Bought An Older Jeep With Rear Collision Problems? What Should You Know
If you recently purchased an older Jeep model, and it has some minor collision problems in the rear, you may wonder if you should take the car to a collision shop for an inspection. Even if the vehicle has small dents in the fender and trunk, it could still be dangerous to drive. Those collision problems can hide major issues in the cars' interior frames, including a damaged fuel tank. Here are things to know about your vehicle and things you may do to make it safe.
How Dangerous Can a Damaged Fuel Tank Be?
Because many vehicles' gas tanks are located in the rear, a rear-impact collision can be particularly dangerous for drivers. If the other car struck your vehicle too hard during the collision, it may have jarred the tank. Your vehicle's own internal parts may have inadvertently pierced or dented the gas tank as well. A damaged gas tank has the potential to leak fuel that may catch on fire if the Jeep's rear-ended again, or if you drive over a speed bump or pothole too fast.
It's important that you know more about your vehicle and if it has any serious problems before you take it out on the open road.
What Can You Do to Make Your Car Safe to Drive?
The first thing you might do is see if your vehicle's make and model has a history of problems during and after collisions. In the past, some Jeep models experienced exploding gas tanks. The tanks' location in the rear made them especially vulnerable to explosions during rear impacts. The federal government requested that the carmakers recall the vehicles to protect consumers from dangerous accidents. There are several online sources that allow you to check your vehicle's history in the privacy of home.
The next thing you might do is have the Jeep's gas tank inspected by an auto shop. The shop can remove the exterior frame over the gas tank and examine it. If the gas tank has minor damage, the technicians may repair them. It may be possible to relocate the tank to a safer place in the car. An auto technician can discuss how they can relocate the tank when they inspect the vehicle.
You can also request that the shop place a protective shield over the tank that cushions it during impacts. Not all shops offer this service, so you may wish to shop around until you find a shop that does.
If you need additional information about your vehicle, contact a collision damage and auto shop for help.To learn more about collision repair, contact a company like Brandywine Coach Works