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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2004-10-28, Page 12Complete Car Cleaning & More 6° WASH & WAX $69" - Hand Wash - Hand Dry - Premium Wax, including door edges & trunk edges HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 8 pm Saturday 8 am - 6 pm Sunday 9 am - 4 pm 357-3495 125 JOSEPHINE STREET • WINGHAM, ONTARIO MINN MEL INJECTION PAT & HEATHER DE JONG "FUEL INJECTION SPECIALISTS" Servicing Diesel Pumps and Injectoq. Cleaning and Flow Testing Gasoline Injectors Turbo Charger Service Alternator and starter Service On Site Service Available 482.7971 Toll Free 1.800.320.0666 Web: huronfuelinjection.com Highway #4 South CLINTON . n 91's %ad 1*hze 4 4 . 0 Get your car or truck ready cold winter now book your Fall & Winter tune-up for the ' P' z== toznco 0 04 • Exhaust Systems • Oil Undercoating -,Tic-Toc , f --,3 • Brakes 02)d $ b • Tune-Ups . 111 .........v...., \ 523.930B cs—,----N, et ' 4 \h elt66 .=.t,J,..,Q 1 %, am qv/era/1*o' Repairs to all makes and models of Cars & Trucks Corner Jack of Located 2 London Road Van miles and Dorp south of Blyth Hullett-McKillop Road 523-9308 . n PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER' 28, 2004. Behind the scenes of a collision repair shop (MS) -- If your vehicle has been damaged in a collision, you have probably heard this common misconception: "Your vehicle will never he the same." Chances are, it wasn't your insurance company representative or an employee of a collision repair business who said this. That's because every day. collision industry professionals return collision- damaged vehicles to their proper condition -- both structurally and cosmetically. So what does it take to repair your vehicle properly after a collision? Because of today's complex vehicles and high-quality paint finishes, technicians need to be properly trained in the entire repair process to achieve complete and safe repairs. The repair process begins when a detailed estimate is prepared, indicating all of the repairs needed to CCNS - If your car battery is dead or even weak. you're not going anywhere. It is the leading cause of starting trouble, whether because of lights left on, a charging system problem or other cause. Sometimes it is just that the battery has outlived its usefulness. But even at best, a healthy battery in 80-degree weather has only half of its output when the thermometer dips to zero. When shopping, remember that a battery is rated by cold cranking amps (CCA), indicating its power and the reserve capacity rating (RC), which indicates how long your car's accessories can run and still have enough power to start the engine. Since starting a car in cold weather can take up to twice as much current to turn over a cold engine, car., in colder climates would benefit from a higher CCA rating. Check your owner's manual for the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) minimum requirements needed for your car and select the battery adequate for restore your vehicle to proper function and appearance. In some cases, this damage assessment requires removing damaged body panels or other parts to get the most accurate initial estimate possible. The parts listed on the estimate are then ordered. The collision repair business and your insurance company should explain whether the replacement parts are new parts ordered from your vehicle's manufacturer, used parts ordered through an automotive recycler or new parts provided by a company other than the manufacturer of your vehicle. You should be informed about the pros and cons of using each of these types of parts and their pricing. If your vehicle was hit hard in the collision, the repair facility should use a measuring system that checks specific points of your vehicle your needs. Buying one with an excessive CCA rating may be a waste of money. In every situation, more RC (reserve) is better, like a little extra in the chequing account. The size and number of plates in a battery determine how many amps it can deliver. By having more and/or large plates, you can increase the normal life of the battery. This is what distinguishes a three-year from a five-year warranty battery. Battery manufacturers build their products to an internationally adopted Battery Council International (BCI) group number based on the physical size, terminal placement (where you connect the cables to the battery) and terminal polarity. BCI and the battery manufacturers offer application guidelines that contain the OEM cranking amperage requirements and group number replacement recommendations by make, model and year of car and battery size, CCA and RC specifications. structure against dimensions provided by the vehicle or equipment manufacturer. The repair facility will also need to measure your vehicle several times during the repair process to make sure it is within the recommended measurement tolerances. In most cases, this tolerance is as strict as three millimetres -- the thickness of three dimes. Some vehicles today require a tolerance no greater than one millimetre. Whenever appropriate, original parts are repaired (severely damaged parts may need to be replaced). A properly trained technician can repair sheet metal and plastic so that it can be difficult, if not impossible, to find any indication of damage. In some cases, parts not included on the estimate may need to be ordered during the repair process if "hidden" damage is found. After repairs are complete, the vehicle is ready to be painted. The areas are prepared with fine sanding and application of primer and corrosion protection products. The areas that won't be painted are protected. The painter then mixes the paint that will match your vehicle's finish. A paint code on your vehicle provides the starting point, but a trained eye can match the paint to your vehicle. Often, paint requires "blending," which helps match the colour of your car. The paint is sprayed inside a spray booth designed to keep dust and other contaminants from adhering to the new finish. Once the painting is complete, the vehicle is reassembled with all trim pieces, decals and stripes. If any new glass is needed, it is usually installed at this point. The wheel alignment will also be checked if the collision damage was severe, if the vehicle spun, or if a tire, wheel or suspension parts were damaged in the collision. This helps catch any potential problems with the steering and suspension. Finally, your vehicle is taken to the detailing area for a thorough interior and exterior cleaning. Any minor imperfections in the new paint surface will be removed by polishing and buffing. A final inspection insures that all work meets the repair facility's standards, and the final paperwork is prepared for you and your insurer. Throughout this process, the repair business will be in contact with the insurance company handling the claim. The insurer may want to review the estimate and inspect the vehicle before or during the repair process. In some cases, the repair facility may need to obtain insurer and vehicle owner approval before completing additional necessary repairs not included on the initial estimate. Locating a collision repair business that will follow the above procedures is important for any vehicle owner. Insurers and collision repair business owners alike say the key is looking for evidence of properly trained technicians. Tips on shopping for a car battery