Certified Collision Center

Front end collisions can be some of the most damaging and costly type of collisions. There are a number of key components located in the front of your car that can be damaged if you rear end someone or get in a head on collision. If you have been involved in a front end collision, you may be wondering what types of damage may have occurred. Here are three of the most common types of problems that can occur with a front end collision. 

Body and Frame Damage

One of the most common issues that occurs with front end collisions is body and frame damage. This can range to a few minor scratches on the vehicle to dings or dents on the bumper to major frame damage. Typically, the speed at which you are traveling and the size of the item you hit affect how minor or substantial the damage is. It is also important to note that body and frame damage can be tricky to determine. Most newer vehicles have foam or material that helps to absorb the impact caused during a collision. As such, damage may appear to be minor just by looking at the vehicle, but once a professional takes off the front bumper, there may be substantial damage to the foam or impact-absorbing material. 

Damage to the Steering and Driving Systems

Another type of damage that is common with front end collisions is damage to the steering system and/or damage to the driving systems. Your vehicle is made up of many different drive and steering components that help your car to drive straight or turn as you move the steering wheel, including CV axles, transaxle and drive shaft. The impact from an automobile accident can bend or damage any of these items. When that occurs, your car may pull to one side or may not drive in a straight line. The parts typically cannot be straightened once they are bent, so replacing them is a must. 

Potential Engine and Transmission Damage

The final type of problems that can be caused by front end collisions include potential engine or transmission damage. The impact of a front end collision can be so severe that it pushes the front end of your car backwards, causing damage to these major components in your car. Both transmission and engine damage are costly but necessary to repair if damage has occurred. 

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, you are legally allowed to bring your vehicle to any autobody repair shop of your choosing. Here at Certified Collision Center Auto Body, we can repair everything from minor auto body damage to major damage caused by a front end collision. We have multiple locations throughout the Central Valley, including Tracy, Manteca, Stockton, Oakdale, Modesto, South Sacramento, Lodi and Galt, that are ready and able to assist you. Bring your vehicle to our shop for an estimate or to have your automobile repaired after an accident. 

Window tint can last up to 10 years, depending on the type of tint, how well it is installed, and the conditions that the tint is subjected to. If you have an older car, you may find yourself wondering how you know whether your tint is still good or whether it is time to replace the window tint. Your window tint will give you many signs when it is time to be replaced. Here are a few of the signs you will want to be looking for if you suspect your tint is nearing the end of its lifespan. 

The Tint is Bubbling

One of the tell-tale signs that your tint will give you if it is time to be replaced is bubbling. You may see bubble or air pockets begin to develop between your window and the tint. As time goes on, these bubbles will increase in size and reduce the efficiency of the tint. When this happens, your car may start to feel hotter inside. If you notice bubbling on older tint, it is time to replace the tint. 

The Tint is Turning Purple

Another sign that it is time to replace your existing window tint is the color of the tint changing. In most cases, regular window tint will turn from a black color to a purple color when it is no longer able to block ultraviolet sunlight. However, depending on the type of tint you have, you may notice that the tint itself is fading or turning gray, rather than turning purple. Any significant color changes are a sign that the tint is losing its efficiency and needs to be replaced. 

The Tint is Peeling Off 

The final sign that your tint may give you as it nears the end of its lifespan is peeling. You may notice that the tint is starting to peel off your windows around the edges. The tint itself may be peeling away or it may be curling up. Either peeling or curling show that the tint has reached its life expectancy and should be replaced to continue to keep your car cool and protected from sunlight. 

Here at Certified Collision Center Auto Body, we do more than just repair body damage to an automobile. We can also remove old window tint and install new window tint. With eight convenient locations throughout the Central Valley, including Tracy, Manteca, Stockton, Oakdale, Modesto, South Sacramento, Lodi and Galt, we have a location close to you. If your window tint is showing one or more of these signs, it is time to replace it. Call us today to schedule an appointment and let us remove that old tint and install new tint on your car. 

The frame of your automobile is basically the structure that makes up the structural parts of your vehicle, or the foundation that supports all of the mechanical and cosmetic parts of the car. Structural damage to a car typically only occurs after a car accident. Unfortunately, it is often costly to repair because all of the other parts of the car have to be stripped away in order to fix the damage. If you were involved in an automobile accident, you may be wondering if you have frame damage. Here are a few of the most common signs of frame damage following a car accident. 

Noticeable Bending to the Frame

While the frame of your automobile is typically covered by various body panel pieces, most people can still notice potential bending to the frame. If you were involved in a serious accident and you notice creases, ridges, waves, lumps or deep dents to your car, the frame of the vehicle was likely affected. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to remove the panels from your car and look directly at the frame, so eyeballing your car alone is not enough to find frame damage. 

Improper Car Alignment 

Another sign of frame damage to an automobile is improper car alignment. When you are driving, your car should drive in a straight line. If the alignment is off, your vehicle will pull to the right or the left. Your tires and struts may also wear unevenly. If your car is not properly aligned after an accident, it may be because your vehicle suffered frame damage which threw the alignment off. 

Strange Sounds While Driving

One of the lesser-known signs of frame damage is strange or unusual noises while you are driving. If the frame of your car is bent or damaged, it may be rubbing on or hitting parts of the car it shouldn’t. As such, you may hear anything from squealing or screeching to grinding to creaking. If your car has been in an accident and you hear anything unusual while driving it, you should get it checked out. 

Your Doors or Windows Not Shutting As They Should

The final sign of frame damage is your car doors or windows not opening or shutting like they should. Think about the foundation of your home. When the foundation is damaged, your homes’ doors or windows may not open or shut properly. The same is true with your car. If the doors or windows won’t budge, or you notice they seem to be a lot harder to open or close, you could have frame damage. 

If you have, or suspect you have, frame damage to your automobile, you need an autobody repair shop who has experience fixing this type of damage. Here at Certified Collision Center, with locations in Tracey, Manteca, Stockton, Galt, South Sacramento, Oakdale, Modesto and Lodi, our trained autobody repair technicians can help you with diagnosing and repairing frame damage. Reach out to our office today to schedule an appointment. 

At Certified Collision Center, we utilize state of the art technology to ensure your auto body repairs are completed as precisely as possible. One of the types of technology that we utilize is computerized color matching technology. This type of technology allows a computer to determine the exact color of your vehicle, and then mix paint up so that it will perfectly blend in when applied to the repaired portion of your car. Read on to learn why this is important and beneficial. 

Manufacturers Don’t Release Their Paints to Auto Repair Shops

One of the reasons why computerized color matching technology is beneficial if you are having auto body repair work done is because it helps to ensure that the paint color matches the paint on your car. Most people assume that matching paint is an easy process. But, what you may not realize is that manufacturers do not typically release their paints to auto body repair shops. As such, matching the specific type of paint and color that the manufacturer has on your car is a lot more challenging than you may realize. Computerize color matching technology helps to determine the exact color makeup of the paint on your automobile and match it completely. 

Paint Colors Change Over Time

Another reason why computerized color matching technology is so beneficial when a technician is looking to paint a repaired area on your car is because paint colors change over time. Two people can have the exact same automobile, down to the initial color. However, over time, one person’s car may be darker or richer in color based on the car care products they used or because they parked their car in the garage, while another person’s paint may have faded due to the weather where they live or how much sun exposure their car has gotten. Computerized color matching technology takes into account the exact color of your car at the time you bring it in for repair, helping to ensure that the paint matches the exact color of your car. You do not want the repaired portion of your car to stand out, and color matching technology helps to prevent that. 

Are you looking to hire an autobody repair shop to help you with your autobody repair needs? At Certified Collision Center, with multiple locations throughout the Central Valley in California, our trained auto body professionals can help you fix everything from minor to major auto body problems. Contact us today to obtain an estimate or to schedule an appointment to begin repairs to your vehicle. 

Collision repair is shrouded in mystery, half-truths and even bald-faced lies.  If you are uncertain what to believe about autobody repair, don’t feel bad.  Our team is here to separate fact from fiction on your behalf.  Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the top collision repair myths.

Myth #1: It is Best to Take the Vehicle to the Dealership for Repairs

Though the dealership might have the personnel and tools necessary to perform some autobody repairs, it is better to lean on a proven autobody repair shop to get the job done right on the first try.  The bottom line is car dealerships do not specialize in autobody repair.  Furthermore, repairs performed at dealerships tend to cost an egregious sum of money.  Instead of going to the dealership for repairs, let our team work on your vehicle and you will rest easy knowing the job is done right at an affordable rate.

Myth #2: Numerous Estimates are Necessary Before the Insurance Company Will Pay

A single estimate is almost always enough.  Though obtaining several estimates has the potential to save you some money, your insurance provider probably won’t require more than one in order to provide compensation.  In fact, the insurer will conduct its own estimate after you select the autobody repair shop.

Myth #3: You can Only use an Autobody Repair Shop Recommended by the Insurance Company

Though the insurance provider might suggest one or several autobody repair shops, they cannot legally mandate that you use a certain repair shop.  You have the legal right to select the autobody repair shop for the repair.

Myth #4: The Insurance Company Will Recover the Entirety of the Cost to Repair Your Vehicle

The insurance company might not cover the full cost of the repair.  There is a good chance the insurer will cover a portion of the repair.  The specific level of reimbursement is determined by your unique auto insurance policy.  If your auto insurance policy has collision coverage, take a close look at it to determine the nuances of your particular policy’s coverage.

Myth #5: The Insurance Provider’s Estimate is Guaranteed to be 100% Accurate

There is no guarantee the insurance company’s estimate is completely correct.  Furthermore, there is also a chance the insurer will provide more money than indicated in the initial estimate.  It is quite possible the insurer will end up negotiating the price of the repair with the autobody repair shop.  The overarching aim is an affordable and effective repair that proves safe.  The bottom line is the insurance company will have to pay in accordance with the language of your unique auto insurance policy.

Certified Collision Center is Here to Help

If you need autobody repair of any type, let us do the work for you.  Our autobody repair shop will address the damage and get your car back to normal in surprisingly little time.  You can contact our autobody repair specialists by dialing (209) 836-4893.  If you would like to contact us online, fill out our online contact form and we will be in touch.

The last thing you want is for your brand new car to end up with a ding.  However, there is a chance exactly that will occur the moment you drive the vehicle off the lot.  From hail to wayward shopping carts, auto collisions and beyond, there are countless causes of dings.  Even the most careful of drivers has the potential to end up with a nasty ding that looks terrible and immediately reduces the vehicle’s value.  However, our autobody repair specialists are here to help.  Here’s a quick look at what you can do to prevent those pesky dings on your new car.

Open Your Door Slowly

Even if you are in a rush, you should be mindful to open your door in a slow and gradual manner.  Remain in full control of your door as you open it and you will be able to quickly pull it back inward should you spot something near your vehicle. 

Between shopping carts, other vehicles, posts, poles, gas pumps and pedestrians, all sorts of things can get in the way of your door as you open it.  Go slowly, be aware of your surroundings and you will have done your part to avoid a completely preventable door ding.

Park far Away From Other Vehicles

Though it is certainly inconvenient to walk several minutes to reach a store’s doors or the entrance of another destination, it is in your interest to do so.  Parking far away from other vehicles greatly reduces the chances of a ding.  Furthermore, most of us can benefit from a lengthy walk as the average lives a sedentary life with excessive sitting in front of computer, TV and gaming screens.

Teach Your Kids to be Careful

You can do everything in your own power to prevent dings and have all of your hard work ruined by your child, tween or teen.  Make it perfectly clear your vehicle is of the utmost importance.  Teach your kids to play far away from your car.  Kids who are aware of the objects in their vicinity will maintain a safe distance from vehicles when playing outside.  Furthermore, kids who understand the importance of protecting automobile doors will exercise caution when opening car doors in parking lots.

Covered Parking

If the weather looks like it is about to turn or if the forecast calls for storms, do not park in an open air setting.  Park in a garage or beneath a roof and your vehicle will be shielded from hail, sleet and other potentially harmful precipitation. 

However, some homes lack garages.  If this is the case at your property, consider adding a high-quality vehicle cover to your automobile.  Some such covers are capable of absorbing the impact of upwards of 10 baseball-sized hail stones.

Certified Collision Center is at Your Service

Our collision specialists are here to help after your vehicle is damaged.  Reach out to our auto body repair shop and we will get your automobile back in tip-top shape without busting your budget.  Give us a call today to learn more about our autobody repair services.  You can reach us by dialing (209) 836-4893.  If you prefer to contact us online, fill out our online contact form and we will be in touch.