Certified Collision Center

If you are like most drivers, you have noticed people drive a bit erratically when the skies open up.  Complicating the challenge of driving in the rain is the fact that the moisture causes oils trapped within the road to move up onto the surface, making the conditions even slicker.  However, defensive drivers who proactively alter their driving strategy in accordance with the onslaught of rain will avoid accidents and arrive safely at their destination.  Here’s how to do it.

Steer in a Strategic Manner

There is no reason to drive at or beyond the posted speed limit amidst a downpour.  Reduce your speed and you will decrease the chances of hydroplaning.  However, if your vehicle ends up hydroplaning, turn the steering wheel in the direction you would like to drive toward.  Continue to steer out of the dangerous hydroplaning until your vehicle is straightened out.  Your first attempt to steer out of the slide might not work so keep at it and you will eventually return to the straight and narrow. 

Do not Fall Into the Trap of Cruise Control

Cruise control has its perks yet it also has the potential to make the road more dangerous than it should be, especially when it is raining.  You will put your vehicle, yourself and your passengers in harm’s way if you end up hydroplaning when cruise control is on.  Such a scenario will actually increase your vehicle’s rate of speed, making the situation that much more dangerous in all regards.

Reduce Your Speed

As mentioned above, there is no reason to drive at or above the posted speed limit when the rain is falling.  Do not drive faster than the conditions warrant.  There is no shame in driving 10 miles per hour less than the speed limit if it keeps you and your vehicle out of harm’s way.  Though reducing your speed will extend your driving time, it is better to make it safely to your destination rather than endure a potentially painful and costly accident.  Do the smart thing by leaving 10 minutes early and drive at a safe rate of speed.  However, if you get into an accident, our autobody repair shop will be here to get your vehicle back to its normal condition as quickly as possible.

Use Your Headlights, not Your Brights

Plenty of drivers make the mistake of forgetting to turn on their headlights when the rain falls.  Some drivers go to the opposite extreme and immediately turn on their brights.  The better approach is the happy medium of turning on your headlights to maximize visibility during the downpour.  Do not turn on your brights unless you are on the backroads and no vehicles are ahead of you.  Furthermore, there is even a chance your brights will reflect off the water-soaked road, bouncing right back up to your eyes, creating an even more dangerous situation resulting from temporary blindness.

Certified Collision Center has Your Autobody Repair Needs Covered

If you end up in an accident, we’ve got you covered.  Certified Collision Center will repair your vehicle so you can get back on the road as soon as possible.  Give us a call at (209) 836-4893 or fill out our convenient online contact form to schedule an appointment.

Summer is a couple months away yet the temperatures are already rising.  This is the time of the year to start planning your summer road trip.  However, it is a mistake to embark on a road trip without planning ahead.  Spend the little bit of money and time necessary for preventative car maintenance and you will enjoy an invaluable peace of mind during your trip.  Without further adieu, here are the top reasons to have your car, truck or SUV maintained before your summer road trip.

Identify Problems Today Rather Than Mid-trip

Use your mind’s eye to envision yourself departing on your summer road trip only to spot smoke coming out of the engine.  Alternatively, if your engine does not pose problems, your muffler, wheels or another component of your vehicle might prove troublesome during the trip.  There is no reason to tend to these problems at the last minute or in the middle of your trip when you can address them well ahead of your departure date.  This way, your focus will be squarely on having fun as opposed to automotive repairs.

Consider the Unknown

No one can predict the future.  Even if you had completely safe and fun summer road trips in the past, there is no guarantee your upcoming road trip will prove just as safe.  After all, anything can happen on a road trip as you traverse the highway and backroads on the way to your destination.  You might drive over a nail.  A wayward stone or rock might crack your windshield glass.  Maybe your engine will malfunction mid-trip.  Furthermore, there is always the potential of a flat tire due to improper air pressure or crossing over a sharp object in the road.  Lose track of your oil level and you might end up driving well beyond the next scheduled oil change mileage interval during your road trip.  In other words, it is better to be safe rather than sorry by preparing for your road trip ahead of time.

An Invaluable Peace of Mind

Wouldn’t it be nice to square your focus on the actual road trip as opposed to worrying about how your vehicle will perform during the drive?  Spend the time and money necessary for preventative maintenance prior to the trip and you will rest easy knowing your car, truck or SUV is in tip-top shape.  Every component of the vehicle should be thoroughly inspected ahead of the trip, ranging from the windshield wiper blades to the fluid levels, brakes, tires, engine and beyond.

Prevent an Accident

Your vehicle’s brakes are its primary line of defense to prevent an accident.  Whether you are traveling across the state or across the country, a situation will arise when you need to press hard on the brakes to stop your vehicle and avoid a collision.  Have your brakes rotors, pads, hoses, brake fluid and drums inspected prior to departure and your vehicle will prove that much more capable of stopping before contacting another vehicle or stationary object.

Certified Collision Center’s Autobody Repair Shop is at Your Service

If you end up in an accident during your road trip or daily commute, don’t panic.  Our collision repair specialists are on your side.  Let us get to work on your vehicle and we will return it as close as possible to its former condition in surprisingly little time.  Reach out to us today at (209) 836-4893 to schedule an appointment.  Alternatively, if you prefer to contact us online, enter your information into our online contact form to schedule autobody repair.

The impact caused by an automobile accident can do damage to more than just the frame or body of your automobile. The accident can also cause damage to your windshield. In some cases, the damage is obvious. You may see that the glass has large cracks in it or it may be shattered. In other cases, the damage may not be as obvious. Here are a few of the less obvious signs that your windshield may need to be replaced after you were involved in an automobile accident. 

The Front Airbags Were Deployed

In some vehicles, the pressure that is created when the front airbags deploy in an accident can be enough to weaken or loosen the seal that holds your windshield in place. This tends to more commonly be the case with smaller vehicles, rather than larger vehicles. A great auto body repair shop knows which vehicles need to have their windshields replaced following the air bags being deployed. 

You Hear a Rattling Noise While Driving

Another sign that your windshield may need to be replaced after an auto accident is hearing a rattling sound while you are driving. You are more likely to hear this rattling sound when you are driving on a rough or uneven road, or when you hit things such as potholes. The rattling will be light and will sound like it is coming from the windshield area or front of your vehicle. This can be caused due to the seal surrounding the windshield being broken or because there are cracks or breaks along the edges of the windshield that are not visible. 

You Hear a Whistling Noise While Driving

Another sound you may hear if your windshield needs to be replaced after an auto accident is a whistling noise. Think about the sound you hear when you leave your window cracked and start to drive. If the seal that holds your windshield in place was damaged in the accident, air is entering your vehicle through that seal damage, creating the whistling or whooshing sound you may hear. 

There is a White or Foggy Haze Around the Edges of the Windshield

The last sign that your windshield may need to be replaced after an auto accident is seeing a white or foggy haze around the edges of your windshield. This haze is more common in the mornings or following a rainy evening. This white or foggy haze is created by moisture, which indicates the seal that holds your windshield in place is damage. 

Following an automobile accident, an autobody repair shop can take a look at your entire vehicle, including your windshield, and help you determine if the windshield should be replaced after an accident. You have the right to take your vehicle to any licensed autobody repair center following an accident. At Certified Collision Center, we have eight convenient locations across the Central Valley and Northern California region ready to help you get your car back to its pre-accident state. Call us now to schedule an inspection appointment. 

When most people think of an automobile accident, they envision dents or dings on the body or bumpers of a vehicle. While this is the most common type of damage to emerge from an accident, an accident can cause damage to your vehicle that allows water to seep in when it is raining. When this occurs, you may smell or find mold or mildew growing on the upholstery of your car. In many cases, mold or mildew can be removed and the damage can be repaired. Here are the steps an autobody shop will take to clean and restore your car if mold or mildew is growing in the car. 

Determine Where the Leak or Water Source is Coming From

Prior to removing mold or mildew, an auto body shop will first have to determine where the water is leaking into your car and seal up or repair that spot. In some cases, you may have a cracked or damage window, while in other cases, a leaky seal may be allowing water in. 

Dehumidify the Vehicle

After determining where the water is coming from and repairing that issue, your vehicle will be dehumidified. Large fans or dehumidifiers will be used to essentially dry out the inside of your car. This helps to remove all of the moisture in your car that allows mold and mildew to form and continue to grow. This process is typically completed in a day, but may take longer if there are large amounts of water present in your car or if it is humid where you live. 

Use Cleaners to Kill the Mold and Mildew

Once the vehicle is cleaned, a professional will use commercial products to clean and kill the mold and mildew that is present. The type of products that are used will vary based on the type and color of upholstery you have. Depending on how long the mold or mildew has sat, stain removers may also need to be used to remove any staining or discoloration the mold has left behind. 

Reupholster the Affected Area

In some cases, cleaning alone will not remove the stains or spots left behind by mold or mildew. If a large portion of your upholstery has been affected and the stain or spots cannot be lifted, the seat or floor may need to be reupholstered. 

If you know or suspect that water may be able to leak into your vehicle after an auto accident, it is important to bring your car to an autobody repair shop as soon as possible. While waiting on insurance to inspect your car or give you the go-ahead to repair the vehicle, an auto body shop can seal up your car and protect it from water damage that may occur. If it is too late and you smell or see mold or mildew, an auto body center can properly clean the upholstery, ensuring you and your family remain safe while operating the vehicle. Here at Certified Collision Center, we can help you repair all of the damage that an accident may have done to your vehicle. Book an appointment with us today at one of our convenient locations across the Central Valley and Northern California region. 

If you have been involved in an automobile accident, the first step to getting your car repaired is finding an auto body repair shop. Unfortunately, there are many myths floating around out there about auto body shops and auto body repairs. This may make you have many questions when it comes time to pick a shop. Here are three common myths about auto body repair shops and the truths surrounding these myths. 

The Insurance Company Controls Where You Can Get Auto Body Repairs Made

One of the most common myths out there related to auto body repairs and shops is that the insurance company has full control over where you can get auto body repairs made. This is not true at all. Many insurance companies will recommend auto body repair shops to you, but you do not have to use them. You are allowed to select any licensed company to make the repairs to your vehicle that you want. 

An Insurance Company Will Cover All Damages to Your Vehicle

Another common myth related to auto body repairs is that an insurance company will cover any and all damages to your vehicle. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If you were at-fault for the accident and you only had minimum insurance coverage, your insurance will not cover the repairs. Also, insurance companies will only cover repairs up to Blue Book value of your car. If your car sustained damages in an accident, and these damages exceed the value of your car, your car may be totaled, rather than repaired. Finally, many insurance companies have betterment clauses in their coverage. For example, if a tire was damaged in the accident, the insurance company may be able to use a tire that is about the same age and wear as your current tires are. If you want a new tire, they are bettering your car, and you may have to pay the value differences between the older tire and the newer tire. 

Only a Dealership Can Properly Repair Your Car After an Accident

The finally myth that is commonly repeated is that only a dealership can properly repair your car after an accident. This is not the case at all. Many auto repair shops have the same level of experience as dealerships, and many auto repair shops offer OEM, or factory parts. These are the same parts the dealership uses to repair your vehicle as well. Ask an auto repair shop if they use OEM or aftermarket parts to ensure the work is as good as the dealership would provide. 

When you need auto body repair in the Greater Northern California area or Central Valley area, Certified Collision Center Auto Body is here for you. If you have any questions about the repair process or what makes us a great place to bring your automobile, call us and feel free to ask your questions. We are more than happy to answer the questions you may have and guide you through the process of auto body repairs. 

When you are involved in an automobile accident, most people think that you only sustain damages to the body of your automobile. However, there are parts in your car that can be damaged as well. If someone sideswipes you and hits your around the tire area of your automobile, the tire rod may be bent or broken in the accident. Here are a few of the most common signs that your tire rod was indeed damaged in an automobile accident. 

Your Alignment Is Off

One of the most common signs that your tire rod was damaged in a car accident is having alignment that is off. If you are not sure if your alignment is off, take your hands off the steering wheel while you are driving on a straight path. If the car pulls to the left or right, your alignment is off. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why your alignment may be off, so this alone is not a solid indicator of tire rod damage. However, if your alignment is off after an accident, you should have it checked out to find out why, as it may be the tire rod or other part. 

Your Steering Wheel Shakes When You Drive It

Another sign that your tire rod was damaged in a car accident is that your steering wheel shakes, wiggles, or even feels loose when you drive it. These signs are all common with suspension issues and tire rod damage, which may be big problems following a car accident. If you are driving down the road and it feels like your steering wheel is shaking, and the motion only seems to get stronger the fast you drive, you need to have your car inspected for tire rod or other suspension-related issues. 

You Hear Abnormal Sounds

The final sign that may be present if there was tire rod damage is abnormal sounds. If your tire rod was damaged in a car accident, you may hear a number of different sounds, depending on where the damage is and what type of damage was sustained. If your tire rod is cracked or broken, you may hear the sound of metal grinding together as the cracks or break rub against each other. If the tire rod is bent, you may hear squealing or squeaking, especially as you turn your car. Some people may also hear grinding, if the tire rod is pushed to one side and rubbing against something it should not. If you hear any abnormal noises that sound like they are coming from under your car or the wheel well area, you should get your car inspected. 

If you suspect your tire rod was damaged in a car accident, an auto body repair shop can help to fix that damage, as well as any auto body damage that you sustained. When you need auto body repair in the greater Northern California or Central Valley area, call Certified Collision Center Auto Body to get started on your repairs today.