Looking for our special discount offers?
We used to publish any special offers or discounts in this Shop Talk column, but they were a little hard to find. Instead, we created a page on our website with all 
our current offers in one spot so you’ll always know where to find them. We’ll update the page whenever the offers change. Bookmark this page now, and you’ll always be a click away from savings!
Why you should NEVER buy a salvaged title vehicle… in one picture
A major pileup happened in Baker City in January that involved more than a dozen 
tractor-trailers and injured 12 people. According to The Oregonian, “Among those rescued was pickup truck driver Kaleb Whitby, 27, who miraculously escaped with minor injuries after he was sandwiched in his vehicle crushed between two big rigs.” That’s a picture of Kaleb and the remains of his truck at right.
This picture tells a story of a stunningly close shave, but it tells another story as well. We recommend you never, NEVER buy a salvaged title vehicle! Salvaged title vehicles are vehicles that have been declared a total loss by an insurance company, but have been repaired anyway and re-registered. There are many issues that may have caused the initial ‘total’ of the vehicle, and they may or may not have been repaired correctly.
While any faulty repair may cause problems, Kaleb’s story illustrates a particularly dangerous flaw that may not show up until it’s too late… frame straightening. Today’s cars are designed so that in an accident, impact forces are directed around the passenger cabin and absorbed by the structure of the vehicle. You survive, but the vehicle doesn’t. If a vehicle has been reconstructed and had its frame straightened then there are weak points in the metal of the frame. As our Service Advisor, Steve, is fond of saying “it’s like trying to straighten out a crushed aluminum can. You may get close, but those kinks and wrinkles will always be there.” With these weak spots a vehicle’s structure can’t protect you as intended, and the impact may go through your body instead of the vehicle’s.
Please, please learn this important lesson from Kaleb’s close call… DON’T BUY A SALVAGED TITLE VEHICLE!
Comment of the Month-
“Let me know what I’m in for down the road concerning possible repairs”
We leave comment cards in every vehicle after service so we can keep track of what we’re doing right and what you think we should do to make our services better. We thought we’d start sharing some of the comments we receive each month and tell you what actions we’re taking in response. This month, client John B. suggested: ”Let me know what I’m in for down the road concerning possible repairs.”
John, we always try our best to do just that. It’s impossible to predict precisely what will fail and precisely when, but it’s not impossible to get a very, very good idea. Our Comprehensive Inspection is designed to do just that. We check the condition of every major (accessible) mechanical system on your vehicle and prioritize any inadequacies by 1) safety issues, 2) breakdown risks, and 3) maintenance needs. Then we go over the prioritized list with you and use your driving needs and budget to determine what repairs (if any) to do.
If you’re unclear about what’s on the horizon for your vehicle, then PLEASE ask! We want you to be as clear as possible about our recommendations and any upcoming issues so you can budget repair money effectively and plan travel safely. If you’re checking out your vehicle at the counter and have a question, our Service Advisors will gladly go over it with you until you are completely comfortable. If you have a question at home, we’re just a phone call (or email) away. We want to be a resource to you in every phase of your driving life, so if you want to know what’s coming down the road we make it our business to tell you everything we can.
Your reviews and referrals matter
We are constantly grateful for the supportive and loyal clients we have developed over the years. Your comments and appreciation keep us on the right road to providing the superior automotive service you deserve. Your reviews and referrals are not only the highest compliments we can receive, but they’re the lifeblood of our new business. If you like what you’ve found at Tom Dwyer Automotive Services, please tell a friend or take a minute to write a review on Yelp, Angieslist, Google, or the review site of your choice. Thank you!
Latest Automotive Recalls
Automobiles are just like any other product; occasional flaws in manufacture or design can cause problems once they leave the factory. When an issue is identified the manufacturers and government work hard to bring the vehicles back in for refit or repair, but not all recalls make the front pages. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a constantly updated list of recalls from every manufacturer. Clicking the button at right will take you to the full list at the NHTSA website.
