How Much Do You Know About Driving In Icy Conditions?

From the most seasoned driver in St. Peters, Missouri to the individual who just relocated to St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri from down south, every motorist should become aware of the risks involved in winter travel. St. Peters, Missouri auto body shops including Jungerman CARSTAR see cars roll into their garage each winter from drivers who felt that they didn't need to be concerned about slippery road hazards. If you don't wish to be among those unlucky people, read this article to find out exactly what you need to know.

Why would I read through this if I have already got experience in winter driving?

You'd think that having experience would be helpful for winter driving, and to an extent you'd be right. However, the difficulty that accompanies that is the fact that motorists who possess lots of experience on icy roads frequently get into auto body accidents due to their overconfidence. If we were to be entirely honest with ourselves, we'd recognize that there isn't a person on the road who has the skill level needed to drive at highway speeds on roads when ice is present. Nobody has the reflexes and quick brain necessary to recover once you start fishtailing at high speeds. Thus, it's extremely important that every driver get ready for winter weather not merely by practicing winter driving at slow speeds, but also by driving slow in general.

Aren’t good tires everything you need to drive safely on winter roads?

Again, this is one of those half-truths that can land you in a Jungerman CARSTAR auto body shop quicker than you know it. Having good tires with a sufficient amount of tread will help you out there. Nevertheless, you should never be lulled into a false feeling of security by good tires. While good tires could get you up and going in snowy conditions, your snow tires will not do you a lick of good once all the snow is compacted into ice. Once again, good tires may do a lot to help you, but they are not the be-all, end-all of wintertime driving safety.

Won’t I have the capacity to get ready for ice as I notice it coming?

This would be a good strategy, but the issue is that you often can't see ice coming. “Black ice” is an expression used to describe ice that blends into the asphalt so well that you can barely see it at all, no matter how close you are to it or exactly how well you are concentrating. Most wintertime driving auto body accidents don't happen when there's a very visible layer of snow covering the whole road. The genuinely dangerous stuff is the ice that you can't see until you have already lost control of your car. Do not wait until it's too late to drive like you are on dangerous winter roads. Take the appropriate precautions with every push of the gas pedal.

So all I need to do is decelerate and I am going to avoid a crash on snow or ice?

That statement isn't wholly true either. Without a doubt, one of the safety measures that we all should take on winter roads is to decelerate to a decent speed given the conditions that we are being confronted with. However, that's only one precaution of many. The truth is, anyone who is traveling too quickly in snow or ice is at far more risk of crashing than people who are not. Most data really points to the fact that lots of motorists who get into automobile accidents were going at a fairly reasonable speed. What usually happens is that a motorist going at what they believe to be a safe speed drops their guard, strikes a spot of black ice, and gets into an auto body collision before they can even understand what happened. The moral of this story is that you should not think that driving relatively slowly ensures that you are immune from sliding on the ice.

What should change about my driving habits to get ready for winter driving?

Naturally, you need to slow down. Obviously, you have to have good tires. These are things that we have already covered. Additionally, be careful out there. Do not make quick lane changes or fast turns. Allow a lot of space between you and the car before you. Always be attentive and on the lookout for obvious ice and snow on the road. Exercise a little common sense and do not forget that no time saved will be worth the loss of your life or anybody else’s as a result of a wintertime auto body accident.

What speed would be safe for driving in winter driving conditions?

The speed that you should be driving will depend on the particular conditions that you find yourself in. A variety of factors should affect your speed including the quantity of ice and snow, if there are any curves, the sharpness of said curves, the incline of any hills, the quantity of traffic, and your own comfort level. If you are on the open interstate with no hills or other traffic, you may find forty miles per hour to be a reasonable speed. If you incorporate any of the factors above into the mix, you probably should reduce your speed even more.

Even with all these precautions, you can't ever be completely safe on the road if you're dealing with something as dangerous as black ice. Truly, the best thing that can be done is to hold back until the weather goes away if you see any freezing rain in the forecast before heading out. However, this is not always practical in every situation. For anybody living in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri, you'll have to drive in icy weather conditions at some time. The smartest thing that you can do is just be prepared. One way to be prepared is to choose an auto body shop in advance so you do not need to make a quick decision if and when you get into a wreck. Give consideration to Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri. They have a lot of experience fixing vehicles which have been damaged by the rough roads of winter.

Is Your Car Winter-Ready?

If you recently moved to the St. Peters, Missouri area from down south, or you are a younger driver, you almost certainly do not have lots of experience traveling in the snow. Winter driving isn't something that you ought to take on without the proper knowledge, both on how to drive and the way to prepare. However, even if you're a veteran motorist in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri, your car should be prepared for the dangerous winter roads every single year. It’s not enough to understand that you need to brake sooner or pulse them, be sure that your whole vehicle is winterized and ready to go. To achieve this, Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri has put together this checklist to ensure that your car is snow-ready!

Obviously, your brakes are specifically important when you are driving on roads that may have snow, ice, or that slushy half-snow stuff. If you think that your brakes might be malfunctioning for any reason, get them checked by a dependable auto body repair mechanic as soon as possible. Ensure that you know whether your brakes are anti-lock or not. If they are anti-lock, utilize your braking system normally if you are feeling the car beginning to slide. If you do not have anti-lock, tap your brakes instead of holding them down. It goes contrary to what you will really want to do, but it is the best way to regain control over your vehicle.

Check your tires to make certain that you'll receive the grip that you need to have from them. To do this, you do not have to get a complicated gauge to tell you if your tires do not have adequate tread. You just need a penny. Just stick the penny in the tread in several different locations on the tire. Make sure that Lincoln’s head is going in the direction of the tire. If Lincoln’s head touches the tire, your tires have sufficient tread. If the top of Lincoln’s head doesn't touch the tire, you need to get better tires.

Naturally, you will need to have a functioning heater and defroster system. This isn't simply for your own comfort and ease though. If the front and rear defrosters aren't working, you will need to take your motor vehicle to an auto body shop so that you can have maximum visibility on winter roads.

Many men and women neglect that batteries are an important part of preparing your vehicle for winter. The connection to the battery ought to be clean, tightly affixed to the battery, and devoid of corrosion. Be certain that the mounting on the battery is properly secured. Most batteries that are 3 years old or over ought to be tested to ascertain if you have to have it replaced.

The best thing that you can do to arrange your vehicle for winter is to take it to a reliable St. Peters, Missouri mechanic and ask them to look at things such as the hoses, belts, anti-freeze, and exhaust system. If your hoses or belts are weak, the cold conditions could affect them and leave you stranded. Having inadequate anti-freeze will damage your cooling system after extensive use. If your exhaust system has leakages in it, dangerous carbon monoxide gas could get into the cab of the car. Specifically if you get stranded someplace and you want to run the heater to remain warm, this can be incredibly dangerous. As a side note for if you're stranded, ensure that a window is cracked and your tail pipe is free of snow and ice to provide the carbon monoxide gas someplace to go.

Be sure that you have sufficient washer fluid as well. Winter driving is characterized by lots of that slushy, muddy stuff. Washer fluid boosts your visibility, which is always a good thing.

You might have noticed how vendors carry specialized rubber-coated windshield wiper blades that are particularly made for snowy weather conditions. Regardless of how good of shape your windshield wipers are in, consider buying these snow-blades. They're perfect for handling the additional weight of snow that they'll have to handle.

Lastly, keep adequate gas in your vehicle's gas tank. The general rule is to not have less than half of a tank at any time. Definitely, that depends on your specific automobile, but following this rule can help you make certain that your fuel lines don't freeze.

Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO see a lot of vehicles that were not ready for winter come through their auto body repair shop. I hope this information has offered you an idea of how to prepare your vehicle for the hazardous conditions of winter. Still, it's a given that even the most seasoned seasonal driver with the most well-prepared vehicle can wind up in an auto body accident in St. Peters, MO. If that is how it is for you, I really hope you'll think about going to Jungerman CARSTAR.

Driving Tips You Should Hold Deer

You'd be shocked at what number of cars find themselves in a car body shop at this time of the year because of a deer prancing out in the street. Even in towns such as St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri, deer can find their way in front of your windshield. This is principally the consequence of the latest growth in the population of deer. More deer have found their way into more and more urban regions as a result of the climb in population. The National Safety Council reported that in 2003 there were 530,000 animal-related accidents that resulted in a hundred deaths and ten thousand injuries. This is an important issue in the St. Peters, Missouri area.

That’s the reason why Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri has made this set of tips for you. There are ways to stay safe during the especially dangerous autumn months. Take some time and read these guidelines and you will not be sorry you did in the future.

Of course, you should always be attentive when you're on the road. Still, it is particularly important to watch for deer from sunset to midnight and from two hours prior to sunrise to sunrise. Be wary in deer crossing areas and anywhere that farmland meets wooded land.

As you have most likely noticed, primetime for deer is when it is dark outside. Thus, it is vital that you don't forget to utilize your high beam headlights whenever you don't have any oncoming traffic. But if there are vehicles oncoming, don't have your headlights on. Really, no one likes the guy who won’t switch his high beams off. Don’t be that guy.

If you notice a deer on the road, brake solidly but don’t swerve. Consider this, the possibility of hitting another automobile which is oncoming is notably worse than the possibility of hitting a deer. If you are traveling at sixty miles an hour and the other car is flying at 60 miles an hour, the auto accident will be the same as a 120 mile per hour collision. That doesn’t even count for the increased danger to the other car’s driver and passengers.

Don’t forget to buckle your seatbelt. That's the best way to avoid injuring yourself with regards to deer collisions. Believe it or not, windshields can be extremely painful when you strike them hard enough with your head. It may be a hassle, but it's well worth it for the extra measure of safety that it provides.

Deer are out there in droves at this time of year and it’s your task as a driver to stay away from them. Be alert and expect the unexpected. Put the cellular phone away and keep your eyes on the road. With some common sense you can severely raise your chances of keeping your car’s auto body undamaged. Nevertheless, if you get into an auto body crash in St. Peters, MO or the surrounding communities, consider taking your car to Jungerman CARSTAR. We have got the experience you want with dents and other auto body damage as a result of deer collisions.

Avoiding Dent Repair By Not Getting Dents

It seems simple, doesn’t it? If you reside in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri and do not want to have to go to Jungerman CARSTAR or any other auto body shop, the greatest thing that can be done is to not get the car dented to start with. Of course, that’s a lot easier said than done.

If you'd like to keep your vehicle looking shiny and free of dents, pay close attention to these important tips on how to avoid denting your automobile. They are easy, they are simple, and they can save you a huge headache in the future.

The very first thing to do to avoid denting your car is to avoid taking it out. This may not sound very appealing or practical, and for a few people it really isn’t. However, do not feel like you have to hop in the car each and every time you go anywhere. Check out options like walking or biking if you're concerned about your health. Consider carpooling or using the bus if you are concerned about the environment. Again, these aren’t always practical for every situation, but we should get out of the mindset that cars are the only way to get around.

This next tip is probably my personal favorite: do not park close to other people if you don't have to. It is that easy. At Jungerman CARSTAR, a great number of the St. Peters, MO dent repair customers that we witness may have avoided all their trouble with this one tip. The next time you visit Walmart, don’t go with the absolutely closest spot to the door. Park just five or six spots down from all the others and much of your vehicle dent problems will vanish. People just do not consider to do this because we're programmed to take the nearest spot possible. But if you think it over, isn’t it really worth those ten extra steps to protect yourself from a potentially pricey auto body repair bill.

Remember how I said that the last tip was my favorite? Well this one may well be my least favorite. A very important thing you can do in heavily urban areas such as the Metro East St. Louis area is to parallel park when you can. It’s pretty funny to think about since the majority of people really associate parallel parking with dent damage. However, parallel parking eliminates any potential for your vehicle being dented from an adjacent vehicle. You still run the risk of being dented on the forward or rear bumper, but they can take a hit much easier than your driver’s side door can.

This next one will demand a little more attention to detail: take note of the kind of automobile you are parking near to. Some may well be more harmful for your automobile than others. For example, it should come as no surprise that motorcycles are the absolute best automobile to park next to. They cannot swing open a door and scratch your automobile. In the same way, minivans have sliding doors which will not be a problem for you. Do remember that the front doors won't be sliding, so there will continue to be some threat. Two-door cars means half the risk of a four-door vehicle. Compacts have doors which are lighter and smaller. You should have less to be concerned about from them when compared to a massive truck or SUV.

Though it might seem like a good means of avoiding auto body damage, do not double-park. Really, don’t be that guy. You will not only be a really disliked person, but you will also open yourself up to getting your car key-ed or otherwise defaced.

Getting dents in your car aren't just an inevitable part of owning an automobile. Not every auto body accident and dent damage can be avoided, but each and every auto accident and dent has the capacity to decrease the value and appearance of your vehicle. If your car does have dent damage, get it repaired quickly to protect yourself from problems later on. Start thinking about going to Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri. They know how to get your vehicle in good working order and looking better than ever.

Choosing A Collision Center BEFORE Your Next Auto Accident

There are plenty of factors to think about prior to selecting an auto body shop that will be what you need. We hope you had the forethought to decide that it is time to choose an auto body shop before a big dent showed up in your car body. Either way, Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO wants you to learn these key facts before you decide to weigh through the countless collision repair options in the St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri area.

• You do not have to take your automobile to an auto body shop simply because your insurance company said to. As the proprietor of the vehicle, you can select which auto body shop will do the best work for your needs.
• After you are in a crash, make use of sound judgment in deciding whether or not it may be unsafe to drive. It’s far better to call a tow truck then to put you and your loved ones in jeopardy!
• It’s not uncommon for two different auto body shops to have two different estimates on the same work. However, it’s important that you don’t instantly go with whichever shop is the cheapest. Oftentimes, a lower estimate may not include all needed work. If you’re not sure why one auto body work estimator differs from another you’ve gotten, please consult one of us at Jungerman CARSTAR.
• A couple insurance companies might want you to go to a claims center prior to getting your vehicle repaired. You might also leave your motor vehicle at our shop and ask the insurance provider to examine the car here.
• You cannot understate the necessity of selecting an auto body shop that has some credentialed education for its staff. Choose an auto body shop which has I-Car certified technicians.
• If you believe that you're able to do the repair by yourself, but you are not entirely sure, do not make the error of simply diving into it. You could very well wind up doing more damage to it than good. After all, your automobile is the second-largest investment you'll make. Get it fixed by professionals to preserve its value.
• Missouri state law does not require the people of St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri to get more than a single appraisal or estimate. However, it is usually a smart idea to look around a little bit before you make a decision if you haven’t chosen a collision center beforehand. If you did select a shop before the collision took place, know that you do not have to look elsewhere for auto body repair if you do not want to.
• Ask if the auto body shop supplies a written lifetime warranty.
• Be sure that your chosen auto body shop will work with your insurance claim before you take your automobile to them for repair.

It’s easy to see that picking out an auto body shop is no laughing matter. Be smart and make your decision according to these tips and good judgment. As you look, consider going to Jungerman CARSTAR. They would be happy to show you more about how to get you back on the road after your next auto accident.

How to Choose the Right Auto Body Shop

As a vehicle owner, the likelihood of requiring the services of a collision repair and refinishing facility are greater than you might think. Whether it's from storm damage, rust and corrosion, acid rain and harsh sunlight, or a car accident outright, the risks are real. It's wise, then, to know just how to pick an auto body shop.

Many times when people are taking part in an accident they think "the insurance company will deal with it for me.'' The fact is, it's your duty to select who will do the repairs for you. This isn't a choice which should be taken lightly, as it can involve protecting a major investment. That is why Jungerman CARSTAR has put together this list of tips for you as you determine which auto body shop can meet your needs. They have years of experience dealing with all kinds of vehicles in St. Charles, O'Fallon, Lake St. Louis, and St. Peters, Missouri.

Preliminaries

• Begin looking for an auto body shop before you need one; you can make better decisions when you're not rushed or in a panic.
• Ask friends and associates for their recommendations. Even in this high-tech era, old-fashioned word-of-mouth reputation is still valuable.
• Check with the local consumer organization regarding the reputation of the facility involved. Ask about the number of complaints were lodged against them, if any, and find out how the complaints were fixed.
• Always try to visit the auto body shop before making the decision on who will repair the car.

At the Shop

• Ask if the auto body shop typically handles your vehicle make and model. Ask just how long the auto body shop has been in business.
• Choose a neat, well-organized facility with modern equipment. Many vehicle manufacturers suggest specific auto body repair procedures and equipment for the repair of their vehicles. Ensure that the facility you choose is familiarized with these techniques and has the proper equipment.
• Professionally run facilities will have a courteous, helpful staff able to answer all your questions.
• Try to find signs of professionalism in the customer service area: civic and community service awards, membership in the Better Business Bureau, customer service awards.
• Many times you can see the vehicles being repaired by the auto body shop. Are you impressed by the type of vehicles the company is fixing and the way the vehicles are being taken care of?
• Also search for signals that the staff is technically competent, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work training from I-CAR.
• All policies, guarantees, and methods of payment ought to be posted or discussed to your satisfaction.

Being alert and attentive when you go to an auto body shop will tell you a lot about what to expect from your auto body repair. If you would like an estimate or have questions about auto body repair, feel free to contact Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO.

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. Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri, as top quality auto repair professionals, want you to know about these five auto service items you should certainly not 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 the oil changed. It is the easiest thing to overlook and ignore but the most crucial thing anybody can do. We at Jungerman CARSTAR see a lot of worn engine parts due to the lack of oil changes.

Tire Maintenance

Correctly maintained tires enhance your vehicle's steering, stopping, and traction. Tire pressure ought to be set to the manufacturer’s specifications, which usually can 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 imperative that you keep your tires inflated to the pressure that's recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle. Proper inflation keeps your tires wearing properly. Over- or under-inflated wears tires out faster, can adversely affect fuel consumption, and present a safety hazard. Get your tires rotated and balanced each 6,000-8,000 miles and get the alignment checked 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 ought to be part of your vehicle’s ongoing regular maintenance to guarantee safety and reliability. Have your brakes examined at least once per year or more frequently if you experience grinding, vibrations, or shaking when you brake. Regardless of the car, brakes usually need to be replaced every 20,000-30,000 miles.

Scheduled Maintenance

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

Build a connection with an auto body shop. Jumping from shop to shop might save a few dollars on particular jobs, but ultimately the only one who will have any responsibility for the shape of the car will be you. Having a reputable auto body shop you trust means you having somebody looking under the hood for any potential problems on a regular basis. A good auto mechanic, who is familiar with your needs, your expectations, and your car, will help you get the most from your vehicle.

If you live in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri and don't already have a regular auto body mechanic, consider taking your vehicle to Jungerman CARSTAR. They help countless drivers like you keep their automobiles in top performance shape.