Bill's Blog | Articles About Your Car | Bill's Auto & Truck Repair

Serving Chicago Northwest Suburbs
for 40+ Years!

What is a Cabin Air Filter?

Think of a Cabin Air Filter (CAF) as a furnace filter. All of the air forced through your air vents, heat & AC, passes through the CAF. And like your furnace filter, CAFs get dirty with use and over time require replacement.

Does every car or truck have a Cabin Air Filter?: No. CAFs are not present in older vehicles and may not be available in present-day economy vehicles.
What are the signs I need to replace my Cabin Air Filter?: • Restricted air flow—the air volume remains low when the fan speed is set to high.
• Odor when heat or AC is activated—musty or stale smelling air blows through vents.
• Passengers with asthma or allergies experience aggravation of their symptoms.
What is the recommended schedule for replacing a Cabin Air Filter?: Depending on the source, recommendations range from every 15,000 miles to every 30,000 miles. Check with your vehicle manufacturer for specific information.
If you are experiencing signs that your Cabin Air Filter needs replacement: Call Bill's Auto & Truck Repair at (847) 296-3166 to talk to a Service Rep. They will look up your vehicle specs and determine if your car or truck has a CAF. If so, they will locate the part number and provide an estimate for replacing your Cabin Air Filter.

Collision Repair: Paint Matching

Quality Autobody Shops weld chassis, align quarter panels, replace fenders, pull dents, and fill holes. And when the damage has been repaired, the final stage is finishing—painting. Is it possible to match the original color? Yes, with the right tools, time, and patience.

Starting Point: Paint Color Code: The automobile manufacturer has a color code number to indicate the exact color that was used when the car was new. Car makers purchase paints from paint manufacturers, but not always the same paint manufacturer. Subtle variances can occur on the assembly line during manufacturing.
Compensating for Fade & Wear: Obtaining the color code is a good start, but depending on where the car resides, there may be color fading that can cause a mismatch to the original paint job.
Color Chips & Spectrophotometer: Paint matching technology has matured, making the color match process faster and more accurate. However, additional processes are required to perfect the color match. Tint chips help achieve the correct shade, tint and flop while the Acquire™ Quantum EFX Spectrophotometer from Axalta™ is the most powerful, most effective color matching tool available today.
Perfecting the Color Match: The starting point is the paint color code; tint chips and spectrophotometers nudge even closer. But a spray-out is the final call for the perfect match. Spray-outs are made with varied densities of metallics and coatings that, once cured, are compared in sunlight to the match target. Once the match is indistinguishable from the target, the paint is approved for application.
Choosing the Right Body Shop: Now that you know how well Bill's Body Shop can match your paint colors, give us a call for a quote at (847) 296-3166, or use the Estimate Request form.

How Can I increase the Resale Value of My Automobile?

Selling your used automobile online or as a trade-in when purchasing a new vehicle, there are steps you can take to get the most value for your used car. Pay attention to the details.

Fix the dings: Used car buyers look for body imperfections. The dings your car has accumulated may be invisible to you, but a deal-breaker for a potential car buyer. Thanks to YouTube, you can find on-line procedures that may work well for your situation… but that's not a process for everybody. Consider taking your vehicle to an autobody repair shop for an estimate. Let the techs know that you plan on selling the vehicle and you have a limited budget.
Have your car detailed: Many car wash companies offer detailing. A good detail job is a deep clean that restores wheels, brightens exterior finish, and makes a great first impression to a prospective buyer eying your car. Detailers are a good place to have your engine steam cleaned.
Maintain service records: Keep a folder with invoices and notes for service work you have had performed, such as oil changes, tune-ups, and general maintenance. This goes a long way when selling your car to an independent buyer.
Understand your cars market (street) value: Evaluate your automobile's condition and check the Kelly Blue Book (KBB.com) to get an idea of what your car is worth selling outright or as a trade-in. If the car has a clean CarFax report, the body is rust-free, all features and components are functioning properly, and there are no dents or upholstery stains, consider your automobile in very good condition.

Why is My Check Engine Light ON?

You're driving along, enjoying your ride, when seemingly out of nowhere, the Check Engine Lamp on your dashboard starts glowing! What can or should you do?

Don't Panic: Most often when the check engine light illuminates, it is a warning that some component in the engine, transmission, electrical, or exhaust system has malfunctioned and is due to fail. Schedule a service appointment with your auto mechanic asap to have the codes read.
Get the Codes Read!: Since the 90s, OBD2 diagnostic ports have been installed in all American automobiles and most foreign cars. When an OBD2 code reading device is connected, diagnostic codes and their meaning can be read from the device.
Many Auto Repair Shops read OBD2 codes at no charge: Most automobile repair shops, and car dealers will offer to read the codes without charge, hoping you will opt for their diagnosis and repair strategy. The benefit of taking your car to a service facility is that you will be provided with a course of action for repairs on the spot.
How Can I Read the Codes?: Consumer OBD2 devices paired with smartphone apps have enabled automobile owners to read their vehicle codes prior to taking the vehicle in for servicing. This can give you an idea what is malfunctioning and possible service recommendations.

Complete Auto & Truck Repair | Mechanical & Body Shop

Blog‑Bill's Auto

Blog of Bill's Auto & Truck Repair

articles to help you understand automobile repair

Serving Chicago Northwest Suburbs
for 40+ Years!

What is a Cabin Air Filter?

Collision Repair: Paint Matching

How Can I increase the Resale Value of My Automobile?

Why is My Check Engine Light ON?

For information or to set a drop-off date/time, please contact us by phone at (847) 296‑3166 or use our
'Request Appointment' form.

Business Address

Business Hours

Business Location

Blog‑Bill's Auto

Blog of Bill's Auto & Truck Repair

articles to help you understand automobile repair

Serving Chicago Northwest Suburbs for 40+ Years!

What is a Cabin Air Filter?

Collision Repair: Paint Matching

How Can I increase the Resale Value of My Automobile?

Why is My Check Engine Light ON?

For information or to set a drop-off date/time, please contact us by phone at (847) 296‑3166 or use our 'Request Appointment' form.

Business Address

Business Hours

Business Location

Serving Chicago Northwest Suburbs
for 40+ Years!

For information or to set a drop-off date/time, please contact us by phone at (847) 296‑3166 or use our
'Request Appointment' form.