Collision Repair

Hitting a pothole can damage tires, wheels, steering and suspension, wheel alignment and more. The Car Care Council recommends that motorists who experience any of the following warning signs after hitting a pothole should have a professional technician at their local repair shop inspect the vehicle.

In today’s economy, people are keeping their vehicles longer and looking for smart, affordable ways to maintain them. Rust and corrosion are glaring examples of what can go wrong when your car’s painted surfaces are chipped or scratched. Sometimes the fight against rust feels like an uphill battle; but if you can help avoid the cause, you may be one step ahead of the game.

The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) rates vehicles to determine crash worthiness and rollover safety. The safety ratings are gathered during controlled crash and rollover tests conducted at NHTSA’s research facilities.

Aggressive driving habits, such as tailgating, flashing headlights and unpredictable driving speeds can put motorists at risk for a collision.

“Aggressive drivers are not only a danger to themselves, they create hazards for other motorists and pedestrians,” says PPG's CertifiedFirst® Network. “The actions of aggressive drivers can divert the attention of other motorists from their own driving; raising the likelihood a collision could occur.”

Properly balanced wheels have long been recognized as helping provide improved ride quality, better gas mileage and reduced tire wear, making wheel balancing an important part of car care and maintenance.

For decades wheel weights have largely consisted of chunks of lead clamped to the wheel rim. Lead has traditionally been used to make wheel weights because it is cheap and heavy, allowing the use of relatively small weights to balance wheels. However, the highly toxic metal can cause brain damage and other nervous-system disorders in people.

Over 50 million pounds of lead per year are used in the production of wheel weights today, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To help counter this problem, the EPA recently created the National Lead- Free Wheel Weight Initiative to help reduce the amount of lead released into the environment. 3M is pleased to be a charter member of this EPA initiative.  

You’ve invested time and effort in flawless bodywork and a pristine paint job. With proper care, you can keep that show-room look for a long time. One of the most important efforts you can make is to maintain a good wax job. Of course wax will maintain a glossy look and keep your car looking sharp, but it also makes it easier to wash off the contaminants that collect on the surface over time. Good wax coverage causes water to bead up on the surface and simplifies the task of wiping down the car.