Does That Accident Void Your Warranty

There are typically two types of warranties on a vehicle when purchasing, a bumper-to-bumper and a powertrain warranty. The powertrain on any vehicle is considered any car parts that allow the frame pieces to move or function, so things like the engine, transmission, and drivetrain are covered under this type of warranty. A bumper-to-bumper warranty is for essentially the rest of the vehicle, including tires, provided they have problems before they wear out. Each warranty is completely unique to the manufacturer, but more often powertrain warranties cover a longer duration than any bumper-to-bumper warranty would. Some manufacturers like Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep offer limited lifetime warranties on powertrains, while most others cover between 60,000-100,000 miles (or 4-6 years) while bumper-to-bumper covers 30,000-50,000 miles (generally between 3-5 years).

• Everyday use typically won’t void your warranty, but the following could:
• Off-roading, or racing a vehicle putting it through “extreme” usage
• “Acts of God” otherwise known as damage caused by floods or earthquakes
• Disregard for routine maintenance, things like oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacement… you get the idea.
• Any modification to the vehicle, especially the odometer

 

Modifying your vehicle can cover a broad spectrum of things, and in some cases that includes installing aftermarket parts. However, due to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, coverage cannot be denied unless the dealership can prove that the aftermarket part itself caused the damage. They cannot deny you coverage for simply using an aftermarket or recycled part, but if that part was installed incorrectly or was defective, and they can prove that it caused damage to other parts on your vehicle, they can deny coverage and require payment for repairs.

Long story short, being in a car accident will not void the warranty on your vehicle, unless your insurance company deems it a total loss. If you are in an accident that requires a salvage stamp on your title, the warranties on your vehicle will no longer be applicable. If you’re maintaining your vehicle, putting it through routine inspection and maintenance, your warranty shouldn’t be voided. Like with anything, make sure you’re reading the fine print and looking into all the aspects of your warranty before you purchase, and if possible avoid installing expensive suspension or lift kits unless you’re willing to risk your warranty.
 

At Oakdale Collision we do our best to return your vehicle to pre-accident condition. If you have any concerns while your vehicle is in the shop, we’re just a short phone call away!

 

Distracted Driving

You constantly hear about texting and driving, and how many accidents that causes, but did you know that the biggest cause of accident is purely driving while distracted? Distracted driving of any kind can lead to a devastating accident, all because you wanted a piece of gum or were reaching to change the song on your stereo. 

Even if you are at full attention while driving, on average during the day there are 660,000 drivers using their cellphones while out on their commutes. Imagine how many other drivers are out driving without their full attention at hand. That puts you and your family at risk. Taking your eyes off the road for even a moment can be the split second an irresponsible driver veers into you. 

Before each drive you should be verifying that your mirrors and stereo are preprogrammed to the way you need. The less you have to fix while on the road, the fewer distractions you have to deal with. Your turn signal is a great way to warn other drivers of your intentions, and while it's unnecessary if used miles before your turn, you still want to give ample time for a quick response if needed. Using your turn signal early can help keep other drivers informed and prevent accidents. 

Avoid driving your vehicle late at night, or during hours you're not fully awake. Thousands of car accidents a year are attributed to driving drowsy. Add that to driving at night and you're looking at your chance of being in an accident tripling, simply because your visibility is impaired. If you're on a long road trip pull over for a nap, or find a hotel close by. Make sure to pull completely off the road and give yourself ample space for passing vehicles. Your state of mind is extremely important while operating a vehicle, for your safety and for others. 

Teach your children and loved ones a valuable life lesson – make sure they know how detrimental picking up their phone or any form of distraction during a car ride can be, and make sure they're spreading the word. Being vocal with your peers and adults about their driving habits can be the difference between life and death. In the end, accidents do happen, and are often times unavoidable. We are here for you when life gets in the way. Bring your car down to Oakdale Collision for an estimate in your time of need.

Car Recalls: Are They That Important?

Yes, the recalls you receive about your car are very important, don’t ignore them. Recalls can vary from a minor thing to something catching on fire. The reason those recalls are in place are not only for your safety, but of those around you as well.

If any of you have flown or watched the news in the last few weeks, you’ve probably heard about the recall on Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 with the battery that has a tendency to burst into flames. Bursting into flames is a pretty safety concern, which is why they are being recalled.

Here’s the question to ask yourself, “What could happen if I don’t address the recall properly?” The main concern is that you could be potentially putting people in danger. Vehicles are safer today than they have ever been, but that doesn't mean they're perfect.

You should always be mindful of recalls, you may or may not receive a letter detailing of a recall, but there are various online sources to see if your vehicle has a pending recall.

What should you do if your car has a recall? Simple- get it fixed. Don’t panic, and run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. Just take it to the dealership for the repair. Even if it’s a minor recall that doesn’t impose any immediate danger, it’s still important to have it looked at. The cost is also covered by the dealership, so it shouldn’t cost you anything.

Here’s the bottom line; pay attention to the recalls, even if it’s a minor thing, just get it fixed. It will pay off in the long run, especially when everyone’s safety is at risk.

Here's to Oakdale Minnesota

In this month's blog post, we wanted to share a little bit about our shop and what makes us tick! We also wanted to talk a little bit about the town we call home and why it's so awesome. 

Oakdale Collision Center has been in Oakdale, Minnesota for more than 12 years and we love being a part of the community. There are so many things to do and to be a part of. Our shop is right in the middle of a great area. Just across the parking lot is Precision Auto Repair (definitely check them out for your next oil change, brake services, or auto maintenance) and Catrina's Mexican Restaurant. which is one of our favorite places to frequent for lunch.  

Not only do we have our business here, but the owners (Michelle and Don) grew up in Oakdale and live here currently. 

Oakdale is such a great place to be! There are plenty of community events to participate in from the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce's Golf Tournament to helping pack food for Feed My Starving Children.

One of the things that we are proud of is giving back to the community we love. We are even a drop off spot for food donations for the Christian Cupboard and often take donations to help homeless pets.  

 

We love that our clients become like family because they are our number one priority. Our personable, friendly staff will always take time out of their day to make sure that you have everything you need. 

Thanks for stopping by to get to us know us a little bit! 

Before and After Photos

What better way to show you some of the jobs we've encountered and some of the work we've done than with before and after photos! 

From small dents in a side door to full blown fender benders, we have seen a lot! We can take your car from damaged to driving in no time at all, and make it seem like your accident never happened. 

Before

After

Before

After

During

And here are just a few that are in progress of being repaired. 

Minnesota Potholes

It's a fact that potholes are a huge part of life in Minnesota, especially in the winter and spring.  They seem to get bigger or at least more widespread every year once the snow melts and even if the road has been repaired.

Large or small, potholes can do a number on your car and on your wallet. Trust us, we’ve seen it all.  A new survey from the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America found that over half of car owners in the U.S. have reported some type of damage due to a pothole. So how do you avoid them? You can’t swerve on the freeway or you might risk bumping into the car next to you which could lead to an accident. Running over them could land you right in our shop fixing the undercarriage of your car. 

Here are few tips to help you avoid them:

• Don’t swerve! As we stated above, it won’t solve the problem. It will probably make it much worse.
• Reduce your speed. Hitting a pothole at a slower speed typically results in less damage.
• Beware of puddles! They may look shallow, but could be very deep and could cause a lot of damage to your car.
• Keep your tires properly inflated. A poor inflated tire could pop if you hit a pothole just right.

If you can’t avoid the pothole, here is a form to fill out that lets the state of Minnesota (MNDOT) know where it is. This helps to make sure the location makes it on their repair list.

Looking for more information on pesky potholes? Here are a few links we thought we should share:

Mapping Potholes

Minnesota drivers have few options for claiming pothole bills

Tips To Avoid Costly Pothole Damage

AAA GivesAdvice on How To Avoid Pothole Damage

What Should You do When You are in a Car Accident?

With winter knocking down the door, it’s a good time for us to talk about accidents and what to do if you get in one.

It can happen to anyone at any time. You could hit a rough patch of ice, a deer could jump out from the side of the road, or another motorist could swerve into you.  It can be in the morning or it could be at night.

Most of us have been in a car accident at some point in our lives, but have you ever looked back and wondered if you remembered what you should do when you get into one?

When I was a young driver, I remember my parents telling me if I ever got into a car accident, the number one thing you should do is to call 911. That still holds true, but there are a few other things you can do to help yourself and the process:

1. Call 911: Even if you aren’t sure anyone is hurt, always make sure it’s documented by the authorities to protect you as well as the other people involved.
2. Stop your vehicle and get out (assuming it’s safe to do so):  Check to make sure it’s safe first (especially if you are in the middle of a busy street or on the freeway). Set your brake, turn off the engine, and get out of the car. If it’s dark out or the weather is bad, consider pulling out a roadside flare if you have one to alert other drivers of the incident.
3. Check on everyone involved:  Make sure no one is hurt and if they are, let them know that the police are on the way to help.
4. Gather Information:  It’s so important to exchange information with the other driver.  This will help when the police arrive and if you need to file a claim with your insurance agency. You will want to get:
• Driver and passenger names
• License plate numbers
• Insurance info
• Makes and models of the vehicles
• Contact info for any eye witnesses
• Location of the accident
• Name and badge number of the responding police officer
5. Document the scene: Depending on the severity of the accident, you may not have time to do this, but if you can use your smart phone to take photos of the accident, the scene, and any damage to the vehicles involved.
6. File an insurance claim: One of the last things you will do is file a claim with your insurance using all of the information you collected.  

Once you have filed a claim with your insurance agency, it’s your right to take your car where you want to get it fixed. You also have the right to get a quote from anyone you want. 

At Oakdale Collision Center, we can work directly with your insurance company on the claim, the amount, and get it fixed- all so you don’t have to worry. 

Welcome

Welcome to the Oakdale Collision Center blog! We are so very excited to finally have a blog and share some insights with you about collision repair, insurance help, dent removal, and the latest technology on the market.

Locally owned, we have been serving the Oakdale area for more than 12 years and we are here to get your car looking like new again in no time at all. Our skilled technicians will provide you with a full service repair and detail work, and your car won’t leave our shop until you’re completely satisfied.

We are licensed, certified, registered, insured, and bonded. All our repair work is warrantied with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Want to find out more about us? Take a look at the video.

Thanks for visiting us and check back soon for more blog posts.