Blog

Paintless dent repair gets your vehicle back into good physical health in a quick, easy, and affordable way. Sometimes things can happen, such as backing into an obstacle, getting into a fender bender, or, in some cases, dents can even just seem to magically appear. Whatever the cause, dents in your vehicle don’t look so great, and they can negatively impact the value of your vehicle if you were considering selling or trading-in. But what is paintless dent repair exactly? How does it differ from your run-of-the-mill dent repair? When should you opt for one and not the other? In this paintless dent repair overview, we’ll look at what you can expect from the service at a collision repair center and when it’s right to choose paintless dent repair. Let’s dive in. more What is Paintless Dent Repair? Without getting too technical, the one main thing you need to know about dent removal is that it hinges on the metal’s “memory.” In other words, assuming the metal hasn’t been bent out of shape too much or for too long, it can revert to its original state and shape. When the dent or ding isn’t too severe, the auto body repair shop will coax the metal back to how it should be. Sometimes this is done by accessing the dent from the other side (aka, the interior of the vehicle) or by using a suction tool to “pop” the dent out. And that’s it. Simple as that. No pounding, grinding, or sanding. And then, no need for a paint application to cover up the cosmetic damage, hence the name “paintless dent repair.” When Should I Choose Paintless Dent Repair? In Kansas City, we’ll sometimes get hailstorms, and those little nuggets plummeting back to Earth are key culprits of dents and dings in vehicles. If you have kids in your neighborhood, you might notice a ding that’s suspiciously the size of a football. Regardless, if you find dents on larger pieces of the vehicle’s body, such as the doors, hood, or roof, paintless dent repair is a quick and affordable option to get the dings out. When Do I Need Traditional Dent Repair? When dents and damage to the vehicle are more severe, or the paint has cracked in the dent or around it, you may need to opt for traditional dent repair over paintless dent repair. They’ll need to hammer out the metal to get it back into shape, grind, and sand the area down to have a fresh canvas to apply new paint. Because of the extra labor involved, this process is a bit more costly. However, at McCarthy Collision centers, we make it as affordable as possible and offer service specials to help you save. Choose McCarthy for Paintless Dent Repair If your car has a few dents and dings, bring it to our collision center to see if it’s eligible for paintless dent repair. Our expert technicians understand vehicle repair and dent removal and can help get your car, truck, or SUV back into tip-top shape. Contact us today to find the McCarthy Collision Center near you.

There’s nothing quite like the call of the open road. You go where you want, you see the sights along the way, and you have your choice of entertainment as you go. There’s just one thing—wouldn’t it put a damper on your big journey if your vehicle broke down on the way? Road trips are one of the last great expressions of freedom. So, why wouldn’t you want to ensure your freedom is safe from car troubles as you go? In this long road trip car maintenance checklist, we’ll go over how to prep your car for a road trip to avoid any unwanted service center stops. Read on to learn the long road trip car maintenance tips to ensure smooth sailing. more Get an Oil Change When you neglect to get an oil change for too long, sludge builds up in your engine, and the parts don’t get the proper lubrication. Without the proper lubrication, too much friction occurs. When too much friction occurs, the engine will overwork and overheat, and when overheating occurs, your road trip can be cut short very quickly. Be sure to check your service records to make sure you have plenty of miles before your next oil change is due. Check Your Tires Naturally, a deflated or flat tire will put a halt to the road trip immediately. However, ignoring warning signs about your tires will lead to repairs on the road. Firstly, make sure there aren’t any slow leaks or bubbles in your tires. Secondly, ensure that your tire tread is still in good shape. If your tread is looking low, you should consider tire replacement to avoid flats or blowouts. Change Your Filters Since you’ll be spending so much time in the car, you’ll want to be able to breathe comfortably. You’ll also want to check your engine filter to make sure that dust and debris don’t get into the engine to muck things up. When you bring your car to your local Kansas City service center, be sure to have the technician inspect your filters. Inspect Your Brakes As important as it is for your car to move forward, you need to make sure your vehicle can safely come to a complete stop too. If you’ve noticed a squeaking or, worse yet, a grinding sound when braking, it’s time for brake replacement. You don’t want your wheels damaged from metal-on-metal when brake pads are worn or worse yet, getting into an accident because you couldn’t stop in time. Replace Your Wipers and Lights A safe ride is a happy ride, and being able to properly see through any time of day, night, or weather is vital to a safe trip. You can’t guarantee you won’t run into rain on your drive, so it’s good to have fresh wipers to keep your windshield clear. You also may end up driving when it’s dark, so lights are just as important. They’re quick and easy to replace, so you should. Service Your Car at McCarthy Collision Centers Set yourself up for success on your next road trip by bringing your vehicle to your local McCarthy Collision Center location. Our experts know vehicles inside and out and can get your car, truck, or SUV back to road-ready in no time at all. Call us today to schedule service to get your vehicle like new again for your next adventure: Blue Springs, MO: 816-224-7575 Lee's Summit, MO: 816-313-4533 Olathe, KS: 913-324-7300 Overland Park, KS: 913-649-2999

Have you heard that ominous “ tick” sound while driving one day, only to notice a lovely chip or crack in your windshield a few days later? It’s incredibly frustrating to see windshield damage when you sit behind the wheel because it feels like just one more thing on your already full to-do list. Can it be put off? Is it dangerous to keep driving with windshield damage? Read on to learn when to replace a windshield, more about auto glass replacement, and when you can’t put it off any longer. more Should I Repair or Replace a Windshield? No matter how small the chip or crack in your windshield is now, it inevitably will grow. Large temperature fluctuations, such as very hot in the sun during the summer months in Kansas City to the cooler nights, will make your windshield expand and contract. When this happens, the chips will become cracks, and the cracks will expand. If you act quickly when the chip or crack is small, you can likely find a windshield repair center near Sedalia that can fix it without needing full auto glass replacement. When Can I Fix Windshield Damage? In order to have your windshield repaired, rather than replaced, there are a few criteria you’ll need to meet. If the windshield is chipped from flying rocks and debris on the highway, and if you act quickly, it can more than likely be repaired, though the diameter needs to be an inch or less. When it comes to a windshield crack, it needs to be less than the length of a dollar bill. If the chip is too deep into your windshield, or if the crack is too close to the edge of the windshield, you’ll need auto glass replacement. How Does Windshield Crack Repair Work? First and foremost, you need to ensure that your windshield is completely dry and that you aren’t in a heat wave or cold snap. Extreme weather conditions are not conducive to auto glass repair. Once these conditions are met, the windshield replacement center will apply an adhesive to your windshield and let it set and dry for a few hours. Once that’s all set, you’re good to get back on the road as if it never happened. For just a few hours, you can save yourself the trouble of full auto glass replacement. When Do I Need to Replace a Windshield? Simply put, the conditions for when you need to replace a windshield are the opposite of when you can repair a windshield. If the chip is deep into the windshield If the crack is wider or longer than a dollar bill When the chip is larger than an inch in diameter If the crack is too close to the edge of the windshield And if your windshield glass is tempered rather than laminated. If any of those conditions are met, you’ll need windshield replacement. How Does Windshield Replacement Work? You bring your vehicle to a local auto glass replacement center and let the expert technicians do their job. They’ll remove the old windshield, put in the new one, and apply the adhesive to secure it to the frame of your vehicle. After that, the adhesive needs to dry for a bit in the controlled environment of the shop, and that’s it! Auto Glass Repair in Kansas City Don’t let a chipped or cracked windshield go for long. Cracks will spread, reduce your vision on the road, and lead to accidents. Bring your vehicle to one of our McCarthy Collision Centers for expert auto glass repair that’s quick, efficient, and affordable. Call us today to find your nearest location and to schedule service.

We all love our furry friends, but let's be honest, they don't do your upholstery any favors. Claws wreak havoc on leather and vinyl. Wet noses and tongues muck up the windows. And have you ever tried to get dog hair out of your carpet? Yikes. Still, sometimes leaving your little buddy at home just isn't an option. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to bring pets along for the ride without sacrificing your car's interior. Here's our list of pointers. more Keep Up With Grooming It's important to make sure your dog, cat, or whatever other fuzzball you're transporting isn't going to shed or scratch excessively. Keeping your dog's nails properly trimmed will do wonders to protect the soft surfaces inside the vehicle, especially if you have leather or similar seating material. Once they're scratched or torn, seats can cost hundreds of dollars to fix, so always schedule a nail trimming appointment before you go on a long road trip with Fido. Alternatively, you can buy foolproof nail trimmers that are totally safe to use on your dog, and this will save you tons of money in the long run. Pet hair is notoriously difficult to get out of the nooks and crannies in your car—it can take a professional detailer hours to get the job done properly. If you have a dog or cat that's prone to shedding, there are many products available that can safely get rid of excess undercoat fur. Most groomers offer special de-shedding treatments as well. Transport Pets the Right Way If you spend a lot of time in the car with a dog or cat, it's never a bad idea to spend a few bucks on a dedicated car seat or seat belt harness. The benefits of these are twofold: not only does it keep your pet secured in one spot to reduce messes, but it's by far the safest way to transport pets in case of an accident. Cats can be a little trickier to keep safe and secured, so we usually recommend a small crate or pet carrier for our feline friends. This goes for other small critters like rabbits and ferrets, too. Regarding larger breed dogs, the best way to keep them safe in the car is usually a large, sturdy crate, preferably in the rear storage area of a minivan or SUV. You should also ensure that the crate itself is firmly secured so it doesn't go flying when you hit the brakes. Manage Messes Before They Happen Let's talk about medication for a second. Generally speaking, The more used to car rides your pet is, the better they'll handle it. But, many of our pets only ride in the car occasionally for vet appointments and such, so they never quite get used to the family vehicle. This can mean a lot of nervousness, when can result in carsickness and vomiting. If you find that your little buddy just can't stand the car, most vets will give you anti-anxiety or anti-nausea medication, which can do wonders to keep cats and dogs zen'd out. Invest in Seat Covers and Floor Mats One of the absolute best ways to keep your seats and carpet intact is to make sure they never get a chance to get messed up in the first place. Most major automakers offer covers and mats that are specially designed for their current models, so you can buy them with the utmost confidence that they'll fit like a glove. It may seem like an unnecessarily expensive thing to spend money on, but trust us when we say they'll pay for themselves within the first year if your dog spends a lot of time riding with you. Clean Your Car Regularly The longer you let a mess stay in your car, the harder it'll be to clean, and that doesn't just apply to pet hair. Giving your car a thorough bath on a regular basis is one of the most oft-overlooked but important aspects to responsible car ownership. We recommend vacuuming your car out a couple times a month, or about every two weeks. Doing so will go a long way toward maintaining your vehicle's resale value, and it's absolutely essential if you drive a newer ride, or if you're leasing. Keep an Emergency Kit No matter how well-prepared you are, accidents will always happen, so it's best to keep your car stocked with some cleaning supplies. Here's a quick list to get you started: Pet-safe disinfectant Pet-safe deodorizer Paper towels or shop towels Vehicle-grade wet wipes Plastic waste bags As long as you stay prepared, and you practice the other preventative measures on this list, you and your best friend can ride together with out a care in the world. Schedule Service With McCarthy Collision Centers Now that we've covered the inside of the car, let's address the outside. If you have any scratches, dings, or dents and you want to get your car looking like brand new, set up an appointment for a free estimate with us at one of our four locations across Kansas City.

Whether it's at the beginning or the end of the process of searching for a new car, truck, or SUV in Kansas City, you'll need to determine if you want to purchase or lease. Is it better to pay more over a longer period of time to own the vehicle, or is it better to pay a lower amount to have the car in your care for some time and then repeat the process in a few years? Only you can decide which is best for you, and it often comes down to budgeting, but we'll review the perks and drawbacks of buying vs. leasing a vehicle to help you determine which path to take. Buying a Vehicle in Kansas City The Basics: You find the new car, truck, or SUV you like, and it feels comfortable to drive and negotiate a price that works for your budget and the dealership. You can also lower the overall cost by trading in your current vehicle, and the more you put towards a down payment will lower the amount you need to borrow as a loan. The lower the loan = the less you pay monthly. When purchasing a car, you can choose the accessories and features you want and need in your vehicle. If you want to upgrade the sound system to turn every drive into a private concert or front-row seats to your favorite podcasts, that's an easily accessible possibility. You also can drive as much as you want. Have a big road trip lined up? You can drive as much as you want without fear of breaching a contract. Once your loan is paid back, you own the car outright. Working with a trusted finance center at a dealership is one of the best things you can do. For example, our team works with our vast network of trusted lenders to find you the best rates to make the vehicle of your dreams a reality. No matter what your credit score is, we'll help you drive off the lot happily and confidently. The Drawbacks: The unfortunate truth is that 99% of cars start to lose value the second you drive away from the dealership, which means you won't get the best return on investment if and/or when you decide to sell it. Now, to be fair, as opposed to a lease, you can sell it when you choose to. Buying a vehicle will be more expensive upfront because of the down payment, but the monthly payments will likely be lower. You're also subject to sales tax and interest on the total value of the vehicle. You'll have a warranty, but coverage will likely end before you sell, which means repairs for costly damages will fall on you (transmission, alternator, etc.). Leasing a Vehicle in Kansas City The Basics: A lease is effectively renting the car, but at a much lower rate than purchasing the car outright. Most leases last 2-3 years, and during that time you'll have a contracted number of miles you can drive before you start to incur penalties (in the form of fees). To put it in the simplest terms and perspective, you'll pay less for the lease during the 2–3-year period than you would during that same amount of time if you purchased the vehicle. When you lease, you get the latest features in new vehicles and can enjoy the ride vs. driving an older model that doesn't have all the flash that other vehicles do. You also don't have to worry about the car depreciating in value. Speaking of value, the warranty will cover most if not all of the lease period, so maintenance costs are low if not $0. The Drawbacks: Once the lease ends, you're back at square one, needing to pay a down payment and go through financing. You'll also have to adhere to the mileage limits of your lease, the upper limit of which is usually around 15,000 miles per year. If you're someone who likes taking road trips, a lease may not be the best option. While you get all the latest tech and safety features, there's little room for customizing the vehicle to your liking — what you see is what you get. While the warranty will cover most maintenance tasks, it doesn't cover all of them, and you'll need to go to specific service centers and use manufacturer's parts, which can be a bit more expensive, but they won't void the warranty. You also need to be on top of your payments as failure to pay can be seen as breaking the leasing contract and, therefore, incurs some hefty fines. Buy or Lease Your Next Vehicle in Sedalia No matter your choice, buying or leasing your next vehicle with McCarthy guarantees you'll get the best rates and the highest quality vehicles that will run reliably and keep you and your passengers or family safe. Contact us at one of our locations for more information or to set up a test drive.

There are only a few worse feelings than driving along, enjoying your favorite song, playlist, or podcast on your way to work or home, and bouncing in the driver's seat because you hit a hidden pothole in the road. It can turn a good day into a bad one or a bad day into a worse one; now you need to worry about pothole damage to your car, truck, or SUV and if you'll need to bring it to a service center for repairs. While drivers in Kansas City, Lee's Summit, and Olathe are no strangers to potholes in the roads, it never hurts to have a refresher course on how to avoid potholes and why you should bring your vehicle to your local service center. How to Avoid Potholes While it would be the simplest answer in the world to say, "Just look out for potholes and drive around them," and it may work most of the time, drivers understand that approach won't always work. Potholes can be hidden by water or debris, it could be too dark to see them in time, or any other number of reasons. So, while the first tip to avoiding potholes is to pay close attention to the road and avoid distractions (smartphones being one of the greater issues at hand), there is more that goes into dodging potholes on the road safely. Without further ado: Tip 1: Look Carefully If you can see it, you'll know how to avoid it. Reduce distractions and keep your eyes on the road. Tip 2: Drive Slower If you avoid speeding, you'll have more time to react when you see a pothole. Now, a caveat here is that other drivers on the road may make this more difficult. Someone tailgating you may cause you to speed up (and also be distracted looking in your rearview mirror). It's best to try and avoid speeding to give yourself the time to react. Tip 3: Avoid Puddles and Debris What may seem like average debris you can roll over or a puddle you can splash through on your drive may have a substantial pothole underneath it. Try to go around puddles as often as you can to dodge diving into a crater. Tip 4: Use Headlights Properly If it's dark, potholes look like any other portion of the road. Keep your headlights on and use the high beams when necessary to get as much lighting in front of you as possible to maximize visibility before it's too late. Tip 5: Keep to the Middle While potholes can technically pop up anywhere, you may see them more frequently on the sides of the road. Staying in the middle may lower your chances of hitting a pothole. Tip 6: Inflate Your Tires Following the manufacturer's tire pressure recommendations will increase your odds of soldering on over potholes and minimize damage. This isn't a surefire way to mitigate damage, but it can avoid flats or bubbles. Tip 7: Replace Worn Tires Tires with barely any tread left are more susceptible to punctures and bubbles when you run over a pothole. If your tread is looking low (or nonexistent), replace your tires to avoid a flat or a blowout. What to Do After Hitting a Pothole Check Your Vehicle If you hit a pothole and think your car, truck, or SUV may be damaged, here's a quick checklist to go over to assess your vehicle's status. Tires The first place to look is your tires. Check for flats or bubbles and replace them accordingly. Wheels If your tires didn't have enough tread or weren't inflated properly, your wheels may become bent, cracked, or overall damaged if you hit a pothole the wrong way. Shocks If you notice a bumpier ride after hitting a pothole, your shocks may be damaged or broken entirely. Make a note of how your car drives in the aftermath of hitting a pothole. Suspension and Alignment If your car shakes at higher speeds or pulls in either direction, your suspension or alignment may be to blame. If you think your vehicle needs suspension repair, it is best to take it to a service center. Exhaust Strange sounds may emit from your exhaust system if you hit a pothole, and you will need care from a trusted mechanic at a collision center. How to Repair a Pothole Report any potholes you come across to your city or county government. If you want to fill a pothole, this is the best way to go about it. Your local government has a road department that will fill them in (ideally quickly). Bring Your Car in for Inspection When you hit a pothole, and your car doesn't sound or handle how it used to, your vehicle is likely suffering from pothole damage and will need a keen eye to source and fix the issue. If your vehicle is suffering from pothole damage, bring it into one of our service centers: we service Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Kansas City, Olathe, and Overland Park residents to help keep them driving safely. Contact us to find the closest pothole collision center near your, or call us to set up an appointment in any of these locations: Blue Springs, MO (816) 224-7575 Lee's Summit, MO (816) 313-4531 Olathe, KS (913) 324-7300 Overland Park, KS (913) 649-2999

Did you hear a strange rumbling noise while you were driving and had to pull over, or did you walk up to your car to find you had a flat tire? Flats can have several causes including: Nails or screws in the road Potholes And other sharp objects A fact of life is that driving around Kansas City will inevitably lead to a flat tire from a puncture at some point. The question is: do you need to find a tire repair shop to replace the tire or repair it? With a few variables at play, let's look at when you should repair or replace your flat tire. Tire Patching To sum up before we dive in: if a tire is in good condition and only has a small puncture less than 1/4" wide in the tread, it can be replaced. Here are some things to consider when you want to fix the issue with tire patching. The tread on the tire: the less tread on your tire, the worse condition it's in; this can lead to more frequent or more severe punctures and leaks. Has the tire been repaired before: In some cases, a tire can be repaired once before and there will be no issue if you bring it into a tire repair shop for another flat. However, in order to be repaired, the new leak cannot be too close to a previously repaired leak as it degrades the quality and lifespan of the tire quickly, leading to another flat down the road in a shorter amount of time. You also cannot exceed two repairs on the same tire. Is the damage to the sidewall or shoulder of the tire: If the answer is yes, then you will need to replace the tire entirely as damage to these areas cannot be fixed. Let's look at that in a bit more detail now. When to Search "Tire Shops Near Me" As mentioned earlier, a major factor in the tire repair vs. replacement debate is the quality of the tire's tread. An age-old trick to test your tire's tread is to put a penny in the groove. If Lincoln's head doesn't dip below the tread line, it's time to replace the tire. If you get a leak with low tread, absolutely replace the tire. If there is a nail or a leak in the sidewall or the shoulder of the tire (effectively where the tire starts to change from flat to curved), you'll need to replace the tire as these locations cannot be patched. If your tire has been patched twice already, or if the new leak is within 16 inches of a previous patch, the tire cannot be salvaged, and you'll need to get a new one. Bonus point: If you notice a bubble on the side of your tire, say, from hitting a pothole a little too hard because you didn't see it, absolutely replace your tire. If your tire has a bubble and you continue to drive on it, you could face a blowout on the road. Please take it to a tire repair shop before disaster strikes. If you experience a flat or a blowout, always call a reliable towing service to get you to a nearby tire shop. Tire Patching When You Need It If you're near Kansas City or Olathe, KS, and need a tire repair shop, come by our service center to have your vehicle looked at and fixed up. Our expertly trained mechanics can help determine if your tire can be repaired or find a suitable replacement quickly to get you back on the road in no time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or call us at (913) 324-7300 for more information about tire patching and replacement.

There isn't any other sound quite as fear and anxiety-inducing as a pebble or rock smacking your windshield at 60+ MPH on the highway, only to see a dent or crack immediately forming. Similarly, few events feel as exasperating as walking to your parked car and seeing a crack formed on your windshield, seemingly out of nowhere. While a cracked windshield isn't the end of the world, it's an annoyance that no one thinks about until it happens. Then you have to think and ask yourself: Do I have to deal with taking this to a service center near me, or can I keep driving until it really becomes a problem? Fortunately, this quick guide will help shed some light on windshield chip repair and when you need to take care of windshield issues that come up. Assess Your Cracked Windshield's Damage There really are only two options for repairing a cracked windshield, and it depends on the size of the crack and the style of the windshield in question. A Large Crack in Your Windshield Your front windshield is the most likely place to have a crack since vehicles in front of you can kick up pebbles, rocks, and debris that will ding your windshield as you drive. If the crack is larger than a few inches, your windshield's structural integrity is compromised. When this happens, these are the ensuing results, in no particular order: Poor temperature regulation as heat or air conditioning escapes through the crack. Limited visibility (location and spread dependent) makes driving difficult and possibly leads to further accidents and injury. The windshield cracking all over or "spidering," rendering the vehicle undrivable. When you encounter a wide or deep crack, it is best to replace your windshield before the crack worsens and limits your visibility while driving. Repairing a cracked windshield is fast and easy — and will keep your car working optimally on the road. A Small Crack in Your Windshield If you only have a small dent or crack in your windshield, there isn't an immediate need to rush to an auto body shop. In some cases, with a small enough cracked windshield, you can have the windshield repaired rather than outright replaced. It's not recommended to let it go too long without getting looked at, but you have some time. Eventually, however, the crack will expand, and you'll be back at step one of a large crack in your windshield. There is one important note to make about cracks in your windshield: the material used for the windshield. Is it laminated glass or tempered glass? What is a Laminated Glass Windshield? Laminated glass, the kind you'd find on most (if not all) modern front windshields, is two layers of tempered glass layered with a film of plastic in between, greatly strengthening the durability of the windshield. When laminated glass is hit, say with a rock on the highway, it will only crack rather than shatter into pebbles. What is a Tempered Glass Windshield? Tempered glass, like the kind you'd find on driver and passenger windows and the rear windshield, is strengthened through intense heating. When it is struck hard enough and at the right angle, it will shatter into pebbles that won't cut and slice. You won't see tempered glass on front windshields because it would be detrimental for the glass to shatter if it were hit with a large enough rock at the right speed. However, it's ideal for rear windows and side windows in case of an accident when you need to escape. What Happens If I Have a Cracked Rear Windshield? As mentioned above, rear windshields are made from tempered glass, and if you have a crack in the rear glass, you run the risk of it expanding quickly and the entire windshield shattering more quickly and easily. It is best to immediately take it to a repair center and have it replaced before any further issues arise. Should I Take My Car to a Collision Center Near Me? Short answer: yes. Is it possible to repair or replace your own windshield? Technically, yes — if you have the tools and expertise to do so. However, incorrect installation can lead to problems. You could hire an at-home windshield repair or replacement service. The pros are that it's quicker and more convenient as it's done at your home or on the road. However, at-home windshield replacement services often don't have all of the tools necessary to always install them correctly. You may also see a higher price due to the convenience. Repair Cracked Windshields Quickly Repairing a cracked windshield in Olathe is easy when you take it to an auto shop in the area. Our mechanics are expertly trained in repairing and replacing cracked windshields with all of the modern tools to have your vehicle back up and running in no time and without breaking the bank. If you need windshield repair in Olathe or general service repairs, visit our collision center to make your car look like new again. Contact us or call us at (913) 324-7300 to schedule an appointment.

Drats, we're already well into fall and staring directly at a coming winter filled with those lovely cold Kansas City mornings (and days, and nights,) sleet, snow, frosted over glass, icy roads, and road salt. Accidents are going to happen (even if they're caused by someone else who isn't quite as good a driver as you are) and, while the McCarthy Collision Centers teams are here to help repair any issues you encounter we also want to help prepare your vehicle to thrive in the cold days and nights to come. We sat down around an open fire, realized we sadly lacked any chestnuts for roasting, and came up with 8 tips to help prepare your car for winter. Car Maintenance Tips Before Winter Staying on top of your vehicle's mechanical status is a terrific way to avoid getting stranded or just being frustrated this winter. A great tip for staying safe (and pointed in the right direction) this winter is to align your wheels. This is necessary to maximize the life of your tires and give your car or truck the best handling in the many wintry conditions coming our way. The McCarthy team is professionally qualified to align your vehicle – you won't MALIGN the work we do, we guarantee! Fix the crack (or is that cracks?) in your windshield. Foggy or frosted-over windshields are hard enough to see through without a spiderweb of cracks making things even worse. Don't be like your friendly local blogger, and make sure to repair windshield damage on a timely basis. (Cold weather can worsen the cracks, unfortunately!) It's a great enhancement to the safety (and looks) of your car this winter, and we can help with that. Ensure your suspension is in prime operating conditions, as a failure could leave you stranded when it's -5° and the forecast calls for a bomb cyclone to drop 8-10" of snow on your neighborhood in Lee's Summit. Our team can identify what's making your ride squeak going over speed bumps and repair whatever vehicular ailment you have. Consider whether it's time to replace your tires and be ready to spend that cash. Bald tires, or even those running with minimal remaining tread, can dampen your day and potentially affect strangers on the roadways around Blue Springs. A set of new all-season tires might be the ticket to getting through this upcoming winter, or you may choose to swap on a set of winter tires to maximize your safety. We can help either way and will do our best to find the right extra set of wheels to go with those snow tires. Invest in new windshield wiper blades, as it's better to replace them now than to realize you need them on a rainy or snowy day in January. If they leave streaks of water behind or make horrific noises when you spray your windshield and run them, it's almost certainly time for a new set. Swapping them should be easy, but the entire McCarthy Auto Group will be happy to pop a set on if you'd like. Check your battery, because you're not going anywhere if it won't provide the cold cranking amps required to get your engine running. Batteries tend to fail in the hottest and coldest months of the year, and your boss isn't going to love hearing you can't make it in again because the car won't start. They'll forgive you, sure, but why risk upsetting them when a new battery could go a long way as a preventative measure? A battery replacement isn't necessarily the specialty of our Collision Center teams, but there's a McCarthy dealership near you that will be happy to swap that 12V battery out and fully prep you for Winter. Have one of our McCarthy dealerships check the important fluid levels in your vehicle and top of those that are a bit low. There's the obvious windshield wiper fluid – make sure you get the type that isn't supposed to freeze, as running out of this can mess up your errand running. You might also find you need a little engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, or maybe even transmission fluid. We really suggest just getting the car looked over by a professional mechanic. "An ounce of prevent is worth a pound of cure" after all! That's 7 winter vehicle preparedness tips already? Wow, our Collision Center team has got it going on! Winter Car Cleaning Tips We're big on keeping our vehicles clean as a general rule, but there are definite advantages to paying attention to the state of your vehicle as we near New Year's Eve. Keep the outside of your truck clean this winter. Yes, it's unfortunately quite likely to rain, sleet, or snow within a day (or hours) of you pulling out of your favorite car wash in Overland Park but keeping the outside clean can go a long way in helping prevent rust from grabbing hold or your pride and joy. If your car looks good you might just feel good along with it. Plus, those reindeer antlers you slap on around Christmas aren't going to look good on a filthy minivan – The color of Rudloph's fur isn't that nasty mix of snow and grime, right? Clean the inside of your car as well. You're probably going to be running around like many other busy Kansas Citians during the next few months, and we bet there will be at least a few fast-food wrappers that end up under your seat. (That volume of food trash will be much worse if you've got the kids or your carpool friends riding along!) Those things are going to start to smell, and that odor won't be of sugar cookies, roasted turkey, or pine trees. There's always the small chance that you get stuck in an hours-long traffic jam on highway 70, and do you really want to sit in a car with hints of fry oil or white castle onions? Your nose isn't a button like a certain snowman, but it will thank you for a clean interior, nonetheless. We've got some great ideas for interior car detailers around Overland Park, so let us know if you need contact info. This is a quick and easy tip – invest in a set of all-weather floormats to help keep moisture and dirt off your carpets so you stay as clean as possible. Also make sure you properly attach the driver's floor mat to keep it from sliding up under your pedals – that can be a major safety issue. 3 Pieces of Essential Winter Driving Gear We've got a few more tips for winter driving enjoyment for our friends around, as it's not all about maintenance and cleanliness. Sometimes you need to throw an item or three in your trunk. Have some winter gear in a duffel bag. You can throw a warm base layer, a water of snow pants, some water proof boots, thick socks, warm hat, gloves, and maybe some of those hot hands in a bag to maximize your prep. Chances are low you need to use them, but have you ever walked a couple miles in a blizzard with wet tennis shoes and no jacket? Consider adding a battery powered jump starter to your trunk. These come in all shapes and sizes, but they can be a trip saver if your battery can't quite get the job done without some help. The lithium-ion battery versions are small and light and won't take up much space in your glovebox or trunk. Pick up a tire inflator. Driving around looking for a free air pump at a gas station is frustrating – that gets dialed up when its 4° outside and you're supposed to be home with the pumpkin pie filling. There are versions that connect directly to your battery, those that plug in through your cigarette lighter, and battery powered options as well. Toss in a roadside emergency kit. The main goal of something like this is to increase visibility of you and your vehicle in the unfortunate event of an accident. You'll want yellow vests, high visibility triangles, and road flares for the complete kit. Finding An Auto Body Repair Shop Near You The advice above will go a long way toward keeping you safe on the roads around Kansas City and Sedalia as the wintry weather comes, but the McCarthy Collison Centers teams are here to help if your winter wonderland adventures turn toward the South Pole at some point. We offer auto body and mechanic services at our four convenient body shop locations around Kansas City: we've got Kansas teams in Olathe and Overland Park as well as Missouri repair services located in Blue Springs and Lee's Summit. We've been helping drivers in our communities since 1999 and you can reach out teams at these phone numbers: BLUE SPRINGS, MO | (816) 224-7575 LEE'S SUMMIT, MO | (816) 313-4531 OLATHE, KS | (913) 324-7300 OVERLAND PARK, KS | (913) 649-2999 We'll be happy to point you toward a good car wash, a friendly technician to complete your oil change, an incredible alloy wheel repair artist, or just a mechanic you can bounce automotive repair questions off.

Hail damage is an interesting thing to deal with, to say the least. Why? Well, when hail hits the area where you live, you could deal with anything from small dents on your car's hood and roof to shattered windows, depending on how large the hailstones are. Let's look at what hail damage can do to your car, how it affects your vehicle in the long run, and how you can fix and prevent it. How Does Hail Damage Cars and Trucks? Hail damages your vehicle by raining down from the sky at speeds up to around 72 mph. Small and medium hailstones (less than 1 inch in diameter and 1-2 inches in diameter, respectively) generally hit your car or truck at speeds between 9 and 25 mph. Large hailstones (2 or more inches in diameter) often hit vehicles at 25 to 40 mph, but the strongest storms can send hailstones of all sizes hurtling towards your car at speeds of over 70 mph, which is higher than the speed limit in most areas of the U.S. What does that mean for your car? Well, small to medium hailstones hitting the ground and other surfaces at lower speeds will likely just chip some paint and leave small dents on your vehicle's hood, roof, trunk, and sides. But if a storm brings larger hailstones and/or higher speeds, you could be looking at much larger damage, like a shattered windshield or back window, or large dents that make it hard to shut your car's trunk, hood, or side doors. Ultimately, if hail leaves a lot of car damage in its wake when a storm blows through your area, you could even end up with a totaled vehicle if the damage goes unchecked. Can Hail Damage Be Repaired? Whether hail damage can be repaired really depends on the kind of damage that it is. For example, an auto body shop near you, like McCarthy Collision Centers, can easily remove small dents on your car or truck's exterior. But if a windshield or other window breaks, they'll have to replace it entirely. Don't worry, though. It's fairly simple to figure out what kind of hail damage your vehicle has sustained. According to Kelley Blue Book, there are three main types of hail damage: Cosmetic Damage: This damage category covers small dents on your car's exterior without any chipped paint. Some car owners try to fix this type of damage themselves, but it's often best to let professionals do it, since they have tools and experience to handle this damage efficiently. They often repair this damage using techniques called paintless dent repair, usually called PDR for short. Cosmetic Damage with Chipped Paint: The damage in this category is similar to regular cosmetic damage, but the chipped paint makes it harder to fix. When a car has dents and chipped paint due to a hailstorm, body shop technicians have to fill in the dented spots and then sand, prime, and repaint them. If a body panel on your car has enough of these dents with chipped paints, it can become much cheaper and easier to replace the entire panel (whether that's the roof, hood, trunk, or side door). Major Damage: This hail damage category includes very deep dents, bent body panels, and broken windows and mirrors. When your car sustains this kind of intense hail damage, it's best to have the effected body panels replaced because at this point, smaller repairs won't be much help. What Should You Do When Your Vehicle Sustains Hail Damage? When your car or truck sustains hail damage, take pictures of it. Then reach out to your insurance provider to see if your policy covers hail damage. If it does and you have enough damage per the policy, file a claim. After everything is squared away with your insurance company, you can take your vehicle to a body shop to have the damage repaired. If your insurance doesn't cover hail damage or you don't have enough per the policy to file a claim, you can begin reaching out to body shops to get quotes for repairs. And if it turns out that your car has taken enough hail damage to be totaled, you may find yourself in the market for a new vehicle. How Can You Avoid Car Hail Damage? Luckily, hail damage can be avoided altogether. The best way to avoid it is to park your car in a garage, carport, or otherwise covered parking spot. If that's not an option, you can drape heavy blankets over your car hood, windshield, roof, and trunk to soften the effect hailstones with have on your vehicle. You can also invest in a portable storm protector if you live in an area that's especially prone to hail. Hailstorms are generally fairly short-lived, only lasting minutes on average. If you don't have access to a garage or other solid structure at home, you may be able to drive to a gas station or other covered spot to wait things out. Remove Your Car's Hail Damage in the Kansas City Area If you need to remove hail damage from your car's exterior, we at McCarthy Collision Centers are here for you. We can assess your damage and give you a quote for it, and then remove it so you can drive around safely. We have multiple convenient locations around the Greater KC are, including Lee's Summit, Olathe, Blue Springs, and Overland Park. Contact us on our website to find your nearest location.

You want to your car to be well-maintained and run well across its lifespan, but how do you ensure that it's still going strong when it has over 100,000 miles on it? High-mileage vehicles require their own type of maintenance, but this maintenance isn't radically different from the kind that lower-mileage vehicles receive. Let's look at the major steps in high-mileage vehicle maintenance so you can understand how to care for your vehicle and maximize its lifespan. Maintenance Tasks for High-Mileage Cars and Trucks Prioritize Oil Changes Your engine oil is one of the main components that helps your car run. Think of it as your car's lifeblood. You probably already know that you need to have your car's oil changed every 5,000 miles or every three months. But that becomes more important as your car becomes older or higher mileage. Once your car is over 100,000 miles, you may even consider using high mileage oil to help it run well. However, not all vehicles will need high mileage oil when they start racking up a lot of miles. Talk to your dealership's service center about the best course of action. Keep Your Vehicle Clean While washing, waxing, and vacuuming your car or truck makes it look nice, it can also help preserve your car in the long run. For example, washing and waxing your car periodically prevents rust from developing on your vehicle's exterior. Similarly, vacuuming your car prevents debris tracked into your car or truck from causing tears or holes in the vehicle's interior. Overall, if you wash, wax, and clean the interior of your high-mileage vehicle, you'll keep it in good condition by preventing it from deteriorating. As a bonus, this will also help preserve the trade-in value whenever you decide it's time for a new ride. Maintain Your Tires Your tires are one of the main reasons your car or truck can move at all. If your tires wear down as your vehicle hits higher mileages, it will eventually become a safety hazard, which will lead to bigger, more expensive problems. The best steps to take with tires on a high-mileage car or truck are checking the tire pressure regularly and having the tires rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. The first step lets you know that your tires still hold the right amount of air and don't have any punctures or holes. The second step, tire rotation, moves your tires around your vehicle so they get equal wear and tear all around their treads. If you use these two steps often, you'll keep your tires in great shape for a long time, no matter how many miles your car has. Check on Your Vehicle's Battery Your battery can wear out over time due to problems like corrosion and loose connections. Have your high-mileage car or truck's battery tested every two months after you hit 100,000 miles to make sure it runs for as long as possible, and have it replaced when necessary. Failing to keep an eye on the battery can result in damage to other charging system components like the alternator. Spring for a Tune-Up In this instance, a "tune-up" simply means letting a certified technician give everything a good once-over to check for low fluids, suspension damage, and other common high mileage maladies. This should be done roughly every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Get Body Work Repairs After an Accident Sometimes, accidents happen. That's just part of life. How you deal with the aftermath of an accident is up to you. If your car takes major body damage in a collision, it's best to get it taken care of at an auto body repair shop near you like McCarthy Collision Centers. If you leave body damage like a smashed-in door unattended, that part of your car becomes unusable, and other problems like body rust can pop up around that damaged area. If you have that kind of damage, have it repaired as soon as possible so it doesn't develop major problems further down the line. Repair Your Car in the Kansas City Area If you want to get body repair work to maintain your high mileage car or truck, McCarthy Collision Centers are here for you. We have multiple locations across the greater KC area, so whether you're in Lee's Summit, Olathe, Blue Springs, or Overland Park, we have the resources to repair your vehicle and get it on the road again.

If you want the short answer, it's a resounding yes, your tire tread does affect your car's ability to safely stop when you hit the brake pedal. But, this is a situation where the short answer doesn't quite tell you everything. There's much more to unpack and many more questions to answer, so let's go over what safe tread depth looks like, how it relates to your brakes, and why you need to replace your tires when their treads are no longer safe. The Connection Between Tire Tread and Braking Distance Here are a few questions we commonly get asked about tires, stopping distance, and how they affect each other. What is Tire Tread Depth? Tire tread depth is the distance between your tires' deepest grooves and their highest peaks. These depths are measured in 32nds of an inch. Most new tires have a tread depth of 11/32 or 10/32 of an inch, depending on the specific type of tire. As you drive your car around, the road and other elements slowly eat away at the rubber, reducing tread depth over time. It's often recommended that you replace your tires when they wear down to 3/32 or 4/32 of an inch. Most tire shops will strongly recommend a replacement once it gets down to 2/32 of an inch, because by that point, the tires are getting very little traction. Tread depth matters because those grooves help deal with debris, water, snow, and other precipitation by ensuring that the tops of the tires' surfaces can hit smooth ground and move the car forward safely. As your tire treads get lower and more worn out, the grooves are less able to squeeze those potential problems out of the way. That means the tires can't meet the road as effectively and create the friction needed to make the car move, or stop when you apply the brakes. What is Braking Distance? Braking distance—also known as stopping distance—is the time it takes between the moment you apply your car's brakes and the moment your vehicle comes to a full stop. Your vehicle's braking distance is affected by tire tread depth, speed before braking, brake system's condition, and the overall weight of the vehicle and its payload. The road's condition also impacts your braking distance. These things all combine to determine how easily and quickly your car can stop. What's the Relationship Between These Things? While tread depth is just one of several factors that influence your braking distance, it can have a large impact on it. An organization called Hunter Engineering Company recently studied how long it takes cars to stop with different tread depths. Here's what they found: It took 10/32-inch tires 234 feet to stop a car. With 6/32-inch tires, the car stopped 253 feet after the brakes were applied. With 4/32-inch tires, the car came to a halt after 282 feet. On 2/32-inch tires, which are nearly worn out, the car stopped 356 feet after a driver applied the brakes. For those of you who aren't all that fond of math, that means that in this particular scenario, the tire tread depth altered the car's braking distance by 122 feet. Obviously, this is significant, and understanding its importance can mean the difference between getting into a collision and driving away unscathed. How Can You Keep Your Tires at a Safe Depth? Once your tires wear down, the only thing you can do is replace them since, unlike hair or fingernails, they don't grow back to their full depth. When your tires wear down, McCarthy Auto Group has quality replacements for sale, and we have multiple locations around the Greater Kansas City area. We'll help you choose the correct tires for your vehicle and swap them out so you can stop your car safely and effectively. Our certified collision centers also perform wheel alignments.