Caring For Your Vehicle’s Interior

The cleanliness of your vehicle’s interior is just as important as its exterior. A well-kept interior adds quality to your driving ability and gives the ultimate in comfort and safety. Cleansing the exterior can be as simple as a swift trip through the car wash or hand-applying car wash, wax, detailer, and other car exterior cleaning products. The interior of the automobile is a different story because if you would like to keep it clean, you really have to work at it. Here are some tips from Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois for keeping your vehicle’s interior neat and clean.

Vacuuming

The vacuum could be simply the single best tool for keeping your car’s interior clean and disinfected. Not only is it an effective way to get rid of the dirt and debris from under your floor mats to the top of your seats, it's a fantastic way to get rid of the filth that has collected in all the various nooks and crannies of your automobile. For ideal results, get in there with a high-powered vacuum that has a hose and attachments so you're able to clear out every cranny. A coin operated vacuum cleaner at a car wash is a great place to start. A quick note about vacuuming car floor mats: remove them from the automobile and shake them out to remove excess dirt prior to vacuuming.

Fabric Upholstery

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

Leather Upholstery

If your automobile has leather seats, try to keep them looking their very best because stained, ripped, and cracked seats, in addition to being unsightly, might also hurt the resale value of your vehicle. A vacuum can, and should, be used 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 (in addition to a leather conditioner to protect them).

Dashboard

Although you may not notice it all that frequently because you’re busy looking at the road whenever you drive around Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, or Highland, Illinois, the dashboard can gather its fair share of grit and dust. In addition to vacuuming, utilizing a microfiber dust cloth on the dashboard is a wonderful way to get it looking good again. Once it’s been cleaned, utilizing a protectant on the dashboard will help to prevent fading, cracking, and peeling. These protectants also aid in preserving the color of your interior against the sun and its destructive rays. The steering wheel counts as a part of the dashboard so you should put some protectant thereon as well. If you've passed the point of no return as it applies to fading, cracking, and peeling dash, seats, or steering wheel, it might be the right thing to acquire a dash cover, steering wheel cover, or seat cover.

Windows

The windows of your vehicle are maybe the most crucial part of your interior to keep clean. After all, clean windows make for better visibility. Eliminating all the various smudges, fingerprints, and even paw prints – if you have a dog who frequently rides with you – will help you see much better while making your car or truck simply look great. Some glass cleaners even provide a water repellent formula that beads and wisps away water, enabling better visibility. Just make sure you use something that won’t leave behind streaks. Newspaper can really be handy in this instance. It is vital to understand that certain 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 unit on your auto glass rendering your windshield defrosters worthless.

Trunk

You must be thinking, the trunk? What does it matter if the trunk is messy? Nobody sits in there. From a totally aesthetic standpoint, having a messy trunk isn’t an issue. However, did you know having a messy trunk can affect your vehicle’s fuel economy? Keeping items in there when you are driving all over Maryville, IL can add weight to your automobile, which causes the engine to work harder when you drive, thus using up more fuel. If you do not absolutely need to carry something around in your trunk on a given day, it should be empty. Your budget will thank you. Admittedly we realize that there are times when trunk storage is going to be needed. When this occurs, Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center recommends keeping your vehicle’s trunk organized, granting you quick access to the items you'll need.

Organize

Now that you’re squeaky clean, make sure that your automobile is orderly. Organizing your vehicle keeps out the clutter, making interior upkeep much easier. Car organization items are made with function in mind and are best for those of us who bring items with us while traveling. If you keep items in your trunk, a trunk organizer may be the best solution for you. Items like visor organizers, dash caddies, and seat organizers keep the mess in check while permitting you to quickly and easily vacuum up debris.

If you have any other questions relating to car maintenance, auto body repair, or driving safety, come to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois and we’d be glad to help get you back on the right track.

Emergency Numbers You Want To Have

These days, you can keep practically all of your computer information on your mobile phone – from your whole music collection to the hottest dog-riding-a-skateboard video clip. You can also utilize your mobile phone as a safety net in case there is an emergency. Because Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois cares about your safety on the road, we'd like for you to take five minutes right this moment to tap these important numbers into your contact list so you'll be prepared if something happens.

ICE − This number, which stands for "in case of emergency," ought to be your emergency contact – a mother or father, loved one, trusted friend, or whomever you want advised if something happens to you. Many emergency responders and hospital personnel know to find this number.

Home − Your home phone number, if you've got one. If someone else finds your misplaced cellular phone, he or she can call this number to let you know your phone is intact. Emergency personnel may also try it as another number if there is no answer at the ICE number when you have a car wreck.

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

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

Auto Body Shop − Should you need auto body collision repair, it is best to have a shop picked before the fact. Take a little time to check out auto body shops and find the one that you prefer to use. If you are living in Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, and Highland, Illinois, consider choosing Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center.

A Word About 911 and Cell Phones

Even though technology continues to improve, many wireless phones do not give you a way to ascertain a caller's location. If you call 911 in an emergency, make sure to mention your location, your phone number, and what has happened.

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois hopes that you will keep these guidelines in mind as you plan for the next time you're driving. If you have any questions regarding driving safety, auto body repair, or collision repair services, visit their website today to get additional information.

Tips On Being Stranded In Snow

Winter is a phenomenal time of year in Maryville, Collinsville, Troy, Glen Carbon, and Highland, Illinois, especially when a fresh layer of snow covers everything. Winter can also be a rather hazardous time of the year. If you plan on traveling during the long cold winter, it is good to be completely prepared for winter driving and to have winter car supplies in your automobile. Regrettably, being stranded on the side of the road in severe winter conditions isn't unheard of. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois has provided these guidelines to help you in case you ever find yourself in that situation.

Should You Be Marooned While Driving In Winter:

1.   Call 911. If you've got access to a mobile phone, call 911 to get help. When you talk to authorities, be ready to:

• Describe the location, condition of your fellow travelers and the difficulty you're experiencing.
• Listen for questions.
• Follow any instruction. You may be told you need to stay where you are to guide rescuers or to return to the scene.
• Don't hang up until you know whom you have spoken with and what'll happen next.

2.   Stay in your vehicle. Walking in a storm could be very risky. You can easily lose your way, wander out of reach, become worn out, collapse, and risk your life. Your car or truck itself is a great shelter.
3.   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 another injury.
4.   Calm down and think. The storm will end and you will be discovered. Don't work enough to get hot and sweaty. Wet clothing depletes insulation quality making you more vulnerable to the effects of hypothermia.
5.   Keep clean air in the automobile. It is a lot better to be chilly or cold and conscious than to be comfortably warm and slip into unconsciousness. Freezing-wet or wind driven St. Louis area snow might plug your vehicle's exhaust system causing dangerous carbon monoxide gas to enter your car.
6.   Do not run the engine unless you're certain the exhaust pipe is free from snow or other objects. Keep your radiator free from snow to prevent the engine from getting hot. Run the engine at ten minute intervals for heat.
7.   Switch on the dome light after dark, but only when running the engine.
8.   Keep your blood circulating freely by slackening tight clothing, changing positions frequently, and moving your legs and arms. Huddle close to each other. Rub your hands together or put them under your armpits or between your legs. Take off your shoes occasionally and massage your feet.
9.   Don't expect to be comfortable. The goal is to survive until you're found.
10.   Make yourself noticeable to rescuers. Tie a bright cloth to your antenna or door handle.

When you get free from danger, your motor vehicle may have some cosmetic or internal damage. If so, think about taking your automobile to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, IL. They have auto body experts ready to take care of any damage that your car might have incurred.

Tips For Something You Might Be A Little Foggy On

Driving in fog is regarded as the most dangerous weather hazard, especially if it is really dense fog or combined with other adverse weather conditions. Foggy conditions are the biggest reason behind big multi-car pile ups. Nevertheless, there are certain things you can do to reduce your chance of a crash. These tips, given by Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center, will help you to be safer on foggy Maryville, Illinois streets.

Stay Slow

During heavy fog, a very terrifying thing happens to people as they're driving. They unintentionally accelerate! Of course, we are all aware that speeding up in fog is the worst thing to do, but fog creates an optical illusion. While you look out your car window, your body perceives that you're driving really slowly. 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 absolutely the most dangerous aspect of traveling in fog. Make a mindful effort to look 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 headlights on when driving in foggy conditions in order to avoid a nasty auto body repair bill. Your daytime running lights aren’t adequate. Some people turn their lights off as they feel their headlights are blinding them from reflecting off the fog, but you essentially become a “ghost car” when this occurs. Your headlights aren’t so you can see better, it is so other people can see you! If your car is equipped with fog lights, utilize those too. When driving in fog, it’s extremely important to stay visible to others.

Forget The High Beams

Don't ever utilize your high beam headlights in foggy conditions. Your high beam headlights reflect off of the water vapor and in fact lower your visibility. You may feel that your low beam headlights are going to do the exact same thing, but again, keep them on. It’s the most effective way for you to be noticed.

Follow The Lines

When driving in fog in the St. Louis area, it is a good idea to follow the lines on the road with your eyes. This is the best way to make sure you stay in your lane. Motorists are normally attracted to lights, and subconsciously, will drive in the direction of lights. So it is better to watch the lines to ensure you're driving within your lane. Just make sure you aren’t fixating. You want to keep eyes moving.

Increase Your Following Distance

A safe following distance is crucial in fog. Many drivers tend to “bunch up” during foggy conditions since they feel it is easier to see. Traveling in fog is scary, but now isn't the time to follow too close. That’s one of several big reasons sizeable pile-up’s come about.

When You Stop

On occasion, foggy conditions become too thick to drive safely. If you’re going above your comfort zone, it could be best to stop until the fog lifts. Just don't forget – this is definitely a dangerous situation! If you cannot see, neither can anyone else. Try to get as far off of the road as possible. Pull into a driveway, parking lot, rest area, side street, or some other place where you can escape 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 on 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 may believe you are driving on the roadway and rear-end you. Ensure that your foot is off the brake pedal, and don't use your flashers. Keep all your lights off. If there is shelter nearby, try to get there quickly. If not, stay in your car or truck and remain buckled up.

Dense fog normally does not last a very long time. The fog may not completely go away, but stopping for a while should buy you some time and permit the fog to lift a bit. Dense fog tends to migrate from area to area, unless you’re in a valley where fog has a tendency to settle. If the fog just worsens while you are parked, stay put. It’s not worth risking your life to go on. But never forget, when traveling in fog, stopping on the shoulder of the road should be a last option!

Dense Fog Is Generally Temporary

Under most “normal” weather conditions, dense fog is short-lived. Most frequently, you will encounter little patches of dense fog on mountain valleys, peaks, near moist open fields, and in the vicinity of bodies of water such as streams, rivers, and lakes. Whenever the atmosphere is particularly humid, you may even get patches of fog that seem to roam from one place to another. In the worst conditions, generally occurring at night or in early morning hours, the fog can be quite dense and cover a span of many miles. This is the most dangerous condition and is often cautioned by fog advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service. Whenever fog warnings or advisories are issued, simply do not drive (this is particularly true in fog warnings). It does not matter how good you and the other motorists on the roadway are, if you can’t see, you can’t possibly drive safely.

If you do end up having any sort of accident in foggy conditions, consider taking your motor vehicle to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center. They serve people all around Maryville, Collinsville, Troy, Glen Carbon, and Highland, Illinois with high quality auto body repairs.

Avoiding A Deer Disaster

Throughout October, November, and December, deer-related accidents make up a large amount of the auto body repair work we complete at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, IL.

Accidents involving deer are likely to be more severe than the typical 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's even more important than usual to look up who you will use to repair the collision damage caused by a deer.

Why is Deer Collision Repair Different?

Many car accidents are minor, involving only bumpers or light cosmetic damage. Even though it is still important to use a top notch auto body shop for this sort of collision repair, the effects of a poor repair are generally limited to unpleasant appearance and diminished vehicle value.

Deer-related accidents, on the other hand, often require structural or unibody damage, cause airbags to deploy, and require repair or replacement of multiple panels. The paint refinishing needed in this sort of collision repair is also more complex, involving blending the paint on adjacent panels to guarantee an invisible repair. Major vehicle systems, like the engine, transmission, cooling, and electrical systems may also be impacted.

Get Your Collision Repair Job Done Correctly the First Time

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

Find An Auto Body Shop Now

Take time to choose an auto body shop before you have an accident. A little due diligence ahead of time can save you plenty of stress and money if your motor vehicle requires collision repair. Search for an auto body shop that has I-CAR and ASE certified technicians and utilizes up-to-date equipment. Check out the auto body shop’s reputation online as well.

If you are living in Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, or Highland, Illinois, Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center welcomes you to consider them as the right 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 rainfall all over the Metro East St. Louis, MO area, standing water and flooding is often an issue for motorists. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center offers these vital tips:

Don’t Drown Your Vehicle – High Water Dangers:

Heavy rains are generating enough water to flood area roadways. The depth of standing water in a storm may be deceiving. Drivers should not drive through standing water at any depth. Should you be driving on the road and encounter standing water, your best plan of action is to simply just turn the automobile around and avoid it entirely. Regardless of how familiar you may be with the road, don't drive through standing water—at any depth—as it might cause serious damage to your automobile. If a vehicle is driven through standing water, a driver risks flooding the motor, warping brake rotors, loss of power steering, or a short in the electric components of the automobile, all of which can be costly to fix.

Some Fast Flood Facts

1. Just one foot of water can “float” most motor vehicles.
2. Two feet of flowing water can sweep away most vehicles—including sports utility vehicles and pick-ups.
3. Repair prices for damage caused by driving through standing water may range from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars.
4. Don't try to start a car or truck that’s submerged.

How to proceed if your motor vehicle does get submerged:

- Before trying to start up a flood-damaged vehicle, contact a trustworthy auto mechanic like Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois and get an appointment to have them look at all readily accessible mechanical and electrical elements, and systems which contain fluids, for water contamination.
- Drain floodwater from corrupted components and systems, flush with clean water or a suitable solvent, and refill with new clean fluids of the proper kind.
- Look over, clean, and dry electrical system parts and connections.

Get A Grip – A Maryville, IL Guide to Wet Weather Techniques

Safe driving during heavy rain starts with good tire tread, firm brakes, and streak-free wipers. Wet weather driving tactics will help vehicle operators deal with reduced visibility and traction, steering, braking, and skid control.

- The easiest way to stop on a slippery surface if your automobile does not have antilock brakes is to use 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.
- Use your defroster to keep front and back windshields clear. On a cold day, move the heat control to “hot” and have the engine warm up before you turn on the defrosters and blowers. This will prevent moisture from collecting on the inside of the glass. If the glass gets foggy, open a window a little and turn the defroster fan to a greater speed. Use your air conditioner to lessen humidity.
- When you drive on wet roadways, mud and dirt splash on your headlights, lowering illumination by up to 90 percent. Stop every now and then during a long trip to clean up your headlights.
- When visibility is so restricted that you cannot 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 search for a protected area. If the roadside is your only option, pull off the road as far as you're able, ideally past the end of a guardrail. Cars parked at the side of the road are often struck by other motorists. Appreciate the constraints of decreased visibility and turn headlights off and emergency flashes on to warn other drivers.

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center, serving Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, and Highland, Illinois wants to be sure you are secure when you have to travel in potentially hazardous conditions. If your vehicle’s been immersed in floodwater, or if you just have other questions relating to safe driving, contact Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center at 618-345-4519.

Buying A Car With Hail Damage?

Hail damaged cars and trucks available for thousands underneath book value, “Steep discounts”. Could investing in a hail damaged automobile really be a bargain for you? Possibly. But there’s a couple of things that Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center would like to tell you before you decide to drive away. This article could help you save thousands and much frustration later on.

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

Does this mean there are not any great deals at a hail sale? Not necessarily. But you will need to be aware why that automobile is being sold with hail on it in the first place. Let’s cover the reasons, then look a little deeper.

Why dealers sell damaged cars

•   Car could not be fixed paintless
•   Expense of repair was too much
•   Car needed combination repair, or painting together with PDR

First, the vehicle couldn't be repaired using paintless dent repair. This is the situation with a lot of automobiles from Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, and Highland, Illinois . We can guarantee you this, every vehicle that can be repaired with paintless or PDR before sale, will be repaired.

Dents can be repaired by paintless to a certain point of damage. Too big, too deep, too severely stretched or worse yet, cracked paint, all are reasons paintless repair was not used. PDR works great for dents within the range of what is repairable, after that the only appropriate repair is with conventional auto body shop and paint. Paint damage and conventional repairs are expensive and time-consuming. Car dealers know it is best to sell a car as is than let it go to the auto body shop.

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

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

•   Get a quote in advance from a credible PDR company such as Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center.
•   Remember pictures don’t tell the actual story of hail damage. Just the worst type of dents will show up. If you notice it in a photo, it is much worse in person.
•   Be ready to walk off if you smell a rat. If your tummy is tingling, probably not a good deal.
•   Should you still want the vehicle, make certain you have the funds available to fix it.
•   Oh, and take what the salesman told you the repairs would cost and multiply it by 4.

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, IL is proud to offer you these guidelines to ensure that you're in the know whenever you purchase your next car or truck. If you opt to purchase a vehicle with hail damage, give consideration to taking it to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center for expert dent elimination at an affordable price.

Spring Cleaning for Your Car

Winter is the toughest season for automobiles, on account of salted streets, harsh temperature swings, potholes, ice, and neglect. Since spring is here, Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, IL is here to tell you that it’s time for you to wash away the grime and make your vehicle look like new.

Clean Out The Trash

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

Vacuum the Interior

You'll want to work from the top down, mainly because the law of 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 use a house or shop vac and a stiff tool like a screwdriver to work dirt out of 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 a minimum of one more time, moving to the carpet for the same task. Being exhaustive with the carpet is really important, as it can behave like a filthy, salty, damp rag that increases rusting. When you're done, pull the drain plugs under the flooring and let things air out for several days. You'll certainly be amazed at how much better your car smells.

Power-Wash the Floor Mats

The floor mats are unquestionably the parts of the inside 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 probably take two passes with a power washer to get all the salt and dirt out. Without having a power washer, Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center advises that you use one at a self service car wash. Let the mats dry out thoroughly before placing them back into the automobile or you could be begging for mold growth in the carpet.

Tip: Old Tool, New Trick

When cleaning out door and body drain holes, we've found out that the best way is to repurpose a plug-installation tool utilized in tire repair. Cut up an old shop rag or sock and put it into the slot of the tool exactly the way you would a tire plug. The set-up will make dragging out dirt and plant matter very easy, and the fabric scrap is very easily swapped out whenever it becomes grimy.

Ditch Winter Windshield Wipers

Wipers get beaten up pretty bad in the winter, and torn-up old wipers in a summertime rain storm will leave you blind.

Lube the Hinges

Hit every door, trunk, and hood hinge with white lithium grease to stop squeaks and early wear.

Clean the Windows

Ever notice how your windows fog up really bad during the course of damp spring weather? Part of that has to do with how filthy the interior of your windscreen is, but you are able to take steps to avoid this. First, wash your windows with a good car-window cleanser; the ammonia in household stuff makes the fogging even worse. Fog has a tougher time clinging to a clean surface, and you are able to go a step further by wiping down the inside of the glass with an antifogging agent.

Wash the Automobile

There are several intricacies. As with the interior, you need to clean the vehicle from the top down, rinsing regularly. Do not start at the rocker panels and proceed to the roof—it drags dirt about and scrapes the clear coat. When the body is clean, invest a few dollars at your neighborhood automatic car wash and get the underbody flushed. This will dislodge the road salt that's doing all it can to turn the underbody into Swiss cheese.

Replace the Cabin Air Filter

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

Do not forget the Trunk

Put in a bag of sand, gravel, or kitty litter to the trunk as ballast to improve traction in tricky conditions and to have something to throw beneath the tires when the automobile's stuck in the winter. But come spring, get rid of the bag and various 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 forgotten in a car wash. Wipe door seals with mineral oil or utilize silicone spray to ensure that they're supple.

The qualified technicians at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center can give an in-depth “spring cleaning” program for any car or truck in Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, and Highland, Illinois , which includes paint touch-up, dent and scratch repair, and more, all at an affordable price.

Hail Damage FAQ

Warm weather tornadoes, floods and hail storms are running their way across the country, leaving totaled, soaked, dinged up and damaged vehicles in their wake.

The professionals at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center are ready to help.  During spring storms, they see countless vehicles harmed by falling trees, debris, wind, water, and hail. They provide the following advice to help motorists deal with spring storms – before and after.
 
Examine Your Coverage

The time to examine your auto insurance isn't when the weatherman is delivering bad news that storms are on the way.  Examine your policy now to know what is covered, what the deductibles are, if you have rental coverage and what you should do when the storm hits.

Comprehensive coverage safeguards against most damage from natural disasters.  Two other options to consider are gap coverage – which pays the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your car is worth -- and rental compensation.

One warning – if you submitted a previous damage claim and got a check from your insurance company, but didn’t have the vehicle repaired – the insurance company will deduct this amount from your estimate for the weather damage, and bill a second deductible, as well.

Protect Your Car

When you know that a storm is on the way, get the automobile to higher ground or under cover.  For hail storms, cover the car in an old blanket and a car cover from your neighborhood automotive retailer – prior to when the storm hits.  This will provide some shelter for your hood, roof, and rear decklid. If a storm comes up quickly, search for an awning at a gas station, the drive-through at a bank or self-serve car wash to get below for immediate protection. On the interstate, seek out cover under a bridge or viaduct.

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

1.   Exactly how much Time do I need to allow for a Hail Estimate?
A normal hail estimation requires 30-45 minutes. At this time, the estimator follows a step-by-step format of distinguishing severity and quantity of dents on all panels. On top of that, the estimator works with you to answer all issues you have about the repair and obtains all accurate vehicle information.

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

3.   What occurs throughout the estimate process?
During the estimate process, your estimator will greet you and then will drive the automobile into the estimating bay. Then, they assess the vehicle, taking record of the extent of the hail damage as well as the severity and number of dents. The estimate is then finalized and evaluated with you, and you'll be furnished with a printed copy of the quote.

4.   So what does pre-loss condition mean?
During the hail estimation process, any non-hail damage will be noted. The condition of your car, including this damage, is considered the pre-loss condition of the car. Any damage that isn't hail-related will not be covered on the repair.

At the time of the quote, photos will be taken of the vehicle and any of these conditions will be recognized in the estimate.

5.   How do I schedule my car for repair?
During the time of your estimate, you're going to be asked when you would like to schedule your motor vehicle for repairs. During a typical hail storm, thousands of cars sustain damages, thus, it might be a couple weeks before your scheduled visit. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center of Maryville, IL will work with you to determine the proper repair time following your estimation.

6.   What is a supplement?
Supplements are extra operations or parts needed to finish the repair of the motor vehicle that exceed the original estimate. In some instances, the initial estimate is inadequate to carry out the repairs. When a car or truck is delivered for repairs, a second inspection is carried out to discover if all the damage was documented for repair. If all damage was found and written on the original estimation, no supplement is required. However, if some damage was neglected on the original estimate a “supplement” is needed to document the necessary operations or parts required to adequately fix the motor vehicle.

If a supplement is needed, it can extend the period of time required to repair your automobile. The supplement will be explained to you and an adjusted pick up date will be provided.

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 car. The principle process for PDR necessitates the technician to push and massage each and every dent in an extremely technical and exact fashion. For this, each and every dent is worked back into its initial shape with different metal rods differing in size and shape. The dents are worked from the underside of the metal with access points for each panel. It is a very specialized and thorough method that necessitates the finished metal to appear as if it came from the original factory.

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

9.   What does R and I mean?
R and I is an phrase that means Remove and Install. When a car begins the repair process, an R and I technician loosens, and sometimes removes, the interior panels and parts to allow access to the lower side of the metal panel. When the PDR repairs get finished, this technician replaces the parts and re-installs the interior panels (like the headliner and hood liner). Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center features a quality control system to ensure all the parts are replaced properly so that your automobile is returned to you in the same condition that we got it, minus the dents, of course.

While your vehicle is in the shop, it is a great time to have other dents and dings serviced.  It will be more cost-effective and your car or truck will ultimately benefit.

For other great tips on working with a crash or having your automobile fixed following a collision, visit www.auto-body-maryville-il.com. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center, serving Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, and Highland, Illinois gives top-notch, trusted repair service throughout the USA and Canada.

Nationwide Warranty? You Bet!

You can entrust your car repair to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center, and know that we stand behind our work with a CARSTAR Limited Five Year Nationwide Warranty* on qualifying repairs – everywhere you and your car go. If you move from the Maryville, IL area to a different city or happen to be traveling, you will be protected and if perchance there is not a CARSTAR close by, we will find a convenient location to honor the warranty.

Your repaired car or truck might also be insured by a Lifetime Warranty. If you got a Lifetime Warranty from Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center whenever they repaired your car or truck and you have any concerns with the repairs through normal vehicle usage, you can take it back to our CARSTAR location.

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center is committed to ensuring that you get all of the tools that you need to stay 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 do and how committed we are to ensuring that you go back to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center for all of your automobile repair needs in Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, and Highland, Illinois.

*Please make reference to the official CARSTAR Warranty Document for specified coverage and omitted items.