Tag Archives: warranty

Prep Your Vehicle For Summer

Summer heat and unexpected breakdowns are hard on those with disabilities. High summer temperatures also take their toll on the engine. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual and your vehicle will hopefully make it through the summer in a breeze.

Some jobs you or a friend may be able do, while others are best left to the professionals.

Check the air conditioning and inspect belts and hoses. When is the last time you had the entire system inspected?
Inspect batteries and cables for corrosion, cracks and dirt. Have it tested if it’s near the end of its warranty. It’s a lot easier to replace a battery before a trip than replace a dead one on the side of the road.
Have a professional inspect your brake pads and linings for wear.
Change the engine oil and filter according to the service schedule. Check fluids, including coolant, brake, automatic transmission, windshield wiper and power steering.
Replace wiper blades once a year.
You probably check your tires’ air pressure, but what about the spare?
You can significantly alter the car’s performance by rotating the tires.
Test the lights – interior and exterior, including turn signals and high beams – to make sure they work. And clean them.
Change the air filter. A dirty filter lowers gas mileage and reduces engine performance.
Consider an inspection by a qualified technician before leaving on a trip. Repairs made on the road will be more costly.
A professional should inspect the radiator, pressure cap, belts and hoses. If it’s time, flush and refill the cooling system.

Buckle up and don’t leave home without your cell phone and your disabled parking permit.

Ready To Sell You Wheelchair Van? Make sure Its Ready To Be Bought!

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If you’re trying to sell your wheelchair accessible vehicle by yourself, you should know the average mobility vehicle could take a few months to sell. The number of people with limited mobility in one local area who are in the market to purchase can be very small. Add to that the specialized equipment on your van that a potential buyer may not want, and the weeks roll by (and you’re still making payments on the old van).

The fastest deal is at a local mobility dealership. We buy and sell new and used vans throughout New England, take trade-ins, buy vehicle outright and/or can put them on consignment—whether it’s a non-converted vehicle or a converted van.

In order to get the best offer (or trade-in value), you should make sure its in “buying condition”.

Look at the vehicle with fresh eyes—like a buyer would. Ask yourself, “Would I buy this vehicle?”

If something needs repairing, fix it. A small investment can add hundreds to the value.
Wash it, wax it or take it to a detailer for a shine, inside and out. Maybe you only need to wash it and perhaps buy new floor mats.
Write down vehicle information such as year, make, model, interior and exterior colors and mileage; VIN number; side or rear entry, configuration of the interior of the van; standard features; removable features and any other adaptive extras.
Double check safety features: Are the tie-downs still sturdy and clean? Does the lift or ramp still operate smoothly?
Consider replacing the tires if they are bald.
Take out all personal items you may want to keep.
Find the registration, warranty, owner’s manual, equipment manuals and repair receipts.
All controls should be clearly labeled—and work!

Now you’re ready to sell or trade-in for a newer model.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Repair Shops

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When your accessible vehicle needs repairing, where do you take it? After checking the warranty, take it to the place where you bought it. But if you are out of town, have moved or it’s after hours, what do you do? You should know that answer before you need a repair or auto body shop.

Call the company that sold it to you. If they don’t make repairs, they can find a service center near you that works with conversion vehicles.

Check with your insurance company as they often make recommendations or have preferred shops. Get the list and research the shops.

Contact shops and ask if they have quality assurance program training, are members of national organizations such as ASA, I-CAR, are ASE certified and/or are members of NMEDA

NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment manufacturers, dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities and assisting with driving independence using wheelchair accessible vehicles.
The non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) conducts a national certification program for automotive technicians. Call 800-ASA-SHOP to see if the shop is a member and if they have any complaints against them.
I-CAR is a not-for-profit international training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair. Visit i-car.com.
ASA (Automotive Service Association) has a database of repair facility members nationwide. Visit asashop.org or call 800-272-7467.

Other tips:

Ask friends, neighbors and associates who they use. They will recommend a good shop or warn you away from not-so-good shops.
Call the Better Business Bureau.
Get the estimate in writing, not just over the phone.
Ask about a warranty on the work.
Google local repair shops

Attention Toyota Owners: Read This & Save Money!

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Toyota Motor Company Sienna Door Defects for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 Minivans, Wheelchair vans, IMS Mobility vans & Braun Ability Accessible Ramp vans

Toyota Sienna minivans have an engineering flaw with the design of the plate welded to the door that causes the door strap welds to break loose, typically just outside of warranty for many owners.

From the reports of other owners, it is not a matter of IF you will experience this door failure, but WHEN! This appears to be an issue with all Toyota Sienna 2004-2008 models.

Although Toyota has issued a Technical Service Bulletin, they refuse to issue a recall to fix the issue. Repairs typically cost around $2,000.00 for owners outside of warranty with the replacement of the doors. Re-welding the failure points is not recommended as they are prone to fail again sooner than replacing the door.

What to do?

YOU DON’T HAVE TO REPLACE YOUR TOYOTA SIENNA DOOR AND SPEND THOUSANDS!

We have figured out a way to reinforce the defective welded door check mounting panels that will fix all of you issues at a low cost!

Call the Toyota wheelchair van repair experts in Bridgewater, MA
508-697-6006

Dodge Grand Caravan Wheelchair Van Conversion

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Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Northstar Conversion

VMI first developed the Northstar handicap van conversion in the early 1990’s to meet customer preferences for increased interior space. To this day, the VMI Northstar on the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan remains one of the best mobility ramp vans in America.

By sliding out of a space below the floor, the Northstar mobility ramp maximizes space inside the accessible vehicle. There are so many benefits of an in-floor wheelchair ramp, it is easily understood why its so popular.

Dodge VMI Northstar at Automotive Innovations www.bridgewatermobility.com

VMI New England Dodge Northstar Wheelchair Van VMiNewEngland.com

Description
•Interior handles, and switches, buttons are easily accessed
•Front passenger seat retains regular functions
•No additional noise from handicap ramp
•In the event of an accident, the accessible ramp is under the floor-not inside the mobility van
•Works on curbs up to 10 inches tall
•Increased maneuverability due to greater space inside the accessible van
•Ramp-free doorway allows easy entry/exit for ambulatory passengers
•Minimized conversion wear and tear (fewer ramp cycles to load/unload additional passengers)
•Uncluttered and clean wheelchair vehicle interior
•Mobility vehicle interior gets less dirt inside
•Increased handicapped ramp width

Specifications
•Maximum Floor Drop – 11″
•Handicap Vehicle Ground Clearance – 5.5″
•Door Opening Width – 30.75″
•Door Opening Height – 55.125″
•Usable Mobility Ramp Width – 29.25″
•Wheelchair Ramp Length – 45.75″
•Length from Back Seats to Kickplate – 58.25″
•Overall Floor Length – 86″
•Floor Width at Front Doors – 61″
•Interior Height at Driver & Passenger Positions (Without Sunroof) – 58″
•Interior Height at Center Position – 57.63″
•Steering Wheel Bottom to Floor – 29.5″
•Measured Down from Front Edge of Steering Wheel to Front Kick-Up – 16.25″

Standard Features
Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Northstar only
•Extremely-low 8.0° handicapped ramp angle
•Sure Deploy backup system leaves accessible van conversion usable even with power failure
•Manual secondary backup system for additional peace of mind
•800lb. handicap ramp weight capacity

Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Northstar AND Summit
•Fully-powered accessible van ramp
•11” drop FLEX Floor maximizes interior space and headroom for better maneuverability
•Complete undercoating and rust proofing
•PowerKneel system lowers the minivan to reduce ramp angle
•Seamless integration with Dodge Grand Caravan vehicle electronics
•Complete control through Dodge keyfob and interior switches
•Removable front passenger and driver seat bases
•No-skid wheelchair ramp surfacing
•Complete crash testing and compliance with all government safety standards
•3-year/36,000-mile warranty

Optional Features
•Durafloor (rubberized flooring) to match Dodge Grand Caravan interiors

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Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Summit Conversion

The Summit folding wheelchair ramp van conversion on a Dodge Grand Caravan is an economical choice compared to the popular Northstar in-floor handicapped ramp conversion from VMI. Summit mobility ramps utilize siderails that are 2 inches tall. This is especially important for those with a hard time navigating an incline. VMI Summit handicapped accessible van on the Dodge Grand Caravan also includes an industry best access ramp length of only 50.25”.

The short handicap ramp provides two key advantages to VMI customers. First, passengers can easily use the Dodge handle for the sliding door and switches because the handicapped ramp is not covering them. Second, users in wheelchairs have more room to move on and off the ramp when other vehicles park too close.

Dodge VMI Summit at Automotive Innovations www.bridgewatermobility.com

VMI New England Dodge Summit Wheelchair Van VMiNewEngland.com

Description
Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Summit Only
•2” siderails help people with a disabilities stay on the ramp when coming in and out
•When other vehicles park too close, 50.25” ramp leaves users more room to maneuver
•By simply pushing outward on the ramp, it can be deployed incase of a mechanical/power failure
•Handicap ramp surface allows debris to fall through so it doesn’t end up inside the vehicle
•Mobility ramp has a quiet cabin dut to an anti-rattle device
•600lb. handicapped ramp rating

Dodge Grand Caravan with VMI Northstar AND Summit
•Fully-powered accessible ramp
•11” drop FLEX Floor maximizes head clearance and interior space for maneuvering a wheelchair
•Complete undercoating and rust proofing
•PowerKneel system lowers the minivan to reduce wheelchair ramp angle
•Total integration with Dodge systems prevents damage to vehicle/ conversion
•Accessible van conversion is controlled through interior sliding-door switches and Dodge keychain
•Easy-out passenger and front driver seat stands
•No-slip handicapped ramp
•Total crash-testing and compliance with all government standards for safety
•3-year/36,000-mile warranty

Specifications
•Maximum Floor Drop – 11″
•Mobility Vehicle Ground Clearance – 5.5″
•Door Opening Height – 54.25″
•Usable Wheelchair Ramp Width – 28.88″
•Handicap Ramp Length – 50.25″
•Length from Back of Seats to Kickplate – 58.25″
•Overall Floor Length – 86″
•Floor Width at Doors – 61″
•Interior Height at Center Position – 58″
•Interior Height at Drivers & Passengers Position (Without Sunroof) – 58″
•Steering Wheel Bottom to Floor – 29.5″
•Measured Down from Front Edge of Steering Wheel to Front Kick-Up – 16.25

Standard Features
•Power Folding Wheelchair Ramp with Non-Skid Surface
•Power Sliding Door with Easy Manual Operation
•Maximum Interior Headroom
•Undercoating and Complete Rust Proofing
•Manual Backup Ramp Operation
•Warranty – Mobiltiy Conversion Van
•Fully Crash Tested
•Remote Control Activation
•600 Pound Load Rating for Handicap Ramp
•9.7 Degree Handicap Ramp Angle

Optional Features
•Rubberized Flooring