Minor Car Crash? Don’t Just Assume Everything’s OK
To ensure a wreck doesn’t ruin your car's long-term health, keep an eye out for these symptoms that may indicate mechanical problems.
The crushed bumper sticks out like a sore thumb. The busted mirror, flattened tire and trashed headlights beg for repair. But what about that leak lurking under your hood that started seeping shortly after the accident?
Ensuring the crash didn't wreck your auto's long-term health means paying attention to what you can't see, as well as what you can. Consider this checklist of symptoms that might indicate your vehicle needs a checkup:
Reduced battery life
“One issue that we see a lot is premature failure of a vehicle battery because the impact of the accident jarred the battery,” says David Ely, owner of highly rated Convoy Auto Repair in San Diego. That can shake up sediment in the battery that shorts out lead plates in the cell or break those plates, mechanics say. Either issue can reduce battery life.
Check engine light flicking
“Most vehicles take an average of three days for the computer to check everything and reset,” Ely says. That means some problems go unnoticed until motorists return to the road.
The most common scenario Ely says he sees involves a check engine light flicking on because of problems with emissions components. Don’t ignore the warning. Take it to a trusted mechanic for further analysis.
The car is leaking
“A hose got nicked on the bottom side of the radiator and nobody saw it, then all of the sudden it’s going to leak water,” says Frank Constandi, who co-owns highly rated Frank’s Auto Repair & Auto Body in Fanwood, N.J., with his wife, Tracy.
Constandi says most cars roll out in good shape after an accident. But he says leaks — from oil to air conditioning and power steering fluid — can sometimes seep out of tiny cracks that go unnoticed following a crash, and warrant a return to the shop.
The car's alignment is off
“If the car was just hit in the bumper and it was a minor job, most likely we’re not going to be too concerned about suspension and drivability issues,” says Dan Stander, collision division director for the Automotive Service Association.
But more serious accidents can throw cars out of alignment, says the owner of Fix Auto Highlands Ranch in Littleton, Colo. Repair shops should properly realign, but that doesn’t always happen, mechanics say, leading to excessive wear on tires.
“As an industry, we don’t have the greatest reputation,” Stander says of collision repair. “I think there are a lot of shops that work very hard for the consumer, and want to do the right thing, but like every industry, there’s some shops that give us a black eye.”
Don’t wait too long
“A lot of things won’t start developing until you’re putting mileage on [your automobile] and you’re driving it daily,” Ely says. In addition to dashboard lights, he advises drivers to pay close attention to gauges and any smells that might seem abnormal and consider having the car inspected by a mechanic within the first 30 days following an accident.
“The insurance company calls those supplemental repairs,” Ely says, adding they’re covered without paying an additional deductible if proven to be related to the accident.
But the more time that lapses, the more difficult it becomes for a motorist to make that case, experts say. So don’t take the long and winding road to getting your vehicle checked out.
