While perusing the internet for updates on our Facebook page, I found a few interesting facts. Like any other thing, our cars can get “sick” and need to be maintained also.

 First, four out of five vehicles on the road need maintenance right now.  Wow, that is scary! Yes, it can be miniscule things like an oil change or tire rotation, but, it could be something more difficult. You never know when the car in front of you is just going to come to a complete stop, drop a muffler or blow a tire barreling down the road. 

Secondly, motorists spend over $6,000 annually on vehicle related cost.  Gas, general maintenance, new tires, brakes, etc.  It can be very costly to own a car.  Do your research before purchasing a car, a lot of us prefer aesthetics versus efficiency, sometimes you have to look beyond that.

Third, computer systems in cars today perform more tasks than the computers on the Apollo spacecraft.  Well maybe we can’t qualify to fly rockets, but, we could act like it.  The technology in today’s cars is outstanding of course these are extras like rain sensor wipers, ability for cars to switch from electric use to gas use and the list just goes on.

Last full battery power at 80 degrees drops to 65% at freezing and only 40% when the temperature hits zero.  Well, that is always why you should let your car warm up.  Think about it, when we get out of bed you need to stretch and start moving gingerly, not up and running.  You should not expect your car to perform at its peak when it is not warmed up.

Just a few tips I thought would be helpful, I do take my car for granted, and I for one, definitely never thought about these things.  Amazing what a little bit of research can do!

Want to know what happens to auto glass once it is removed from your vehicle?

Once your windshield is replaced most companies just toss them into the garbage.  Approximately 15 million windshields -- the equivalent of about 600 million pounds of material -- are replaced each year in the United States.  Recycling glass reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by 50 percent.

Technologists have come up with some innovative ways that we can reduce waste from all sorts of things, auto glass recycling being one of them.  Did you know that the glass cullet or plastic flakes can be used in insulation, roofing adhesive, carpet glue and concrete blocks? Most glass tiles or countertops are made from recycled glass, and someone has even come up with an idea of making broken auto glass into shower doors.  Which are very pretty might I add!

So the next time that your windshield can not be safely repaired, think about using a company that recycles your auto glass.  

Remember there is a right way to trash a landfill! 

So you can't see well at night and your driving around with cloudy headlights anyway?  Well it is a good thing that technology has busted through with a way to repair them without having to replace.  We have seen the "infomercials" about the do it yourself stuff and how they look to good to be true, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah.  Here's the truth about headlight cloudiness and why you should have them repaired by someone who actually knows what they are doing. 

First off, the outside elements, chemicals and age are to blame for turning you vehicles crystal clear peepers to headlights with cataracts.  A UV film is put on the headlights to keep this from happening, but, as with everything else, it will wear down, wash away etc, and you are left with the cloudy dirty looking headlights.  

There are plenty of kits sold at auto parts stores, variety stores, etc., however, after the money spent to purchase the supplies and the time to actually do the job, it may be worth calling a professional.  Most range in price from $30.00-$80.00.  It may seem a bit expensive, but it does depend on the vehicle and the damage that has to be removed.  

Hazy, cloudy headlights are big problem also for night time drivers.  According to The National Traffic and Safety Foundation, Department of Transportation (DOT), and  AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, this is quickly surpassing drunk driving accidents at night time.  

This is a quick fix and only takes a few minutes to correct the issue.  If you have an elderly parent, teen driver or you yourself think about the safety issue and get your headlights restored.  It is a whole lot cheaper than replacement and can help you see better too!

All of us have been guilty of it at one time or another.  We get a message and reply, we need directions so we look them up,  we are curious about something so we surf the web. It would not be so bad, if we were at home while doing this, instead, a lot of us are in our cars, DRIVING! Take a look around you the next time you are on the road.  You see drivers going 80; one hand on the steering wheel, another holding a cell phone, all while taking turns looking ahead and reading info on their phones.  Think about the lives that are being put at risk, the driver, passengers, and other people on the road. 

It only takes a second for an accident to happen, and know one can predict what the other drivers on the road are going to do. 

Keep in mind that there are now laws in various states that prohibit texting and driving. 

Did you know:

20 percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA).

Of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashed, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes). (NHTSA)

In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in U.S. roadways and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving. (FARS and GES)

The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group – 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (Source: University of Utah)

Those are just a few facts, please don't text and drive.  Keep yourself, your passengers and other drivers in mind when driving, don't drive distracted!

Alot of us are planning our getaway strategies for the holiday season. While some will travel by plane, train or boat, most of us will go by automobile. If traveling with children, make sure you are prepared for anything, you will either enjoy it or end up spending you children's college tuition to pay for quicker transportation next time. I have scoured the internet and combined a few great ideas for our seasoned travelers and our newbies!

Always plan your trip out. Knowing your route, saves time and aggravation later. There are plenty of free trip planning web sites available, that also can include some interesting facts, for example, Tifton, GA is the reading capital of the world! Who knew?

Anticipate your youngsters needs by also planning ahead. Have snacks readily available and baby wipes. Pack a "fun bag" that includes some crayons, coloring books, reading books, music cd's and travel games. Don't forget the classic car games also, like counting out of state plates or I spy. Phone chargers, I-pods, blankets and pillows are also useful for your tweens. If your children are still using car seats, make sure that they are correct for your childrens weight and height. Being safe and well prepared, will take alot of stress out of the trip.

If you do not have tinted windows, you may want to invest in some sun shades. If your kiddos are napping in the car, you don't need the sun waking them up, so you can be asked for the umpteenth time" Are we there yet?"

Having an emergency kit in the car is also a good idea. This should include: flash light, fresh batteries, extra blankets, water, extra snacks, paper towels, plastic garbage bags, and a first aid kit. Checking your spare tire for proper inflation and make sure you have a lug nut wrench and tire jack.

Hopfully these tips will help take a little bit of stress out of your trip. Enjoy your time with your family and learn some new things.

Happy Holidays from Bullseye Auto Glass!

We hear about it all the time throughout the year, "remove your valuable items from your vehicle. We read about it in the paper, we hear about it from friends and yes, some of us have been victims of theft from our own vehicles. Well there is no better time like the present to heed this warning now that the holiday season is upon us. Let's face it, the economy does not have to be bad for someone to break into your vehicle. Car break ins dont just happen in "bad" neighborhoods either. If a thief sees something and wants it, it only takes a few minutes for them to take it. Alwatys take precautions to keep from becoming victim.

You may want to make sure that your doors are locked and all items have been removed from the car when parked. Never leave your keys in the vehicle or on your vehicle in a "secret hiding place". If you are out shopping, don't make trips back and forth to your vehicle to store items. Park in well lit areas at night and aways be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Keep in mind that you should never leave your LAPTOPS, GPS, CELL PHONES or I-PODS in your vehicles, these items are the most common items stolen. By thinking that you can just put these in your trunk, you should think again! Most thieves will break your window and open the trunk release, to see what goodies await them there. Here at Bullseye Auto Glass, we have replaced vehicle windows for cars broken into for a music CD and a tablet of paper.

Remember, your safety should always come first, and taking precautions helps to ensure it! Don't give someone a free Christmas by being negligent.

Here's a little run down. First of all your glass coverage is combined with your comprehensive insurance coverage. This is insurance coverage that covers damage NOT CAUSED BY A COLLISION, things like auto glass, fire, theft, vandalism, damage from animals or flying objects and storm related damage. Having comprehensive coverage there is normally a deductible, which is your portion to pay when it comes time to pay for the claim.

Before thinking about a replacement, consider a windshield repair. Most insurance companies will waive a repair deductible, and it will not count against you. When companies advertise "Free Windshield Repair" it basically means they will repair the chip and bill the insurance directly, providing you have verifiable coverage, most insurance companies would rather repair than replace whenever possible.

If the deductible is less than the cost to replace your auto glass and you file a claim, it is your choice when it comes to choosing a shop to repair or replace. The insurance administrators tend to steer you towards a shop they have agreements with because of set rates, however, you have the final say so when choosing a repair shop! Even if they say you have to use them, it is always you choice.