Did you know…

…four out of five child car seats are installed and/or used incorrectly, according to a national study by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign? Great Plains Auto Body cares about child passenger safety in automobiles.

Since 2007, we have shaped a commitment to child passenger safety with “Great Plains Auto Body for Tiny Bodies.” Unfortunately, because of our business we see family automobiles come in after accidents, and have always been concerned for kids and their safety in such situations. “Auto Body for Tiny Bodies” is our way of giving back to the community, and we genuinely encourage the public to learn the approved manner in which to install these important safety devices.

We will be giving away NEW car seats throughout the next 90 days – register now for your chance to win one.    We are also giving away one to our Facebook friends!  Become a Fan of us to ‘up’ your chances of winning!

In celebration of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 50th anniversary, a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air was crashed into a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. 

See how far automobile saftey has come in 50 years. 

Click the CRASH link below.  Please note there is no sound for the video.

crash

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Paintless dent repair (PDR), also known as “paintless dent removal”, is a collection of techniques for removing minor dents and dings from the body of your motor vehical.  A wide range of damage can be repaired using PDR.

The most common practical use for PDR is the repair of hail damage, door dings, minor body creases, and minor bumper indentations. The techniques can also be applied to help prepare the damaged panel for paint. Such applications are referred to as “push to paint”, or “push for paint”.

Limiting factors for a successful repair using PDR include the flexibility of the paint, and the amount the metal has been stretched by the damage incurred. Hence, often extremely sharp dents and creases may not be repairable – at least not without painting afterwards.

The most common methods of paintless dent repair utilize metal rods and body picks to push the dents out from the inner side of the body panel being repaired. Also, glue may be used from the outside of the panel to pull the dents out. In either case, fine-tuning of the repair often involves “tapping” down the repair to remove small high spots, making the surface flat. Paintless Dent Repair may be used on both aluminum and steel panels.

Fluorescent lighting, or in some cases a light-reflection board, is used to see the shadows created by the deformation of the dent. This is an important aspect of the repair process. Without a Paintless Dent Repair light board or reflector board, the fine detail of the process is unseen, and the technician cannot locate their tool specifically and cannot remove the damage accurately. The process of Paintless Dent Repair requires a technician to specifically push exact locations of metal to a precise height, which can only be witnessed with use of a PDR reading instrument, such as a Paintless Dent Repair reflector board or Paintless Dent Repair light.

We have Enterprise Car Rental on-site to make your experience quick and easy.   If you have any questions, would like to reserve a car or need to speak to an Enterprise Representative please call them at 402.334.9219.

Don’t know anything about  Enterprise?  They are an extended family of more than 65,000; a world-class company with homegrown roots. They have built the largest rental car company in North America — customer by customer, car by car from the ground up. But their number one goal has never been to be the biggest; they simply work hard to be the best.

Texting while driving is equivalent to having FOUR alcohol drinks.  Four.  Would you get into the car with your kids after having four glasses of wine?

Watch this Oprah Show clip. 

Great Plains Auto Body wants to encourage you to take the Oprah “No Phone Zone” Pledge.  Make your car a no phone zone.  Beginning right now, do your part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using your phone while driving. Pledge to make a difference.  Sign up here.

The first recall, “Floor Mat Entrapment,” regards the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver’s floor mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal and cause it to get stuck in the wide-open position.

The second recall, “Pedal,” is being conducted because there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.

Is your vehicle affected?

Click on your vehicle:

• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2005-2010 Tacoma
• 2008-2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2009-2010 VENZA
• 2004-2009 Prius

If you have additional questions or concerns that have not been addressed here, please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. The Toyota Customer Experience Center hours are: Mon.–Fri. 5:00 am-6:00 pm PST, Sat. 7:00 am-4:00 pm PST.  www.toyota.com

 According to information released Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by the Nebraska Department of Roads, of the 20 vehicle drivers and passangers killed in crashes during July in Nebraska, 19 were not wearing seat belts.

The State says 25 people were killed in accidents on Nebraska roads during the month of July. Five of those deaths were involving motorcycle crashes.

Three of the fatalities took place on the Interstate. Eleven happened on non-interstate highways. Another eleven deaths occurred on local roads across the state.

So far in 2010, 73 of the 93 killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. From January, through July there have been 110 traffic fatalities in Nebraska. During that same period in 2009, there were 114.

Please wear your seatbelt!!

MSN analyses gas prices each night, giving you the most updated price on gas to plan.  Start your planning!

To thank the community for allowing us to serve them for so many years we welcomed back customers and hosted a giant celebration. The event featured its “Auto Body for Tiny Bodies” program with a booster seat giveaway and installation, as well as family activities such as face painting and exposure to fire trucks and other safety vehicles. Oh and let’s not forget the money machine!

Great Plains also actively participates with these community entities:
• Downtown Omaha, Inc.
• Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce