Caring For Your Vehicle’s Interior

The cleanliness of your vehicle’s interior is as important as its exterior. A well kept interior adds quality to your driving ability and provides the ultimate in comfort and safety. Cleansing the exterior can be as simple as an easy trip through the car wash or hand-applying car wash, wax, detailer, and other car exterior cleaning products. The interior of your automobile is a different story because if you would like to keep it clean, you really need to work at it. Here are some ideas from CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri for keeping your vehicle’s interior clean and neat.

Vacuuming

The vacuum might just be the single best tool for keeping your car’s interior clean and sanitized. It's not only an effective way to remove the dirt and debris from under your floor mats to the surface of your seats, it is a fantastic way to get rid of the filth that has accumulated in all the various nooks and crannies of your vehicle. For ideal results, get in there with a high-powered vacuum which has a hose and attachments so you can clean out each crack. A coin operated vacuum at a car wash is a good place to begin. A quick note about vacuuming car floor mats: take them out from the car and shake them out to get rid of surplus dirt before vacuuming.

Fabric Upholstery

While a vacuum cleaner does a great job of removing dirt in the carpeting, floor mats, and seats, sometimes these spots need some extra TLC. After all, grime can frequently get ground into the upholstery leading to discoloration that remains even once you run the vacuum. Beat those blemishes by using a carpet and upholstery cleaner. These cleaning solutions are specially formulated to deep clean your seats and carpets without saturating them with moisture. You'll want to stay away from significant amounts of moisture as this actually promotes mold growth). For rubber floor mats, a good power wash will get the dirt, sludge, and grossness out of your vehicle.

Leather Upholstery

If your car or truck has leather seating, try to keep them looking their best because stained, ripped, and/or cracked seats, aside from being unappealing, might also hurt the resale value of your automobile. A vacuum can, and should, be employed to remove the surface dirt on any sort of seat. For a much deeper clean, a special leather cleaner ought to be used on leather seats (followed by a leather conditioner to protect them).

Dashboard

While you might not notice it all that frequently because you are busy looking at the road when you drive around Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, or Jefferson County, MO, the dashboard can gather its fair share of grit and dust. In addition to vacuum-cleaning, using a microfiber dust cloth on the dashboard is a fantastic way to get it looking great again. Once it’s been cleaned, utilizing a protectant on the dashboard can help you to stop fading, cracking, and peeling. These protectants also aid in retaining the color of your interior against the sun and its ultra violet rays. The steering wheel counts as a part of the dashboard so you ought to put some protectant thereon too. If you have passed the point of no return as it pertains to fading, cracking, and peeling dash, seats, or steering wheel, it might make sense to get a dash cover, steering wheel cover, or seat cover.

Windows

The windows of your car are possibly the most crucial part of your interior to keep clean. After all, clean windows make for better visibility. Eliminating all the smudges, fingerprints, and even paw prints – if you have an animal who often rides along with you – will allow you to see much better while making your car simply look nice. Some glass cleaners even offer a water repellent formula that beads and wisps away water, enabling better visibility. Just make sure you utilize something that won’t leave behind streaks. Newspaper can come in handy in this case. It is important to know that some glass cleaners do not work well with tinted windows and can also harm the heating elements that de-frost and de-fog your windshield. Household glass cleaners contain ammonia, which over time will break down the heating element on your auto glass making your windshield defrosters ineffective.

Trunk

You may be thinking, the trunk? What does it make a difference if the trunk is dirty? Nobody sits in there. From an absolutely aesthetic point of view, having a dirty trunk is not a problem. Nevertheless, did you know that having a messy trunk may affect your vehicle’s gas mileage? Keeping items in there when you are driving all around Arnold, Missouri can add weight to your vehicle, which causes the engine to work harder when you drive, hence burning up more fuel. If you do not absolutely have to carry something around in your trunk on a certain day, it ought to be empty. Your pocketbook will thank you. Obviously we understand that there are situations where trunk storage is required. When this takes place, CARSTAR Arnold advocates keeping your vehicle’s trunk organized, granting you quick access to the items you need.

Organize

Now that you are squeaky clean, ensure that your car is orderly. Organizing your vehicle keeps out the clutter, making interior upkeep much easier. Car organization items are designed with function in mind and are best for those of us who bring items with us while traveling. If you store items in your trunk, a trunk organizer might be the best option for you. Items like visor organizers, dash caddies, and seat organizers keep the mess from exploding while enabling you to simply and efficiently vacuum up debris.

If you've got any other questions on car maintenance, auto body repair, or driving safety, come to CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO and we’d be glad to help get you back on the right track.

Emergency Numbers You Want To Have On The Road

These days, you can keep basically all of your computer information on your cellular phone – from all your music collection to the latest dog-riding-a-skateboard video. You can also utilize your smart phone as a safety net in case there is an emergency. Because CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri is concerned about your safety on the road, we'd like for you to take five minutes right this moment to tap these crucial numbers into your contact list so you'll be ready if something happens.

ICE − This number, which is short for "in case of emergency," ought to be your emergency contact – a parent, spouse, close friend or anyone who you want alerted if something happens to you. Many emergency responders and hospital personnel know to look for this number.

Home − Your home phone number, if you've got one. If somebody locates your misplaced mobile phone, he or she can call this number to tell you your phone is intact. Emergency personnel may also try it as an alternative number if there's no answer at the ICE number if you are in a car wreck.

Police − Should you have an emergency or witness somebody else who needs help, you can notify your local police station about the problem more rapidly if you already have the number stored in your phone.

State Highway Patrol − Notice a motorist marooned by the side of the road? Be a Good Samaritan and contact the state highway patrol for assistance.

Auto Body Shop − If you require auto body collision repair, it is best to have a shop picked out ahead of the fact. Take the time to research auto body shops and find the one that you wish to use. If you are living in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, or St. Louis, MO, think about choosing CARSTAR Arnold.

A Remark About 911 and Cellphones

While technology continues to improve, many wireless cell phones do not offer a way to ascertain a caller's location. If you call 911 in an emergency, be sure to mention your location, your telephone number, and what has taken place.

CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri hopes that you'll keep these tips in mind as you get ready for the next time you are driving. If you've got any questions regarding driving safety, auto body repair, or collision repair services, check out their website today to get more information.

Tips On Being Stranded In Snow

Winter is a phenomenal season in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO, particularly if a new layer of snow covers everything. Wintertime could also be a very hazardous season. If you are thinking of traveling during the long cold winter, it is good to be completely prepared for winter driving and to have winter car supplies in your motor vehicle. Unfortunately, being trapped on the side of the road in severe winter conditions is not unheard of. CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri has provided these guidelines to help you in case you ever find yourself in that situation.

If You're Marooned While Driving In Winter:

1.   Call 911. If you have access to a cell phone, call 911 to get assistance. When you speak with authorities, be ready to:

• Describe the place, condition of your companions and the trouble you're encountering.
• Listen for questions.
• Follow any instruction. You may be told you should stay where you are to assist rescuers or to return to the scene.
• Do not hang up until you know whom you have spoken with and what's going to happen next.

2.   Remain in your vehicle. Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. You can lose your way, wander out of reach, become exhausted, collapse, and risk your life. Your vehicle itself is a great shelter.

3.   Try to avoid overexertion. Attempting to push your automobile, trying to jack it into a new position or shoveling snow takes great effort in storm conditions. You may risk heart attack or other injury.
4.   Calm down and think. The storm will end and you'll be found. Don't work enough to get hot and sweaty. Wet clothing loses insulation quality making you more prone to the effects of hypothermia.
5.   Keep fresh air in your automobile. It is much better to be chilly or cold and conscious than to be comfortably warm and slide into unconsciousness. Freezing-wet or wind-driven St. Louis area snow could plug your automobile's exhaust system making deadly carbon monoxide gas get in your car.
6.   Don't run the engine unless you are certain the exhaust pipe is free of snow or other objects. Keep the radiator free from snow to prevent the engine from getting too hot. Run the engine at 10 minute intervals for heat.
7.   Turn on the dome light during the nighttime, but only when running the engine.
8.   Keep your blood circulating freely by loosening tight clothes, changing positions frequently, and moving your arms and legs. Huddle close to each other. Rub your hands together or put them under your armpits or in between your legs. Remove your shoes from time to time and massage your feet.
9.   Do not expect to be comfortable. The challenge is to survive until you are discovered.
10.   Make yourself visible to rescuers. Tie a bright cloth to your antenna or door handle.

Whenever you get free from danger, your motor vehicle may have some cosmetic or internal damage. If that's the case, consider taking your car or truck to CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO. They have auto body experts prepared to handle any damage that your vehicle could have incurred.

Hit a Deer, Bag a Turkey

CARSTAR Arnold Announces the Start of ‘Hit a Deer, Bag a Turkey’ Promotion.

St. Louis Metro CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts announces the beginning of its ‘Hit a Deer, Bag a Turkey’ giving-back campaign. The promotion runs November 16 through December 31, 2015. During this time, people that have struck a deer and have the repair carried out at CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri get a $25 gift certificate for a holiday turkey and also trigger a turkey donation to CARSTAR Arnold’s Arnold, MO charity of choice. The promotion dates cover the time when deer accidents are at their highest (through mating and hunting seasons) and whenever local charities need all the support they can get from the people and companies in their community.

Current statistics show that Missouri drivers have a 1 in 120 possibility of having a deer-related accident. The chances of deer hits more than doubles in October, November, and December. State Farm Insurance Company’s latest deer-collision data indicates the average cost of a deer-hit-related claim increased 6% to $4,135 (from $3,888 in 2014). To completely cover any potential damage, drivers should have comprehensive insurance that usually extends to such accidents.

According to research by the Insurance Information Institute and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, injuries, vehicle damage, and fatalities can each result from vehicle accidents with deer. In 2013, 191 deaths were the result of crashes with animals, with deer being the animal most often struck. Thankfully, cars may be fixed and there are actions to take to stay safer during this heightened timeframe of deer activity. Defensive driving, using a seat belt, using high beams at night whenever there is no oncoming traffic, and checking the road and adjoining areas for gleaming wildlife eyes are first-line methods. Furthermore, use extra caution in known deer zones and avoid swerving when you see a deer.

St. Louis Metro CARSTAR locations have always been involved in their communities through partnerships with nationwide (particularly the Make-A-Wish Foundation) and local charities and community organizations. After all, while being franchises of America’s largest multi-shop network of repair experts, each and every CARSTAR facility, including CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO, is still locally-owned-and-operated and a business citizen of their community. CARSTAR Arnold's looks forward to giving back this holiday season to people of Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO while serving customers through deer collision repairs.

Tips For Something You Might Be A Little Foggy On

Driving in fog is regarded as being by far the most risky weather hazard, especially if it's very dense fog or combined with other unfavorable weather conditions. Foggy conditions are the biggest cause of large multi-car pile ups. Nevertheless, there are certain things you can do to lower your risk of a collision. These tips, offered by CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair, will help you to be much safer on foggy Arnold, Missouri streets.

Stay Slow

Inside heavy fog, an extremely frightening thing happens to individuals when they are driving. They unconsciously accelerate! Of course, we all know that accelerating in fog is the worst thing you could do, but fog produces an optical illusion. While you look out your car windows, your body perceives that you are driving very slow. Since the majority of individuals become anxious in fog, they don’t look down at their speedometer. Eventually, they start going faster and faster. This is hands down the riskiest aspect of driving in fog. Make a mindful effort to glance at your speedometer every now and then. There’s a good chance you keep speeding up, without realizing it!

Keep The Headlights On

Always keep your car headlights on when driving any vehicle in foggy conditions to avoid a nasty auto body repair bill. Your daytime running lights are not enough. Many individuals turn their lights off as they feel their headlights are blinding them from reflecting off the fog, but you basically become a “ghost car” when this happens. Your headlights aren’t to help you to see better, it’s so others can see you! If your vehicle features fog lights, use those too. When traveling in fog, it’s extremely important to stay visible to others.

Forget The High Beams

You shouldn't ever use your high beam headlights in foggy conditions. Your high beam headlights reflect off of the water vapor and in fact reduce your visibility. You may feel that your low beam headlights are doing the same thing, but again, keep them on. It’s the most effective way for you to be seen.

Follow The Lines

When driving a vehicle in fog in the St. Louis area, it is a smart idea to follow the lines on the road with your eyes. This is the best way to be certain to remain in your lane. Drivers are normally drawn to lights, and subconsciously, will drive towards lights. So it is far better to watch the lines to make certain you are driving in your lane. Just be sure you are not fixating. Keep your eyes moving.

Increase Your Following Distance

A good following distance is very important in fog. Many drivers tend to “bunch up” in foggy conditions because they feel it’s easier to see. Driving in fog is scary, but now isn't the time to follow too close. That is one of the big reasons massive pile-up’s occur.

When You Stop

Occasionally, foggy conditions grow to be too thick to drive safely. If you are going above your comfort zone, it might be best to stop until the fog lifts. Remember – this is an extremely risky situation! If you cannot see, neither can anybody else. Try to get as far off the road as you can. Pull in a driveway, parking lot, rest area, side street, or just about any other place where you can avoid heavy traffic flow. But if the roadway shoulder is your only option, pull way over. Go into the grass if needed. If there’s a curb, drive over it and park on the opposite side of the curb. Stay buckled up and turn your lights off! If you leave your lights on, people might think you are driving on the roadway and rear-end you. Ensure that your foot is off of the brake pedal, and don't use your flashers. Keep every one of your lights off. If there's shelter nearby, try to get there quickly. If not, stay in your automobile and stay buckled up.

Dense fog typically does not last a long time. The fog might not entirely go away, but stopping for a while should buy you some time and permit the fog to lift a little. Dense fog has a tendency to migrate from area to area, unless you are in a valley where fog tends to settle. If the fog just gets worse while you’re parked, stay put. It is not worth taking chances with your life to continue. But bear in mind, when traveling in fog, stopping on the shoulder of the road must be a last option!

Dense Fog Is Customarily Temporary

Under most “normal” weather conditions, dense fog is short-lived. Generally, you will encounter small patches of dense fog on mountain valleys, peaks, near moist open fields, and close to bodies of water including streams, rivers, and lakes. Whenever the atmosphere is very humid, you may even get spots of fog that appear to wander from location to location. During the worst conditions, normally occurring at night or in early morning hours, the fog may be very dense and cover a span of many miles. This is the most dangerous condition and is generally alerted by fog advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service. When fog warnings or advisories are issued, simply don't drive (this is especially true in fog warnings). It does not matter how great you and the other motorists on the roadway are, if you can’t see, you can’t possibly drive safely.

If you do find yourself having any sort of accident in foggy conditions, think about taking your motor vehicle to CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair. They serve people all over Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, and St. Louis, MO with premium auto body repairs.

Avoiding A Deer Disaster

During October, November, and December, deer-related accidents make up a large amount of the auto body repair work we perform at CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO.

Accidents involving deer are usually more severe than the majority of vehicle accident, and unlike many auto body repair jobs, deer collision repair requires substantial structural repair that affects your vehicle’s safety systems. Accordingly, it is even more important than usual to research who you will use to repair the collision damage caused by a deer.

Why is Deer Collision Repair Different?

Many automobile accidents are minor, involving just bumpers or light cosmetic damage. While it is still necessary to use a high quality auto body shop for this sort of collision repair, the consequences of a poor repair are usually limited to unpleasant appearance and diminished vehicle value.

Deer-related accidents, however, often include structural or unibody damage, cause airbags to deploy, and require repair or replacement of several panels. The paint refinishing needed in this kind of collision repair is also more complex, involving blending the paint on adjacent panels to ensure an invisible repair. Vital vehicle systems, such as the engine, transmission, cooling, and electrical systems may also be impacted.

Get Your Collision Repair Job Done Right the First Time

Much of the repair work on a deer-related accident is invisible when the car or truck is fixed, so it's difficult to tell if the repair was done correctly. The only way you'll find out if your vehicle’s structure and safety systems were properly repaired is if you are involved in another accident in the Metro St. Louis area. That is definitely not how you'll want to test the quality of the auto body repair on your car!

Find An Auto Body Shop Now

Make time to pick an auto body shop before you have a major accident. A little groundwork ahead of time can save you plenty of stress and money if your automobile needs collision repair. Search for an auto body shop that has I-CAR and ASE certified technicians and uses up-to-date equipment. Check out the auto body shop’s reputation online too.

If you reside in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, or Jefferson County, MO, CARSTAR Arnold welcomes you to consider them as the best auto body shop for your next repair. Proper collision repair will protect you and your family’s safety, plus preserve the resale value and appearance of your car or truck.

Driving In Dangerous Floodwaters

With record-setting rain all across the Metro East St. Louis, MO area, standing water and flooding is undoubtedly an issue for drivers. Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body offers these crucial tips:

Don’t Drown Your Car – High Water Dangers:

Heavy rains are producing enough water to flood area roads. The depth of standing water during a storm may be misleading. Vehicle operators should never drive through standing water at any depth. Should you be driving on the road and come across standing water, your most secure course of action is always to simply just turn the automobile around and avoid it completely. Regardless of how familiar you may be with the road, never drive through standing water—at any depth—as it could cause serious damage to your car or truck. If a car is driven through standing water, a motorist risks flooding the engine, warping brake rotors, loss of power steering, or a short in the electric components of the vehicle, all of which can be costly to repair.

Four Fast Flood Facts

1. Just one foot of water can “float” most cars.
2. Two feet of running water can sweep away most vehicles—including sports utility vehicles and pick-ups.
3. Repair costs for damage brought on by driving through standing water may range from a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars.
4. Never try to start a car or truck which is underwater.

How to proceed if your vehicle does become submerged:

- Before attempting to start up a flood-damaged car or truck, contact a trusted auto technician like Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body in Arnold, MO and make an appointment to have them examine all readily accessible mechanical and electrical elements, and systems that contain fluids, for water contamination.
- Drain floodwater from corrupted components and systems, flush with clean water or a proper solvent, and refill with new clean fluids of the proper type.
- Check out, clean, and dry electrical system parts and connections.

Get A Grip – An Arnold, Missouri Self-Help Guide To Wet Weather Techniques

Safe driving during heavy rain begins with good tire tread, firm brakes, and streak-free wipers. Wet weather driving strategies will help motorists deal with diminished visibility and traction, steering, braking, and skid control.

- The best way to stop on a slippery surface if your car or truck does not have antilock brakes is to utilize threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and utilize the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal to the “threshold” of locking your brakes.

- Utilize your defroster to keep front and back windshields clear. On a cold day, move the heat control to “hot” and let the engine warm up prior to turning on the defrosters and blowers. This will prevent moisture from gathering on the inside of the glass. If the glass becomes foggy, open a window slightly and turn the defroster fan to a greater speed. Use your air conditioner to lessen humidity.
- When you drive on wet streets, mud and dirt splash on your headlights, decreasing illumination by as much as 90 percent. Stop occasionally on a long trip to clean your headlights.

- When visibility is so limited that you can’t see the edges of the road or other cars at a safe distance, it is time to pull off and wait for rain to let up. It’s best to stop at a rest area or leave the freeway and go to a protected area. If the roadside is your sole option, pull off the road as far as you're able, preferably past the end of a guardrail. Cars and trucks parked at the side of the road tend to be struck by other drivers. Appreciate the limitations of diminished visibility and turn headlights off and emergency flashes on to warn other drivers.

Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body, serving Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO, wants to ensure that you are safe when you need to travel in possibly dangerous conditions. If your vehicle’s been submerged in floodwater, or if you just have other questions about safe driving, contact Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body at 636-464-6080.

Buying A Car With Hail Damage?

Hail damaged cars and trucks offered for thousands under book value, “Steep discounts”. Could investing in a hail damaged automobile actually be a bargain for you? Possibly. But there’s a couple of things that Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair would like to let you know before you decide to drive away. This article could help you save thousands and much headache down the road.

You are getting the inside scoop here, simply because car sales people tell stuff to us, the paintless dent experts, they would never say to you or in public. “I love a hail sale!” This we heard many years ago from a salesperson at a car dealership. We asked him why. “Because people think they’re getting a great buy, so I sell more cars. There is more commission on each unit, so I knock ‘em dead!”

Does this suggest there aren't any great deals at a hail sale? Not necessarily. But you do need to be aware why that vehicle is being sold with hail on it to begin with. Let’s cover the reasons, then dig a little deeper.

Why dealers sell damaged cars

•   Car couldn't be repaired paintless
•   Price of repair was too high
•   Car needed combination repair, or painting combined with PDR

First, the vehicle couldn't be repaired using paintless dent repair. This is the situation with countless cars from Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO. We can guarantee you this, each and every vehicle that can be repaired with paintless or PDR before sale, will be fixed.

Dents can be repaired by paintless up to a certain point of damage. Too big, too deep, too severely stretched or even worse, cracked paint, all are reasons paintless repair was not utilized. PDR works great for dents inside the range of what's repairable, after that the only appropriate repair is with conventional auto body shop and paint. Paint damage and traditional repairs are very pricey and time-consuming. Car dealers know it is preferable to sell a vehicle as is than let it go to the auto body shop.

The last reason for a dealer not to fix a hail car pre-sale is the price was too high. The vehicles perhaps could have been fixed using PDR or paintless repair, but they didn't want to pay what it took to get it done. If a car isn't fixed and is being sold with hail on it, caveat emptor, or consumer beware.

How can you keep from getting ripped off on a hail damaged automobile acquisition?

•   Get an estimate beforehand from a credible PDR business such as Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair.
•   Keep in mind pictures do not tell the true story of hail damage. Just the worst type of dents will show up. If you notice it in a photo, its much worse in person.
•   Be prepared to walk away if you smell a rat. If your tummy is tingling, most likely not a great buy.
•   Should you still want the automobile, make certain you have the money on hand to repair it.
•   Oh, and take what the sales agent told you the repairs would cost and multiply it by four.

Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO is proud to offer you these guidelines to ensure that you're in the know whenever you buy your next vehicle. If you choose to purchase a car or truck with hail damage, consider taking it to Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair for expert dent elimination at an inexpensive price.

Spring Cleaning for Your Car

Winter is the harshest season for cars, thanks to salted highways, harsh temperature shifts, potholes, ice, and neglect. Seeing that spring is here, CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO is here to let you know that it’s time to wash away the grime and make your vehicle look like new.

Clean Out The Trash

When you are cleaning any car, much less a winter-weather-beaten one, begin with removing all the junk you've been neglecting. Have a garbage bag and a "keep" box handy, because you will want to hold on to some of the items. Be thorough: Get below and beside the seats and in the trunk.

Vacuum the Inside

You will want to work from the top down, simply because gravity dictates that stuff stirred up works its way floorward. Additionally, yank out the salt-caked floor mats for a quick pass with the vacuum cleaner. Then employ a house or shop vac and a rigid tool like a screwdriver to work dirt out from the creases.

Scrub Carpet and Upholstery

This step is optional but worth the gratifying results. Grab a spray bottle of automotive-upholstery-and-carpet cleaner and a sturdy scrub brush to wash the soft parts of the interior. Spray the seats or anything cloth covered; scrub, then wipe down. Repeat at least one more time, moving to the carpet for the same job. Being comprehensive with the carpet is necessary, since it can act like a filthy, salty, damp rag that increases rusting. When you are finished, pull the drain plugs beneath the floor and let things air out for a few days. You'll certainly be astonished at how much better the automobile smells.

Power-Wash the Floor Mats

The floor mats are undeniably the parts of the interior that take winter abuse the worst. If you have got all-rubber floor mats, they will not take very long to clean, but carpeted mats will likely take two passes with a power washer in order to get all of the salt and dirt out. Without having a power washer, CARSTAR Arnold recommends that you utilize one at a self service car wash. Let the mats dry out thoroughly before placing them back into the vehicle or you will be begging for mold growth in the carpet.

Tip: Old Tool, New Trick

Whenever cleaning out door and body drain holes, we have discovered that the best method is to repurpose a plug-installation tool utilized in tire repair. Cut up an old shop rag or sock and place it into the slot of the tool exactly the way you would a tire plug. The setup will make dragging out dirt and plant matter very easy, and the fabric scrap is quite easily swapped out when it gets grimy.

Ditch Winter Windshield Wipers

Wipers get beaten up pretty bad in winter, and torn-up old wipers in a summer downpour will leave you blind.

Lube the Hinges

Hit each and every door, trunk, and hood hinge with white lithium grease to prevent squeaks and rapid wear.

Clean the Windows

Ever notice how your windows fog up really bad during wet spring weather? A part of that is because of how filthy the interior of your windshield is, but you are able to take steps to avoid this. First, wash your windows with a good car-window cleaner; the ammonia in household stuff will make the clouding even worse. Fog has a much harder time clinging to a clean surface, and you can go one step further by wiping down the interior of the glass with an antifogging agent.

Wash the Vehicle

This would seem clear, but there are several subtleties. Just like the interior, you should wash the automobile from the top down, rinsing often. Do not begin at the rocker panels and proceed to the roof—it drags dirt around and scrapes the clear coat. Whenever the body is clean, invest a few bucks at your neighborhood automatic car wash and get the underbody flushed. This will dislodge the road salt that is doing its best to transform the underbody into Swiss cheese.

Switch out the Cabin Air Filter

This filter keeps dirt, pollen, and plant matter from penetrating the ventilation system. It gets dirtiest during fall, when falling leaves work their way into the cabin-intake system.

Do Not Forget the Trunk

Add a bag of sand, gravel, or kitty litter to the trunk as ballast to improve traction in slippery conditions and to have something to throw underneath the tires when the car or truck's stuck in the winter. But come spring, get rid of the bag and other winter gear to improve fuel economy and free up space.

Wipe Down the Entry

Scrub door sills to keep your pants clean, and dust off any nooks overlooked during a car wash. Rub door seals with mineral oil or utilize silicone spray to keep them supple.

The qualified technicians at CARSTAR Arnold can give a detailed “spring cleaning” plan for any car or truck in Arnold, Imperial, Oakville, and Jefferson County, Missouri, incorporating paint touch-up, dent and scratch repair, and much more, all at reasonable prices.

Hail Damage FAQ

Warm weather tornadoes, floods and hail storms are working their way across the nation, leaving wrecked, soaked, dinged up and damaged vehicles in their wake.

 The experts at CARSTAR Arnold are ready to help.  During spring storms, they see countless vehicles damaged by falling trees, debris, wind, water, and hail. They provide the following advice to help car owners deal with spring storms – before and after.

Examine Your Coverage

The time to check out your car insurance policy is not when the weatherman is delivering bad news that storms are on the way.  Check out your policy now to understand what is protected, what the insurance deductibles are, if you've got rental coverage and how to handle it when the storm hits.

Complete coverage shields against most damage from disasters.  Two other choices to consider are gap coverage – which pays the difference between what you owe on your loan and what the vehicle is worth -- and rental reimbursement.

One warning – if you submitted an earlier damage claim and got a check from your insurance company, but didn’t have the car fixed – the insurance company will deduct this amount from your estimate for the weather damage, and charge an extra deductible, as well.

Protect Your Car

When you know that a storm is en route, get your motor vehicle to higher ground or under cover.  For hail storms, cover the car in an old blanket and a car cover from your local automotive retailer – prior to when the storm hits.  This will give you some protection for your hood, roof, and rear decklid. If a storm comes up quickly, try to find an awning at a gas station, the drive-through at the bank or self-serve car wash to get underneath for fast protection. On the freeway, seek out cover under a bridge or viaduct.

Should you fall victim to a hail storm, take a peek at these frequently asked questions about handling hail damage:

1.   Exactly how much Time Must I allow for a Hail estimation?
A typical hail estimate necessitates 30-45 minutes. During this time, the estimator follows a systematic structure of distinguishing severity and quantity of dents on all panels. On top of that, the estimator communicates with you to answer all questions you have about the repair and obtains all accurate vehicle information.

2.   Why is a clean car important?
A clean car allows the estimator to observe clearly the damage. Dust and dirt can often mask damage, creating incorrect estimates and delays in the repair process.

3.   What goes on during the estimate process?
During the estimate process, your estimator will greet you and then will drive your vehicle into the estimating bay. Then, they evaluate the car, taking record of the scope of the hail damage as well as the extent and amount of dents. The estimate is then finished and examined with you, and you will be given a printed copy of the estimation.

4.   So what does pre-loss condition indicate?
Throughout the hail estimation procedure, any non-hail damage will be noted. The condition of the vehicle, including this damage, is considered the pre-loss condition of the automobile. Any damage that isn't hail-related will not be covered on the repair.

During the time of the estimate, pictures will be taken of the vehicle and any of these conditions will be mentioned in the estimate.

5.   How do I schedule my vehicle for repair?
In the course of your estimation, you will be asked when you would like to schedule your automobile for repairs. During a typical hail storm, a huge number of cars sustain damages, thus, it may possibly be several weeks before your scheduled visit. CARSTAR Arnold of Arnold, MO will work with you to find out the ideal repair time following your estimate.

6.   What is a supplement?
Supplements are added operations or parts required to complete the repair of the motor vehicle that exceed the primary estimate. In some circumstances, the original estimate is inadequate to perform the repairs. When a vehicle is dropped off for repairs, an additional inspection is done to determine if all the damage was documented for repair. If all the damage was found and written on the original estimate, no supplement is needed. However, if some damage was neglected on the original estimate a “supplement” is needed to document the necessary operations or parts needed to effectively repair the vehicle.

If a supplement is required, it may extend the period of time required to repair your vehicle. The supplement will be explained to you and an altered pick up date will be given.

7.   What's Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)?
Paintless Dent Repair is a specialized and meticulous process for returning dents to their initial shape without having to paint any part of the automobile. The primary process for PDR necessitates the technician to push and massage every dent in an extremely technical and precise fashion. For this, each dent is worked back to its original shape with different metal rods ranging in shape and size. The dents are worked from the underside of the metal using access points on every panel. It's a extremely specialized and precise method that requires the finished metal to look like it came from the original factory.

8.   What is conventional auto body repair?
Traditional body repair often replaces the panels on an automobile and needs painting to match the factory finish. In many cases, hail damage is so severe that conventional body shop methods are needed to repair specific panels. If there are too many dents or too many big dents, a panel might not be capable of being repaired with PDR.

9.   What does R and I mean?
R and I is an phrase that is short for Remove and Install. Whenever a car begins the repair procedure, an R and I technician loosens, and often removes, the interior panels and parts to allow for access to the underside of the metal panel. When the PDR repairs get finished, this technician replaces the parts and re-installs the interior panels (such as the headliner and hood liner). CARSTAR Arnold has a quality assurance system to ensure that all parts are replaced properly so that your automobile is returned to you in the same condition that we received it, without dents, of course.

While the car is in the shop, it’s a great time to have other dents and dings fixed.  It will be more affordable and your motor vehicle will ultimately benefit.

For even more tips on handling an accident or having your automobile fixed after a crash, visit www.auto-body-arnold-mo.com. CARSTAR Arnold, serving Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO offers high-quality, trustworthy repair service all over the USA and Canada.

Nationwide Warranty? You Bet!

You can trust your car repair to CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair, and know that we stand behind our work with a CARSTAR Limited Five Year Nationwide Warranty* on eligible repairs – everywhere you and the vehicle go. If you move from the Arnold, MO area to a different city or happen to be traveling, you're protected and if perchance there's not a CARSTAR close by, we will locate a convenient location to honor the warranty.

Your fixed car or truck may also be insured by a Lifetime Warranty. If you accepted a Lifetime Warranty from CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair whenever they repaired the automobile and you experience any problems with the repairs during normal vehicle use, you can return it to our CARSTAR location.

CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair is devoted to making certain that you get all the tools that you need to keep on the road. With offers like our Limited Five Year Nationwide Warranty and our Lifetime Warranty our company is trying to make sure that you know how proud we are of the work that we perform and how dedicated we are to ensuring that you return to CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair for all of your automobile repair needs in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO.

*Please make reference to the official CARSTAR Warranty Document for specific coverage and excluded items.