranty.”

What exactly is this kind of warranty, and how can it benefit you? Well, this is an after warranty assistance, a kind of “warranty after the warranty” – meaning, this is offered when the given warranty has already expired (but, only for a short time after warranty expiry). This kind of warranty, however, is only offered when you asked. And, it is only given according to the discretion of the manufacturer.

If you encounter any problem in your car a few days after its warranty has expired, you have another option aside from bringing your car to an auto repair shop and spending on car repair. You can try getting in touch with the manufacturer to ask for help on the repair of the part involved.

Most manufacturers will consider the idea of providing assistance as long as: (1) the customer is loyal to the company, and (2) the correct interval has been followed when it comes to the maintenance of the vehicle.

The first is important because it shows the manufacturer that you’re bringing them some profit, that you’re a contributing car owner, so to speak. And, they can get some more benefits when they help you. Meanwhile, the second is sort of like standard procedure. Of course, no shop would want to offer assistance if the mechanics know that you’re not taking good care of your vehicle.

The first thing to do to avail of this warranty is to just try. The manufacturer may not shoulder the whole bill, but there’s a great chance it will slash off a certain amount from what you have to pay for the repair.

Friday’s Advice: Finding Areas to Reduce Expenses on Car Repair (A Review)

Who wants to reduce their expenses on car repairs? For sure, everybody does. But, who’s making a way to get that reduction? Chances are, not all do. Or, not all are aware that they can.

I’ve already talked a lot about auto repairs, rip-offs, avoidance, and ways to save on repairs. In this post, I just want to sum up all that I’ve mentioned before to give concrete examples of ways to save on auto repairs.

1. Recall and TSB

These I have mentioned in my last few posts. By being aware of recalls issued on your car, you can save on repair costs. On the other hand, being aware of issued TSBs can save you on unnecessary expenses due to wrong diagnosis and incorrect repairs.

2. Replacement parts

By being resourceful, you can find ways to save on the part that you mount as a replacement. Although some shops will not allow you to buy your replacement on other sources, there are shops that allow this set up, and this is a great way to save on repair costs.

3. Labor

When it comes to labor cost, there is a so-called flat rate or a book rate, which means the shop bills according to the manufacturer-indicated amount of time for the specific repair, regardless how long the actual repair takes. Meanwhile, a straight hour rate is a rate based on the actual amount of time consumed to do the repair.

4. Work done

To reiterate, you can save a lot on auto repairs by being a DIYer. By familiarizing yourself with the automotive basics, you will not be totally dependent on auto repair shops when it comes to problems, so you won’t have to shell out cash every once in a while.

With all these means, it would be easy to save more on auto repairs.

Differentiating Between a Recall and a Technical Service Bulletin

During the last two days this week, we’ve been talking about recalls and technical bulletins as things that all drivers need to know when bringing their car to a shop, and a means to reduce repair expenses. Recalls and TSBs, however, are two different things.

RECALL:

This is issued by a manufacturer either voluntarily or due to a demand from the NHTSA. The latter is usually issued when the problem is deemed to affect the safety of the car occupants while the former is issued as determined by the manufacturer. When a recall is made, you would have to bring your car to the dealer to have it repaired.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN:

TSBs are similar to recalls for the reason that they are also issued by manufacturers and they also concern problems reported by consumers. Only, this bulletin is drawn primarily as a guide to dealerships and auto mechanics in performing common repairs—contrary to recalls, whose main aim is to ask owners to bring their car to the dealership for a fix to the problem. TSBs only serve as guides to make diagnosis of problems easy, especially problems that are a headache to diagnose.

COST DIFFERENCE:

The biggest difference (and the most relevant) between the two is in terms of cost. Whereas a recall automatically means the repair to be done is free of charge (or reimbursable), this is not always the case with a TSB. If your car is still under warranty, then the repair cost is free. But, in case it’s already out of warranty, then you’d have to pay for the repair. The only benefit you’ll get here (aside from avoiding more serious problems and accidents because you’re informed), is that you won’t have to deal with too long a diagnosis because you and the mechanic will know what to do at once.

What to Do When You Had an Auto Repair and Found a Recall Notice Later On

This is a common issue: you bring your car to an auto repair shop to have a problem fixed, you pay for the repair, and then later on discovered that there has been a recall of the part that you had fixed. So what do you do now?

WHAT TO DO:

Well, the first thing to do in this case is to prepare to file for a reimbursement. Among the most important things that you’ll need during the filing process are the documents that show proof of the repair done on your car. You must also show proof that the repair performed on your vehicle solved the problem for the reimbursement to be approved. You can find forms online or in the website of the manufacturer of your car. You just have to fill up the forms, send to the concerned individuals, and then wait for notice of action.

WHICH CAN BE REIMBURSED:

There’s been this belief that manufacturers will only reimburse payment for repair when the repair was done in the dealership, but you can actually be reimbursed even if you brought your car to a third party auto repair shop as long as you had proper documentation. In fact, some are reimbursed even if they do the job themselves—just that the reimbursement is only for the part mounted and not for the labor.

You can also claim for a reimbursement when you had the vehicle repaired after a notice had been released, if you haven’t received the notice yet or if it’s an emergency situation or were not aware that the problem was related to the recall done. Just call the manufacturer and negotiate.

SOME CONDITIONS:

If there’s one condition here, it’s that your car has to be 10 years old or below based on the date of purchase. Older than 10 years old and you your car is already excluded from the recall.

A Look at Recalls, and How They Can Benefit You during Auto Repairs

Auto repairs are becoming more and more expensive at present. And when you add in the cost of replacement parts, it’s no wonder many car owners dread going to auto repair shops these days. You should know, however, that there are certain areas in auto repairs in which you could save. All you really have to do is to be resourceful.

One way to save on car repair is to check out for TSBs or recalls made on your car make and model—some of these might be related to the problem you’re having, the reason you’re bringing your car to an auto repair shop. And if this is the case, then you won’t have to spend on the repair.

The repair related to the recall is done for free. Notices of recalls are actually sent to car owners. But, in case you haven’t received any, it pays to still check.

Auto repair shops are tasked to check whether the problem you’re having in your car is related to a recall or TSB. It should be listed in the repair order as a recommended repair. However, not all mechanics may do this. Some will charge you for a repair even though it’s part of a recall.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to do the checking yourself. This way, you avoid chances of being charged by a shop on a repair that you could have availed for free. You can check online for notices of recalls and TSBs. You can visit the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a list.

In the next posts, we’ll try to take a closer look at recalls and technical service bulletins and differentiate the two. We’ll also find some answers to possible problems that might arise in relation to this issue.

Examining Service Contracts

Warranty had been one of the topics for discussion during one of my latest posts. Another similar document, so to speak, is a service contract. This is actually more common when buying vehicles, and it’s similar to a warranty, except that it’s optional and it comes with a fee. Looking at it, it’s more like an extended warranty that you buy for your vehicle.

These contracts come in different types, according to the specific repairs that they cover. And thus, they are also priced differently. Similar to the selection of a warranty, it’s also important to pay attention to the small details involved in selecting a service contract. This is even more important because you always pay for this. So, you need to be sure that you’ll get the most out of what you pay for.

Some of the things that you need to consider here are similar to what you must check in a warranty. Ask yourself these questions: how much is the service contract? What repairs does it cover? Are there deductibles when I go in for a repair under the contract? What institutions or shops are allowed to do the repair when I need one?

Of course, you need to check the processes involved when you claim a repair under this, as well as possible requirements. You need to always anticipate a possible dispute in the future, and you have to be prepared for this as early as the time when you get the contract.

And, see to it that the company from which you buy the contract is good and to be trusted. You don’t want to deal with a company having any history or record of giving its previous clients a hard time during the repair or the filing of the claim, now do you?

Mechanic Rudeness and Inefficiency

Many of us have had our share of nightmares when dealing with auto repair shops and shop mechanics—from mechanics that will perform unneeded repairs just to charge a higher fee, to those that will tell you they’ve replaced a part even if they actually didn’t, and those that will perform a repair that you did not permit and then charge you for it later on. Other than these, however, there are also mechanics who are outright rude to their customers.

I have a buddy who once encountered a mechanic that performed a wrong job, and then threatened him when he complained about the job. Some mechanics use physical intimidation to get away from their deeds, and many poor customers give in to this tactic, suffering from unsatisfactory service and sometimes, even more damage and expenses than what was originally present.

Some mechanics are merely irresponsible, leaving their customers hanging when they leave an automotive job while it’s not yet done. And the result? Well, the poor customers are left without a car for several days. Others are merely inefficient, repairing a car, only to cause more damage and then make excuses, telling the customer that the new problem is totally unrelated to the first one.

Most unscrupulous mechanics choose their victims carefully. They get easily rude to people they think will not stand up to them. Others may simply be enjoying the feeling of being in control, especially if they encounter a customer who knows nothing about his vehicle and who solely relies on the mechanic’s words.

And sometimes, mechanics get away with these because customers don’t complain. As a good advice, customers should always be assertive and should know their rights. And when a problem happens, there are always institutions to which one can file a complaint against the erring shop or mechanic. 

Examining Extended Warranty in Relation to Auto Repairs

There’s been a lot of differing opinion when it comes to extended warranty—some people say it’s a waste of money, while others attest that it’s extremely helpful. If you belong to the latter group and you plan to get an extended warranty on repairs, you have a lot of options. In the same way, there are a lot of things that you need to consider.

First and foremost, you need to check the repair shop coverage of the warranty. Does the warranty allow you to bring your car to any shop and avail of the extended warranty for the repair? Or does it stipulate that you have to bring your car only to specific “accredited” shops?

Of course, you also need to know how the warranty will work. Will the shop or the dealer or the seller of the warranty pay the auto repair shop directly when you go in for repair under warranty? Or will you have to pay the shop and just ask for reimbursement later on? Generally, the first option is better because it causes less hassle.

Another point that you need to look into is transferability. If you sell your vehicle, will the extended warranty still be in effect with the new car owner? A car that will still be covered by an extended warranty will sell better than one that doesn’t.

When going for car repairs, you need to find a shop that will honor the extended warranty of your vehicle. You need to negotiate about the billing and you should have everything properly documented so that you’ll be ready just in case you encounter a dispute with the shop or the warranty seller later on.

In one of my next posts this week, we’ll look at warranty claims and some ways to deal with a warranty dispute.

Car Repair Warranties: The Devil is in the Details

In one of my posts a couple of months ago, I talked about the need to have any repair warranty that is discussed between you and the shop owner put in writing. This time, we’ll talk about the nitty gritty of a written car repair warranty, about how you must check and examine it to ensure that your car is fully covered and to ensure that what you’ve talked about is included in the written and official document.

Remember that there is no such thing as standard warranty on car repairs. Whatever warranty your car may get from a repair, you have to discuss that with the shop owner or mechanic. Once you have the hard copy on hand, pay attention to all the small details included as these may sometimes be the most important parts of the warranty.

Of course, check the part or repair covered by the warranty, as well as the timeframe or mileage frame that it covers. You’d want to be sure that the time or mileage is reasonable and that the warranty is not simply a rip-off. In some instances, there are certain processes that you have to go through when making a warranty claim, and you have to pay attention to these. Failure to follow a single and negligible detail in the process could be all it takes for your claim to be rejected. Similarly, you have to check the warranty and clarify with the shop owner as to which institutions are allowed to perform warranty work on your vehicle if you plan to file a warranty claim later on. This is another tricky part that you have to familiarize yourself with if you want to avoid any possible problem later on.

A car repair warranty is a beneficial perk to car owners, but you just have to be careful in examining the warranty to ensure that you’ll get the benefits.

Getting a Second Opinion on Repairs

One sure way to protect yourself from possible car repair rip-offs is to shop around for auto repair prices and for car shop mechanics. If you’re bringing your car to a shop for a repair and the mechanic gives you a quote, you can ask around from other shops until you find the cheapest price. The same goes true for vehicle diagnosis and repair. A second opinion is important.

I can never stress this enough. Sometimes, it’s the best door that you have towards finding that the mechanic that you have chosen was only trying to rip you off all along. So, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion from another mechanic when needed.

According to professionals, a second opinion is needed if you are spending more than $200 on car repair. That is a big amount, so you need to be sure that you’re spending it on something worthwhile, something useful. Another time to get a second opinion is when you bring your car to a shop for a particular repair, and the mechanic gives you a litany of other repairs that your car needs. That, and similar incidents that may indicate that you are being ripped off—all these warrant a second opinion from another professional.

Remember, though, that you also need to protect yourself from rip-off when dealing with the second mechanic from which you’re trying to get another opinion. Never ever tell the second mechanic about the diagnosis of the first mechanic and the price that the mechanic has given you. In fact, you don’t even need to tell him that you’re there to get a second opinion. You don’t want to be giving him ideas, do you?

A second opinion is a powerful tool when it comes to auto repairs. In fact, it’s one of the most common suggestions of automotive experts to those who bring their car to auto repair shops. By asking and shopping around, you get away from big chances of being ripped off. 

Inspecting Your Vehicle after a Repair

One of my posts last week was about doing a test drive before and after an auto repair—before to make a more thorough diagnosis as needed, and after to check whether the problem has totally disappeared. In connection with this last point, there are many other things that you can do to completely check your vehicle after a car repair and ensure that all the needed repairs have been done and that no rip-off had occurred.

Of course, the first thing that you need to check is the component that was repaired. If you brought your car to the shop because of power windows that won’t go up or down, for instance, the windows are the first things to check after the repair. As I have mentioned in my last post, there are instances when a test drive is advised—if the repair done has to do with the suspension, steering, or brakes. Simple repairs will require no complicated inspection afterwards. However, if you brought your car to a shop because of damage caused by a collision, inspection after repair is critical. Why? Well, some components may appear fine at the outset even if they’re actually not, and the problem will only be observed after a while.

In instances like the one mentioned above, you may need to have a trusted mechanic accompany you to the repair shop to do the complete inspection of the repair done and guarantee that everything was done right. The shop should give you a repair order, or a list and breakdown of all the repairs completed in your car, together with all the parts replaced and the corresponding charges for each repair or replacement (more on repair order in one of my next posts). Refer on this list for the parts and systems that you need to check.

Leaks: How Serious are they?

In one or two of my previous posts, we’ve talked about urgent and not-so-urgent repairs that every driver needs to know so that he can make a wise decision when he brings his car to an auto repair shop and is informed about a problem he doesn’t know is existing. Now, let’s take a look at one of these possible problems: a leak.

A leak is probably one of the most common problems that thousands of drivers encounter daily—leaking coolant, leaking oil, even leaking fuel. These actually seem very simple problems, but leaks can be the beginning of a major damage or even hazard.

An oil leak is relatively safe, as long as you notice it and you top the oil now and then to ensure that you replace the lost one. The only problem that you might encounter here is complete oil loss, which can lead to the damage of the engine because of loss of lubrication.

Another is coolant leak. Like oil loss, you won’t have any problem as long as you top it off and prevent it from getting totally depleted. When the latter happens, you’ll have a great likelihood of being stranded at the side of the road because of engine overheating. Engine damage may also result.

Fuel leak is a completely different story. No matter how small the leak, it has to be addressed, and fast. Why? All it takes is a drop of fuel for a fire to occur, and possibly lead to an explosion. So, wherever it’s leaking, it should be fixed fast.

There’s also a brake fluid leak, which must be addressed immediately to avoid compromising the efficiency of the brakes. Otherwise, accidents are also possible.

Very common, yes, but leaks are small problems that can just be the beginning of a bigger problem if they are ignored. So, they should be addressed at once.

Test Driving Before and After an Auto Repair

When you bring your car into a shop for repair, there are instances when test driving is crucial before and after the repair. Why?

If a problem that you’re experiencing in your drive only occurs in certain conditions when you drive, such as the occurrence of abnormal noise when cornering, and you cannot specifically describe the problem, it is better that you test drive your car with the mechanic present so that he himself can experience and observe the problem. This is crucial to easily diagnose the problem and to promptly provide the needed fix.

You need to pay proper attention to your car, sound and feel, when doing the test drive to get accuracy in the results of your observation,

After a repair, you might also need to test drive your vehicle to see whether the problem is already gone. This is especially important if you have the occurrence of a problem like mentioned above. Test driving is crucial to ensure that the symptom (like a noise) is already gone. Test driving is also especially important if you have a suspension job done. Only by test driving can you determine whether the job done is correct and whether there is no strange feel in your drive. You must also see to it that there is no problem with handling and steering—these are very crucial aspects of your drive and a problem with these systems could mean danger.

Most shops will allow you to do a test drive after the repair. You may have the mechanic accompany you so that you can discuss remaining problems should anything else occur. Other than test driving, there are still other after-repair inspection guidelines that you need to follow to ensure that all will be well with your newly repaired car. We’ll discuss these in one of the posts next week.

A Look at the Science of Upselling

Have you ever brought your car to a shop for a simple oil change, only to end up having all your filters and tires replaced? You might feel bad about the shop and about yourself after the incident, not able to explain how you were tricked into giving in to the mechanic’s suggestion when all you really wanted in the first place was a simple change of oil! Well, this happens all the time, and we’ve had some mention of this in the past.

That, friends, is what you call upselling. That is a selling technique that many establishments employ, not only auto repair shops. Even fast food chains employ that technique. Remember the time you gave in to the counter personnel’s suggestion to upgrade your fries and drinks? That’s upselling, and there’s nothing illegal about it.

As a car owner, however, you’d want to avoid incidents like this. Often, the extra services offered to you may not actually be necessary, so you’re just like wasting money. To avoid falling into this technique (or trickery, as you may want to call it), you must anticipate upselling when you bring your car to the shop. And, you must have the courage to say no when the mechanic starts his litany of extra service offers.

If you tend to give in easily, bring a list of services that you want performed on your car when you go to the shop, and show the list to your mechanic. Tell him that those services are the only (and you mean the ONLY) services that you want done. Once he insists anything, just refer on the list and remember—that’s all you need, and nothing more. Upselling will always be a part of any business enterprise, but you can deal with it effectively if you’re prepared.

Prioritizing to Save on Auto Repair Costs

You bring your car to the shop to have a particular problem checked. After diagnosis and some other mechanical works, the shop technician tells you there are a few other problems in your car that need to be addressed. Wait! They’re not within your budget! What do you do? And how can you be sure you’re not being ripped off?

First step: prioritize.

Prioritize according to the gravity of the problem.

Ask the mechanic which of these repairs are needed as a matter of life and death (just like the brakes). Then, ask which of these can wait for a little while longer without putting you or your car in danger. Go only for those that are so serious you can’t drive your car without paying attention to them. Then, schedule the less serious ones later on.

Prioritize according to the most major issue.

Ask the mechanic which of the problematic parts is on the verge of total and complete failure—the kind whose difference between functioning and non-functioning is just a strand of hair. Ask also which of the damaged parts are still in functional condition and can still work at their present state. Then, pay attention to the part with the most serious issue.

Prioritize repair over replacement, or replacement over repair, according to the situation.

I have already mentioned this in one of my previous posts. A repair is often less costly than a replacement in many instances (there are only a few exceptions), so try to ask whether a repair is a good option. There are instances, however, when a replacement is a more practical option, depending on the specific problem. Ask your mechanic which is better, and go for it. Who knows, there’s only one problem that actually needs a new part while all the other problems can be solved by a simple fix.

Paying Less and Avoiding Rip Offs with Lower Cost Alternatives

Despite all the DIY automotive works available for average drivers and vehicle owners to perform, there are still certain tasks that are too heavy for individuals without proper training and are best left in the care of professional mechanics. So, how can you save on these? How can you avoid possibilities of being ripped off?

Well, remember that mechanics want to earn. When you bring in your vehicle for repair, many of them would suggest the repair that will give them the most earnings, and a repair that will be easiest to perform on their part. But, you must know that there could be other options available.

One way to save is to ask your mechanic upfront if there are other options or alternatives available other than the one being suggested by the mechanic. For instance, if the mechanic is suggesting to replace a certain part that is already showing signs of damage, ask if there is any way the said part can be repaired, or if it would be cheaper if only the specific component of the part is replaced instead of the entire part (i.e. replace just the damaged light bulb instead of replacing the entire lighting assembly).

Any reasonable mechanic, and one who wants to establish a good relationship with you, will explore other means of solving the problem at a lesser cost. If you have the chance to do a research, you can find out on your own whether there is another way to solve a car problem other than the expensive and more common means.

By exploring all the other alternatives, asking the right questions, and doing the necessary research, you can save more and you’ll be able to leave the auto repair shop without feeling like you have just been ripped off big time. 

Auto Repair Rip Off: Why Your Budget Should Be Yours Alone

When it comes to spending on anything that needs negotiating with another person, one common advice that I’ve heard from some people I know is to be upfront with the other person about the budget or about the amount that you have for the said expense. This is to be able to work out an arrangement with the other person to help you have everything covered by your allotted budget. Supposedly, this advice is for your benefit.

When it comes to auto repairs, however, this is not advised and is not a good practice, especially if you haven’t done any research about the problem of your car prior to visiting the shop. Why?

Well, consider this: You go to the shop and tell your mechanic that your car is acting up. You describe the problem and the symptoms that you have observed. Then, you tell him that you have a $300 budget for a repair and that you hope it would be enough. Sounds like a wise idea? Oh no, no! That’s a big invitation for a rip off!

Should the mechanic do an inspection and diagnosis, only to find out that your car only has this simple problem that an alignment or a simple procedure can easily fix, and that the actual amount can only be more or less a hundred bucks… what do you think will happen? If you’re dealing with an unscrupulous mechanic, he can easily tell you that the problem will cost $300. You’d probably be thankful that your budget is enough, without you knowing that you’ve already been ripped off!

It’s better that you don’t say anything about money. Or, do your research about the possible problem first and the usual amount spent on that problem for repair or replacement. This way, you’ll have an idea about the average amount that’s just right.

DIY: How to Fix Broken Light Lenses

While the previous article discussed about a lighter or a less problematic light lens situation, that of cloudiness, we’ll talk about a more serious light lens problem in this write-up: breakage. Most drivers will immediately resort to bringing their car to the shop and go for a new lens to replace the broken one as soon as they notice the problem.

The good thing about this is that the lens being located outside, exposed to your vision, it’s easy to tell whether the shop did a good job right after it’s finished. But, despite this and the little possibility of rip off, there’s still a more effective way to save on the procedure. Want to do the repair on your own?

That’s easy! With either a red automotive tape or a repair compound to use, you can fix the problem yourself and save on your dollars. How?

Well, one way to do the repair is to get a red automotive tape. This is advised for a broken tail light lens, the breakage being just enough for the tape to cover (meaning, not too big). The said tape is translucent and will still allow the beams to shine through, so you won’t have any problem with illumination. One tip: apply the tape horizontally for best results.

Another means to repair a broken lens is with the use of a special repair kit. The kit comes with a plastic film, compounds to mix, and mixing tools. You will need to place or attach the film over the hole or broken part, only the attachment point should be the inside part of the lens (so lens removal is needed). Then, mix the compounds and apply on the broken part. Depending on the kit, a syringe may be provided for easy application. Just wait for the material to dry and your lens will be fine again.

DIY: How to Clean Clouded Light Lenses

All your vehicle lights are composed of a lens, the protective covering (in clear, amber, or red color) that serves as the cover of the bulb. This component is a reliable lighting part in that it offers protection while ensuring that the lighting beams emitted by the light bulb are directed out for sufficiently illuminating the road.

Most lenses before are made from glass, but the problem is that glass can easily break. Over the years, manufacturers have developed plastic lenses that are tougher and less susceptible to breakage. However, one challenge that plastic lenses pose is cloudiness. Over time, daily use and exposure to the environment can cause the lens to look dull, and there are two negative results: the lights look lousy and the amount of illumination emitted by the lights is reduced by the cloudiness in the lens.

But, aside from bringing your vehicle to the shop to have the lenses cleaned or replaced, you can actually do the cleaning yourself. All you will need is a cleaning brush and a cleaning solution. You may need a special lens cleaning solution, and you’ll find a wide array of choices in the market. For easier cleaning and to clean the inside part of the lens, you may want to remove the part from the lighting assembly.

All you need is a little portion of water to wet the lens and then to brush the lens with the cleaning or polishing solution. In some instances, you might want to sand the lens in order to remove the scratches and nicks that it might have accumulated over time—a smoother finish can do a lot in keeping the lens looking good. This easy process is all you need to restore your lighting lenses without too much expense on replacement or shop work.