The advice is all the same for auto repair scam prevention. You’ll be told to find an ASE certified shop. Ask around. Check out several different repair facilities first. Are they clean and neat? Do they provide written estimates? Check with the BBB. Is it AAA certified? Some will even advise to “ask for the parts back.”

Traditional tips and suggestions merely put a band-aid over an infected, gaping sore. Strong antibiotics are required to address the root source of the problems in the repair industry. To provide repair customers with the above advice is like sending a soldier into combat dressed in a pink tutu. We have to stop scratching at the surface.

There has not been any “new” advice in decades. More importantly, no one has answered why car repair scams have reached an estimated 40 billion dollars per year. Moreover, why is there still no solution to stop car repair scams?

The first hurdle to conquer is the perception of the frequency of auto repair scams. Many folks just don’t believe that car repair fraud is all that bad. Some even argue that the vast majority of repair shops do an honest day’s work, and that a few bad apples are making the rest look like crooks.

This is an interesting argument, and raises a number of questions.

1) If it is only a few “bad apples,” where are they hiding the 40 billion?

2) If most repair shops are honest, why does every state warn against car repair scams?

3) Why are auto repair shops at the top of consumer complaint lists every single year, in every state?

This is even expanding across the continents. For example, just last week Australia listed car repair scams at number 4 on their top 10 consumer complaint list.

The perception of frequency gets distorted because there are a number of levels to repair scams. There are the blatant rip-offs covered in the news. For a great video visit “Repair Scams Caught on Video” www.repairtrust.com. Then there are the common scams such as exorbitant prices and estimates, and aggressive scare tactics to get service customers to perform services. These occur every day.

The repair scams uncovered by RepairTrust not only found the tactics listed above and more, but a powerful undercurrent of scamming at the foundation of the automotive service industry.

In reality, most car repair scams go unnoticed by the service consumer. Service customers just have no idea that they were ripped-off. This under-the-radar scamming occurs in dealerships, local shops, and franchises. Affiliation with ASE, AAA, BBB, NADA makes no difference.

An ASE patch on a technician’s arm, or an AAA or BBB sticker on the door of a service center means absolutely nothing in terms of a scam-free facility. Word of mouth recommendations can be just as devastating, as even shops that “seem” honest aren’t.

Check out “Car Repair Prices: There Are No Honest Mechanics” Isnare or RepairTrust for further discussion on this. Also, for NEW and FREE scam prevention tips visit the Car Repair Scam Articles @ RepairTrust.

Traditional tips are ineffective in today’s service industry. Service facilities have found new and ingenious ways of ripping people off. In truth, many of the old tips and suggestions have actually become weapons allowing service centers to indulge in car repair scams more than ever.

The car repair playing field must be leveled. Service customers need solid answers, and they need to be equipped with information, understanding, tools, and an insider’s view of the who, what, when, where, why, and how of price-gouging.

Navigating the dim underworld of today’s service centers with outdated information will cost a fortune.

In the news: The Chevrolet Camaro concept was one of the vehicles that received high praises during the 2006 American Auto show. And for this year, it is expected that the Camaro will once again reign. This time however, it’s going to be the Camaro convertible.

The Chevrolet Camaro convertible concept is to debut on the eve of the North American International Auto Show at GM Style which is an exclusive fashion-splashed event that combines celebrities, couture and automobiles. Chevrolet is optimistic with its new Camaro convertible and announced that they already made production plans for it. They further stated that if things will go smoothly with the production then the US auto market can expect it by 2009.

The Camaro convertible concept was derived from the original Camaro concept with little changes to make way for the convertible body style. In terms of exterior dimensions, the Camaro convertible and the original Camaro concept basically are the same L/W/H: 4,730/2,022/1,344 mm. Their only difference is the windshield since the convertible concept’s features a bright anodized finish and altered slightly to make room for the convertible top. The Camaro convertible concept is going to be equipped with a potent V-8 engine that powers the rear wheel via manual transmission. It will also feature a four-wheel independent suspension system and a four wheel disc brakes.

The convertible will also feature sophisticated Chevrolet Camaro accessories with some additional design details that include: tonneau cover, “Halo” headlamps, LED tailamps, rear spoiler with LED-lit CHMSL, racing-inspired fuel filler door, front-inlet hood scoop (inspired by the Corvette Z06), and a heritage-inspired rear fender grills. The Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat color of the Camaro convertible was more of a contemporary update of the classic hue offered in 1969.

The twin gunmetal gray sport stripes together with its classic color accentuate the Camaro’s heritage and help it in portraying a contemporary look. The Camaro convertible is equipped with 21 inch front wheels and 22 inch rear wheels that have a deep-dish, five spoke design with charcoal center sections with bright outer edges and an orange outline on the wheel edge.

According to Ed Welburn, GM Vice president, Global Design, “The best follow-up to last year’s award-winning Camaro concept is a Camaro convertible. The Camaro convertible concept instantly evokes an emotional response – it’s a vehicle that you want to make room for in your garage.”

Thieves are becoming quicker, savvier, and more advanced. Vehicles, which are equipped with computer-based security system, keyless entry and ignition systems, can now be stolen in just a few seconds.

How do you steal a car in 15 seconds? Some thieves force the window of the car to have a good opening. The car door is later unlocked and locked. They then pop the hood, disconnect the battery and look for the ignition cable. If still, the method does not work, thieves have ample time to manipulate car alarm. The next thing the car owner knows is that his fancy car is nowhere to be found.

This manner of stealing a car is prevalent in Europe. Thieves further employ decrypting the 40-bit code sequence to unlock the car’s door, disengage security system and – transfer ownership. This is for the reason that the owner of the code becomes the owner of the car.

How do you steal a car in less than 15 seconds? To steal a keyless car, all it takes is the know-how on Basic Encryption 101. In the Johns Hopkins/RSA study, the authors simulated the car’s ignition system using a laptop. They made several scans in less than 1 second without the victim knowing. They use the laptop to try various combinations until the right combinations were yielded. Finally, they gained entrance to the car and started it.

Advanced Anti-theft system is a necessity. Nonetheless, they have to really serve their purpose. These days, OEM and aftermarket immobilizers are now integrated in Chrysler, Hyundai, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Ford accessories. Other cars with this safety feature are Dodge Neon, Lincoln Continental and Town Car, Plymouth Breeze, Toyota Landcruiser and 4Runner, Ford Windstar, Crown Victoria, and Contour, and the Mercury Marquis. Jeep Cherokee accessories and Nissan Pathfinder accessories also integrate sophisticated immobilizer systems.

The immobilizer contains a transponder. The latter also contains unalterable identification code. It works by employing radio frequency and signal powers.

As technology develops, thieves as well, become more and more advanced. Moreover, car owners clamor for cutting-edge ignition keys that no one or nothing can copy.