how keep car running auto parts shortage virginia | wusa9.com
STERLING, Va. — The auto industry is facing a major shortage of certain parts, so if you're not careful, your car could end up in the shop with no return to road date.
Brian Fernald, who lives in Annandale, found this out the hard way.
After one of January's snowstorms, he went to heat up his car and received an unwelcome surprise.
“We remote started it, and my wife went to go get something else and she noticed the crack," he said.
Fernald said they hadn't noticed a crack or dent before the storm, but admits there must have been some kind of damage to completely crack as it did.
He thought it would be a quick, easy fix, but he discovered that would not be the case when he brought it to a repair shop.
“He had said, because this is a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it's a very popular vehicle, that shield is hard to find right now," he said. "That and it’s out of stock just about everywhere.”
Fernald said they told him it could take weeks to get a new windshield, which would put him past his inspection due date.
Now, he's forced to decide if they bring the car in and let it fail the inspection or just wait to get it inspected until the glass can be replaced.
Multiple repair shops, including Patriot Auto Glass in Ashburn, said this issue is symptomatic of a crack in the international glass supply chain.
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As temps⬇️, careful about heating up your car too quickly or you could end up with a cracked windshield......amid an auto parts shortage.On #GetUpDC, I have tips from local repair shops about how to keep your car on the road. @wusa9 @TonyPerkinsFMTV @AnnieYuTV @DCAllisontv pic.twitter.com/386Xkon4ZA
“A lot of major parts that are common are just not available, hard to find. Not to mention prices have gone up about 25% for all those parts," owner of Patriot Auto Glass, Mike Delaney said. "It's the whole supply chain issue like everybody's having. They say they're in a crate somewhere, and their shipments are delayed, nobody to deliver the glass, the crates. I'm sure there was a manufacturing shortage for a while.”
Delaney said typically they've only seen days worth of delays, but occasionally, customers have had to wait months for new windshields.
He said the main vehicles facing issues are Honda CRVs and Rav4s.
It's not just glass experiencing a shortage, though.
Bryan Jewett with Casey's Auto said it's everything from computer chips to tires to brake parts.
“Some of the stuff we're waiting months; some is indefinite, where we will call for a part, and they'll say it's on backorder, with no release date," Jewett said.
Jewett said they're also having to absorb some of the cost increases.
For example, he said some shipping containers have increased from about $3,000 a piece to $15,000 to $20,000.
He also said not as many people are entering the trades industries either, so they're facing a shortage of people.
Still, Jewett is optimistic the auto industry will turn a corner soon, but for now, it's a waiting game.
“It's not like you can magically snap your fingers and unload everything," Fernald said.
To avoid cracking your windshield, Delaney suggests avoiding the defroster by the window to heat up your car in colder temperatures. Instead, he said to use the floor vent to slowly warm up your car.
Also, he suggested checking for any nicks in the glass and getting them fixed immediately to prevent them from exacerbating. And, if you can, he said it's best to keep your car in a garage.
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Source: https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/how-to-keep-car-out-of-shop-auto-parts-shortage-virginia/65-cc292abf-63a4-46a2-80fa-988c759cc438
