“Puffing” Cars vs. Remote Starters – Alta Mere’s Remote Car Starters Provide Vehicle Safety During chilly winter months, it is common for car owners to warm their vehicles while leaving their keys in the ignition and returning inside for several minutes. However, this practice which is commonly known as “puffing”, has led to a dramatic increase in auto theft. A study released last year by the National Insurance Crime Bureau showed a total of 126,603 cars were reported stolen with the keys in vehicle from 2012 to 2014. As a result, many states such as Texas, Maryland, Ohio, Colorado, West Virginia, Wisconsin and South Carolina have made it illegal to leave a car unattended with the key in the ignition. Officials in these states have seen this occurrence lead to an increase in auto theft that can also result in high-speed chases and get-away cars for burglaries. In an attempt to ... read more

We’ve seen a rise in the overall automotive aftermarket industry in recent years. But an interesting trend within the automotive accessories market is the rise of customers purchasing 12-volt products for their vehicles. Concerned parents, especially, are leading the charge in purchasing products, such as backup safety cameras and remote starters. Backup safety cameras and other safety products for vehicles have seen a steady rise in recent years. As costs for these accessories have fallen, customers are finding their benefits even more attractive. These cameras help drivers reduce their blind spots while backing up by an average of 90 percent. This, in turn, helps customers avoid collisions in parking lots, driveways and on the road every day. For working parents especially, the ability to have an extra set of eyes for safe ... read more

The business of automotive sales and automotive repairs is often seasonal, revolving around major holidays and sales. But what about the aftermarket auto industry? Has it been growing in the past few years, and where will it be going in the future? We’re here to answer the question. Has the automotive aftermarket industry grown? The short answer is yes. But there’s more to it than that. In 2014, the industry grew 2.5 percent, which was just another year of sustained growth since the economy began to recover after the recent recession. As consumers hold on to cars for longer, it has created a sweet spot for services, repairs and aftermarket accessories to keep those cars running well and looking good for a long time. Will the aftermarket industry continue to grow? According to the 2014 Join Channel Forecast Model, the automotive afte ... read more

Currently, consumers are holding on to their cars for longer periods of time. That means the automotive aftermarket industry is soaring. One area that continues to grow? Paint protection film for vehicles. That might seem counter intuitive; after all, we just mentioned that consumers are keeping their cars for longer, an average of 11.4 years. But in reality, the growing market for paint protection film is a direct effect of this consumer trend with their automobiles. Since people are holding on to their cars for longer, they’re eager to make sure those vehicles can last. That trend includes performance and appearance. Also take into account that the strengthening economy has placed more expendable income in the hands of consumers. Many of those consumers are choosing to use that money on upgrading their vehicles, and individuals who purchase that new car expect it to las ... read more

A new car depreciates by as much as 11 percent once it leaves the dealership lot, according to Edmunds.com, a car buying website. Unfortunately, that percentage will only grow as the years go by. But what can you do as a car owner to combat the value of your vehicle dropping any further? You can try to keep it running well and looking just as good as the day you bought it. But that’s not always easy. In fact, some solutions can be time consuming, like waxing the car regularly. Luckily, Alta Mere Automotive Outfitters are experts at installing vehicle paint protection that can shield your beloved ride from gravel, scratches and snow salt while also adding to its resale value. “Seals are more cost-effective than car wax since many come with a warranty.” Layer of protection The days of spending weekends applying coat after coat of carnauba wax to a car are ove ... read more

We’re in the middle of winter, and so snow storms are a common sight. Sometimes, it’s just flurries slowly drifting onto the roads. Other times, it’s a whiteout that covers the roads in snow and makes it impossible to drive any faster that 5 mph In some cases, you may even get stuck on the roads if you drive out there. You want to do as much as possible to avoid getting caught off guard, and prevent yourself from getting hypothermia or frostbite among other conditions. The professionals at Mr. Transmission would like to offer some advice if you have to drive out on the roads during a blizzard. However, the first piece of advice they would like to share is this: Do not drive out there unless it’s absolutely necessary. What to do before In the event that your travels will cause you to be in the midst of a snowstorm, planning ahead is essential. If you can, plan your work day a ... read more

When choosing a vehicle, it can sometimes be difficult to understand why one car is different from any other, even after you test drive and purchase them. There are a lot of small features that go into a car that you may miss. These little details often only become apparent when something goes wrong with your vehicle. That’s when you find out about a part or something that needs to be replaced, costing you a lot of money. Understanding at least some of the differences between the various types of cars is important when thinking about your future and whether you’ll need auto repair. This is especially the case with newer hybrid vehicles, which have unique functions designed to save you fuel and thus money. Knowing what makes hybrids special can save you a lot in the long run. The experts at Mr. Transmission would like to offer you some important points on what makes these relatively new cars stand out, so that repairs are more affordable. A little more sophistication ... read more