How To Protect Your Cars Interior?

Sometimes, it can feel like you live in your car. You wake up in the morning and head straight to your car to go to work. You take it to lunch with you, and then you drive it home at the end of the day. It’s also with you for road trips, carpools, and nights out on the town. With all of the time you spend in your car, it’s easy for your interior to take a beating. Avoid that from happening and keep your interior looking like new.

Use All-Weather Floor Mats

From sand to rain, you can track a lot of things into your car throughout the year. Prevent dirt and grime from soaking into the carpets by adding all-weather floor mats to the floors of your vehicle. These floor mats will alleviate some stress when you step into your car during a rainstorm.

Use a Sunshade

Mother Nature can wreak havoc on your car’s interior. If you leave your car out in the sun, the UV rays will beam down into the interior, and over time, the vinyl might actually crack. Put a sunshade on the windshield when your vehicle is parked outside. That will protect it from sun damage.

Use Seat Covers

If you have kids or like to eat in your car, you need to invest in some seat covers. You can find seat covers that fit all makes and models. Once you get your covers, slip them over your seats so you won’t have to worry about stains setting into your fabric or leather. Then, if something happens to the seat covers, replace it.

Detail Your Vehicle on a Regular Basis

It is easy to protect your interior if you detail it on a regular basis. You can use cleaning supplies and detail it on your own, or you can pay someone to take care of it for you. This proactive approach will keep your interior looking like new.

If it’s too late for your interior, it’s time to visit Ray Brandt Infiniti in Metairie, Louisiana. Look through the dealership’s options and pick out your new Infiniti. Then, you can start fresh. Follow these tips for your new Infiniti, and your interior will look as good as new for years to come.

Auto Mechanics Need Latest Skills To Succeed

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In the past few years, the auto industry has seen major changes in designs and special features, and keeping these cars maintained and on the road takes highly skilled technicians and mechanics.

„Today’s mechanics are not the mechanics of five years ago. The training for auto technicians today is incredible. The industry is moving extremely fast with technology, and so is the ongoing and advanced training that our mechanics are engaged in,“ said Marc Cannon, senior vice president, AutoNation, a retailer of new cars, trucks and SUVs, with 18 store locations in Houston.

According to Cannon, five years ago, Bluetooth technology was just being introduced and is now in most new cars.

Navigation equipment, voice activation, hybrids and electric cars are all new technologies, so mechanics are being continually trained. Diesel vehicles also have changed – they are cleaner and more efficient.

„The chairman and CEO of AutoNation started his career as a mechanic, so he is heavily vested and interested in all of our service departments (having) the most advanced training,“ Cannon said.

The advanced training Cannon noted, is offered by the dealerships, and often manufacturers send representatives for training. Other methods of training include videos, web-based classes, and live training at dealerships. If there are special courses being offered at a local college, AutoNation sends its mechanics.

„We are making large investments in our service departments to ensure our mechanics are all well trained,“ Cannon said.

Universal Technical Institute, a nationwide provider of technical education training for entry-level automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, is also constantly updating its programs for the new technology.

„We have two programs, one for core courses, and specializations. For example, we offer specializations for nine or 10 manufacturers, such as Ford, Mercedes, Nissan, Cummins Motors, etc. These programs are supported by the manufacturers,“ said Ed Fletcher, director, Employment Services, Universal Technical Institute Inc.

For example, when students complete the Ford program, they have 60 percent of the certification needed to be a Ford Master Technician.

The school continues to keep up to date through relationships with the manufacturers, which provide the latest model vehicles for the students to train on.

„We graduate very competent technicians/mechanics, with a strong background of fundamentals, and specific manufacturer training. Most of our students work part time in a shop or dealership while they are still in school. After graduating, they move to full time,“ Fletcher said.

Right now, Fletcher said that vehicle technicians/mechanics are in high demand, more so than ever before, and he has more job openings than he has students. There are approximately 1,500 students in the school, with programs being one to two years, depending on a student’s chosen path.

„The oil and gas industry hires many of our students. All of the new fracking equipment, pumps, generators and others, all work off engines, which have to be maintained, with preventive maintenance and repair, which our students can do. This industry is an open opportunity for our students,“ Fletcher said.

The pay for auto mechanics differs from each facility, shop or state. However, nationwide, auto service technicians/mechanics earned a mean annual income of $41,370 in 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Due to the demand, these numbers have gone up.

„In Houston, there are usually different pay areas, such as commission, hourly and salaried. Those who work on commission and are good, and work fast can make six figures,“ Fletcher said.

Further details

For information about UTI Houston, visit www.uti.edu, and for AutoNation, www.autonation.com.