New Year’s Resolution Ideas: Give Your Car Some Winter TLC

The new year is fast approaching, and now’s the time to establish your 2020 resolutions. And
if you’re a driver, your car should be at the top of that list. A little TLC can go a long way to help you
conquer that New Year’s resolution. With a bit of dent repair and routine maintenance, you can make sure that
your car looks, feels, runs and even smells like new. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Paintless Dent Repair

PDR, or paintless dent repair, can be done without having to repaint a vehicle. This
provides a faster and more affordable service so that you can get rid of the little dents and dings on your car.
If your vehicle has suffered through a hail storm,
for instance, PDR may just be the solution. By scheduling professional paintless dent repair service, your car
can be restored to its factory beauty in no time at all. Plus, it ensures that paint doesn’t have to be matched,
giving you a pristine look from front to back.

Need to repair a
dent in Kansas City? Contact one of our McCarthy Collision Centers to get a free quote on PDR.

Repair Windshield Chips

Chips in your windshield can decrease visibility; you don’t want to run the risk of not being
able to see when you’re driving down the road. It’s important to remember that glass expands in the heat and
contracts in the cold. This means that a chip from a rock or other debris could cause the crack to spread in the
winter, leaving you with zero visibility on your hands—let alone a massive safety hazard to deal with. Windshield damage can be
repaired so that you’re not left having to replace the entire windshield.

Detail Your Car

Detailing your car can allow you to get a great look inside and out. You can make sure
that debris is vacuumed away through the interior, stains are cleaned up, and other surfaces are protected. With
a thorough cleaning, it’s going to smell like new, too.

The added benefit of detailing your car is that the exterior is cleaned thoroughly. With less
dirt on the outside, it helps with aerodynamics for fuel-efficiency. A full detail also enables you to get a
clear picture of your vehicle, allowing you to identify any dents or damage that may need to be fixed. This way,
the exterior will look as good as the day you bought it.

Change Out Your Windshield Wipers

Many people forget to change out their windshield wipers before and after every winter. Rather
than waiting until the wiper blades are dull, chipped, and smearing your windshield, you can use the start of
the new year as your reminder. With new windshield wipers, it’ll be easier to clear away snow, ice, rain, and
anything else that might get in the way.

Focus on Winter Preventative Maintenance

The cold and snow can take a toll on your car. So, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle into
your trusted body shop or service
center for some preventative winter car maintenance. It may be necessary to change to 5W-30 oil—it flows quicker
in cold weather, giving your engine a performance boost—fill up your windshield washer fluid, change the air
filters, and add air to your tires. You may also want to swap your tires for all-weather ones so that they can
provide a better grip on the icy roads.

With so many ways to give your car some TLC, you’ll be ready to make a New Year’s resolution
that you can really keep. For any necessary winter autobody repairs in Kansas City, contact the pros at McCarthy Collision Centers. We
have locations throughout Missouri and Kansas, and we’re ready to help you start the new year on the right foot.

Sources:

• statefarm.com/simple-insights/auto-and-vehicles/important-winter-car-care-tips
• csmonitor.com/Business/2011/1217/Ready-for-winter-Six-tips-to-winterize-your-car/Change-the-engine-oil
• glassdoctor.com/blog/how-to-stop-a-windshield-crack-from-spreading