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5 Important Vehicle Regular Maintenance Practices

Post by: GDMadmin October 26, 2020 0 Comments

Making sure your vehicle is up to date on standard maintenance is essential to keep it running at maximum performance & making it last. Here’s a checklist of maintenance practices you should make sure your vehicle is always up to date on!

Oil Changes

The recommended mileage for oil changes is no longer a universal standard of 3,000 miles. Instead, how often you change the oil depends on the type of oil used & your specific car’s needs. What type of oil your car needs is something you can either research yourself or consult a professional on. Certain cars can go as long as 10,000 miles between oil changes! As an extra precaution, you can periodically check your oil level yourself by taking out the dipstick under your hood.

Tire Rotations & Changes

Even tires that are built to last, only last for so long. Driving on bald tires or those with poor tire pressure is dangerous and increases your chance of skidding & hydroplaning. Uneven tire pressure can even affect your fuel mileage! To ensure your tires’ traction, regularly schedule tire rotations & replace them at the recommended mileage. Depending on your driving habits & the climate you live in, you may also consider alternating between summer tires and snow tires. You should also make sure you have a spare tire on hand for the possibility of an unexpected flat.

Replacing Wipers

Put simply, clear vision out of your windshield is an essential part of driving! If you start to notice your view getting streaky, it is best to replace your wipers sooner rather than later. When vision is decreased during a short trip or light rain, imagine how much trouble you will be in if you put this off and end up needing to drive through traffic in a storm. Fortunately, windshield wipers are on the cheaper end of maintenance measures, and you can easily purchase them & change them yourself. For additional vision enhancements, certain windshield coatings can repel water and clear your view faster.

Replacing Brake Pads

Brakes operate on friction and therefore inevitably wear down over time, even for the safest drivers. Fully functioning breaks are absolutely essential to the safety of you, other drivers, & pedestrians. Failing to replace worn brake pads will eventually wear down other parts of the tires & vehicle, costing you more money in replacements in the long run. Signs of worn down brakes including a screeching or whistling sound & more pressure required to adequately brake.

Replacing Air Filters

Although it is not critical to your engine’s function, replacing air filters will improve your rides by keeping the air quality in your cabin clean. Dirty air filters will also affect your fuel economy by reducing airflow & making your engine work harder. Drivers can do their own research or consult their automotive specialist on how often to replace filters.

How to Enjoy the Auto Salvage Yard Experience

Post by: GDMadmin October 26, 2020 0 Comments

Salvage yards have so much to offer for car enthusiasts and beginners alike. They have the potential to stock almost every car part & every model imaginable for reasonable prices, including parts for luxury cars or older vehicles that can be hard to come by. Finding what you are looking for and having a smooth experience at a salvage yard requires some focus and planning. Follow these tips to make the best of your next salvage yard experience.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is the key to beings sucessful at a salvage yard. First, know what part you are looking for! You might want to do some looking online to see what a fair price is for what you are looking for. You can also call your local salvage yard ahead of your visit to see if they have the part in stock.

Bring Your Tools

If you find a car that has the part you want, be prepared to diassemble it yourself. If you are really shopping to buy, you should bring your tools with you the first time around. Coming back later might mean the part will already be sold. Since auto yards can be very large, have your tools in a bag that you will be comfortable carrying.

Bring Help

You are still welcome at a salvage yard if you are an amateur around car parts! If you don’t know what you are doing, bring a more experienced friend to help you choose the right part & disassemble. If you are taking a large part such as an engine, keep the job safe by bringing another person to help.

Be Respectful

Even if you won’t use a certain part of the car you are working on, does not mean that another customer wouldn’t buy it. If you destroy parts to a car that you are not even purchasing, you are causing the salvage yard to lose money and customers. Some deterioration of the wiring or other parts might be necessary, but do not be the person who needlessly & intentionally damages car parts.

Auto salvage yards are an ideal choice if you are looking for a replacement car part that you can buy used. This is true for lower end models as well as luxury cars – Salvage yards see them all! As long as you keep an open mind, the salvage yard welcomes you. For a huge selection of used car parts in the Southeast MA area, check out Robertson’s Auto Salvage!

Growing up attending school in Massachusetts, I was taught about Paul Revere’s midnight ride...

Post by: GDMadmin September 26, 2020 0 Comments Auto Recycling, Online Auto Parts, Recycling, Salvage Yard, Salvage Yards

Growing up attending school in Massachusetts, I was taught about Paul Revere’s midnight ride to alert colonial militia of British forces. Today, I wonder what would have become of our nation if our forefathers did not act and were unprepared for arrival of the mightiest army in the world. Fast forward 245 years; our industry needs to be rallied, just as were the revolutionary forces, in order to be prepared to fight for the rights of ROE–Recycled Original Equipment® auto parts in vehicle repairs.

ARA, recognized as the eyes, ears, and voice of the automotive recycling industry, is in constant communication with Federal and State government agencies, other trade associations, industry standards groups, political groups, and recycling industry committees to protect the rights of businesses that offer ROE–Recycled Original Equipment®. It seems like daily, ARA’s Executive Director Sandy Blalock and the ARA staff listen to meetings, take notes, give input, and answer questions about our industry. Some days we get hit on all sides, other days it is smooth sailing, but often it seems like we run from fire to fire.

One of ARA’s strategic pillars to serve the auto recycling industry is to provide leading-edge training so that company’s that sell ROE may remain in good standing with regulatory obligations and utilize best business practices. This is not only accomplished through ARA University (arauniversity.org) – ARA’s premier training platform for workforce advancement – but also through ARA committees, such as the ARA Certification Committee, and our annual ARA Convention & Exposition.

This year, we saw widespread cancellation of all in-person industry shows across the U.S., and the world for that matter, due to COVID-19. Recently, we announced that the ARA in-person event, Reno 2020, was also subject to the times. Yet, the show must go on.

It’s all hands on deck, with every ARA staff member tasked with making this first-of-its-kind show a huge success.

And now, with no travel time or expense, you really have no excuse not to attend or not to involve your team in the experience, as well. We are making it very cost-effective to do so!

As auto recyclers, many of us are fortunate to have a state association, or if you are outside of the USA, a regional and national association, to represent our best interests. These groups rely heavily on expos to fund their budgets in an effort to keep membership dues low. Operating an association is not cheap, it takes real money to pay overhead and expenses to properly represent members. ARA recognizes the damage COVID-19 imposed on the budgets of our state affiliates. Therefore, there will be fundraising activities during Edge 2020 to help affiliates who have lost income from canceled events. I am personally asking that if you can dig deep into your pocket, please help. They are the “eyes” of the industry for potential issues that could become national ones if not addressed at the state level. I will even go as far to say that if your paycheck relies on the sale of ROE parts, please consider a donation when asked.

Just imagine not having an industry association … it’s not easy to go it alone. We would no longer have representation at conferences and government agency meetings. We would no longer have input on how proposed regulations affect our businesses. Each of us will be left standing without a ticket to the show or a seat at the table while others carelessly dictate our fate. I can’t even imagine what would become of our industry. We are far better off with a unified representation and working together on all levels in bettering our own automotive recycling industry.

Let’s Circle Back to Look at American History

The signal was posted through Boston’s Old North Church cand Paul Revere carried the message of invasion to our forefathers – and they won their independence. Be on the lookout, ARA is our Paul Revere. The message to you right now is to get engaged to improve our industry and actively defend your ability to sell original equipment parts. Without sounding too trite, the message for today could simply be, “The OEMs are coming, the OEMs are coming.” Are you ready?

Tips for Visiting an Auto Salvage Yard

Post by: GDMadmin September 16, 2020 0 Comments

Picking parts from an auto salvage yard can save you hundreds of dollars on your vehicle repairs & upgrades. Not only will you get good deals on parts. But, you will also learn about the vehicles you are working on by searching for and removing parts for your own car. Anyone serious about working on their car needs to visit a salvage yard.

What are some tips for visiting an auto salvage yard?

The main focus of visiting an auto salvage yard is the discount on parts. Given that the parts are used, you need to know what you are looking for and be able to gauge the use and quality of a piece. Also, bring your tools with you and be ready for your salvage trip with a plan of what you need. Finally, wearing protective clothing like machine gloves and eyewear can protect you from sharp or rusted parts. Check out more tips from the experts at Robertson’s Auto Salvage to make the most out of your salvage yard trip!

Have The Right Tools

You should bring a toolbox with a lot of different size options and tools in it. The most commonly needed tools for an auto salvage yard run are cutting tools to get access to parts and wrenches for removing components. If you’re replacing a part in your vehicle, make sure you are getting the right fit by removing the old part from your car first and then making sure the tools you use to remove the new part at the salvage yard are the same fit!

Dress For Protection

Because a salvage yard is basically just a field of rusted old cars you get to dig through, you will want protection from sharp or rusted parts that could potentially puncture or cut you. Mechanics’ gloves are a must for keeping your knuckles protected and giving you that extra grip for pulling parts that seemed to be welded to the junker with age. Also, having proper eye protection can defend against shrapnel that could fly from rusted junkers.

Bring Backup

In the case that you feel like you are getting in over your head, bring backup. A friend who knows cars is a godsend in an auto salvage yard. Plus, they may even be able to negotiate a better deal for the parts!

Call Ahead

A rookie mistake is assuming that the salvage yard you want to go to has the parts you need. A salvage yard’s selection depends on which parts they have recently received. When you call, ask for the same make and model of the car you are trying to fix. If they don’t have it, try another salvage yard or ask them for a recommendation!

Pulling parts from junkers in an auto salvage yard can save you a lot of money. But the cars on salvage yards are potentially in rough shape and may need cutting tools or other tools to remove stubborn parts from. Also, wearing protective gear will keep you from getting injured during your salvage trip. This is especially true if you are looking for more substantial pieces that are had to access within the vehicle. Have fun, and try to plan out precisely what you need to save yourself from making multiple trips. For the best selection of used parts in the Southshore, give Robertson’s Auto Salvage a call today! 800-551-2680

Your Fall Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

Post by: GDMadmin August 21, 2020 0 Comments

It is in the best interest for both your vehicle and your safety to practice regular maintenance on your car. Getting in the habit of seasonal check-ups on the various essential parts is the perfect way to ensure everything is running properly! Here’s the list of what you should check for in the fall, courtesy of the experts at Robertson’s Auto Salvage!

Check the Oil

Regularly checking your oil is essential for your engine. If your oil is leaking or the levels get too low, this spells disaster for the vehicle’s entire engine! Checking the oil level is as simple as a dipstick located right underneath the hood. Check this level by pulling out the dipstick, wiping it off, and then re-inserting it and taking it out again. There will be a marker or indent on the dipstick indicating where the oil level should be. If it is too low, change your oil yourself or bring it to your local mechanic. Make sure your oil is being changed regularly in accordance with your vehicle’s manufacturer’s specifications.

Check the Brakes

With the beautiful changes of a New England fall comes slippery roads due to leaves and weather. Brakes are essential to a safe car in general, but especially need to be in top shape when you are driving in less than ideal conditions. If you don’t know how to check the brakes yourself, visit your local mechanic who can easily conduct a check and tell you if you need a replacement. Signs you might need new brakes include a squeaking or whistling sound when braking, and visible rust on the brakes.

Check the Tires

When driving on slippery leaves, proper tire traction is necessary for your safety and the safety of others. If your tires are old, you increase your chances of a failed stop or even spinning out of control. A great low-cost option for replacing tires is to check your local salvage yard. Changing your tires is not too difficult so if you purchase used parts and avoid a mechanic’s labor charges by doing it yourself, you could be saving hundreds of dollars.

Where to Buy Used Car Parts

If your car needs replacements, there are plenty of low-cost alternatives to going to a mechanic and paying for labor and new parts. Robertson’s Auto Salvage headquartered in Wareham, MA has a huge selection of used parts to fit all types of economy and luxury vehicles. To check our inventory or get expert advice, get in touch with us today!

What To Do When Your Car Battery Dies

Post by: GDMadmin July 30, 2020 0 Comments

Owning a vehicle is a luxury that brings convenience to our lives, but every vehicle owner will sooner or later experience the inconvenience of a dead car battery. It is important to know the signs that your battery is dead and what to do when this happens. Check out this guide from the experts at Robertson’s Auto Salvage!

Why Do Car Batteries Die?

Like all auto parts, batteries have a product lifespan that is limited. Batteries will eventually need replacing, especially if you drive an older vehicle. You can also unintentionally kill your battery if you leave a light on in your car, or leave your radio on when the engine is not running. Avoid killing your battery by double-checking that everything is turned off after you park your vehicle.

Signs of a Dead Battery

The most common sign of a battery issue is flashing lights and stalling when trying to turn the car on. Your battery can also die while driving – Signs of this include decreased acceleration, flashing dashboard lights, and the radio going out.

What To Do If Your Battery Dies

If you think your battery is dying while you are driving, pull over somewhere safe as soon as possible. If your car won’t start, you can recharge your battery by connecting it via jumper cables to someone else’s car. Bonus Tip – Keep a set of jumper cables in your trunk at all times. You never know when you or a friend is going to need them!

What To Do Long Term

One time can be a fluke, but if your battery is continuously dying, it might be time for a new one. While your dealership or mechanic can install a new battery for you, paying full price and labor fees can be an unnecessary expense. If you visit a local auto salvage yard like Robertson’s Auto Salvage in Wareham, MA, you can likely find the battery you need for a fraction of the price. Combine this with installing it yourself and you will save big time! If you’re in search of a new battery or other used auto parts, call Robertson’s Auto Salvage today to find what you need!

Past President Jonathan Morrow has often said...

Post by: GDMadmin July 26, 2020 0 Comments

Past President Jonathan Morrow has often said, “While we are not the best in sales techniques, delivery systems or technology, we are the best in dismantling vehicles.” Our industry has been processing vehicles for over 100 years, evolving slightly to meet environmental requirements and machinery advancements. You’d think that we would have the market cornered and have a bullet proof business model; after all, we are the best in processing end-of-life vehicles. Let’s take a look at history.

Sears and Roebuck was an innovator in sales way before Amazon. In the late 1890s, they published a 500-page catalogue enabling rural families the purchase of lower-cost merchandise that included delivery. They took advantage of mass production techniques and sold over 75,000 pre-fabricated kit homes by mail order. As Americans started living in more urban areas, Sears opened their first brick and mortar store in 1925. They even built the world’s tallest building in Chicago. They were innovators and considered the best in selling products … What could go wrong?

Our industry is going to encounter a disruption when electric vehicles containing lithium ion batteries hit our dismantling bays. The OEMs and battery manufacturing companies are already planning for this future and our industry is nothing more than an afterthought. They are proposing policies that potentially could restrict our ability to sell electric vehicle batteries. Seems like they are abandoning their single-use part manufacturing policy when there is an opportunity for profits. I’ve said it before, the OEMs are not driven by safety or recycling, they look at one thing – profits. If they had concerns for safety, thousands of lives could have been saved by recalling the GM ignition switch defect. It was cheaper to settle the claims than fix the defect. Profits over safety. Leopards don’t change their spots.

Electric vehicles have significantly less moving parts than an internal combustion vehicle, thus requiring less maintenance, lower probability of part failure and longer use before end of life. Most of our business models depend on the sale of recycled original equipment parts, of which the top two part types are the engine and the transmission. Well, guess what? Those are gone with the electric vehicle. What component from electric vehicles will replace our top selling products? My bet is on the battery.

Dismantling an electric vehicle and storing an EVB is another major disruptor. I remember when we encountered the unibody design vehicle along with front-wheel drive and engine sub frames. We had to adapt to handle this new design in our dismantling techniques. Instead of a walk off nose, we had to invest in cutting saws to remove the front clip. Many thought that these vehicles would be too complex to fix, and body shops had to invest big money on frame machines and measuring equipment.

Electric vehicle batteries come in all shapes, sizes and composition. Some are the entire floor pan, others are compact, and at the same time advancing technology will see different composition. Are our dismantling lifts capable of conforming to every electric vehicle design? An oil spill can be cleaned up, a mistake with an electric car is deadly. How and where you can store an EVB is another disruptor. I’m sure it’s going to be different than motors and transmissions.

We can overcome this disruptor through training and protocols. ARA has recognized the need for both with electric vehicles and we began last year by commissioning Andy Latham to update our electric vehicle guide. Once complete, we will move this to an electronic platform on ARA University. I am directing the ARA Certification Committee to focus on developing facility and training protocols for electric vehicles. These protocols will lead to facility certification and employee certification in electric vehicle dismantling. I believe that both are essential to our industry remaining relevant in end-of-life electric vehicle recycling. Ignoring this disruptor will not keep it away, we need to recognize it, implement a plan and adapt for survival.

Our industry has many different business models and ARA represents all of them in negotiations with other industries and legislators. Every day, we legislate, educate and advocate for auto recyclers around the world. It’s our duty to inform the industry, it’s your responsibility to put it into action. Working together we will stay relevant into the era of the electric vehicle.

5 Car Parts You Can Always Find at a Salvage Yard

Post by: GDMadmin June 26, 2020 0 Comments

Why pay a dealership top dollar for a replacement car part when you can get the exact same product for way cheaper? Not every car part has to be fresh from the factory in order to be fully functioning. Whether the part you need is under the hood, in the cars interior, or on the exterior, you can probably find it at a salvage yard.

Radios

There’s nothing worse than having a broken car radio. Thankfully, most cars at salvage yards still have fully functioning stereo systems! Talk to the staff at your salvage yard about what features you’re looking for, and be sure to ask them if the radio you’re buying is compatible with your vehicle. Hooking up a new stereo system involves little more than a few wires, and there are plenty of online how-to’s to guide you in the DIY process.

Batteries

Sooner or later, almost every car ends up needing a new battery. Did you know you could be paying way less than the cost of a standard battery replacement? Shop your local salvage yard for a battery. Even if you don’t need a new battery in the immediate moment, it never hurts to have a spare on hand.

Tires

Although new tires are ideal for a full replacement, this can be costly. But tires can last for up to 15,000 miles, and the tires you find at salvage yards can still be in very good condition. If you can’t afford new tires right now, better tires than your current ones will still make for a safer and smoother ride. You can also find brand new spare tires easily at salvage yards.

Rims

Typically it’s not hard to find full sets of rims at salvage yards. Whether you’re missing a rim, your current rims are in rough shape, or you just want a rim upgrade, check out the salvage yard before you buy new!

Mirrors

Despite being so easy to break, the mirrors of a car can be a costly replacement. With that said, they are important to the cars safety. The cars in salvage yards often have side, rearview, or even towing mirrors still entirely intact.

Foreign/Rare Parts

You might be driving a car that was discontinued, or maybe you’re in a foreign made car and need a part that is only made overseas. Skip the ridiculous shipping time and fees by hitting a salvage yard that has a similar car in stock, and get your part today.

Tips for Finding Used Auto Parts

Post by: GDMadmin June 23, 2020 0 Comments

Are you experiencing car issues and need to replace a part or two? Before running to your local dealership and purchasing brand new parts, consider purchasing used auto parts. You will not only save money but will also avoid the headache of waiting for new parts to come into stock.

Is this your first time buying used auto parts? Here are two tips for purchasing used auto parts for your pride and joy.

Check Your Local Salvage Yard

We might be biased, but your local salvage yard is a great place for used auto parts. Some of the parts you might need might not be manufactured any more and can have extremely high costs associated with them. We’re not talking standard parts like a transmission, but other pars such as door handles or glass panels.

Fortunately, we have a full inventory of parts available for you to view to make the search much easier.

Considered Remanufactured Parts

When remanufactured the right way, remanufactured parts can work as good as new while saving you money. If you decide to go this route, make sure to work with reputable manufactuers and always get a warranty, just in case!

Looking for a specific part? Give our team a call today at (800) 551-7000.

The Pros and Cons of Used Car Parts

Post by: GDMadmin May 26, 2020 0 Comments

Most vehicle owners consider their car to be essential to their everyday routine. Our vehicles make it possible to get to and from work, get the kids from point A to point B, and to have reliable transportation for everyday errands. In short, there is never a good time for a car to need repair! On top of the costs of regular vehicle maintenance, an unexpected repair can leave you looking for a more sensible option. Buying used parts from an auto salvage yard can be a great alternative to getting brand new parts from the dealer. Like everything, buying used parts comes with a unique set of pros and cons.

Pros of Buying Used Parts

Saving Money

Buying used parts saves vehicle owners big money when compared to purchasing brand new. Labor fees are also a huge part of the cost at dealerships – You will save even more if you are able to install your new part yourself!

Helping the Environment

Waste from automobiles is inevitable today, but it is harmful to the environment and much of it is unnecessary. Buying used car parts saves them from going to waste. You can look at buying used as a form of recycling!

Some Parts are Like New

With many parts, buying from a salvage yard does not have to mean skimping on quality. Just because a car is at an auto salvage lot does not mean it is old or useless. Vehicles can even be totaled and still have plenty of usable parts. For example, a vehicle’s frame might have been damaged enough to leave it totaled, but the parts under the hood can still be salvaged!

Cons of Buying Used Parts

Small Selections

When buying used, it can sometimes be hard to find what you are looking for. The inventory of auto salvage yards depends on what has been sold to them. The larger salvage yards are likely to have a wider assortment of parts. You also might want to call ahead to see if your part is available instead of searching on site.

Limited Warranty

Used car parts will not come with the same warranty as new ones. This means there is a bit of risk when buying used. You should always buy from a trusted salvage yard that knows what they are doing and can advise you on how much life is left in the product.

Shipping Parts

If a local salvage yard doesn’t have what you are looking for in stock, they might be able to connect you with somewhere else that does. You could also find luck searching for the part online. This will entail paying for shipping and waiting at least a few days. Even with shipping cost included, you will likely still be saving money.

Robertson’s Auto Salvage is the leading salvage yard in Southeastern MA. To check our inventory & learn more, give us a call at 800-551-2680 or visit our website robertsonautosalvage.com

Call Now! (800) 551-7000