Welcome to the Body Shop Spot! You may find our site handy if you have been in an accident and need body repair done to your vehicle. Or maybe you just want to add a little flare to your ride. That's where our Car Bras come in to protect your cars front end. Our goal is to help you protect you car and find an auto body shop near you. We have also thrown together some resources to help you find the right body shop for your vehicle. Whether you need body work because of an accident or you just want to personalize your vehicle, finding the right place is important. We are here to help. Our site also offers you many resources like articles, magazines, mechanic listings, news and more. We have included articles on car shows, why you should have accident photos, how insurance rates are determined and many, many other topics. Our bodyshop directory includes listings in all 50 states. These listings are categorized by state then city to make it easy for you to find a shop new you. Our mechanic listings are categorized in this way as well. Just point, click and pick one near you! We have also included a books section. These books include shop manuals and more.

Gas Saving Car Care Tips: We all know that having a regularly serviced and tuned car leads to savings on gas with enhanced fuel economy but what many fail to realize is they can help save on gas and money by performing a few, simple and easy car care steps themselves.

Tighten Up the Gas Cap: Every time we fill up at the pump we slap the gas cap back on and give it a turn usually until we hear the "click" and then forget about it. Make sure you have the cap on firmly and tightly so it as airtight as you can make it without threading the plastic cap itself. The reason is simple, gas evaporates quickly, and even a slight failure to provide an airtight seal with your gas cap will result in wasted gas and wasted money. Screw the cap on firmly and tightly and check it every day.

Don't Top Off the Tank: Many people do this when they are at the gas pump the nozzle clicks off but they insist on putting in the last few drops of gas to get the tank literally full to the brim. This is a complete waste of gas as most of it will slop over the side, running down the paintwork helping cause discoloration and damage. It can also get all over your hands which is dangerous and no good for them. When the gas pump nozzle clicks off, you are safely full, put the gas nozzle back in its holder and do not top off your tank.

Use Lower Octane Fuel: Every gas station has higher octane fuels offering better engine and car performance or less wear and tear on the engine. This is a myth ignore these claims and fill up with the cheaper lower octane fuels; unless you have a very high performance vehicle you will never experience any material difference in performance or engine wear. For the average motorist, purchasing high octane fuel is a waste of money.

Park in the Shade: Many drivers do this automatically because do not want to sit on hot leather and do not like coming back to a vehicle that feels like a sauna. However, there is another good reason for making sure you park your vehicle in a shaded area. The hotter the car is the faster the gas in your fuel tank will evaporate! Always park in shade; this will keep the vehicle cooler which will lead to more comfort for you and your passengers as well as less strain on your wallet. If you don't have shady areas or can't find one, you can always use a car cover with a high UV resistance. DuPont Tyvek car cover for example is the best sunproof cover we offer. Made of high quality DuPont Tyvek, this will can keep your vehicle up to 30 degrees cooler in the hot sun. The Car Cover also has very good UV protection and will protect against harsh weather.

Use Your Garage: Parking the car in the garage helps keep the vehicle cool in summer and warm in winter. This helps reduce your use of the gas chugging air conditioner or defroster and results in less gas consumption as well as enhanced security for your vehicle. Not to mention, parking your car in a garage provides protection against dings and dents caused by the neighborhood kids playing ball nearby. If you are concerned about dust accumulating on your vehicle, we recommend a car cover with good dust protection, like The Premium or Supreme. As you can see, these gas saving tips are all very simple and easy to accomplish and the savings will be immediate.

Long-term Indoor Vehicle Storage

Whether you own a classic car, a high end model or simply need to store a regular vehicle and want to make sure that it stays in top-notch shape, indoor storage is generally considered to be the best option. By storing your car indoors, you protect it from the elements and can be more confident about its security. Many considerations have to be made concerning how and where you store your vehicle, though; below, we take a look at a few of the top things to consider when storing your vehicle.

Choosing A Secure Location

Although it may seem to go without saying, the security of the location that you choose for your vehicle is of chief concern. Just because a storage facility markets itself as being a safe place to keep your vehicle doesn’t mean that it’s the best option. Here’s a few key things to look for when choosing a truly secure location for your vehicle

• Staff:The presence – or lack thereof – of full-time staff should be a major factor in the indoor storage facility that you choose to store your vehicle. Although you’ll save money by choosing a place that’s only minimally staffed, you’ll also be increasing the risk of harm coming to your car.
• Lighting: Take a close look around the grounds of the storage facility; visit it at night to see how well-lit it is. A brightly lit facility is vastly preferable to one flanked by darkness. People with designs on your possessions are much less likely to attempt a robbery at a facility that is flooded with light.
• Access: Although being able to access a storage unit whenever you need to and on your own is convenient, it increases the odds of a security breach – especially if you misplace your key. A facility that requires you to present ID In order to gain access may be the best bet if covering all of your bases is important to you.
• Building Condition: On a more superficial level, the basic appearance of a storage facility should give you an idea about whether it’s suitable for your needs or not. A place that is falling apart or that exhibits a crumbling exterior probably doesn’t bode well. After all, if they’re unwilling to keep their facilities looking good, it stands to reason that they may not care all that much about your possessions.
• Customer Service:Finally, choose an indoor storage facility for your vehicle that has knowledgeable, friendly staff. If the employees make you uncomfortable, you should take your business elsewhere.

Should You Pay Extra For Climate Control?

Another consideration to make when choosing an indoor vehicle storage facility is whether or not to use climate control. Many storage units offer climate control options – but it’ll cost you extra. Unless you have a very rare, custom car with an exceptionally rare and specialized paint job and/or very delicate leather and other details, you can probably do without climate control.

The Importance Of Security Monitoring

Even if the storage facility you choose is fully staffed at all times, security breaches can – and do – happen. For an added layer of security, you should always choose a facility that offers monitoring via close captioned surveillance cameras as well. Remember that these cameras should be used in addition to a regular staff – not in lieu of one. In other words, surveillance cameras and security monitoring should simply add an extra level of defense against break-ins and other problems; they should never serve as substitution for a human presence.

Make Restricted Access A Priority

Security facilities that allow anyone to pull right up and gain access to the outside of a unit are not the place to keep your car. Such places are intended for inexpensive belongings, not for a vehicle that cost you thousands of dollars. Place a top priority on locating an indoor vehicle storage facility that restricts access to only those who are authorized to enter the premises. It might create a bit of a hassle, but in the long run it will be well worth it.

Look Closely At The Facility’s Insurance Policy

Even the most professional, efficient looking storage facility can have a major flaw: an insufficient insurance policy. A reputable place will automatically offer to go over their (usually optional) policy with you; if they don’t voluntarily do this, beware – and request a copy of it for your own perusal. Look it over carefully, then find out how much it will cost. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it is worth it to pay for optional insurance. That’s because most storage facilities’ regular policy does not cover customer belongings. For a small amount of extra money, you can gain the peace of mind of knowing that your car is covered for insurance purposes.

Using A Battery Tender

If you don’t already have one, a Battery Tender is something that absolutely any serious car owner should use – especially if you’re going to be storing your vehicle for an extended period of time. A Battery Tender keeps your car’s battery at the proper storage voltage, and is much more efficient than a traditional trickle charger. When you store your vehicle for an extended period of time, its battery can become compromised; using a Battery Tender can prevent this problem.

Protect The Integrity Of Your Car

By keeping all of these points in mind, you can protect the integrity of your car and ensure that it comes to no harm while being stored. When the time comes to take it out of storage, your vehicle should be in pristine condition and look as good as it did the day you first locked it up. By selecting a reputable, professional storage facility, you can breathe easy during the weeks, months or years that your car is in storage; the extra money you spend for the heightened security will be well worth it in the end.