How to Avoid Salt Damage to your Vehicle

The Midwest or America’s Heartland is known for a lot of things, the iconic foods, crystal clear lakes, cornfields, state fairs, Big Ten sports, and unpredictable weather. In fact, in Iowa, we can expect an average of 27-inches of snow each year and when it snows, you can be sure that salt is on the roadways. 

Salt is imminent to safe winter driving but it is unsightly on your vehicle and can also cause damage such as rust. Over time rust on certain parts of your car can create a myriad of issues such as problems with the brakes, structural damage, issues with the exhaust, muffler systems, coil springs, and more. The good news is, there are ways to avoid damaging your vehicle with a little time and effort. Here are some tips. 

1. Wash your vehicle every 10 days or less.
2. Wash your vehicle before the temperature reaches 35 degrees F. or higher. At freezing temperatures, road salt can't do much to hurt your car; it has to warm up to start contributing to rust.
3. Avoid driving through deep snow. Deep snow can become packed into the undercarriage and contribute to corrosion and even cause drivability problems (reduced braking action, vibrations, inhibit airflow, etc).
4. Avoid driving through large puddles of standing water where road salt collects.
5. Repair paint chips that are larger than the tip of a pen to avoid corrosion.
6. Wax your vehicle at least every three months to give your vehicle a strong protective coating.
7. Wax your vehicle before winter to protect your paint from corrosive salt.
8. Keep car tires clean and salt-free.
9. Wash your car during the day so the vehicle has time to dry. 
10. If possible, avoid driving before and after a snowstorm.

While it’s not always possible to avoid the wintery weather of Iowa it is possible to avoid damage from the salt. Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales is your headquarters for exemplary customer services and for safe winter driving. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your trailer needs and will do whatever it takes to earn your business and remain lifelong clients. Terry’s Auto Body has been serving the  Riceville and McIntire area for over 30-years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. Contact Terry's Auto Body & Trailer Sales for all your trailer needs, repairs, and maintenance. Avoid disaster and keep your family safe while driving. Call 641-985-2536 or visit our website.

Sources:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/hidden-hazards-of-road-salt-car-corrosion-can-take-a-toll/363940

http://www.royaltouchcarwash.com/preventing-road-salt-damage/

https://blog.nationwide.com/prevent-road-salt-damage-to-your-car/

Photo by Thomas  Apeldoorn Unsplash 

How to Drive Defensively

Driving can sometimes be a scary ordeal. Aggressive, inattentive, and impaired drivers not only pose a threat to themselves, but to other drivers sharing the road with them. While you can’t control the actions of others, you have the power to make the roads safer while protecting yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle by being a defensive driver. 

Follow these tips to hone your skills and stay safe behind the wheel:

• Be Aware. Being aware of your surroundings may seem like common sense, but this is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and others while traveling the roadways. Check your side- and rear-view mirrors periodically (every 5-10 seconds is suggested) and when your changing lanes or turning. Scan your peripheral for other vehicles and potential obstructions for at least a quarter-mile ahead. For those driving larger vehicles or towing wider loads, make a conscious effort to scan your surroundings more frequently. 
• Delete Distractions. In today’s digital world, our main distraction is the cell phone. While hands-free calling appears to be safer, it takes your attention off the road and increases accident risk. Your best bet is to resist the urge to use your phone while driving. If you need to make or take a call, pull over in a safe area and resume driving once your call is completer. However, cell phones are not the only factor. Checking your GPS for directions, adjusting the climate or radio, and even eating affects our situational awareness. Plan ahead by programming your GPS prior to the start of your trip and mapping our restaurants and rest stops along your route. 
• Rest Up. Tired or sleep-deprived driving is considered distracted driving and thus has a negative impact on your attentiveness. When driving long distances, stop every few hours to walk around, stretch out, and recharge your batteries. If you have a travel buddy, alternate driving shifts. 
• Get a Grip. In driver’s education we were taught to keep our hands at “ten and two,” but times have necessitated us to change to “nine and three.” Should you get in an accident and the airbag deploys, the “nine and three” position gives you the range of motion to turn and react if needed with a higher chance of avoiding injury. 
• Be Ready to React. Follow the “three-second rule” while driving; maintain a “three-second” following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Increase the distance inclement weather or other difficult driving conditions. This will allow you the necessary time to react to accidents or other unforeseen situations. 

Following these defensive driving tips will not only make the roads safer for everyone, but it also removes the fear-factor, allowing the drive to be an enjoyable part of the journey.

If you are driving a trailer this winter in the snow, contact Terry's Auto Body & Trailer Sales for all your trailer needs, repairs, and maintenance. Avoid disaster and keep your family safe while driving. Call 641-985-2536 or visit our website at www.ricevilletrailers.com. 

---

Sources

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/driving-safety.html

https://driversed.com/driving-information/defensive-driving/defensive-driving-techniques.aspx

https://www.businessinsider.com/defensive-driving-tips-2017-2

When Should a Paintless Dent Repair be Used?

It goes without saying that when it comes to vehicle repairs, some issues are far easier (and more budget-friendly) to repair than others. Replacing your windshield wipers, for example, is substantially less severe than, of course, needing a new set of brakes. Need a new battery? While an initial investment on your part, this is still significantly more tolerable then removing and replacing your vehicle’s brake pads.

Thankfully, another common car issue on the less-extreme side of things are dents; while this is a problem that can cause severe damage to your vehicle (especially if left unchecked), the initial repair is a relatively quick and painless process, both for you and your car. This is especially the case when it comes to paintless dent repair.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Depending on the type of dent that is present on your car, your mechanic may choose to repair the dent using a paintless dent repair rather than a traditional dent repair. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that paintless dent removal, just like its name suggests, removes dents that massage the dent out of the vehicle without compromising the paint. Some of the best use cases for paintless dent removal will vary, depending on the kind of car you have, but in most cases, paintless dent removal is an excellent solution to remove bodyline damage, door dings, hail damage, and minor creases. This is an effective repair method for steel and aluminum parts and is also a budget-friendly repair solution. That’s because, with paintless dent repair, you maintain the original factory paint because no fillers are painted and used during the restoration process.

Now, before you get too excited, keep in mind that a qualified mechanic may not recommend paintless dent removal as the best method for repairing your car. It all depends on the extent of the damage to your vehicle. For example, if the metal was stretched upon impact too much, a traditional dent repair may be the only way to restore your car to its proper condition.

A paintless dent repair is an effective method that keeps your car looking and operating its best. If your vehicle is currently inflicted with dents, don’t wait another minute to get it back to its best possible quality. Trust your friends and experts at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales—we’d be honored to assist you however we can. Call us at 641-985-2536 or visit our location on Highway 9 in Riceville.

Inspecting Your Trailer Before a Road Trip: What to Look For

The last thing you want on your scenic road trip to your vacation destination is car problems. A flat tire, mechanical issues or even a burnt out light bulb can mean hours or even days of lost vacation time. Like all vehicles, It’s important to check up on your car’s maintenance and the preventive care you could be doing before a road trip.

1. First things first, check your tires for splitting, flation, and dry rot. And of course, use your own judgement if your tires will be able to make the trip or not.

2. If your trailer has brakes, get a brake inspection beforehand so your trailer can stop safely.You don’t want a locked wheel bearing!

3. Along with your car lights, make sure your trailer’s lights are working. No lights could wind up in a costly ticket!

4.  Whatever vehicle you choose to tow your trailer, make sure it has enough strength and power. The ball on the hitch needs to be the right size. In case your ball hitch fails, double check that chains are able to catch to the trailer. Packing your trailer could change that, but it’s also important to remember equal weight distribution when comes to packing.

In the end, it’s a whole lot of double checking, but it's necessary when it comes to having a stress free road trip!

Since 1986, Terry’s Auto Body & Trailer Sales has been servicing vehicles and trailers across northeast Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. We offer a variety of trailers and parts for all of your auto needs! With our wide trailer part selection and repair experts, we can get your trailer into tip top condition before your road trip!

Located off Highway 9 in Riceville, we are proud to offer trailers and parts from name brands including PJ Trailers, American Hauler, RoadRunner Manufacturing and Zimmerman Trailers. Stop into Terry’s Auto Body & Trailer Sales and choose from our selection of dump trailers, utility trailers, tilt trailers, car haulers, cargo trailers, snowmobile trailers, car trailers, and truck beds. Our shop also services a range of trailer needs including brake repair, wiring, wheel replacement, axle replacement and much more. With a large selection of trailer parts, we can supply you with brakes, lights, seals, trailer plugs, tarp kits, tires and batteries to keep your trailer up-to-date. If you’re ready to improve your trailer or vehicle, contact the professionals at Terry’s Auto Body & Trailer Sales! For more information, visit www.ricevilletrailers.com or call 641-985-2536.

Keep Your Engine Cool in the Summer Heat

Summers can get pretty hot here in Iowa, and the last thing you want is to be that guy or girl parked on the side of the road, steam pouring out from under your vehicle’s hood, helplessly waiting for things to cool off so you can get back to your day. This is one situation where an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure, so we’ve compiled a list of tips for you to use to avoid an overheated car this summer.

 

1 - Check Your Coolant - Engine overheating is often caused by something completely avoidable - running out of antifreeze.  Make a point of checking your levels often, but especially as the outdoor temperatures start to climb. If you can’t remember when you last replaced your coolant, now is a good time to do just that. A great practice is to have your coolant checked when you get your oil changed. This is definitely a job for a trained mechanic, as most states have strict rules for disposal of used radiator fluid. 

 

2 - Check Your Drive Belt - The drive belt performs many functions, including driving the water pump for your alternator. If the belt breaks, your water pump stops functioning, your coolant stops circulating, and your vehicle will likely overheat within a matter of minutes. Next time you’re at your service station, have the technician check your drive belt for signs of wear and tear, including tears, nicks, or cracking. Catching and replacing a deteriorating belt before it fails will help keep your engine from overheating and leaving you stranded roadside. 

 

3 - Check Your Radiator - Dirt, leaves, and road debris can build up in front of your radiator, blocking air and increasing the chances of overheating. Your radiator cap, whose job it is to keep the pressure regulated, can crack or loosen, leading to possible overheating. Be sure to only check the radiator cap when the car is cool, never when the engine has been running. 

 

4 - What To Do If Your Vehicle Does Overheat - If, despite your best efforts, your vehicle overheats on the road, it’s important to pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, as driving an overheated engine can lead to very expensive repairs. Turn your engine off, open the hood, and allow the engine to cool off. Never try to take the radiator cap off while it is hot, as the sudden release of pressure and hot fluid can lead to some very nasty burns. 

 

Have fun on the road this summer! For more summer driving tips see the great information that AAA offers. If your trailers needs any servicing Terry’s Auto Body & Trailer Sales is here to help! Give is a call at 641-985-2536 and follow us on Facebook.