Certified Collision Center

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.

Although dealing with auto repairs after a collision may seem intimidating, it can be helpful to see your next autobody repair as an opportunity to invest in high-quality parts that will last you for years to come. However, when it’s time to purchase your new parts, you may find yourself at a crossroads — should you stick with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts or buy aftermarket parts from another manufacturer? 

This eternal question is often a point of hesitation for car owners who want to get the best bang for their buck while receiving efficient, long-lasting auto repairs. With over 25 years of valuable experience serving Central Valley, California communities, Certified Collision Group is proud to offer the following insight to help you decide between OEM or aftermarket auto parts. 

Are OEM Parts Worth It? 

When choosing between OEM parts and aftermarket parts, some of the most popular reasons to purchase OEM parts are their excellent quality, high performance and the opportunity to receive a warranty. When you choose OEM parts for your car’s autobody repair, you are purchasing from the same manufacturer that produced your vehicle, which guarantees that the parts will be compatible with your specific make and model. 

Yet another benefit of using OEM parts is that they are typically made with higher-quality materials than aftermarket parts and last longer. Last but not least, OEM parts often come with a warranty from the manufacturer, which is not always the case with aftermarket parts. Purchasing OEM parts can be highly beneficial in the long run, should you experience any additional car troubles down the road.    

What Aftermarket Parts Have to Offer 

Given the various benefits of purchasing OEM parts, they may seem like the clear choice over aftermarket parts. However, there are several advantages of buying aftermarket autobody repair parts, and recent trends in the market show that consumers are taking notice of these benefits. In fact, between October 2019 and October 2020, personal consumption of aftermarket auto parts increased 8% in the United States. 

One of the possible reasons for this trend could be that aftermarket parts generally come at a cheaper price than OEM parts, which are sold by prominent manufacturers. Furthermore, aftermarket parts are easily accessible to customers, with stores offering large selections. Because aftermarket parts are designed to accommodate as many vehicles as possible, they are versatile and can resolve a variety of autobody repair issues. 

Trust Certified Collision Center for Rapid Solutions 

When you’re in need of quick, high-quality autobody repair solutions, Certified Collision Center is ready to help. For over 25 years, our experienced autobody repair shop has had the privilege of serving communities throughout the Central Valley, California area. To learn more about how Certified Collision Center can help you get back on the road in no time, simply connect with our friendly experts by calling (209) 836-4893 or filling out our quick contact form today. 

If you find your automobile is dented as a result of a hail storm, don’t panic.  You can recoup all or some of the cost to repair these dents through your auto insurance’s hail damage coverage.  However, if you are like most people, you are not exactly sure of how to complete this process and the best way to go about doing so.  Let’s take a look at a couple of helpful tips that will expedite and ameliorate your hail damage claim.

Be Proactive!

Reach out to your auto insurer as soon as you find the hail damage.  Your insurance provider will guide you through the steps of the hail damage claim.  This is your opportunity to provide all the relevant details necessary for your claim to be processed as quickly as possible.  As long as you have comprehensive insurance coverage, it should include coverage for damage caused by hail as it falls under the umbrella of severe weather. 

An Inspection Might be Necessary

Now that you have contacted the insurance provider to start your claim, the next step is for an adjuster to take a look at the vehicle so the claim can be approved as quickly as possible.  Ideally, this inspection will be performed with the use of specialized lights that show the true extent of the dings and dents caused by hail.

Only let the Industry’s Best Repair Crew Work on Your Car

Your insurance company will likely let you select the repair shop for the hail damage to be rectified.  If you were to get the work done through one of the insurance provider’s preferred shops, you would relinquish control of pricing.  The shop you choose must be fully legitimate and professional in every sense of the word.  Do not fall into the trap of giving your business to a traveling repair team that drives into town following a nasty hail storm.  Furthermore, It is in your interest to get several quotes for the repair work.  However, price should not be a deal-breaker.  Above all, the quality of the work performed by the repair specialists matters more than anything else.  Find the right mix of quality work and affordable pricing before committing to a specific repair specialist.

Time is of the Essence

The worst thing you can do after hail damage is leave your vehicle in its currently compromised condition.  Those large dents will rust sooner than you expect.  Have the damage repaired sooner rather than later and you will have done your part to protect the vehicle’s body.  The little bit of money you pay for hail damage repair pales in comparison to what you would have to pay for an even larger repair stemming from failing to have the dings and dents removed in a timely manner.

Contact Certified Collision Center Today

Our autobody repair specialists are at your service.  If you have been involved in a collision, if your vehicle has endured hail damage or if your ride is damaged in another way, reach out to our autobody repair shop for assistance.  You can contact Certified Collision Center by dialing (209) 836-4893 or by filling out our convenient online contact form.

At some point in time, you are likely to find dents or scratches on your car. The door on another car may swing open and hit your car, a rogue shopping cart may hit your car, a flying rock or road debris may make contact with your car or hail may leave behind small dings or dents. If you have dings and dents on your vehicle, you may be curious to learn more about cosmetic dent repair. Here are some of the questions you may have about cosmetic dent repair. 

What is Cosmetic Damage on a Car? 

Cosmetic damage on a car is considered to be any type of damage to the vehicle that does not impact your ability to drive or safely operate your vehicle. You can see the damage on the car, but your car still operates in the same fashion. This can include everything from a scratch on your driver’s side door, a large dent in the bumper or small dings scattered on the body of the vehicle. 

Why Should You Have Cosmetic Scratch and Dent Repair Completed? 

There are a number of reasons why you should have cosmetic scratch and dent repair completed even if it is not impeding your ability to safely operate your vehicle. First off, many scratches and dents can actually begin to rust if they are not cared for. This happens when the clear coat or finish on your car is rubbed off or scratched, allowing water to sit on the metal of your car. Rust can be expensive to remove and cause major damage to your vehicle. Second, scratches, dings and dents can lower the value of your vehicle. This ultimately means that your car will be worth less when you go to trade it in or sell it. Finally, cosmetic scratches and dents can affect the overall look of your car. If you use your car to drive dates around or drive clients around, you want your car to look its best. Repairing dings and dents helps ensure that your car looks great. 

What Methods Are Used for Cosmetic Dent Repair? 

When it comes to cosmetic dent repair, one method does not work for all types of damage. A professional can take a look at the damage on your vehicle and come up with the best way to tackle the damage and restore the look of your car. Paintless dent repair is commonly used to remove small dings or dents. Touch-up painting or buffing may help to remove scratches. Larger dents may need to be pulled out or filled in. 

Many people think that an autobody repair shop handles major damage to a vehicle after an accident. While we can repair major damage, we can also help with minor repairs, including cosmetic dent repair. Whether you need repairs to ensure your vehicle operates properly or you just want repairs to help your car look its best, we are here to help. Schedule an appointment with Certified Collision Center Auto Body at one of our eight locations throughout the Central Valley, or call or email us for a free estimate. 

There are a number of benefits associated with tinting the windows on your car. Window tint can help to reduce glare when driving and help to keep your car cool. If you are looking to have your windows tinted, one of the questions you may have is whether you should tint them yourself or hire an expert to do it for you. While you can purchase all the supplies to tint windows yourself, there are many reasons you should leave this task to an expert. 

A Professional Knows Local Window Tinting Ordinances and Laws

One of the reasons why you should have window tinting completed by an expert is because an expert knows what the local and state laws are in regard to window tinting. There are laws that restrict what windows can and cannot be tinted, and how dark those windows can be made. If you tint your windows too dark, you can be pulled over, receive a ticket and be required to remove the tint. This can be a costly mistake that a professional can help you to avoid making. 

A Professional Can Explain the Pros and Cons Of Different Types of Tint

The second reason why you want to leave window tinting to an expert is that a professional can explain to you the pros and cons associated with different types of window tint, ultimately helping you to decide which offers the most benefits to you. Some of the different types of tint available include ceramic, metallic and carbon tints. Some of the differences include the amount of light the tint can filter, how cool the tint can keep your car, how much the tint costs and how long the tint lasts. A professional can listen to what you want in a window tint and what your budget is and help you select the best tint for your automobile. 

A Professional Can Properly Tint Your Windows

The final reason why you should leave window tinting to an expert is that professional can properly tint your windows. Installing window tint is not as easy as it looks. Many people who tint their own windows end up with bubbles on their tint that not only look bad, but also shorten the lifespan of the tint. Poorly tinted windows reduce the efficiency of the tint and can negatively affect the value of your car. A professional can ensure the tint fits your window properly, does not have air bubbles and lasts. 

Here at Certified Collision Center Auto Body, we can help with more than just autobody repair. We also offer services additional services, including window tinting. Summer is almost here, and in the Central Valley, temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees. Now is the perfect time to get your car ready for the summer by installing window tint. Call us now and schedule an appointment at one of our eight convenient locations throughout the Central Valley or visit our website to request a free estimate.