Certified Collision Center

It is a mistake to believe everything you hear about autobody repair unless the individual doing the talking is an experienced autobody repair specialist.  Though you might have heard something interesting about autobody repair in passing or overheard someone discussing autobody repair, there is no guarantee the information is actually accurate.  Below, we provide a quick look at some of the top auto repair myths.

DIY Auto Repairs are Just as Good as Mechanic Repairs

Even if you have performed auto repairs on your own, it is a mistake to assume you can repair every car component exactly right on the first try.  The sad truth is plenty of DIY auto repairs end up taking up much more time than anticipated and also prove that much more expensive.  Do the smart thing by taking your vehicle to an autobody repair shop so it can be repaired the right way.

If a Certain Part is Failing, You Will Know

If the part is bad, it is not an indication that it will set the fault code.  There are plenty of processes in place, meaning figuring out exactly what has gone wrong might not be easy.  It might appear that one part is at fault when a different part is actually the underlying issue.

Car Warranties are Voided When Relying on an Independent Mechanic

Your car’s warranty will remain fully valid even if you bring it to an independent mechanic for work.  There are laws on the books that legally protect car owners if they have their vehicle repaired at an independent mechanic.  So don’t worry about voiding your vehicle’s warranty for simply taking it to an independent auto repair specialist.

Reading the Check Engine Light Fault Code is all That is Necessary

Do not believe people who insist reading the check engine light fault code is all that is necessary.  Reading the check engine light code is only one piece of the puzzle.  The code states where the vehicle has failed yet it does not state why the failure occurred.  Replacing the part in question is insufficient.  You still need to determine why the light came on in the first place with a professional diagnostic.  Let the experts handle your check engine light and you will ultimately save that much more money and time.

Over-the-counter Parts are Perfectly Fine

Though some car parts available over the counter are helpful during emergencies, they also have the potential to damage the vehicle.  This is precisely why it is better to perform a lasting repair rather than merely use a temporary solution.  When in doubt, lean on our experienced auto repair specialists for guidance as to whether an over-the-counter part will suffice.

Contact Certified Collision Center Auto Body Today

Reach out to us today at (209) 836-4893 to schedule an appointment with Certified Collision Center Auto Body.  Our team is here to repair your vehicle and get you back on the road.  You can also reach us online through our convenient contact form.

Paintless dent repair, also referred to with the acronym of PDR, is changing the auto repair industry.  It is now possible to remove small dents from a vehicle body without paying for a paint job.  If you own a vehicle with dents that are a couple inches in diameter or smaller, your ride is a candidate for paintless dent repair.  Let’s take a closer look at what this repair approach is all about.

The Rise of PDR

PDR is best described as a restorative process that removes small dents from a vehicle’s body.  While conventional dent repair is helpful when an automobile has significant collision damage, paintless does not require the use of paint as the areas repaired are comparably small.  PDR involves the application of pressure to the dent’s exterior so it returns to its position prior to the damage.  This approach is easier and more affordable as there is no need to paint the vehicle.  As long as the dents are four inches in size or smaller or if the damage is more of a ding than a significant dent, PDR will prove effective.

The PDR Technique

If your vehicle’s dent is small and can be reached with ease, the technician will create pressure through a metal rod at the dent’s bottom so it can be moved back into place.  If the site is difficult to repair, such as an area along the roof, paintless dent repair tabs along with a specialized glue formula might be necessary.  The technician will add the material to pull up the dent from the body panel topside.  This approach proves effective at getting out the majority of the dent.  However, if there is any sign that there is still damage, the technician will ensure the area is properly tapped down and leveled out so it looks just right. 

The precise and careful tapping of the area makes it easier for diminutive spots to blend in with the body as though the dent is not even present.  However, only a professional auto repair technician should attempt this approach as an excess of pressure has the potential to cause elevated sections that compromise the clear coat as well as the vehicle’s paint, ultimately leading to chipping or cracking.  So don’t trust any old autobody repair shop for your autobody repair.  You need and deserve an automotive repair specialist who understands the subtleties of paintless dent repair.

Examples of When PDR is Ideal

A vehicle that has small dents or dings that look ugly or a vehicle with dents/dings that reduce its value are ideal candidates for PDR.  As an example, door dings, shopping cart damage, hail damage and 4” dents or smaller can all be repaired with PDR.  As long as the damage is not large in size, there is a good chance you can have PDR performed so you can bypass a potentially costly paint job.  Keep in mind, if your vehicle was repainted in the past, it is that much more likely to suffer paint cracking and chipping.

Resist the Temptation to Push out the Dent

We are often asked if a dent can simply be pushed out by the driver.  PDR is not DIY (do it yourself).  Rather, PDR is a professional strategy for small dent removal.  We know exactly how much pressure to apply so the dent does not worsen. Let us handle your paintless dent repair and you will be happy with the results.

After an auto accident, it is important to have your vehicle looked at by an autobody repair shop. One of the most common types of mistakes that people make is assuming that there is no damage because they do not see any, or assuming there is minimal damage because only a small dent is present. Read on to learn about the common types of hidden damage that may be present after an auto accident that you may not immediately see or notice. 

Frame Damage

The frame is the structural component that makes up the foundation of your automobile. Frame damage can occur after a car accident, including minor fender benders, but unfortunately, since your frame is hidden under panels, it can be hard to see that the frame is damaged. A bent or damaged frame can be costly to repair, but is necessary as it can lead to a lot of problems down the road. 

Damage to the Trunk

Another part of a car that may sustain hidden damage after an auto accident is the trunk area. Trunk damage is most common after a vehicle has been rear-ended, but can also occur with side-impact collisions. If there is hidden damage to the trunk, your trunk may not be properly aligned. This can make it harder, or impossible, to open and close the trunk, or lead to water damage through the trunk when it rains. 

Alignment Issues

Alignment issues can cause your car to pull to one side instead of driving in a straight line. This causes uneven wear to parts of the driving chassis and to tires. After an accident, it is common for alignment issues to be present, but unless you are a professional, you may not realize they are present until you experience uneven wear on your car. 

Electrical System Damage

The final common type of hidden damage that may be present after an auto accident is electrical system damage. Sudden jerking or bumps from an impact can loosen parts of your electrical system or impact wires and fuses. After an accident, it is not uncommon for there to be electrical system damage, especially to the electrical components in the area of the vehicle that was hit. While there are times you may immediately realize the electrical system is impacted, there are other times where it can take months for you to realize a component is not working properly. 

Having your car inspected by an autobody repair shop after an accident can help ensure there is no hidden damage. At Certified Collision Center, we can help with both inspections and repairs. We also have eight convenient locations throughout Northern California and the Central Valley. Contact one of our shops after an accident to schedule an appointment to have your vehicle inspected. 

If someone’s car runs right into the back of yours, you know you will need to take your vehicle to an autobody repair shop. One of the questions you may find yourself wondering is whether the bumper will be replaced or whether the dents in the bumper will simply be removed. There are a few different factors that an autobody shop will look at in regards to your bumper to determine if it should be repaired or replaced. Here are those factors. 

There Are Cracks in the Bumper

One of the signs that a bumper needs to be replaced, rather than simply needing to have dents removed, is cracks in the bumper. Car bumpers are typically made from plastic or fiberglass. Once either of those materials cracks, there is not a reliable way to repair them. The cracking can continue to spread as your car goes down bumpy roads and it can allow water to seep in through the crack, possibly leading to rust damage. Replacing the bumper is a must if there are cracks or holes present. 

The Hooks on the Bumper Are Broken or Damaged

Another sign that a bumper should be replaced rather than repaired is damage to the hooks that hold the bumper into place. Bumpers use a hook and latch system that helps to keep the bumper in place on your vehicle. The impact of a collision can bend, break or weaken those hooks. If those hooks are damaged, the bumper may not stay in place properly as it should, so replacing the bumper is the best option in that scenario. 

There Are Multiple Dents and/or Deep Scratches

The final sign that a bumper may need to be replaced rather than repaired is that there are multiple dents and/or deep scratches. Removing dents and scratches from a bumper takes time. Dents may need to be pulled out or they may need to be filled in. Deep scratches need to be filled in and then sanded down. The areas affected then need touch-up paint to ensure they match the rest of the bumper. All of this takes time and labor. In many cases, if there are multiple dents or deep scratches, it makes sense from a financial point of view to replace the bumper, rather than spend the money on labor and materials to fix the damage. 

Here at Certified Collision Center, we can help you with everything from minor scratch and dent removal to major autobody repairs, including bumper replacement. If your vehicle has been in an accident, we would love to help. We have eight locations throughout the Central Valley and Northern California regions. Reach out to the location nearest you to begin the process of getting your car back to its pre-accident state. 

If you have a relatively new vehicle, it likely has a collision-avoidance system.  However, if you are like most people, you probably do not understand how this technology works.  In short, your vehicle’s collision avoidance system is designed to prevent you from getting into an accident.  However, having such a system in your car does not empower you to avoid paying attention to the road.  Let’s take a closer look at what collision avoidance systems are really all about.

An Inside Look at Vehicle Collision Avoidance Systems

From active/automatic braking systems to forward-collision warning systems, lane departure assist warning systems, blind-spot monitoring systems and even rearview cameras, there are all different types of technology that help you avoid an accident.  This technology, similar to augmented reality, helps the vehicle identify pedestrians as well as vehicles in front, behind and near the vehicle.  However, these are not infallible systems.  Auto industry safety researchers have tested collision avoidance systems and found they do not perform as effectively when visibility is reduced.  In other words, if snow, fog or sun glare are present, the system might not function exactly as designed. 

Automatic Braking Systems and Blind Spot Monitoring Technology

Collision avoidance systems primarily rely on cameras on the sides, back and front of the vehicle.  The cameras scan the road for marker lines, painted lines, vehicles and people. Blind-spot monitoring technology is reliant upon radar.  Radar transmitters and signal receivers are positioned on the sides of the automobile and the rear fender.  Though the system might not function as designed when wet, it is likely to work when the weather is fine. A vehicle with an automatic braking system typically has a radar unit positioned behind the grille in the front of the vehicle.  Auto manufacturers have gone to great lengths to protect such collision avoidance units against rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.  These systems might not prevent all potential collisions yet they are quite reliable. 

Heightened Awareness is Your Best Defense

The moral of this story is collision avoidance systems are quite helpful yet they should be viewed as a safety net rather than the sole means of preventing accidents.  Remain 100% focused on the road when driving, resist the temptation to be distracted when behind the wheel and you will have done your part to prevent a gruesome accident.  In other words, your vehicle’s collision avoidance system is not meant to replace driver awareness.  Rather, these systems are backups for the driver’s skills and awareness while behind the wheel.  Prioritize safety, view your vehicle’s collision avoidance system as a backup source of safety and you will greatly reduce the chances of a potentially fatal accident.

Contact Certified Collision Center Today

If you end up in an accident, don’t panic.  Our autobody repair shop is here to perform the necessary repairs in a timely and affordable manner to get you back on the road as soon as possible.  Reach out to our autobody repair shop at (209) 836-4893 or fill out our contact form to schedule service.

The summer has arrived, meaning the sun will be shining bright, posing a direct threat to your vehicle’s paint and even its interior.  However, you are not powerless against the sun.  Follow the advice detailed below and you will have done your part to prevent the sun from damaging your vehicle.

Park in a Shaded Space When Possible

It is a mistake to park your vehicle in direct sunlight if a shaded space is available.  If your vehicle remains outside, it will absorb the heat to the point that your vehicle’s interior materials are compromised.  You can protect your vehicle’s leather, plastic and vinyl by parking in a shaded space. 

Shield the Dash With a Sun Panel

Put a sun-protecting shield below your windshield so the sun does not warm the interior of your car and potentially fade interior materials.  It will also help to add sun panels to the side windows and rear windows to reflect the sun’s rays.  An added bonus is the use of these sun panels will keep the interior of your vehicle remain that much cooler.

Crack a Window

You can keep the interior of your vehicle that much cooler by slightly opening one or a couple of windows.  The open window helps to move hot air out of the vehicle while allowing cooler outside air to move in.  You and your family or friends will feel that much more comfortable when you step inside a vehicle that has had air circulating through it as a result of the cracked window.

Add Seat Covers

Though it takes a little bit of time to add seat covers, doing so is well worth the effort.  Seat covers protect both fabric and leather seats, ensuring they are not damaged by the sun and prove that much cooler when you sit down.

Clean the Interior

Few drivers are aware of the fact that dirt and dust on the vehicle’s seats, carpets, trim and dashboard have the potential to be baked directly into the material, causing lasting stains.  Vacuum the interior of your vehicle and wipe the interior with a microfiber cloth along with a detailing product designed for automobiles.

Wash and Wax the Exterior

Use water and gentle soap to wash the exterior of your vehicle.  A thorough washing eliminates the dust, dirt and other materials that have the potential to damage your vehicle’s paint.  Wax will also help lock in the oils of the exterior paint, ultimately serving as a protective barrier against the sun’s rays. 

Check the Tire Pressure

Blazing hot pavement and under-inflated tires are a recipe for disaster.  Though few drivers are aware of it, the truth is under-inflated tires and hot pavement have the potential to cause blowouts that prove quite costly to repair.  Even the best tires have the potential to lose a pound of air pressure in a month’s time so be sure to have the pressure checked and adjusted accordingly.

Certified Collision Center is on Your Side

Our autobody repair specialists are here to help after you get into an accident.  Reach out to our autobody repair shop today at (209) 836-4893 to schedule service.