The Importance of Collision Repair Services for Your Fleet Vehicles

Fleet vehicles are groups of trucks or automobiles that are leased or owned by a business. They are often used for delivering goods or to travel to clients. Wear and tear on these vehicles is quite common. When an accident occurs, it is important that you find a reputable and experienced collision repair service that can restore your vehicle and get it back in service as soon as possible.

Many businesses depend heavily on their fleet. Service industries are especially reliant on their branded vehicles to get them where they need to go to serve their customers. With so much driving, it is inevitable that an accident will occur. Even minor accidents can cause serious damage to your vehicle. Often, you will not realize how damaged your vehicle is until a professional inspects it.

If the damage is minor or simply cosmetic, you may be tempted to keep the vehicle active in your fleet. However, it is important to consider the impact that this can have on the overall image of your company. Your fleet vehicles receive a lot of exposure as they travel from place to place. In many cases, this may be the first impression a potential customer has of your business. You want to do everything you can to present yourself as a professional company. Driving around in a damaged or dented vehicle does not project the image you desire.

When the damage from an accident is more severe, you may be unable to drive the vehicle safely. This means that your vehicle is out of service until it can be repaired and restored to its original condition. Dealings with insurance companies can delay the process even further. When your fleet vehicles are out of service, you are potentially losing business. Your vehicles are just as important as any other type of equipment you may have.

We've all heard that old saying, "Time is money." This statement is especially true when you are stuck waiting for your vehicle to be fixed and repainted after a collision or accident. When choosing a local auto collision repair shop, be sure that you are working with professionals who will work to get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible.

Not all auto body shops are the same. Do not let your insurance company pressure you into using a shop simply because it has the lowest price. Be sure that you are working with a company that you feel comfortable with, not necessarily the cheapest. Ask them about their qualifications, certifications, and experience. They should make before and after photos available to you for inspection. Check online and with your local Better Business Bureau to find out if there are complaints against the shop.

It is important that all repairs to your fleet vehicles are done correctly the first time. Business owners cannot afford to have unreliable vehicles in their fleet. Plus, you want to be sure that all of drivers are operating a safe automobile or truck as they make service calls to your customers.

Just like all of your business equipment, your fleet needs to be in top condition for maximum results. When an accident happens, be sure that a top-rated collision repair shop in your area repairs your vehicles quickly and professionally.

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5 Common Auto Repairs To Expect

In this technological age, cars are advanced and have a lot of modern parts that involve electronics as well as the standard parts. While considering all the advantages of a new or used car purchase, you should at some point think about the long-term maintenance costs that will arise if you choose to keep the vehicle.

According to a variety of auto manufacturers, ranging from Chevrolet to Mercedes-Benz, there are some auto repairs that are more likely than others. Some of these auto repairs are costly, so it is better to slowly save for these eventual repair instead of being caught off-guard.

Common Fixes That You May Encounter

Tires - Yes, tires do have to be replaced on occasion, and they can be quite expensive. The average set of tires last two to four years, so you will actually replace them more often than any other car component. A good set of tires can cost anywhere from $400 to $600, with larger tires or truck tires costing more. Damaged rims from potholes or hitting curbs are also common, and they are not a cheap replacement either.

Brakes - Brakes are an essential part of your vehicle and do require periodic replacement. Replacing front and rear brakes can cost several hundred dollars, depending on the vehicle, it can even reach into the thousands. If you can do it yourself, you'll save you a lot of money.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Like any advanced technology TPMS can be helpful. But it can also be a thorn in your side. If the light comes on for no reason, it is usually a sensor problem. The sensor itself can cost $100 or more, especially if you order the part from a dealer.

Timing Belts - While they don't require frequent changes, they are expensive replacements. The part doesn't cost much, but the cost of labor often hurts.

Suspension components - While they don't require frequent replacements, they can wear out after tens of thousands of miles or after absorbing many potholes or bumps while traveling. Your suspension does not involve just shocks or struts. It also consists of several smaller pieces that can break or wear out, including bushings, tie-rod ends, and bearings. The kind of vehicle you have often impacts the lifespan of these parts.

Getting these items repaired at a dealership service center usually raises the price of the repair significantly. If possible, check a local repair shop for pricing. Lastly, don't feed into the myth that your vehicle's warranty is voided if a repair is made by an independent shop. Instead, read the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

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Happy Customers are Corby's Collision's Top Priority!

"Hands On" Owner / Operator, Paul Troutner, of Corby's Collision in Vacaville,  California discusses happy customers and alignments.

For more information, please visit http://corbysvacaville.com/

After an Accident, Choose a Body Shop That Can Handle Frame Straightening

After an accident, most cars need frame straightening, or at least a check to see if the car sustained damage to the frame. When the body of your car is repaired without the frame being fixed, you may find that your car is always out of alignment and that your tires wear unevenly and need frequent replacement.

How does a Shop Assess Condition of your Frame?

Modern cars either have a straight rail system or unibody construction that determines how the shop will approach your frame straightening. In any case, they will put your car on a frame machine that measures your car to make sure all parts are properly aligned.

Full-size cars, pickups, and vans with a straight rail system have a frame that consists of two steel beams running the length of the vehicle attached to a front beam. The transmission, engine, and suspension are mounted on the rail system, and the body of the car is set on top.

Cars with unibody construction, which describes cars built after the 1980s, have a skeleton formed by metal panels and a subframe where the transmission, engine, and suspension are mounted. Exterior panels of the car are attached to the skeleton. Although there may be less damage to the frame if the unibody construction absorbs some energy from the crash, cars are built with crumple zones that crush if a collision occurs to protect the driver and passengers from the impact of the crash. As a result, even a car involved in a low speed accident may need frame straightening.

How Frame Straightening Works

In examining the frame, a body shop technician puts the car on the frame machine, secures it with chains and clamps, and raises it up for greater visibility to assess the damage. They compare what they can see visually with a computer readout, which targets areas of the car that need straightening. Then using hydraulics and torque, they get it back to factory specs. Continuous printouts verify that the car is aligned correctly down to the last millimeter.

They used to straighten cars with straight rail frames by softening the middle with heat before straightening. Newer cars use high molecular steel that changes structure in the presence of heat, so heat is no longer used. On badly damaged unibody cars, the shop may replace damaged parts if straightening does not get the frame back to normal.

In selecting a body shop, you should verify that the facility has straightening equipment in-house or if they send the car elsewhere for that part of the repair. A place that claims to do it on-site should have straightening machines, laser measurement tools, and laser frame straightening tools, plus technicians who are qualified to do the work. It is more convenient to use a shop with straightening equipment on hand.

Future Problems with Frame Straightening

What is important is that a proper frame straightening takes place. You may find yourself paying out-of-pocket later if your car has problems that relate to the frame. Since accidents weaken the frame and result in small cracks that can make the car more susceptible to future damage, driving around with a bent frame can be dangerous. Unresolved frame issues also affect the resale value of your car.

After an accident, make sure that your car is thoroughly inspected for damage and that any necessary frame straightening is properly done.

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Five Tips for Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop

Choosing an auto body shop doesn't have to be a frustrating experience. Estimates from different shops will likely fluctuate, sometimes to the point where you wonder if you are getting quotes for the same repair on the same vehicle. Consider these five tips to help guide you in making your decision:

1. Get Multiple Estimates

This one is obvious. Not only will multiple auto body shop quotes give you some idea of the "middle ground," you'll feel better knowing that you did your homework and you aren't simply going with the cheapest... or worse yet, the most costly proposition.

2. Are They Certified and Insured

Do they seem reputable and carry all the appropriate certifications insurance?

Is the location a direct repair facility for your insurance company?

If you are completely new to the facility and going in with very little information on them, check for appropriate licensing hanging on the wall near the register.

Things can go wrong with any repair shop and your vehicle will be living there for a while, so you want to make sure that the repair facility you choose is protected in the event of fire, theft, or natural disaster.

3. Parts and Warranty

What is the warranty on repairs? Depending on whether they are a direct repair facility for your insurance company, you will likely get anywhere between 1 year and a lifetime warranty. Comparing warranties between locations can be a big indicator of the quality of parts and workmanship. You want to hire someone willing to stand by their craft.

Do they use aftermarket or used parts? Used parts don't necessarily mean quality is bad, but when comparing quotes, you want to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. If one location is offering used parts and another new, and their estimates are the same, look closer. What is making up the extra cost in the estimate for the shop offering the used parts? The per-hour labor costs may be higher at that particular shop.

What kind of paint matching technology do they use? You want to be sure that they can make an exact match of the paint code for your vehicle, and that they are using a high-quality coating.

4. Reputation

Do they have a good local reputation? Are they part of a social network where you can check for reviews? Ask around to friends and family; almost everyone has used an auto body shop at some point, and you'll be surprised how much information you can gather by listening to other people's experiences.

5. Trust Your Gut... and Relax

If you are searching for an auto body shop, you and your car likely just went through a stressful experience. Trust your gut after visiting the location; you want to leave feeling that the customer service seems knowledgeable about their industry and genuine about service. If anything about the experience seems not above board, keep looking, and use the tips above to guide you until you find a professional you can feel good about.

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Only 1 Pickup Earns Top Safety Rating - IIHS News

Ford F-­150 is the only pickup to earn top safety rating for small overlap protection

RUCKERSVILLE, Va. — Three out of seven large pickup trucks evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in a new round of crash tests earn an acceptable or higher rating for occupant protection in a small overlap front crash.

IIHS evaluated two body styles of each 2016 model-­year pickup — crew cab and extended cab. Crew cabs have four full doors and two full rows of seating. Extended cabs have two full front doors, two smaller rear doors and compact second-­row seats.

Is My Car In Alignment?

Bad roads can be your alignments worst enemy. If you live in an area with poorly maintained roads, with many pot holes, your alignment can be affected in a negative way.

Even the smallest alignment issue can cause uneven and premature tire wear. Be sure to have your alignment checked every few thousand miles. Uneven tire wear can become an expensive issue if not dealt with and fixed.

Keeping your car in alignment will help your tires last much longer, and help your vehicle drive smoother. In addition your car will require less energy to keep rolling down the road, potentially saving fuel depending on how out of alignment the vehicle was.

If a car is in alignment the tires should wear evenly across all the tread. If you're noticing excessive wear on the rear inside tires, you may need an alignment or adjustment. Uneven tire wear can also result in worse gas mileage and more expense at the gas station.

There are some tell tale signs that could indicate a your wheels are out of alignment. Using your eyes, ears and hands are good ways for noticing poor alignment.

Here are some signs that you are dealing with poor alignment:

• Your cars pulls to the left or right
• uneven tire wear
• fast tire wear
• Steering wheel is crooked
• tires that squeal easily

If you notice any of the above issues or even just want to check to make sure, schedule an alignment check at your local shop or repair facility. Making sure that your car or trucks alignment is good is well worth the cost of an inspection, as it can possibly save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in tire and suspension wear and problems.

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Standard Safety Gear Makes Early Debut | Consumer Reports

Acura and Toyota take the lead by providing forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking as standard equipment well ahead of the voluntary deadline in 2022.

Collision Repair: Understanding the Different Part Types Commonly Used

After you have been in an accident, the most important thing is making sure you're safe. After that, the second most important thing is getting your vehicle back in working order. The outcome of your collision repair service depends greatly on the type of parts your mechanic chooses to use. Whether they use genuine, original equipment manufacturer, or aftermarket parts will determine how well your vehicle will run and how long the rehabilitation will last.

Genuine

Some collision repair services try to use genuine parts in all their restoration work. These pieces are what originally came in the vehicle. Typically, they come in a box with the carmaker's logo, so you know it is a genuine part.

When it comes to cost, genuine parts are among the most expensive types you can buy for your vehicle. For this reason, it is best to only use these items if they are still under warranty and you don't have to pay any out of pocket expense.

Despite popular belief, choosing to go with something other than manufacturer parts will not void any remaining warranty. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission's "Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act," it is illegal for any manufacturer to void the warranty solely based on the type of part you choose to use. The act also allows you to have the work completed anywhere, even at home, without voiding the warranty.

Original Equipment Manufacturer

During your collision repair, you may choose to have Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts installed. While not a genuine piece, it is the exact same as what came in your vehicle because it was created by the same company who built the part for the car company. The difference is it doesn't have the car company's logo on the box.

Like genuine, OEM can be more expensive than aftermarket. However, it will cost less than genuine. It is a good way to save a little money and get the same part that was originally in your vehicle.

Aftermarket

Aftermarket pieces are quite common. They look and work in the same manner as the originals. The big difference is a company other than the manufacturer builds it. The structure is designed to fit and perform just as well as the original.

In some cases, aftermarket designs outperform their more expensive counterparts. This is because these companies analyze why the products fail in the first place. Once they know what the underlying problem is, they can make theirs without these flaws. In some cases, it may be as simple as the material was not made to last, and the aftermarket builder chooses something a bit more robust.
In the event that the part is not under warranty or your insurance company is not as concerned about what replacement type is used, you may want to settle for an aftermarket product.

Collision repair uses many different types of products in order to rehabilitate your vehicle. In addition to genuine, OEM, and aftermarket, the mechanic may suggest a rebuilt or reconditioned piece. While these may help keep your costs down, they do have wear and tear, so use them with caution.

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First-Ever IIHS Headlight Ratings - IIHS News

First-ever IIHS headlight ratings show most need improvement

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Toyota Prius v is the only midsize car out of 31 evaluated to earn a good rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s first-ever headlight ratings. The best available headlights on 11 cars earn an acceptable rating, while nine only reach a marginal rating. Ten of the vehicles can’t be purchased with anything other than poor-rated headlights.