Five Maintenance Procedures Your Car Cannot Do Without

People tend to hop into their cars without thinking about all of the things that could be going wrong under the hood. However, you can’t understate the importance of keeping your car in tip-top shape. CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO, as top quality auto repair experts, want you to know about these five auto service items you shouldn’t skip.

Oil Changes

Oil is the lifeblood of a healthy car. Most people know that they have to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but don’t forget that you should also examine your oil level every 1,000 miles just to make sure that everything is as it should be.

Keep your oil changed. It is the easiest thing to overlook and ignore but the most crucial thing anyone can do. We at CARSTAR Arnold see a lot of worn engine parts because of the lack of oil changes.

Tire Maintenance

Properly maintained tires enhance your vehicle's steering, stopping, and traction. Tire pressure ought to be set to the manufacturer’s specifications, which can usually be found in the owners' manual, on a sticker inside fuel filler door, or on the door well of the driver's side door.

It’s vital that you keep your tires inflated to the pressure that is recommended by the manufacturer of the car. Proper inflation keeps your tires wearing properly. Over- or under-inflated wears tires out faster, can negatively affect fuel consumption, and present a safety hazard. Get your tires rotated and balanced every 6,000-8,000 miles and get the alignment checked at least once a year to make sure there are not suspension problems.

Fluids

Checking the other fluids in your vehicle is also very important. Of course, we have already covered how you need to have the oil changed regularly. When you do that, also check all of the fluids including the transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant. Flush the transmission fluid around every 50,000 miles.

Brake Check

A brake inspection should be part of your vehicle’s ongoing regular maintenance to guarantee safety and reliability. Have your brakes inspected at least once per year or more often if you experience grinding, vibrations, or shaking when you brake. Regardless of the automobile, brakes usually need to be replaced every 20,000-30,000 miles.

Scheduled Maintenance

Failure to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule may lead to loss of warranty coverage, breakdowns, poor fuel economy, and an increased cost of ownership in the long run. Having a certified professional examine your automobile according to these schedules is an opportunity to catch troubles before they get you stuck or turn into bigger repairs.

Build a relationship with an auto body shop. Moving from shop to shop might save a few bucks on certain jobs, but ultimately the only one who'll have any responsibility for the shape of the vehicle will be you. Having a reputable auto body shop you trust means you having somebody looking beneath the hood for any possible problems on a regular basis. A good mechanic, who's familiar with your needs, your expectations, and your car, will help you get the most from the car.

If you're in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, or St. Louis, MO area and do not already have a regular auto body mechanic, think about taking your vehicle to CARSTAR Arnold. They help countless drivers like you keep their automobiles in top performance shape.

Avoiding Staged Auto Body Claims

Staged auto body accidents are becoming increasingly popular, endangering the lives and boosting the auto insurance rates of innocent drivers who may unknowingly think they're at fault. Questionable claims from staged accidents increased 46.3 percent from 2007 through 2009, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, or NICB, a nonprofit agency in Des Plaines, Illinois, funded by 1,100 property and casualty insurance providers nationwide to fight auto insurance fraud and automobile theft. Here are some ideas from CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO based on information from the NICB. If you have an auto body accident in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, or St. Louis, MO, you will be glad that you were prepared with this important auto body repair info.

Auto insurance fraud added $4.8 billion to $6.8 billion to auto injury claim payments in 2007, based on the Insurance Research Council's November 2008 study "Fraud and Buildup in Auto Injury Insurance Claims: 2008 Edition." NICB investigations in Florida, New York, and California uncovered sophisticated, multistate rings that included the staged accident participants and doctors, chiropractors, lawyers, and even auto body shop owners that profited from the car insurance scam.

Multiple claims for one accident

One common element runs though the majority of staged accidents. The "victim" vehicle will contain three to four passengers who will file medical claims against the victim's auto insurance company in addition to a car damage claim. Stagers often target younger ladies and older adult drivers as they enter or exit a shopping mall or parking garage. If you're talking on a cell phone or appear otherwise distracted while driving, you're a perfect mark.

There'll be somebody sitting there at the curb and you pull up and they'll wave you on by. The next thing you know, you're getting blocked and then getting clobbered. Do not always assume that it was an accident; it may very well have been intentional.

Avoiding a staged accident

Here are six tricks from CARSTAR Arnold on how to avoid becoming a victim of a staged accident:

• Avoid tailgating. Recognize the "swoop and squat" scenario in which a motorist suddenly swoops in front of you then slams on his or her brakes, and leave plenty of distance between you and the car before you in case the driver slams on his brakes.
• Call the cops even if damage is minimal. An Arnold, Missouri police report will make it more difficult for a stager to intentionally damage their car later to collect a bigger claim against your car insurance company.
• Grab a camera or use your cell phone to photograph everything and everyone at the scene. Pay extra attention to the number of people in the other vehicle and the harm to both vehicles.
• Be wary of passers-by who just happen to arrive on the scene, especially if they offer to point you to a doctor, attorney, or tow-truck company. They might be part of the scam.
• Steer clear of tow-truck drivers that you did not call. They are generally part of this car insurance scheme.
• Be wary of doctors who insist that you file a personal injury claim following an accident, especially if you aren't hurt.

Although auto body fraud is a very real concern, lots of auto body accidents aren't anything more than accidents. In either case, consider taking your vehicle to CARSTAR Arnold, which serves the people of Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, and St. Louis, MO.

Finding The Best Place For Auto Body Repair

If you have been in a car accident, it’s crucial that you know that auto body shops only sometimes have your interests in mind. Sadly, some auto body shops will routinely downplay claims, minimize auto repair costs, use cheap parts, or even fail to fully repair problems. These practices can devalue your automobile and give you even worse problems down the road.

Here are a few fundamental principles from CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO on things to look for when choosing an auto body shop, and tips on how to be a proactive participant in your car’s auto body repair to make sure that it comes out looking great and costing you no more than necessary.

Research Before You Repair

Angieslist.com, Yelp.com, and Google reviews are useful sources to get a sense of an auto body shop’s quality based on customer reviews, but take the online reviews with a dose of skepticism. You will want to pay attention to well written, thought-out reviews – not nasty one-liners, because even the best businesses can end up with an unsatisfied customer every so often. You may even be able to find discussion forums specific to your vehicle’s make and model where forum members can suggest good auto body shops in your community.

Choose an Auto Body Shop with a Warranty

Some auto body shops offer their own independent warranties on their repairs for fit, finish, functionality, and overall quality. Request to see their warranty and ask some questions about it prior to agreeing to work with a given auto body shop and make certain it does not have a time frame. A good auto body shop will offer a lifetime warranty. CARSTAR Arnold offers such a warranty for the people of Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, and St. Louis, MO.

Keep Your Existing Manufacturer Warranties Intact

Ask your chosen auto body shop if any mechanical repairs will nullify or change any existing warranties you may have on your new or recently purchased automobile. Factory warranties on engines and accessories might be compromised if your automobile needs mechanical repairs after a collision, so make sure your car’s factory warranty is not being compromised with aftermarket parts, or repairs that otherwise aren’t manufacturer-approved.

If your insurer is trying to “mandate” aftermarket or used parts that will void your factory warranty, demand that the insurer give you a written warranty exactly the same as your factory warranty. Nine times out of ten they’ll just pay for original parts, rather than giving you the runaround.

Get More Than One Estimate

It is best to get estimates from a number of different auto body shops. After your first estimate, show their estimate to the second shop and the third shop, and ask how they match up against the first auto body shop’s quote. You may find that one or the other is skipping over a lot of important items. Don’t merely compare the final estimated cost, since one auto body shop may be quoting for an entirely different method of repair than the other. You’ll want an auto body shop that's both thorough and friendly.

Do Not Be Willing To Settle

Do not settle for anything less than totally new factory-original parts for your vehicle, and be sure to let the auto body shop know it. Of course, there are some jurisdictions where auto body shops can opt to utilize aftermarket or used parts, but those are generally not the way to go. Look at the work closely to make sure that your vehicle was restored to original condition by the parts used, or you have the right to ask for new parts. The shop managers should have no doubt that you are not willing to settle and that you want nothing but top-quality work. If you do not tell them that you won’t settle, there might be shoddy work done on your vehicle. That is why you need to look for qualities like thoroughness and friendliness in every auto body shop you consider.

Make Sure Everything Is Written Down

It used to be that you could trust people to live up to their word. Sadly, that’s just not the case anymore. There are key phrases that insurance adjusters and auto body shop people like to throw around like “totally cover the rental car,” “restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition,” and even “pay for everything.” Those words sound really great, but you will want to make sure that those kinds of things are all in writing. If you are talking to an insurance adjuster over the phone, follow up with an email so that you have a written record of what was promised by all parties involved. That will also make sure that everything is clear for everyone so all parties are on the same page. If you end up having to appeal a decision or call someone out for a broken promise, you will be glad that you got it all in writing.

These are only a few of the precautions that you ought to take whenever it comes to your next car repair. After all, your car is the second-largest investment you will make after your house, why not ensure that it is repaired right? If you've got any more questions about auto body repair or would like an estimate, get a hold of CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO to get the answers you need.

Auto Body Repair Basics For Your Next Collision

Automobile accidents are a regrettable fact of life for many people in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, and St. Louis, MO. With scores of drivers on the road each day, a lot of them preoccupied by telephone calls, messy burritos, bad weather, or sleep deficiency, collisions are inevitable. Thankfully, the majority of accidents are relatively minor and no one gets injured.

But a minor accident can significantly damage the outside of your vehicle. Areas like the fenders and doors are especially prone to damage.

While it's generally the insurance company's job to get your automobile patched up and back on the road when this occurs, there are some things you should know in order to make certain that your vehicle is correctly fixed. Here’s some of the top auto body repair tips from the collision professionals, Carstar Arnold in Arnold, Missouri.

1. You can choose the auto body shop

It is true that your insurance provider could refer you to an auto body shop that they like. However, do not forget that you have the right to ultimately decide on where your vehicle is taken for its repair. You can’t really demonize auto body shops that the insurance provider recommends because most are really fine shops. There are a couple of bad ones out there that might do shoddy work. Those kinds of shops will reach out to the insurance people by promising to cut costs, but unfortunately they cut corners as well when it comes to the repair. Do not simply trust an auto body shop because it is the one that the insurance company told you to go to.

2. Avoid aftermarket parts

When you take your car in for auto body repair following a collision, you should inquire about the replacement parts which are utilized by the auto body shop. Auto body shops may use new original parts, used parts, or aftermarket parts. While used parts were made by your vehicle manufacturer and work as well as new original parts, aftermarket parts are often cheap imitations with inferior quality. These parts can corrode, rattle, and ultimately diminish your vehicle's value.

3. Carefully examine paint match

More often than not, you see vehicles on the road with body panels that do not match in color. Matching a newly painted body panel to the rest of your car is a difficult challenge, and quite often there can be a large, obvious difference in shade. When you pick up your automobile from the auto body shop, ask which panels are original and which ones were painted. Step back ten feet from the automobile and see if there's a difference in color. If there's, there may be additional paint work required to get a better match.

4. Check warning lights

After an accident, there are some warning lights that may turn on in your dashboard. These can include the airbag light, the low coolant light, the check engine light, and others. Whenever you pick up your finished automobile, make sure all of the issues have been corrected and none of the lights are illuminated. Illuminated lights can indicate that your automobile's on-board computer may need to be reprogrammed, or that particular electrical components need replacement.

Auto body repair is something that everybody in a collision needs to know about. If you'd like to find out more about this worthwhile subject, or if you would like auto body repair in Arnold, MO, visit CARSTAR Arnold.

Hail Damage Repair: Can You Really Do It Yourself?

A lot of people think that you can just take care of hail damage by yourself with no knowledge, tools, or experience. The internet is fraught with videos lauding the virtue of all kinds of home remedies, including hair dryers and dry ice. It should come as no surprise that so many people want to find the easy way out when it comes to hail damage dent repair. After all, even little dents in your new car can be detrimental for its value.

Sadly, the truth is they simply do not work. The men and women at CARSTAR Arnold have broken these DIY methods down one by one for you. CARSTAR Arnold would like the folks in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, and St. Louis, MO to understand that there is not always an easy DIY solution for hail damage.

Sun Exposure

Some sources will tell you just parking your vehicle in sunny areas will cause the heat of the sun to remove the dents. Common sense most likely tells you that this will not solve your hail damage problem, and it won’t. Nevertheless, wikihow claims that one week of parking in warm sunlight will solve 90% of hail damage. Of course if this were the case there would be much less call for dry ice, hair dryers, and of course, professional dent repair.

Hair Dryers

This brings us to the hair dryer method. The idea is to apply additional heat the simple sun exposure cannot provide. Understand that as you apply heat you must watch to ensure you don't damage your car’s paint any further; if you see any discoloration, stop right away.

Dry Ice

You will read that dry ice can bang out the small yet significant dents caused by hail. Most sources will tell you to warm the area first with a hair dryer and then cool it quickly with the dry ice. It's this quick temperature change and the succeeding constriction of the metal which allegedly “bangs” the dent out of the metal. However, if you get this result at all, it won't be complete; you'll almost certainly be left with partial hail damage.

Dent Repair Kit

Now, presumably for the remaining damage which has not succumbed to the sun, your hair dryer, or solid carbon dioxide, you can take your chances with a dent repair kit. These include a tool for bumping in metal and a glue gun; sadly they can't impart any professional skill or expertise to whoever might be wielding them. Therefore you should use these with caution and do not try them with any larger dents or damage. It's also wise to realize that whenever you use a dent repair kit yourself you risk making the problem worse.

Leave It To The Pros

So, if nothing else really works and you’re stuck, must you go to an auto body shop? Maybe; in the end it is your call, but at least you know the damage will be fixed properly if you go to a professional. Will it cost you an arm and a leg? Not necessarily. A lot depends on the methods used. So how do auto body shops repair dents in the St. Louis, Missouri area then? There are numerous methods.

Remove and Replace

If the damage is serious and the parts which have been damaged are bolted on and can be easily removed, the remove and replace method might be the simplest way to go. In this case the parts in question are simply replaced.

Paintless Dent Repair

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is often used to fix hail damage. In this process the technician goes behind the dent with tools to massage out the dent leaving the paint surface intact. This technique demands a lot of practice and specified tools, so it is really not recommended for the do-it-yourselfer. It's especially effective for parts not easily replaced, such as roofs and quarter panels. Of all the professional techniques, it is the most cost effective. Actually, in locales where damaging hail is a frequent occurrence, it is the repair method most popular with insurance companies.

Finish Glazing

This strategy is good for little hail damage and is an alternative to PDR. Some people try this at home, outside the professional auto body shop; make sure you know what you are doing before you do.

The main advantage of this method is that you do not have to sand the paint all the way down to the metal; instead, you just sand it coarsely so that the glaze putty adheres properly. A related benefit is that the protective anti-corrosion coat from the factory is not removed during the repair because the paint is not sanded all the way down to the metal. Though of course this method is utilized to make repairs, other than the hail damage at issue your paint surface should be in good shape for this technique to work well.

Here’s how this process works. First, whoever is fixing the damage will have to clean the damaged areas well to locate all of the hail damage. The next task is to sand the damaged areas, generally using one hundred eighty grit paper on a dual-action sander. This step makes certain that the glaze adheres well to the car’s surface. After the sanding, it is best to use compressed air to blow all debris from the repair areas. Next, the surface should be cleaned again, this time with degreaser and wax. At this point it is time to apply a slim coat of the finish glaze to fix the small points of damage. Next comes another sanding session, with 150 or 180 grit paper on the dual-action sander. Lastly, the repair is done, and it is time to prime, block, and paint the freshly-repaired areas. Clearly, this is not a simple fix, but it looks good.

Traditional Repair with Body Filler

This technique is very very similar to the finish glazing technique with just a couple of exceptions. The primary difference is that you do need to remove the paint to the metal, and that your grind should be really coarse. Clearly anti-corrosion coating is an issue under these conditions. Very big dents cannot be repaired this way.

Traditional Heat Repair

For automobiles with larger dents and older cars made of thicker metal this is the method your auto body shop will have to go with. This technique utilizes heat, usually an oxyacetylene torch, to raise the metal. The technician heats up the metal surrounding the dent in a spiral motion working from the outside moving inwards; this will raise the metal. Next, to relax the metal, the technician taps with a hammer. Finally, he or she tests the metal to determine if it is level to check if the dent is gone. After the metal cools, it's time to feather edge the paint, prime, block, and paint the metal again.

The primary advantages here are that this method is the only one that works well for thicker metals and larger dents, and that for competent technicians it's quick and fast. It also gets rid of the filler and sanding filler steps. However, as most auto body shops will warn you, newer vehicles aren't always able to take this method because they are made of thin metals that can warp.

The Bottom Line

Unless you really know what you’re doing, fixing hail damage is no easy feat. The good news is that hail damage repair is probably covered by your insurance. Because average hail damage repairs range between $2,500 and $3,500, and can often go much higher, it's well worth making a claim for the repair. If you would like a professional opinion on your hail dented automobile, go to CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri. They have got plenty of experience using all of the latest dent repair methods.

A Step-By-Step Look At Paintless Dent Removal

Paintless Dent Removal, or PDR, has been becoming more and more popular because more people are finding it to be an effective and affordable alternative to getting small repairs done with more conventional methods. PDR provides a much better value than traditional dent repair methods and is a great way to tend to the condition of your vehicle’s exterior economically. Here’s a glance at how CARSTAR Arnold utilizes PDR to repair vehicles in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, and St. Louis, MO.

What's Paintless Dent Removal?

Conventional dent repair fills auto body dents in with paint or auto body filler, which is then matched to the rest of the vehicle’s exterior. While this process can make a vehicle look as good as new, it doesn’t address the actual dent in a way that is a sustainable, long-term solution. It's also time-consuming, expensive, and may affect the re-sale value of the automobile.

With paintless dent removal, there are not any fillers and there is no sanding. PDR is an earth friendly repair method that restores your vehicle’s body to factory-like condition in a fraction of the time at a fraction of the price. PDR can be used to get rid of dings and dents from cars in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, Festus, and St. Louis, MO, as well as auto body creases and hail damage. CARSTAR Arnold technicians use PDR to safely restore automobiles to their original factory condition without compromising a vehicle’s original painted finish, or a consumer’s pocketbook.

The PDR Process

Assess the Damage

The initial step to any repair procedure is to gauge the damage. Where is the dent? How large is the dent? How can we get to the dent? After evaluating the damage, and deciding how it can be effectively removed through PDR (as 80-90% of all dents are), we prepare the spot around the dent for the repair. Especially with hail damage, special equipment must be used to find all of the dents that might not be noticeable to the naked eye.

Gain Access to the Dent

Typically, PDR requires you to access the back side of the dent, which means cautiously removing body panels, tail lights, or in some instances, interior panels. To do PDR, you need a pathway to the dent.

Once we have access to a dent, it is time to perform the PDR repair. This is where the accuracy and expertise of our trained technicians comes into play.

Get A Better Look at the Dent

CARSTAR Arnold uses a special light board to offer our technician a better look at the offending dent from their point-of-view. The special lights allow us to get a clear look at all of the dent or dents so that nothing is overlooked.

Apply Slow Pressure to Work out the Dent

Special tools are then used to carefully massage the surface back to its original position.

Paintless dent removal is quicker, cheaper, and more effective than traditional methods in most cases. That is why you ought to go to CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, Missouri to deal with hail damage or other dents that could show up on your vehicle.

Be A Summer-Ready Driver

Summer's heat, dust, and stop-and-go traffic will take their toll on your motor vehicle. Add the effects of last winter, and you may be poised for a breakdown. You can reduce the probability of auto mechanical problems with regular maintenance. By taking the recommendations of CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO, your vehicle will last for much longer and command an increased resale price, as well!

Many of the tips below are simple to do; others call for a qualified auto technician.

Air Conditioning

A marginally operating system will fail in hot weather. Have the system checked out by a qualified technician in the St. Louis, MO area. Newer models have cabin air filters that clean the air entering the heating and air conditioning system. Check your owner's manual for location and replacement interval.

Cooling System

The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is overheating. The engine cooling system ought to be totally flushed and refilled about every 24 months. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant ought to be examined periodically. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is usually suggested. DIYers, never take off the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled off! The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses ought to be inspected by a professional like those at CARSTAR Arnold.

Oil

Many factors affect how often you need to switch out your oil and oil filter. The standard rule of thumb is every 3,000 miles, but some of the factors that might make you need to switch out your oil include making lots of short trips, making big trips with a lot of weight, or hauling a heavy trailer.

Engine Performance

This may sound like a daunting task, but it is actually very easy to take some simple steps to keep your engine working properly. The biggest thing that you can do besides oil changes is replace the filters. PCV, fuel, and air filters all have to be switched out every once in a while, particularly in dusty environments. Also do not forget to have an auto body shop immediately take care of funny noises and feelings, like hard starts, reduced power, stalling, and turbulent idling.

Windshield Wipers

It’s a bad idea have a dirty windshield. That could lead to eye fatigue after long trips on the road and ultimately it’s a safety hazard. Get rid of your blades when they get worn out and do not forget to keep plenty of windshield washer solvent on hand.

Lights

You’re going to want to keep your lenses clean of dirt and insects by cleaning them regularly. Don’t use a dry rag because that could actually scratch the lens. And do not forget to check all of the bulbs regularly to make sure that they are not burnt out.

Tires

Getting your tires rotated every five thousand miles to assure even rotation on them. Be sure to check your tire pressure every month. Also, when the weather gets colder, check them before you drive too far. Also, regularly inspect your spare tire and jack. Look for uneven wear on your tires, cupping, and tread life. Look for lacerations in the sidewalls. You should get your tires realigned if you discover uneven tread wearing or whenever your car pulls over to the side.

Brakes

Brakes should be inspected as recommended in your manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, grabbing, noises, or longer stopping distance. Even minor brake problems ought to be corrected promptly.

Battery

Batteries can fail any time of year. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. Routine care: Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; re-tighten all connections. If battery caps are detachable, check the fluid level monthly. Avoid exposure to corrosive deposits and battery acid. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.

Emergencies

Carry some fundamental tools — ask a technician for suggestions. Also include a first aid kit, flares, and a flashlight.