Have you ever noticed how amazingly clean your car is, inside and out, when you pick it up from a collision repair shop?  That’s because body shop technicians know that professional detailing keeps your vehicle looking like new while protecting its interior and exterior.  And, many auto body shops provide in-house car detailing services, including exterior, interior and engine bay.  But will getting your vehicle detailed enhance its worth?  Let’s take a more in-depth look at the three types of detailing, and if they actually increase your car’s value.

Exterior Auto Detailing Restores & Protects

Weather elements and the sun’s UV rays cause your car’s paint to fade and dull.  In addition, your finish experiences scratches, oxidation (rust) and parking lot dings.  Wheel surfaces also get quite dirty, and all these factors can lower your car’s resale value.  To counteract those, professional detailers use these steps to restore and protect car exteriors:

• Wash and scrub the outside with a deep penetrating brush, including the wheels
• Dry all surfaces with a soft, microfiber mitt
• Gently polish out light scratches, oxidation & swirl marks
• Wax the paint, usually with a high-quality, carnauba-based paste product
• Methodically clean & then apply protective polish to rubber trim areas

Professional detailing products contain UV inhibitors that protect paint while extending its life.  When a car exterior’s finish is restored to its original condition, it’s not only eye-catching, but it also projects an image that the vehicle was well taken care of, inside and out.  In the end, that adds overall value to your car.

Car Interiors Benefit from Detailing

Auto interior carpeting, upholstery, trim and mats are constantly subjected to wear-and-tear, including food and beverage spills, cigarette smoke, mud and pets.  Additionally, the sun’s UV rays can fade your upholstery, trim and dash.  Professional detailers know how to restore the original beauty of leather, fabric and carpeting using various cleaning and sanitizing processes.

First they thoroughly vacuum and shampoo the inside of your car, and then use high-quality, commercial-grade products to clean and protect the seats, trim, and carpeting.  On leather seats and trim, they first deeply scrub the material and then use special conditioners.  All of these detailing tricks prolong your car interior’s life and removes unwanted odors.  As a result, this adds value to your vehicle.

Detailed Engines Boost a Car’s Value

Have you ever popped the hood on a used car that you’re looking at and the engine was spotless?  Seeing a clean motor instills confidence in a potential buyer.  That’s why dealers have their detailers carefully clean the engines as they prep used cars for sale.  And if you’ve had auto body repairs done, notably for a front-end collision, you’ll see a professionally- detailed engine when the work is finished.  That makes you feel more confident in the repairs, right?  When you are selling or trading in your vehicle, the emotional impact is the same.

Mechanics also love to work on vehicles with clean engines, as it allows them to assess and diagnose problems more easily.  Here’s how most detailers clean up grimy car engines:

• They gently clean off loose dirt with a light water spray
• Then they wipe down the engine components with a commercial degreaser, and rinse it off again
• After drying completely, all rubber, silicone and plastic engine components are “dressed” with special protective compounds to prevent cracking

A clean engine compartment will add value to your car by making it more attractive to a potential buyer or when trading it in at a dealership.

Body Shops Near You Provide Auto Detailing

According to used car experts, annual professional detailing can boost the market value of your vehicle by up to 15%, depending upon the make, year and overall condition.  Without question, auto detailing increases your car’s worth, especially when it’s over five years old.  Not only that, but as long as you continue driving it, detailing will protect the finish from the elements and the inside from wear-and-tear.  And, when a mechanic needs to do some repairs, a detailed engine increases the odds that they will be performed correctly the first time!  As was mentioned earlier, most collision repair shops offer professional detailing services.  To search your zip code for one in your area, visit www.carwise.com now.

Your car was recently involved in a low impact fender bender which dented the bumper and scratched some paint.  Because the accident was so minor, you’ve decided to skip taking it to an auto body shop.  But is that wise?  Even minor fender benders can cause more serious underlying problems to your car that may not show up until later.  And when those issues finally present themselves, repairs can be costly.  Whenever your vehicle sustains body damage that’s more than paint scratches it’s wise to have it inspected at a collision repair shop.  Here’s why.

Potential Electrical System Failure 

Your car’s electrical wiring is delicate, and even a minor jolt could have loosened wires.  Those won’t be noticeable at first, but could potentially cause a short.  Shorts can lead to power windows and door locks that malfunction, along with your vehicle’s antitheft system.  In the event of a front-end fender bender, a battery connector could get knocked loose, meaning that the battery may not recharge properly and/or the aforementioned electrical components on your car may start acting up.  A body shop technician can inspect your wiring after removing the damaged body panel or bumper cover.

The Alignment May Be Off

This occurs more frequently in front-end fender benders, as they commonly will cause misaligned tires.  As a result, your car could begin pulling to one side or the other, or the ride will seem rough and uncomfortable.  This could lead to uneven tire tread wear and vehicle handling difficulties.  And, replacing a set of tires is an expensive undertaking.  After a fender bender of any kind, your alignment should be professionally checked.

Your Car’s Frame Could Be Bent

If your auto is involved in even a low speed accident, the frame could sustain damage.  Although unnoticeable by you, a slightly bent frame can cause your vehicle’s structural integrity to be compromised.  When that happens, it can adversely alter how effectively your air bag deploys in an accident.  Additionally, your car’s ability to absorb an impact, especially a more serious one, is jeopardized.  Collision repair shops have equipment that can measure how straight your car’s frame is, and whether it matches OEM factory specifications.

Other Lingering Fender Bender Issues

In addition to the fender bender issues mentioned above, there are other lingering and potentially expensive problems that may be concealed from your view.  Those include:

• Transmission problems- All-wheel drive (AWD) autos are especially susceptible to these even when rear-ended slightly. AWD cars have drive shafts that can easily get pushed into the vehicle’s transmission, creating the potential for expensive repairs.
• Rust opportunities- Even minor scratches or dings may expose underlying metal, as paint serves to protect the body from water. When it comes in contact with water or road salt, your car’s metal structural materials can rust.
• Wheel well rubbing- If your car’s body panel gets manipulated at all during a fender bender, metal or plastic material could possibly start rubbing a spinning tire and cause damage to it.
• Suspension & steering problems- On most vehicles these are very delicate and even low speed impacts can knock them out of whack. That will negatively affect how your car handles or rides.  Hitting a pothole can also cause damage to your suspension and/or steering systems.
• Engine mechanical performance- If you are involved in even a low speed front end accident, modern engine components are complex and intricate. Minor damage to any of those systems can cause more serious mechanical issues later.

Get Your Fender Bender Damage Checked by a Pro

Even low impact fender benders can disrupt your car’s mechanical performance and compromise safety.  And, any required future repairs can be costly as opposed to getting your car immediately inspected.   When a fender bender strikes have your car checked out by a professional auto body technician right away.  To search your zip code for a reliable collision repair shop nearby, visit www.carwise.com now.

The explosion of mobile technology has made staying connected easier than ever. And as that technology continues to expand its reach, car manufacturers are working to meet consumer demands for connectivity inside the vehicle. Which features are important to consumers, and what impact will those features have on customer satisfaction and safety?

Connected Car Examples

Below are some popular connectivity options now available in many new vehicles:

• Vehicle-to-driver communication
• Voice-activated controls/features
• Internet-enabled navigation
• Personal assistant service
• Vehicle internet connectivity
• Vehicle mobile applications

According to Nielsen research, approximately nine in 10 are satisfied with their drivable tech. And when it comes to shopping for a new car, the majority of consumers who plan to purchase a new car in the next two years say they’re very likely to purchase a connected car with built-in features. Most drivers of connected cars say it makes driving fun and feels “revolutionary”. Many also felt it improves safety on the road and makes them drive better.

While connectivity features can help in some cases with accident avoidance, they are not a replacement for safe driving and cannot guarantee your safety. In some cases, connectivity features can even create a distraction for the driver, increasing the risk of an accident. As always, it’s important to practice safe driving and only use connectivity features like internet and navigation while the vehicle is parked.

In the event of an accident, your connected car will need the attention of a high-quality collision repair shop. To learn more about finding a quality collision repair shop, visit carwise.com

Sources:

Staying Connected Behind the Wheel

Technology puts Consumers in the Driver’s seat with Connected cars