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What you are looking at I cam upon as I was walking along a sidewalk, going to enter a business. Here are the facts as I observed them. This business has a VERY LARGE parking lot, if I were to guess there are well over 400 parking spaces. The lot was probably 3/4 full, but this spot was close to building, about 50 feet from the front door. I had to stop and take a photo of this and do a little venting. My questions are 2. 1 - Did the person actually back into this parking space knowing full well that they have this extension on the back of their truck so they didn't want it to stick out in "traffic" on the other end of the space thinking that was a better option to have the pedestrians walk around it into the landscaping of the business? 2 - Did the person not even stop to think about the extension on the back and backs into every spot and just walk out the driver door, out the front of the truck and "forget" about the extension? I guess the answer to either question would not be "OK" with this guy.
If it is scenario #1, then that person is a statement about a portion of our society that ONLY cares and ONLY considers what is GOOD FOR THEM, and does not care how their actions effect anyone else. The attitude of "IT IS ALL ABOUT ME!" If it is #2 and they are so caught up in their "busy life" and they are in such a hurry to rush into the business - it is another statement that says, "I am not smart enough to realize that when I back up into this spot that I have this extension on the back of my truck and the next time I do it I will probably back into another car, or maybe even my garage wall."
Maybe this is over analyzing or over reacting, but my thought is that more of us that do consider how our actions effect other people, should call out these "issues" to others and let them know that it is not OK. Don't even get me started on the lady that I saw on a news story that won ONE MILLION DOLLARS (OK the take home was just over half, so 500 THOUSAND DOLLARS) and thought it was still OK to collect her "food stamps" and government assistance money because she was "struggling"!!! WHOA! Call them like you see them, that is FLAT OUT wrong. Where are the ethics? Where are the morals? We need to get them back some how.
It seems like these days you hear a lot of people saying that their business is down or has gone "in the toilet." Here at aaa Auto Salvage in MN, it has been a mild winter to put it lightly, so out business is down a little bit but not in the toilet. If you are in the situation where you have a toilet issue, we found an article on foxnews.com that might help.
Let’s face it: a broken toilet is an inconvenient and inevitable part of life. Learning to deal with a faulty toilet immediately can be an invaluable skill that could save you time and money, and prevent mess and water damage. Although tackling your broken lavatory may seem like a daunting and complicated task, repairing a toilet can often be a quick and simple procedure requiring little more than some basic tools and a little elbow grease. Here’s a quick guide to fixing a faulty toilet.
Diagnose the problem
There are many reasons that would cause a toilet to break down, so your first step should be to assess which problem yours is experiencing. The most common faults among toilets are blockages and leaks. A blockage should be immediately apparent, as water in the toilet bowl begins overflowing or filling to an unusually high level. A leaky toilet, on the other hand, can be much more difficult to detect. Often, your toilet will still function properly, or may simply become noisy or temperamental. The most common sign of a leak is a buildup of water around the base of the toilet, though you may also have trouble flushing properly.
Unclogging
Although it is the single most common cause of faulty toilet woes, clearing a clogged toilet is usually a rather simple undertaking. Once you’ve noticed the problem, do not test it by flushing again, as this can cause the water to overflow. There are several different methods for unclogging a toilet that won’t require you to pay a plumber, the most common of which is plunging. By inserting a plunger into a bowl and pressing down slowly and firmly, you should be able to clear all but the heaviest blockages. If plunging fails to produce results, a wire hanger or plumbing snake may be used to break down a particularly tough obstruction. Alternatively, pouring hot water, dish soap, chemical drain cleaners, or a combination of baking soda and vinegar into the bowl can also help to clear blockages.
Finding a leak
Though not as pressing an issue as clogging, a leaking toilet can result in inflated bills, water damage and disruption to a toilet’s normal flow. The prospect of repairing pipes and valves may send novice plumbers running for the hills, but fixing a leaky toilet can often be done quickly and easily.
To do so, you’ll first need to locate the source of the leak. An easy way to do this is by removing the lid of the tank and placing a few drops of food coloring into the water inside. Leave it alone for an hour or so, making sure no one flushes the toilet, and then check where the colored water has ended up. If it drips out the back of the toilet then the seal between the tank and bowl is faulty, and a pool of water at the toilet’s base indicates a crack in the wax ring. These can be complex issues that may prove too difficult for inexperienced plumbers. If the colored water flows into the in the bowl, however, the flapper valve is leaking — a problem which can be easily solved.
Flapper valve
To fix a faulty flapper valve, you should first turn off the water supply at the shut-off valve, which is typically located where the toilet attaches to the wall. Next, drain the water by flushing the toilet, while observing how the flapper settles on the valve opening. If it’s not settling properly or getting caught on the flush arm chain, reach in and adjust its position. If the flapper simply isn’t sealing the valve correctly, it may be worn and need replacing.
Float ball
The leak may also be caused by a faulty float ball – the large ball floating in the tank water. If the water stops when you lift up the float arm, it’s a clear sign that the ball isn’t rising far enough to lower the valve plunger. This may be a symptom of a leaking float ball that has filled with water, which may need to be replaced.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/03/17/how-to-fix-toilet/#ixzz1pZetDSXv
We found an interesting article from foxnews.com on used car buying tips. The cost of used vehicles is on the rise and has not leveled off yet as of March 1, 2012.
The value of used vehicles continues to climb. Buying a used car can be a minefield, so it's crucial to be well prepared before making any important decisions. The best approach is to narrow your search, decide on exactly what you're looking for and check the car out thoroughly. In order to get the best deal, you'll also need to be prudent and negotiate effectively with the seller. Here are find handy tips to help you find the best used car for you.
Research You're bound to find hundreds of potential cars, so having a clear picture of what you want should help you sift through the less desirable options more easily. Read reviews, consumer reports and any other material you can get your hands on to help you consider your options. It's also wise to consider less obvious factors such as maintenance costs and upkeep. Determine how readily available replacements are.
Search online Once upon a time, the best way to buy a used car was to scan the classified ads in the local newspaper. Nowadays, the used car trade is based almost exclusively on the web. Huge online databases allow you to peruse thousands of used vehicles without the pressurized environment associated with dealerships. Used car website aggregators, such as AutoTrader.com and AutoTempest.com are great places to begin your hunt, and the research you've already performed should help you refine your search more effectively.
Check the history When searching for a car, never buy based solely on what you've been told by the seller, for it may not be the whole truth. Some sellers have been known to roll back the odometer or omit important details about previous repairs, so checking the car out yourself before making any final decisions will ensure that you avoid any nasty surprises after you've paid for it. In order to perform a background check, you'll need the vehicle's “VIT number,” which can be found under the right-right hand corner of the windscreen. In exchange for a fee, a vehicle history report company can check the car's history for any missing details. For a more immediate indication of the car's condition, try looking at the vehicle's interior — the shabbier it is, the more likely that more likely that the car is in disrepair. Beware of worn seats and upholstery, broken switches and knobs. They are all signs that the car may be very old or mistreated.
Negotiate a fair price Once you're confident that the car is worth buying, it's time to negotiate a price. It's important to remember that the cheapest car isn't always the best car, and it's often worth paying extra for a more reliable vehicle. Always try to negotiate the seller down from the very beginning. During your first contact you should ask about cutting the price to determine how open they are about it. Don't be afraid to make a low offer - if sellers feel that you're truly interested in it, they will usually negotiate - and always be ready to walk away if they prove unyielding.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/02/24/five-tips-for-buying-used-car/print#ixzz1oRiaClaA
AAA Auto Salvage Prepares to Celebrate America Recycles Day
Written by Amy Schulz
Rosemount, Minnesota – AAA Auto Salvage has been recycling automobiles for 28 years. AAA Auto Salvage is celebrating America Recycles Day by helping raise peoples' awareness of the important benefits of buying Green Recycled Parts™ harvested from motor vehicles.
America Recycles Day is a national event held annually on November 15 to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and buying recycled. Last year millions of people participated in events around the country. AAA Auto Salvage along with sister company U Pull R Parts are drawing near to recycling their 130,000th vehicle. This translates to less landfill space used and a lot of gas, oil,glass, steel, aluminum, rubber, plastics, and other materials reused. Customers also benefit from the millions of dollars in savings achieved from buying and using Green Recycled Parts™.
According to the Automotive Recyclers Association, the industry's international trade association, just about everything in your car - from floor mats and instrument panels to upholstery, aluminum and steel - can be recycled for use in a new automobile or another consumer product.
Approximately 84% of each vehicle is recycled and during this process six million tires and millions of gallons of anti-freeze, oil, gasoline and oil are recycled. Automobile recycling recovers enough steel to produce almost 13 million automobiles and saves an estimated 11 million gallons of oil that would otherwise be needed to manufacture new automobile parts. Many people don't realize that the automobile is the most recycled consumer product in the world.
The efforts of automotive recyclers not only preserve natural resources and conserve landfill space, they also reduce air and water pollution that occur during the manufacture of new automotive parts. As an automotive recycler, AAA Auto Salvage is helping to preserve natural resources, protect the environment, and save our customers money. When it comes to recycling an automobile about the only thing we can’t recycle is the future.
One of aaa Auto Salvage’s customers tragically lost an owner, employee, daughter, and great person. Sadly Kari Neznik passed away Saturday September 10, 2011. Kari was 41 years young and will be missed by her family and her colleagues in the collision industry. The staff at aaa sends its thoughts and prayers to Kari’s family and to all of our friends at Crystal Collision.
This is what happens when you let politicians and the so-called environmentalists run an automotive recycling facility.
What's your definition of a high performance car?
Most would say horsepower and how quick it can get to 60 from a dig. The track junkies among us however, not only care about acceleration, but also a car's braking performance...and they have a valid reason. When you drive a car on its ragged edge, having good brakes can save your life.
What does this have to do with car maintenance in general?
As it turns out, brake fluid is possibly the most neglected component of a vehicle. Can you recall when was the last time you've done a brake fluid flush?... I don't either. We check our tire pressures and change the engine oil at a regular interval. No one cares about brake fluid.
Brake fluid's functionality is a rather simple concept. Imagine you need a doorstop. Rubber doorstops have some wiggle room while the hard plastic/wooden ones don't. New brake fluid is in a way the same as the hard doorstop. When fresh, brake fluid is incompressible. So the instance you step on the brake pedal, that same amount of pressure will be transferred directly to the caliper to slow the car down. Used brake fluid is on the other hand similar to the rubber doorstop.
When new, most brake fluids won't boil until the temperature in the brake line reaches 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Over time they gradually lose their temperature resistance and will boil much earlier (due to its absorbance of moisture). Boiling produces air bubbles and air bubbles are compressible. Therefore, boiling brake fluid leads to a soft pedal feel (longer travel).
It is summer time here in MN and while we have not been blessed with many sunny days yet this year, be proactive and get your car in good shape before those long road trips.
Have you heard the following message on KFAN on Saturday Mornings?
"Does your vehicle have damage? A broken side mirror, a cracked or broken tail light, or maybe a radio that doesn’t tune in quite right to Race Horse Radio? Aaa Auto Salvage can help save you money with quality recycled auto parts. With locations in Rosemount and East Bethel you are never far from a great deal on auto parts. Visit www.aaaparts.com, go to the blog, and find a printable coupon for $25 off your next purchase and....Get USED to it."
If you have maybe that is why you are here on this page of the blog, looking for your $25 off coupon. We are glad that you have stopped on aaaparts.com, and hope that you have found the part that you were searching for. If you have not found the part via our online search function, please do give one of our industry leading sales staff a call, and have them assist you in the search. We want to help solve your automotive part problem.
If you do find your part, please cut out, or print out this page and bring it in with you. When you check out we will discount your purchase $25. We ask that you only use one coupon per household. If you need more parts in the future let us know and we can make sure that you get a good deal on the parts that you need.
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