Mission Viejo Auto Collision December News

MVAC News: Drive Safe Tips, Boys Town Van,

Our Green Commitment, and I-CAR Certification

This month Mission Viejo Auto Collision wants to keep you updated on our efforts to improve our community one automobile at a time. It’s our mission to help out the community whenever we can and we’ve taken 4 important steps to do just that:

> Our Roads: We’re making sure holiday drivers stay safe with driving tips during the most dangerous month of the year.

> Our Community: Along with other businesses in our community, we’ve been helping Boys Town get their van up and running to serve the transportation needs of this 93 year-old charity. The picture above shows our team member hard at work on the Boys Town van.

> Our Facility: Everyday we’re taking steps to make our facility greener for the planet.

> Our Personnel: We’re keeping up our high standards of education by continuing the I-CAR training of our personnel in cutting edge technology.


Stay Safe this Holiday Season during the Most Dangerous Month of the Year

According to Allstate Insurance Company’s review of auto insurance claims, the number of accident claims on December 15 jumps 23 percent compared to the daily average during the rest of the year. The fourth highest day of recorded claims is December 18th, making December a time to watch the roads.

"This spike in crashes could be related to weather, holiday shopping, travel or other distractions," says Robert Feldman, Allstate agency owner in metro Los Angeles. "What's important for drivers is that we stay focused while at the wheel whether on the highway or in the driveway, on December 15 and every day of the year.”

According to Allstate, the top five days for collision claims in California are: December 15, February 14, October 13, December 18, and September 5. At Mission Viejo Auto Collision, our goal is to make sure you have a safe drive to wherever your holiday plans may take you.

Here are some tips to make sure you stay focused and safe this holiday season:

1. To reduce your distraction and keep you calm and focused, have activities on hand to keep your children occupied. If you don’t have a fancy media player, consider coloring books in a ready-to-go bag.
   
   
2. Although you may have many more items on your to do list this month, realize you can’t always make up time in the car. If you can feel the tension before starting your car, take a moment to relax. Give yourself enough time to account for traffic and weather conditions.
   
   
3. Be aware of what music you’re playing. Music has a definite affect on your mood, so make it a better one with relaxing choices that will bring some calm to the road. Better yet, listen to an audio book and take a mental break from the tension of the day.
   
   
4. To reduce your frustration and those of other drivers, make sure you’re in the appropriate lane. If you want to drive slower, stay in the right lane, giving other cars ample ways to pass you. If you want to drive at the speed limit, go over to the left lanes and signal as you do.
   
   
5. Learn to forgive the car in front of you. If the car in front of you doesn’t signal when changing lanes, speeds up, or stops too suddenly, maneuver appropriately and let it go. There will always be another issue ahead and by forgiving easily, you can focus on staying alert.

For more helpful tips driving during the winter season, check out our archived “Tips from Mission Viejo Auto Collision” at http://mvacinc.blogspot.com/2010/11/tips-from-mission-viejo-auto-collision.html.

Whenever you’re driving this season, have a safe trip with the peace of mind that we’re here for you when the unexpected happens.


Mission Viejo Auto Collision along with other Businesses Unite in a Joint Effort to keep Boys Town Moving

Did you know Boys Town (http://www.boystown.org) is one of the leading nonprofit, nonsectarian child and family care organizations in the country? Each year Boys Town programs and services touch the lives of 1.4 million people nationwide. We here in Southern California are lucky enough to have an office in our nearby neighborhood of Santa Ana.

In Santa Ana, Boys Town provides compassionate, research-proven treatment for behavioral, emotional and health problems to children at a level that best suits their need. Even more families receive benefits through the training and support Boys Town offers to hundreds of organizations, including schools and other youth care organizations.

When called by Boys Town to repair their well-used van back to mint condition, Mission Viejo Auto Collision was quick to take action.

Not only have we supplied the body materials necessary to get their van up and running, but our personnel have also provided hours of labor to rebuild this essential transportation.

For a behind-the-scenes view, take a look at our pictures during the rebuild for their van:



However, we could not have rebuilt the Boys Town van without help from a team of businesses in our backyard:

> PPG Industries (http://www.ppg.com), Global supplier of automotive coatings and services to auto and light truck manufacturers, has graciously donated the paint.

> Scott at Ultimate Auto Glass (Scott@UltimateAutoGlass.net) has provided a quality and durable windshield.

> Julio Palencia at Keystone Automotive (http://www.keystone-auto.com), a leader in generic collision replacement parts, has donated the bumpers.

> Jim Graham at Santa Margarita Ford (http://www.santamargartiaford.com), celebrating their 10th year in Orange County, has jumped up to provide the emblems and trim.

Mission Viejo Auto Collision, along with these other businesses, is proud to be an active member in a community that supports essential children charities.


Taking Steps to Make our Facility Green for our Community and the Planet

Mission Viejo Auto Collision has committed ourselves to becoming a green facility. We’re taking small steps everyday to not only help the community, but the world around us.

> We started with recycling all of our paper products and only printing what we need in the office. By taking this small step, we are steadily reducing our carbon footprint.

> In that light, we’re expanding our recycling program to become an e-waste drop-off center. Soon you will be able to drop-off your used electronics and batteries to Mission Viejo Auto Collision and we will safely dispose of them as a part of California’s Electronic Product Management.

> We paint vehicles day in and day out, so we’ve made the switch to waterborne paints. As their name suggests, waterborne paints contain water as the major ingredient instead of volatile organic compounds and solvents. These paints are better for the environment because they contain and emit less harmful chemicals. Our reduced solvent fumes means cleaner air and a healthier work environment.

> If you have any helpful tips you’re using in your office, be sure to contact us (http://www.mvacinc.com/contact.php).

We know that every business has a responsibility to our world to use the safest methods of using and disposing of products, and at Mission Viejo Auto Collision, we’re making it a top priority.


Congratulations to Todd Hesford for Continuing to Achieve New I-CAR Educational Certificates

This month, Todd Hesford has completed his I-CAR Platinum Individual certification in his goal to continuing his education in cutting edge automotive technology. Todd, along with 4 of our staff members, have committed themselves to being I-CAR instructors.

Created by the collision industry in 1979, I-CAR is an international, not-for-profit training organization. All I-CAR activities and resources center on helping the industry achieve a high level of technical training. I-CAR develops and delivers technical training programs to professionals in all parts of the collision industry. The I-CAR® Platinum Individual™ program recognizes individuals in the collision industry for accomplishing a high level of technical training through I-CAR, Industry Training Alliance partners, and Academic Alliance partners.

We want to congratulate Todd Hesford and our team members for staying on top of new technology, using it to efficiently make your car run to its highest ability, and teaching others so that their advanced skills can improve collision repair across the auto industry.

At Mission Viejo Auto Collision, we want to wish you and your family a wonderful and safe holiday season. We’re committed to giving our community the best in care and getting cars back on the road. We hope you have a happy holiday season and stay plugged in as we continue to bring you the latest news.

Mission Viejo Auto Collision 23812 Via Fabricante Suite A2 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Phone:(949) 951-7503 Subscribe to Blog Via RSS Subcribe to Blog Via Email

Tips from Mission Viejo Auto Collision

Mission Viejo Auto Collision’s Winter Tips

to Keep You and Your Car in Top Condition

In Southern California, we’re blessed with being able to drive to the season we want. If you want heat, visit Palm Springs. If you want snow, you can drive to Big Bear. But often in late fall and winter, weather can occur when you least expect it and not when you want it. Daylight savings time additionally means you’ll be driving more often at night. Fortunately, Mission Viejo Auto Collision is here to provide you with this season’s tips for driving after sundown, during storms, and even when there’s holiday stress.

Preparation and Action Tips for Driving at Night

Fall back means the days get shorter and the nights get longer. It also means that you’re more likely to drive when it’s dark out when you have lower visibility. But, there are some tips you can use to make your commute brighter.

Before you Drive

Ÿ Before even starting the ignition, make sure your visibility is at its highest. Clean your windshield, mirrors, and passenger windows inside and out to make sure smudges and dirt don’t cloud your vision.

Ÿ Have a friend stand outside your car while you test your headlights, high beams, and signaling lights are in good working order.

Ÿ Have your eyes checked for day and night vision. Did you know you can have a different prescription depending on light? Ask your local optometrist if this could be a factor to your sight at night. If you’re wearing glasses, request the anti-reflective coating. It not only lets other people see your beautiful eyes but also lets you see the road more clearly.

When in the Driving Seat

Ÿ Slow down and keep your distance. Slowing down will give you the extra, needed time to assess distance and speed of other cars. An easy way to keep a good distance is to count 3 seconds between you and your closest vehicle in front of you.

Ÿ Your headlights have the ability to make the roads more visible for you and less visible for other cars on the road. Make the road safer for others by dimming your high beams when you’re within sight of other vehicles. If other cars don’t follow this rule, try focusing on the white line to the right edge of the road. This way, you can stay focused.

Ÿ Don’t drive if you’re sleepy. Being on time and keeping to your daily schedule come second to your safety. If you’re tired and the caffeine isn’t doing the trick, there’s an easy second option. Pull over and take a quick 20 minute nap. A little shut eye can mean the difference between a dangerous and safe ride home and you can always blame the traffic for the added time.

Preparation and Action Tips for Driving during Rain

Rain is an important and an unpredictable factor to consider when driving anywhere in Southern California. Use the tips below to keep you driving safe before and during when water falls from the sky.

Before you Drive

Ÿ Be sure to keep your windshield wiper fluids filled. To check the fluid levels, pop the hood to find the windshield wiper fluid reservoir. It’s a plastic jug filled with blue windshield washer fluid. It has a hose leading toward the windshield. Note that the coolant reservoir looks similar but its hose connects to the radiator.

Ÿ While the sun is still shining, check your wiper blades to make sure they’re not damaged or brittle. Replacing blades is a cheap way to keep your vision clear in a downpour.

Ÿ Check your tire pressure. Tire pressure is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) and can be read by using the notches on a tire air pressure gauge. You can check your owners manual or the sticker on the inside of your door, to find the proper PSI for your car.

Ÿ If your tires need air, stop by your gas station and use their air hose. After you place the air hose on the tire stem, you’ll notice it’s fit correctly when the air stops leaking after you hit the pin. Keep your gauge handy and check the pressure at intervals as you fill the tires up. Slow it down when you get close to avoid over-inflated tires.

When in the Driving Seat

Ÿ You’re driving along a highway and suddenly you see a slight drizzle on your windshield. Be aware that the roads are the most dangerous when they first get wet. This is because dry roads accumulate excess engine oil and grease that builds up over time. What can you do to make sure you stay safe? Go slow, keep a safe distance, and brake earlier and with less exertion. Braking earlier means you’ll have more room and time to safely brake with less risk of hydroplaning. If you use less force it also gives the driver behind you more notice as well.

Ÿ Use the car ahead of you as a guide for the road ahead. By watching if the car ahead of you maneuvers away from a puddle, you’ll have a better idea of what to do when you cross that stretch of road. Did you know that when water splashes up it could damage your car’s internal electrical systems? Why not take it slow and avoid the potholes of puddles if you can.

Ÿ Find out if you have anti-lock brakes or standard brakes in case of hydroplaning. If you end up slipping on the road due to hydroplaning, remain calm and don’t make any sudden movements. Instead, release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight ahead until your vehicle gains traction. If you have standard brakes then you can tap the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes then you can keep your foot on the pedal as you hold down the brakes.

Preparation and Action Tips for Driving under Stress

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, so often does the stress with added relatives, preparing special meals, and finding the right presents, not to mention traffic. That stress can show up on the road which can lead to more accidents. Below are some tips for making your life more Zen for less yen.

Before you Drive

Ÿ If you know you’ll be bringing the kids along for the ride to your relative’s house, consider fun ways to keep your children occupied and reduce your distraction. If you don’t have a fancy entertainment system, you can always bring coloring and activity books along in a ready-to-go bag. Buy an inexpensive lap desk that can serve a dual purpose as your laptop desk at home when you‘re on the couch.

Ÿ If you’re stressed before you even put the keys in your car, take a moment to center yourself. Breath deeply for a few minutes and visualize your favorite spot to relax. After a few minutes of focusing on your body, try to figure out the real cause. Are you hungry? Eat a healthy snack like fruit or trail mix before your drive.

Ÿ Realize that you can’t always make up time in the car. If you have to get somewhere in a hurry, understand that your car cannot magically get there on time. Often times there is weather and traffic that is simply out of your hands. Add in extra time to your travels, or decide to let go of being a minute early. If you’re stuck in traffic, you can even use the time to make a plan for when you arrive at your destination.

When in the Driving Seat

Ÿ One way to decrease your chance of other cars closely following you or getting upset by a car that’s driving slower than you would like is to make sure you’re in the appropriate lane. If you want to drive slower, stay in the right lane, giving other cars ample ways to pass you. If you want to drive at the speed limit, go over to the left lanes and signal as you do. By practicing courtesy you’ll be making the roads less stressed and more safe.

Ÿ Learn to forgive the car in front of you. If the car in front of you doesn’t signal when changing lanes, speeds up, or stops too suddenly, maneuver appropriately and let it go. Forgive other drivers and forget their minor mistakes. There will always be another issue ahead and by forgiving easily, you can focus on staying alert instead of being angry at the last mistake.

Ÿ Be aware of what music you’re playing. Are you playing rock or listening to aggressive lyrics? Music has a definite affect on your mood, so make it a better one with relaxing choices. Better yet, listen to an audio book and take a mental break from the tension of the day.

At Mission Viejo Auto Collision we’re committed to repairing your car and returning it in optimal condition. The favorite part of our mechanic’s day is when we reveal your car in top, working form and place the keys in your hand. So, to keep you and your car happy, follow our tips. As an active member of the community, we want your drive to be as safe as possible. Whenever you’re driving this season, have a safe trip with the peace of mind that we’re here for you when the unexpected happens.

Mission Viejo Auto Collision 23812 Via Fabricante Suite A2 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Phone:(949) 951-7503 Subscribe to Blog Via RSS Subcribe to Blog Via Email

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Get the Auto Body You Want

Don't you just hate cutting through jungles of red tape and hassles -- especially when you have to get something important done like collision repairs? We’re with you there. That’s why we’re on the job. Our family has been doing top-flight collision repairs for over twenty years. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking dings, fender benders, or major collision damage, we get the job done right – the first time.

What about those big, bad insurance companies? No hassles here, either. We’ve dealt with plenty of insurance partners in twenty years. So we know them inside and out … know what you need from them. You’ll wind up with less – stress, that is. And a lot more time.

What makes us special? It’s called care. Our craftsmen zero in on the details and check every operation. When we’re through, your car looks like new.

Here’s what we promise.

• Over 20 years of experience and service means you get the job done right
  
• Lifetime unconditional guarantee gives you an added feeling of security
  
• Towing is available for your convenience
  
• Rental cars are available right here to save you time and hassle
  
• Free written estimates given quickly and professionally
  
• Expert paint color matching gives you an exact match of your car’s color
  
• And MUCH MUCH MORE! Just ask!

If you want to learn more about our expert auto body service, we’re ready to help. You can contact our team at (949) 951-7503 or mvac@znet.com.

Mission Viejo Auto Collision 23812 Via Fabricante Suite A2 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Phone:(949) 951-7503 Subscribe to Blog Via RSS Subcribe to Blog Via Email