No driver wants to ever get involved in an auto collision. That’s because it’s impossible to know the outcome of one, and others have serious consequences. All the same, sometimes they happen, and this could be as a result of various things, ranging from harsh weather to driver error on your part or on another driver’s part. When any auto collision happens, you can be sure that it will necessitate a number of repairs, which range from minor scratches and dents to more serious issues. Here’s a list of 10 of the repairs that you can expect after any auto collision in Southern California.
1. Transmission Repairs
One of the auto repairs that you can expect to have to do is transmission repairs. These may involve making replacements for consumable parts and fluids after checking for leaks and other damage. The old oil needs to be removed, then cleaning solutions run through it to remove any debris that may be around. Finally, the transmission is refilled with fresh, clean oil. This is the case if the transmission was not damaged seriously.
If the damage was serious, then the transmission may have to be rebuilt, which is doing a complete overhaul on it. This means that the transmission will be removed from the vehicle, disassembled, and cleaned thoroughly. If there are any parts that are worn out or severely damaged, they’re replaced at this point with new parts that are in good shape. This is going to ensure that the drive shaft, clutch plates, solenoids, and all other parts of the transmission are running well. This process can take a long time to complete and is a labor-intensive project.
2. Auto Body Repairs
Any auto collision is sure to involve some kind of auto body damage, whether major or minor. This may be as a result of the vehicle running into or being run into by another vehicle, hitting a stationary object, or knocking down an animal. In these cases, there may be dents, scratches, damaged bumpers and body panels. The cost for this will depend on the specific make and model of car. On the other hand, the length of time needed to complete the project will vary depending on how extensive the damage was.
In serious cases, such as when the vehicle rolls or is involved in a high-speed collision, it may be difficult to repair the specific parts. If most of the other vehicle is still in good running shape, the necessary parts and panels can be bought from other vehicles. You can ask your auto mechanic to help you source these parts, or ask around your social group for repairable salvage trucks for sale. This is another repair service that’s going to take a long time to complete, and it must be done by a highly-skilled professional for the best outcome.
3. Repair or Removal of Aftermarket Accessories
Another auto vehicle repair that you can expect to have to work on after an accident is the repair or actual removal of aftermarket accessories. These are customization products for vehicles that are made by companies that aren’t the original manufacturer or the vehicle. They can either be used to tune up a vehicle, enhance a particular feature, or replace original parts of the vehicle that get damaged or worn out. While these are typically cheaper than original equipment manufacturers parts, they may not be as reliable.
An example of an alternate accessory that may get damaged in a car accident is the remote car starter. Keep in mind that these parts are made to work the same way as the original parts. Since they’re typically designed to be compatible with as many vehicle makes and models as possible, they’re typically readily available. This is one of the reasons why they’re cheaper than original parts. If some of those on your vehicle get damaged, you can choose to either replace them with aftermarket parts again or buy the originals, depending on your budget and their availability.
4. Suspension Repairs
Another auto repair that you may need to do after any auto collision is repairing the vehicle suspension. The suspension of a vehicle consists of parts that support a vehicle’s weight and help make car rides less bumpy and more comfortable as a result. Some of the components that make up a vehicle’s suspension include control arms, tie rod ends, ball joints, struts, springs, and shock absorbers. Before any work is done, a thorough inspection is done to identify the specific repairs that are necessary.
Some suspension repairs that happen to be among the most common include wheel alignments, replacement of coil springs, and changing struts and shock absorbers. These repairs are complex and therefore call for the hand of a professional. They play a major role as far as safety while driving goes. Ensuring that they’re in good shape is also a great way to prevent damage to other components of a vehicle.
5. Tire Replacements
The tires of a car may be damaged in any auto collision that’s serious enough. When the tires get damaged in an accident, this may mean that car towing will be involved. That’s because a vehicle cannot be driven safely when its tires are damaged in any way. Typically, the damage that vehicle tires tend to suffer involves punctures or blow-outs. If the damage strictly involves the tires, this is a case in which a spare tire can come in handy.
After an auto collision, it’s important for the tires to be thoroughly inspected. This might even reveal the tires to have been responsible for the accident. This is something that’s likely to occur if you don’t replace tires that are worn out, with the treads compromised and therefore impacting the vehicle’s grip on the road. To keep the chances of a blow-out occurring low, you should also rotate the tires regularly so that they wear out evenly. As a result, you may also find that your vehicle is more balanced when you drive it.
Clearly, it’s important to make sure that you always have a spare tire in your vehicle whenever you drive somewhere as you never know when you might need it. You should also make sure that your tires are filled with the right pressure so that they’re not overly sensitive and therefore likely to burst. Inspect them on a regular basis so that you can be sure they’re in good shape. If you discover that they’re compromised in any way, don’t take the risk of driving around on them for any reason.
6. Bumper Repairs
Bumper repairs may be the most common issue in any auto collision that occurs. This is because of their prominent position in front of the vehicle, making them the first part of the vehicle to get damaged in case of head-on collisions. That said, bumper repair services aren’t too hard to find, and with some searching, you might find an affordable one for your vehicle. This is also a relatively fast vehicle repair to work on since there’s typically only one part involved.
Depending on the extent of the damage to the bumper, you may be able to remedy the issue with a repair. If the bumper has been seriously damaged, however, you’ll have to replace it. In this case, you can look for one from a manufacturer’s outlet, or shop for a second-hand bumper. If you find a second-hand bumper that’s in good shape but isn’t the right color, you can always have it repainted to match your vehicle, which may end up being cheaper overall than buying a brand-new bumper.
7. Cosmetic Repairs
Cosmetic repairs are yet another common issue with any auto collision. That’s because even the least serious of accidents might leave your vehicle body with unsightly scratches. In this case, you can either get the vehicle repainted or look into car wraps. Car wraps may offer you a lot more versatility in terms of the colors or patterns that you can get for your vehicle. They’re also a much faster solution than painting the vehicle.
That said, you may have to spend more money if you’d like to get a custom car wrap. The same case applies if you don’t know any locals offering the service in your area. Keep in mind that unless someone is experienced with wrapping cars, it’s best to manage your expectations. In this case, you may want to go for painting instead and shop around for a car wrap professional. Take your time so that you can do the necessary background checks and be sure that the professional you settle for is the best.
8. Windshield Repairs or Replacement
Depending on the type and intensity of your vehicle collision, you can also expect to work on windshield repairs or actual replacements. This is one of the car repairs that most drivers might be most familiar with. That’s because there are many instances in which your windshield may end up cracked or broken, calling for replacement. The fact that it’s illegal to drive around with a windshield that’s damaged beyond a certain point also make it quite likely that a good number of drivers have dealt with a windshield replacement.
The process of replacing the windshield involves carefully removing the damaged windshield along with its frame, rubber gasket, and even the wipers. Excess urethane is then removed with something like a sharp razor blade so that the bonding area can be cleaned thoroughly. Fresh urethane, which is a high-strength adhesive sealing the windshield, is then applied, and the new windshield placed on it. The final step is replacing the weatherstripping or molding around the windshield so that water doesn’t leak into the vehicle. While this process can take under an hour, it’s important to avoid driving the car immediately after the replacement is done.
9. Automotive Interior Services
If a lot of dirt and debris ends up in the vehicle as a result of the accident, then this is another service that you might need. In any auto collision in which the vehicle was highly damaged, you can be sure that a lot of dirt ended up in the interior. To make sure that the car is in good driving condition, it should also be cleaned thoroughly in order to restore the interior’s comfort and appearance. Auto detailers should be able to help you get this done using any of a number of techniques.
The process of getting interior services typically involves cleaning the upholstery, vacuuming, removing odors, cleaning the glass, shampooing soft surfaces, and polishing hard surfaces. Whether the professional chooses to simply use vacuuming or they prefer to use steam cleaning may depend on a number of factors, including the extent of the dirt accumulation. With proper and regular interior services application, a vehicle can get an extended lifespan. This means that even without having been involved in an auto collision, it’s a good idea to regularly get this service done.
10. Engine Tuning
Engine tuning is the process by which the performance characteristics of an engine are changed. The specific details that it involves will depend on the damages that the vehicle’s engine underwent in the accident, as well as the expected outcome from the process. Some of the modifications and adjustments that may need to be done include making changes to the carburetor and the entire ignition system and enlarging the capacity of the cylinder.
With the right adjustments, engine tuning can result in increased power output from the vehicle and reduced fuel consumption. This means that you can enjoy better fuel economy, an increased top speed, and faster and smoother acceleration. You can expect anywhere from a 10% addition of horsepower to 50%, depending on the specifics. This process is typically done via performance chips on modern vehicles and handled by computer programmers. During this process, you can ask the auto mechanic if they can also perform truck clutch service.
An auto collision may leave you having to handle any of these vehicle repairs. If you’re fortunate, insurance will typically cover the main expenses, leaving you with either minimal or even zero topping-up to do. That said, take precautions such as getting the right vehicle insurance coverage and following the road rules while you drive so you can lower the chances of a collision.