Caring For Your Vehicle’s Interior

The cleanliness of your vehicle’s interior is as essential as its exterior. A well-kept interior adds quality to your driving experience and offers the ultimate in comfort and safety. Cleaning the exterior can be as simple as a short trip through the car wash or hand-applying car wash, wax, detailer, and other car exterior cleaning products. The interior of your car or truck is another story because if you wish to keep it clean, you really need to work at it. Here are some tips from Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri for keeping your vehicle’s interior neat and clean.

Vacuuming

The vacuum is arguably the single best tool for keeping your car’s interior clean and sanitized. It's not only a good way to remove the dirt and debris from beneath your floor mats to the top of your seats, it is a great way to get rid of the filth that has accumulated in all the various nooks and crannies of your car. For the best results, get in there with a high-powered vacuum which has a hose and attachments so you can clean out each crack. A coin operated vacuum cleaner at a car wash is a terrific place to begin. A quick note about vacuum-cleaning car floor mats: take them out from the automobile and shake them out to remove excess dirt before vacuuming.

Fabric Upholstery

While a vacuum cleaner does a fantastic job of removing dirt in the carpeting, floor mats, and seats, sometimes these areas take some extra TLC. After all, filth can frequently get ground into the upholstery causing discoloration that remains even once you run the vacuum cleaner. Remove those imperfections simply by using a carpet and upholstery cleaner. These cleaners are uniquely formulated to deep clean your seats and carpets without soaking them with moisture. You'll want to avoid significant quantities of moisture as this actually promotes mold growth). For rubber floor mats, a good power wash will get the filth, gook, and grossness out of the vehicle.

Leather Upholstery

If your car has leather seats, you should keep them looking their very best because stained, ripped, and/or cracked seats, besides being ugly, might also hurt the resale value of your automobile. A vacuum cleaner can, and should, be used to get rid of the surface dirt on any kind of seat. For a much deeper clean, a special leather cleaner ought to be used on leather seats (followed closely by a leather conditioner to protect them).

Dashboard

While you may not notice it all that frequently because you’re busy looking at the road when you drive around St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri, the dashboard can pick up its fair share of grit and dust. Along with vacuuming, using a microfiber dust cloth on the dashboard is a fantastic way to get it looking good again. Once it’s been cleaned, utilizing a protectant on the dashboard can help you to avoid fading, cracking, and peeling. These protectants also help with maintaining the color of your interior against the sun and its ultra violet rays. The steering wheel counts as a part of the dashboard so you ought to put some protectant thereon as well. If you've passed the point of no return as it pertains 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 automobile are maybe the most crucial part of your interior to keep clean. After all, clean windows make for better visibility. Eliminating all the smudges, fingerprints, and even paw prints – for those who have a pet who frequently rides along with you – will help you see much better while making your car or truck simply look really good. Certain glass cleaners even provide a water repellent formula that beads and wisps away water, enabling better visibility. Just make sure you utilize something that won’t leave behind streaks. Newspaper comes in handy in this case. It's important to know that certain glass cleaners don't work well with tinted windows and can also harm the heating elements that de-frost and de-fog your windshield. Household glass cleaners have ammonia, which with time will break down the heating unit on your auto glass making your windshield defrosters worthless.

Trunk

You may be thinking, the trunk? What does it matter if the trunk is messy? Nobody sits in there. From an absolutely aesthetic point of view, having a dirty trunk isn’t a problem. However, did you know that having a messy trunk will affect your vehicle’s fuel economy? Keeping items in there when you are driving all around St. Peters, Missouri can add weight to your car, which causes the engine to work harder when you drive, hence burning more fuel. If you don’t absolutely have to haul something around in your trunk on a given day, it ought to be empty. Your wallet will thank you. Obviously we know that there are situations where trunk storage is necessary. When this takes place, Jungerman CARSTAR suggests 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 your automobile is orderly. Organizing your automobile keeps out the clutter, making interior upkeep a lot easier. Car organization items are designed with function in mind and are best for those of us who bring items with us on the road. If you store items in your trunk, a trunk organizer may be the best option for you. Stuff like visor organizers, dash caddies, and seat organizers keep the mess at bay while permitting you to easily and quickly vacuum up debris.

If you've any other questions on car maintenance, auto body repair, or driving safety, come to Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri and we’d be happy to help get you back on track.

Emergency Numbers You Want To Have

Right now, you can store practically all of your computer information on your cellular phone – from all your music collection to the hottest dog-riding-a-skateboard video. You can also use your mobile phone as a safety net in case of emergency. Since Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri is concerned about your safety on the road, we would like for you to take five minutes right this moment to tap these important numbers into your contact list so you will be prepared if something happens.

ICE − This number, which is short for "in case of emergency," should be your emergency contact – a mom or dad, husband or wife, close friend, or anyone who you want given notice if something happens to you. Lots of emergency responders and hospital personnel know to look for this number.

Home − Your home phone number, if you have one. If somebody else locates your lost cell phone, he or she can call this number to tell you 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 − In case you have an emergency or witness somebody else who needs help, you can notify your local police station about the problem more rapidly if you've already got the number stored in your phone.

State Highway Patrol − See a driver stranded by the side of the road? Be a Good Samaritan and call the state highway patrol for help.

Auto Body Shop − If you require auto body collision repair, it's best to have a shop selected ahead of the fact. Take time to check out auto body shops and discover the one that you prefer to use. If you are living in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri, give consideration to choosing Jungerman CARSTAR.

A Word About 911 and Cellphones

Even though technology continues to improve, many wireless phones do not offer a way to ascertain a caller's location. If you call 911 in an emergency, you'll want to mention your location, your phone number, and what has taken place.

Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri hopes that you will keep these guidelines in mind as you prepare for the next time you're driving. If you've got any questions about driving safety, auto body repair, or collision repair services, check out their website today to get more information.

Tips On Being Stranded In Snow

Winter is a beautiful time of year in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri, particularly when a new coating of snow covers everything. Winter can also be an extremely dangerous time of the year. If you plan on traveling during the long cold winter, it is good to be totally prepared for winter driving and to have winter car supplies in your car. Sadly, being trapped on the side of the highway in severe winter conditions is not unusual. Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri has provided these tips to help you in case you ever find yourself in that situation.

In Case You Are Stuck While Driving In Winter:

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

• Describe the location, condition of your travel companions and the problem you are experiencing.
• Listen for questions.
• Follow any instruction. You might be told you should stay where you are to assist rescuers or to go back to the scene.
• Don't hang up until you know whom you have talked with and what will happen next.

2.   Stay in your automobile. Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. You can easily lose your way, wander out of reach, become worn out, collapse, and risk your life. Your automobile itself is a great shelter.
3.   Try to avoid overexertion. Trying to push your vehicle, trying to jack it into a new position or shoveling snow takes great effort in storm conditions. You could risk heart attack or other 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 forfeits insulation quality causing you to be more susceptible to the effects of hypothermia.
5.   Keep clean air in the car. It is much 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 could plug your automobile's exhaust system causing deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your car.
6.   Do not run the engine unless you are sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow or other objects. Keep the radiator free of snow to prevent the engine from overheating. Run the engine at ten minute intervals for heat.
7.   Switch on the dome light at night, but only when running the engine.
8.   Keep your blood circulating freely by slackening tight clothes, changing positions regularly, and moving your arms and legs. Huddle close to one another. Rub your hands together or put them under your armpits or between your legs. Take off your shoes or boots from time to time and massage your feet.
9.   Do not expect to be comfortable. The goal is to survive until you're located.
10.   Make yourself noticeable to rescuers. Tie a bright cloth to your antenna or door handle.

Once you get free from danger, your vehicle may have some cosmetic or internal damage. If so, consider taking your car or truck to Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri. They have auto body experts ready to handle any damage that your vehicle may have incurred.

Tips For Something You Might Be A Little Foggy On

Driving a vehicle in fog is regarded as being by far the most risky weather hazard, especially when it's exceedingly dense fog or combined with other adverse weather conditions. Foggy conditions are the leading reason for large multi-car pile ups. Nevertheless, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of an accident. These tips, offered by Jungerman CARSTAR, will help you to be safer on foggy St. Peters, Missouri streets.

Stay Slow

During heavy fog, an extremely frightening thing happens to individuals while they're driving. They unconsciously speed up! Naturally, we all know that accelerating in fog is the worst thing to do, but fog creates an optical illusion. As you look out your car windows, your body perceives that you're going really slowly. Since the majority of individuals get anxious in fog, they don’t look down at their speedometer. As time passes, they begin going faster and faster. This is without a doubt the most dangerous part of driving in fog. Make a conscious 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 car headlights on when driving a vehicle in foggy conditions to avoid an awful auto body repair bill. Your daytime running lights are not adequate. A lot of people turn their lights off because they feel their headlights are blinding them from reflecting off the fog, but you essentially become a “ghost car” when this occurs. Your headlights are not so that you can see better, it’s so other people can see you! If your vehicle comes with fog lights, use those too. When driving in fog, it is extremely important to stay visible to other people.

Forget The High Beams

You shouldn't utilize your high beam headlights in foggy environments. Your high beam headlights reflect off of the water vapor and in fact decrease your field of vision. You might feel that your low beam headlights are doing the same thing, but again, keep them on. It is the most effective way for you to be seen.

Follow The Lines

When you're driving any vehicle in fog in the St. Louis area, it is best if you follow the lines on the road with your eyes. This is the best way to ensure you stay in your lane. Motorists are usually drawn to lights, and instinctively, will drive towards lights. So it’s better to watch the lines to make sure you are driving within your lane. Just be sure you are not fixating. You want to keep eyes moving.

Increase Your Following Distance

A safe following distance is a must in fog. Most drivers will “bunch up” in foggy conditions mainly because they feel it’s easier to see. Traveling in fog is scary, but now isn't the time to follow too close. That is among the big reasons massive pile-up’s occur.

When You Stop

Occasionally, foggy conditions grow to be too thick to drive safely. If you find that you are exceeding your comfort zone, it might be best to stop until the fog lifts. Just remember – this is an extremely dangerous situation! If you can’t see, neither can anybody else. Try to get as far off the road as possible. Pull in a driveway, car park, 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 necessary. If there is a curb, drive on it and park on the opposite side of the curb. Stay buckled up and turn your lights off! When you leave your lights on, people might think you're driving on the roadway and rear-end you. Make sure your foot is off of the brake pedal, and do not use your flashers. Keep all of your lights off. If there's shelter nearby, try to get there quickly. Otherwise, stay inside your motor vehicle and remain buckled up.

Dense fog typically doesn’t last a very long time. The fog might not entirely go away, but stopping for a while should buy you some time and allow the fog to lift a bit. Dense fog has a tendency to migrate from area to area, unless you are in a valley where fog tends to settle. If the fog just gets worse while you are parked, stay put. It is not worth jeopardizing your life to go on. But bear in mind, when driving in fog, stopping on the shoulder of the road should be a last resort!

Dense Fog Is Typically Temporary

Under most “normal” weather conditions, dense fog is short-lived. Usually, you will come across little patches of dense fog on mountain valleys, peaks, near moist open fields, and near bodies of water like streams, rivers, and lakes. Whenever the atmosphere is specifically humid, you might even get spots of fog that appear to wander from place to place. During the worst conditions, usually occurring at night or in early morning hours, the fog could be very dense and cover a span of many miles. This is the most unsafe condition and is often alerted by fog advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service. When fog warnings or advisories are released, simply do not drive (this is especially true during fog warnings). It doesn’t matter how great you and the other motorists on the roadway are, if you can’t see, you can’t possibly drive safely.

If you do end up having a major accident in foggy conditions, think about taking your car or truck to Jungerman CARSTAR. They serve men and women all over St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri with premium auto body repairs.

Avoiding A Deer Disaster

During October, November, and December, deer-related accidents make up a considerable amount of the auto body repair work we undertake at Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO.

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

Why's Deer Collision Repair Different?

Many car accidents are minor, involving just bumpers or light cosmetic damage. While it is still important to use a top quality auto body shop for this kind of collision repair, the effects of a poor repair are usually limited to unpleasant appearance and lessened vehicle value.

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

Get Your Collision Repair Job Done Properly the First Time

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

Find An Auto Body Shop Now

Take the time to pick an auto body shop prior to when you have an accident. A little groundwork beforehand can save you plenty of stress and money if your vehicle requires collision repair. Look 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 reside in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Jungerman CARSTAR welcomes you to consider them as the best auto body shop for your next repair. Adequate collision repair will protect you and your family’s safety, as well as preserve the resale value and appearance of your automobile.

Jungerman CARSTAR Named Franchisee of the Year

CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts revealed that Kerry Woodson and Toni Donius, proprietors of CARSTAR Jungerman in St. Peters, Missouri, have been named Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA).

The objective of the IFA Awards Program is to give recognition to people and organizations which have added to the growth and success of franchising as a means of distribution in the international economy.

“This is such an amazing honor for us,” stated Woodson. “My sister and I, along with everyone who puts in an amazing effort every day in our shop, are really humbled. We don’t work hard to win awards. We work hard to deliver an exceptional product to our customers. It’s very nice to see that work recognized in such a big way.”

Donius and Woodson are second-generation auto body shop proprietors. Their parents started Jungerman CARSTAR in 1991 and turned the auto body shop over to the brother and sister once they retired. The siblings have been around the business since it opened.

Just this past year, CARSTAR Jungerman went environmentally friendly by having solar panels on the roof of their auto body shop. Donius reports that it's cut their utility bills by 50 percent. They have also completed an extensive renovation both inside and out with new paint, new furniture, a new layout, and a freshly designed car rental counter to better service their customers.

CARSTAR Jungerman was just recently recognized by Mitchell as a recipient of the AutocheX Solution Premier Achiever Award for continuously having the highest client satisfaction scores. Earlier this year, CARSTAR Jungerman was also given the top honor in the CARSTAR system as Franchisee of the Year.

If you live in St. Peters, St. Charles, Lake St. Louis, or somewhere else in the St. Louis area and have an auto body problem with your car or truck, consider taking it to Jungerman CARSTAR, the award-winning auto body repair professionals.

Driving In Dangerous Floodwaters

With record-setting precipitation all across the Metro East St. Louis, Missouri area, standing water and flooding can be an issue for motorists. Jungerman CARSTAR offers these essential tips:

Don’t Drown Your Automobile – High Water Dangers:

Heavy rains are creating enough water to flood area roads. The depth of standing water during a storm can be misleading. Vehicle operators shouldn't drive through standing water at any depth. Should you be driving on the road and come across standing water, your best course of action is always to simply turn the vehicle around and steer clear of it totally. No matter how familiar you might be with the road, don't drive through standing water—at any depth—as it could cause significant damage to your car or truck. If an automobile is driven through standing water, a driver risks flooding the motor, warping brake rotors, loss of power steering, or a short in the electrical components of your vehicle, all of which may be costly to fix.

Four Quick Flood Facts

1. As little as one foot of water can “float” the majority of motor vehicles.
2. Two feet of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles—including SUVs and pick-ups.
3. Repair costs for damage caused by driving through standing water may range from several hundred to thousands of dollars.
4. Don't try to start a car which is submerged.

How to proceed if your vehicle does get submerged:

- Before trying to start a flood-damaged car or truck, contact a trustworthy auto mechanic such as Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO and get an appointment to have them look over all readily accessible mechanical and electrical elements, and systems that contain fluids, for water contamination.
- Drain floodwater from contaminated components and systems, flush with clean water or an acceptable solvent, and replenish with new clean fluids of the right kind.
- Check out, clean, and dry electrical system parts and connections.

Get A Grip – A St. Peters, Missouri Self-Help Guide To Wet Weather Tips

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

- The ideal way to stop on a slippery surface if your motor vehicle doesn’t have antilock brakes is to use threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply strong, steady pressure on the brake pedal to the “threshold” of locking your brakes.
- Use your defroster to keep back and front windshields clear. On a cold day, move the heat control to “hot” and have the engine warm up prior to turning on the defrosters and blowers. This will prevent moisture from gathering on the interior of the glass. If the glass becomes foggy, open a window slightly and turn the defroster fan to an increased speed. Use your air conditioner to decrease humidity.
- Whenever you drive on wet streets, mud and dirt splash on your headlights, reducing illumination by up to 90 percent. Stop occasionally during a long trip to clean your headlights.
- When visibility is so restricted that you cannot see the edges of the road or other cars at a safe distance, it’s time to pull off and wait for the rain to let up. It is best to stop at a rest area or leave the freeway and search for a protected area. If the roadside is your sole option, pull off the roadway as far as you're able, preferably past the end of a guardrail. Vehicles parked at the side of the road are often struck by other motorists. Appreciate the limitations of lowered visibility and turn headlights off and emergency flashes on to notify other drivers.

Jungerman CARSTAR, serving St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri, would like to ensure that you are secure when you have to travel in potentially dangerous conditions. If your vehicle’s been immersed in floodwater, or if you just have other questions regarding safe driving, contact Jungerman CARSTAR at 636-939-4199.

Buying A Car With Hail Damage?

Hail damaged motor vehicles for sale for thousands under book value, “Steep discounts”. Could investing in a hail damaged car actually be a great buy for you? Possibly. But there’s a few things that Jungerman CARSTAR would like to let you know before you decide to drive away. This article could save you thousands and much inconvenience later on.

You’re getting the inside scoop here, simply because car sales people tell stuff to us, the paintless dent experts, they would never say to you or in public. “I love a hail sale!” This we overheard 2 decades ago from a salesman at an automobile dealership. We asked him why. “Because people think they’re getting a great buy, so I sell more cars. There is more commission on each unit, so I knock ‘em dead!”

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

Why dealerships sell damaged vehicles

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

First, the car couldn't be fixed using paintless dent repair. This is the situation with countless automobiles from St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri. We can guarantee you this, every car that can be fixed with paintless or PDR before sale, will be repaired.

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

The last reason for a dealer not to fix a hail car pre-sale is the price was too high. The cars perhaps could have been repaired using PDR or paintless repair, but they didn't want to pay what it took to get it done. If an automobile 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 vehicle purchase?

•   Get an estimation up front from a trustworthy PDR company like Jungerman CARSTAR.
•   Keep in mind pictures do not tell the true story of hail damage. Only the worst type of dents will show up. If you see it in a photo, it is much worse in person.
•   Be ready to walk away if you smell a rat. If your tummy is tingling, probably not a good deal.
•   Should you still want the car, be sure you have the funds on hand to repair it.
•   Oh, and take what the sales agent said the repairs would cost and multiply it by 4.

Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO is happy to offer you these guidelines to ensure that you are in the know whenever you purchase your next car or truck. If you choose to buy a vehicle with hail damage, give consideration to taking it to Jungerman CARSTAR for professional dent elimination at an affordable price.

Spring Cleaning for Your Car

Winter is definitely the toughest season for automobiles, thanks to salted streets, harsh temperature shifts, potholes, ice, and neglect. Since springtime is here, Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO is here to tell you that it is time for you to wipe away the filth and make your vehicle look like new.

Clear Out The Trash

When you are cleaning any car, much less a winter-weather-beaten one, begin by removing all of the junk you have been neglecting. Have a trash bag and a "keep" box handy, because you'll want to hold on to some of the things. Be thorough: Get underneath and beside the seats and in the trunk.

Vacuum the Interior

You'll want to work from the top down, because the law of gravity dictates that stuff stirred up works its way floorward. Also, 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 from the creases.

Scrub Carpet and Upholstery

This step is optional but really worth the gratifying results. Grab a spray bottle of automotive-upholstery-and-carpet cleaner and a heavy-duty scrub brush to clean 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 comprehensive with the carpet is vital, since it can work like a dirty, salty, damp rag that accelerates rusting. When you're done, pull the drain plugs under the floor and let things air out for several days. You'll be astonished at how much better the car smells.

Power-Wash the Floor Mats

The floor mats are unquestionably the areas of the inside that take wintertime abuse the hardest. If you've got all-rubber floor mats, they will not take very long to clean up, but carpeted mats probably will need a couple of passes with a power washer in order to get all the salt and dirt out. If you don't have a power washer, Jungerman CARSTAR recommends that you use one at a self service car wash. Let the mats dry thoroughly before putting them back into the vehicle or you could be begging for mold growth in the carpet.

Tip: Old Tool, New Trick

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

Ditch Winter Windshield Wipers

Wipers get beaten up pretty bad during the cold months, and torn-up old wipers in a summertime downpour will leave you blind.

Lube the Hinges

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

Clean the Windows

Ever notice how your windows haze up really bad during the course of damp springtime weather? A part of that has to do with how filthy the interior of your windscreen is, but you are able to take measures to prevent this. First, wash your windows with a good car-window cleanser; the ammonia in household stuff will make the fogging even worse. Fog has a harder time clinging to a clean surface, and you can go one step further by wiping down the interior of the glass with an antifogging agent.

Wash the Vehicle

This sounds clear, but there are some intricacies. Just like the inside, you need to wash the automobile from the top down, rinsing often. Don't start at the rocker panels and move to the roof—it drags dirt around and scratches the clear coat. When the body is clean, spend a few dollars at your neighborhood automated car wash and get the underbody flushed. This will dislodge the road salt that's doing everything it can to turn the underbody into Swiss cheese.

Swap the Cabin Air Filter

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

Don't Forget the Trunk

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

Wipe Down the Entry

Scrub door sills to help keep your pants clean, and dust off any nooks skipped in a car wash. Wipe door seals with mineral oil or use silicone spray to ensure that they're supple.

The certified technicians at Jungerman CARSTAR can offer a detailed “spring cleaning” program for any automobile in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri, including paint touch-up, dent and scratch repair, and more, all at a reasonable cost.

Hail Damage FAQ

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

The professionals at Jungerman CARSTAR are willing to help.  During spring storms, they see countless vehicles damaged by falling trees, debris, wind, water, and hail. They offer the following advice to help car owners handle spring storms – before and after.

Check Your Coverage

The time to check out your car insurance is not when the weatherman is delivering bad news that storms are on the way.  Read 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 strikes.

Complete coverage protects against most damage from disasters.  Two other available choices to consider are gap coverage – which pays the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your car is valued at -- and rental compensation.

One warning – if you submitted a previous damage claim and received a check from your insurance provider, but didn’t have the car repaired – the insurance company will subtract this amount from your estimate for the storm damage, and demand an extra deductible, too.

Protect Your Vehicle

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

Should you fall prey to a hail storm, have a look at these commonly asked questions about handling hail damage:

1.   How Much Time do I have to allow for a Hail estimation?
A standard hail estimate takes 30-45 minutes. During 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 communicates with you to respond to all questions you have about the repair and obtains all accurate vehicle information.

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

3.   What will happen 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 evaluate your vehicle, taking record of the extent of the hail damage and the seriousness and number of dents. The estimate is then finalized and evaluated with you, and you will be supplied with a printed copy of the quote.

4.   So what does pre-loss condition suggest?
During the hail estimate procedure, any non-hail damage will be noted. The state of the car, including this damage, is regarded as the pre-loss condition of the automobile. Any damage that's not hail-related won't be covered on the repair.

At the time of the estimate, photos will be taken of the car and any of these conditions will be mentioned in the estimate.

5.   How do I schedule my vehicle for repair?
At the time of your quote, you're going to be asked when you'd like to schedule your motor vehicle for repairs. During a typical hail storm, a huge number of automobiles sustain damages, thus, it may be a few weeks before your scheduled visit. Jungerman CARSTAR of St. Peters, MO will work with you to find out the proper repair time following your estimation.

6.   Just what is a supplement?
Supplements are further operations or parts vital to complete the repair of the automobile that go above the primary estimate. In some circumstances, the initial estimate is inadequate to do the repairs. When a vehicle is delivered for repairs, an additional inspection is carried out to discover if all the damage was documented for repair. If all the damage was found and written on the original quote, no supplement is necessary. If, however, some damage was overlooked on the original estimate a “supplement” is required to document the necessary operations or parts needed to adequately repair the motor vehicle.

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

7.   What is 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 portion of the vehicle. The principle procedure for PDR necessitates the technician to push and massage every dent in a really technical and specific way. For this, every single dent is worked back into its initial shape with different metal rods varying in size and shape. The dents are worked from the underside of the metal using access points for each panel. It's a extremely specialized and thorough procedure that necessitates the finished metal to look like it came from the original factory.

8.   What's conventional auto body repair?
Traditional body repair usually replaces the panels on a vehicle and requires painting to match the factory finish. In many cases, hail damage is so serious that conventional body shop methods are required to fix certain panels. If there are too many dents or too many large dents, a panel might not be able to be fixed with PDR.

9.   What does R and I mean?
R and I is an acronym that is short for Remove and Install. Whenever a car begins the repair process, an R and I technician loosens, and often removes, the interior panels and parts to permit access to the underside of the metal panel. When the PDR repairs get completed, this technician replaces the parts and re-installs the interior panels (such as the headliner and hood liner). Jungerman CARSTAR features a quality assurance process to make certain that all parts are replaced correctly so that your motor vehicle is returned to you in the same condition that we got it, minus the dents, of course.
While your automobile is in the shop, it is the best time to have other dents and dings serviced.  It will be more cost-effective and your car will ultimately benefit.

For other great tips on managing an automobile accident or having your car fixed after a collision, visit www.auto-body-st-peters-mo.com. Jungerman CARSTAR, serving St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri gives top-quality, reliable repair service all over the United States and Canada.

Nationwide Warranty? You Bet!

You can entrust your motor vehicle repair to Jungerman CARSTAR, and know that we stand behind our services with a CARSTAR Limited Five Year Nationwide Warranty* on qualifying repairs – wherever you and your car go. If you move from the St. Peters, MO area to a different town or happen to be traveling, you are protected and if by chance there's not a CARSTAR close by, we'll locate a convenient location to honor the warranty.

Your fixed car may also be covered by a Lifetime Warranty. If you got a Lifetime Warranty from Jungerman CARSTAR when they fixed the vehicle and you have any problems with the repair through normal vehicle usage, you can return it to our CARSTAR location.

Jungerman CARSTAR is focused on making certain that you get all the tools that you need to stay on the road. With offers like our Limited Five Year Nationwide Warranty and our Lifetime Warranty we are trying to make sure that you are aware of how proud we are of the work that we do and how devoted we are to making sure that you revisit Jungerman CARSTAR for all of your automobile repair needs in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, and Lake St. Louis, Missouri.

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