Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts Offer Tips for Safe Driving During the Holidays

KEEP YOUR SLEIGH SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts Offer Tips for Safe Driving During the Holidays

Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in St. Peter's MO (November 2010) – Whether you’re on the road to grandmother’s house or just heading to the mall for some last-minute shopping, it’s smart to take a few precautions to prevent the holiday headache of an accident.


Heavy traffic, drivers distracted with holiday plans and winter weather create the perfect storm for drivers during December. In fact, it’s one of the highest months for traffic accidents.


But with proper preparation, some preventative driving measures and an eye on the weather report, drivers can protect themselves and their vehicles during the holiday season.


The experts on holiday driving accidents, Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in St. Peter's MO Repair Experts, repairs thousands of vehicles each year damaged in snowy, icy accidents. Jungerman CARSTAR offers drivers some helpful tips to make holiday driving safer.


Keep In Mind:

• Check your route: Look up road conditions in advance to know if there will be any delays
  
• Turn down the Jingle Bells: Reduce distractions such as loud music
  
• Stay in touch: Bring a cell phone in case of emergencies
  
• Protect yourself: Always wear a seat belt
  
• Take a break: If you are traveling a distance, take breaks or even a quick nap at a rest stop to stay alert
  
• Don’t invite theft: Presents in the back seat are more inviting than cookies and milk for Santa. Lock them in the trunk to prevent break-ins
  
• Don't Text and Drive: Texting and driving can not only potentially harm you and your family but other drivers. Keep the phone stored for emergencies. When it is necessary to send a message, safely pull to the side first
  

Check Your Visibility:

• Check your visibility: Make sure all mirrors are clear and properly adjusted
  
• Update your wipers: Make sure your windshield wipers are free of ice before heading out on the road – and consider updating with new flexible windshield wipers before the snow hits
  
• Fill your fluids: Add de-icer to your windshield wiper fluid
  
• Look at your lights: Clean hazed headlights and check bulbs in all of your vehicle lights – front and rear
  

Slow Down and Stay Back:

• Watch out for holiday revelers: Some drivers may consume a few beverages before hitting the roadways. Remain alert and watch other drivers in case they begin to swerve
  
• Keep it slow: When there is snow or ice on the ground, drop your speed 10 to 20 MPH below the speed limit
  
• Allow some space: Leave at least two to three car lengths between your vehicle and the car in front of you
  
• Cruise with caution: Do not use cruise control on icy roads
  
• Stay alert to the surface: Use caution on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads because these may be slippery from ice and use extra caution when driving on one-lane roads
  

Prepare for a Snow Day:

• Weight it out: If your vehicle has rear wheel drive, put bags of sand, litter or bricks to help keep your vehicle easier to control
  
• Stock up on supplies: Pack a snow day kit just in case you get stuck. Important items to include are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and extra batteries, extra cell phone battery, flares, compass, scissors, rope, wooden patches in waterproof container and first aid kit.
  
• Take your tools: Prepare a toolbox for digging your car out with fold-able shovel, 2x4 planks to put under tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and exterior windshield cleaner
  

You can never be too careful when driving in holiday traffic and in winter weather. Accidents can happen so quickly on slick, icy roads, so slowing down and taking the extra precautions can really make the difference. An accident is never easy to deal with, but having an accident during the holidays can really put a cramp in the holiday cheer. An extra measure of safety is always the perfect present during the yuletide season. For more tips on dealing with an accident or having your car repaired after a collision, visit www.auto-body-st-peters-mo.com.


If the unfortunate holiday accident does occurs have a collision plan in place so you aren’t stranded on the roadside waiting for assistance. For information and store locations visit Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in ST. Peter's MO.

Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair experts Offer Tips for Safe Driving in the Winter Months

BE IN THE KNOW WHEN DRIVING ON ICE AND SNOW

Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair experts Offer Tips for Safe Driving in the Winter Months

Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in St. Peter's MO – Cold weather can create some of the harshest driving conditions of the year. And, months between October and February top the list for accidents, vehicle damage and injuries.

When the temperature dips and the snow rises, it is important for drivers to increase their attention to safety on the road. With proper preparation, some preventative driving measures and an eye on the weather report, drivers can protect themselves and their vehicles during the winter months. The experts on winter driving accidents at Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in St. Peter's MO, repairs thousands of vehicles each year damaged in snowy, icy accidents.

Check Your Visibility:

• Add de-icer to your windshield wiper fluid
• Make sure your windshield wipers are free of ice before heading out on the road – and consider updating with new flexible windshield wipers before the snow hits
• Make sure all mirrors are clear and properly adjusted for visibility
• Clean your headlights and check the bulbs in all of your vehicle lights – front and rear

Slow Down and Stay Back:

• When there is snow or ice on the ground, drop your speed to a safe limit
• Leave extra distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you for additional safety
• Do not use cruise control on icy roads
• Use caution on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads because these may be slippery from ice
• Use extra caution when driving on one-lane roads

Skidding Safely

• If your rear wheels skid...
• Take your foot off the accelerator
• Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right
• If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control
• If you have standard brakes, pump them gently
• If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal

If your front wheels skid...

• Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
• As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently

Prepare for a Snow Day:

• If your vehicle has rear wheel drive, put bags of sand or kitty litter to help keep your vehicle easier to control
• Pack a snow day kit just in case you get stuck. Important items to include are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and extra batteries, extra cell phone battery, flares, wooden matches in waterproof container, compass, scissors, rope and first aid kit.
• Prepare a toolbox for digging your car out with fold-able shovel, 2x4 planks to put under tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and exterior windshield cleaner

For information and store locations visit www.auto-body-st-peters-mo.com. For more tips on dealing with an accident or having your car repaired after a collision, visit Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair.

About CARSTAR CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is the largest group of branded collision repair facilities in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 30 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR is committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million vehicles since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any vehicle. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.

Getting Your Car Ready For Winter Tips from Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in St. Peter's MO

Getting Your Car Ready For Winter

Simple Tips Protect Your Vehicle During Cold Temps and Tough Driving Conditions Around http://www.auto-body-st-peters-mo.com.

Winter weather is just around the corner, and with it come salty, sandy roads, foggy driving conditions and limited visibility for your vehicle.

 

Your local Jungerman CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in St. Peter's MO recommends a few simple tips to give your vehicle the equivalent of winter parka and ski goggles to protect it all winter long.

For the car’s exterior, the key is to get all of the exterior finishes cleaned and prepared for a protective winter coat, then keep damaging salt and sand off of the car’s finish throughout the winter. The top 10 tips include:

1. Give it a good bath with car wash soap to remove summer dirt and grime without removing wax protection
2. Remove the tar and debris from summer road work with adhesive remover. Just rub it on with a microfiber cloth, let sit for a few minutes to loosen dirt, old wax and tar, then wipe off
3. Restore plastic headlight lens to like-new clarity in time for winter snow and fog with a quick trip to your local CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts to remove the yellowing and hazing that reduces headlight performance and visibility
4. Clean the wheels and tires to remove brake dust and highway grime then restore tires to brand new finish with a tire restorer.
5. Remove surface scratches with a cleaner wax. This easy to apply wax eliminates surface scratches and restores the shine to the paint finish in one easy step.
6. Deeper scratches and dents should be repaired at your local CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts before rust sets in.
7. Give the car a good protective coat of synthetic wax, which chemically bonds with clear coat finishes and keeps the car’s finish looking good all winter.
8. Get the glass clean inside and out for improved visibility.
9. Protect the upholstery with a leather and vinyl restorer, which revives the natural sheen and soft feel of the factory finish
10. Clean the car’s carpet with a high-quality carpet cleaner and protect from winter salt and dirt with a protective spray.

Once you’ve cleaned and protected your car, all you need to do is wash it at least once a month to remove damaging salt and sand. When spring comes, you’ll be ready to ride with a great-looking car.

For more tips on dealing with an accident around St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon and Lake St. Louis MO or having your car repaired after a collision, visit www.stlcarstar.com.