You love your car, and you’ve promised yourself that you would maintain its value to the best of your ability.
But as hard as you try to be cautious, the possibility of dents, dings, and body damage seem to be lurking everywhere – especially in the rainy winter season.
While there will always be some events that are just out of your control, at Pristine Dent Repair, we’ve learned that there are some practical moves that car owners can make that will minimize their risk of getting dents this winter.
Make Sure You Have Good Tires
The importance of good tires can’t be overstated enough – especially when road conditions get slick.
But in order to choose a good set of tires, you need to understand the challenges of your areas wet road conditions so you can select your tires accordingly.
“Tread depth is essential to a well-performing tire. Water accumulates on the road during wet conditions. Tires need tread for better traction during these harsh conditions.
The grooves on your tires work to siphon water away from the surface of the tires when the road is wet. If the tread on the tires is not at the proper depth, it can become difficult for enough water to be carried out from beneath the tires, thus increasing the possibility that you could lose control of the vehicle.
When a vehicle is traveling too fast, or the tire treads are not able to channel enough water out from beneath the tire, hydroplaning may occur. Hydroplaning is when your vehicle’s tires lose contact with the road and skim across a thin layer of water instead, causing a loss of control of the vehicle.
Losing control of your vehicle can – at best – cause dents and damage to your vehicle.
And at worst, loss of vehicle control can result in severe injury and even death. Don’t underestimate the importance of good tires in the winter!
Use Your Fog Lights
When visibility is poor due to rain or fog, using your vehicles fog lights are another important safety measure that you can take for your car.
These lights are designed to be used at lower speeds to illuminate the road better when driving conditions are poor.
Fog lights, like tires, can help prevent body damage for both the vehicle and the passengers inside.
Mind Your Parking
Between rolling shopping carts and carelessly swung car doors, a public parking lot can quickly become your worst nightmare.
If you are intent on keeping your car damage free, we advise that you make it a practice to always park at the far end of parking lots away from other vehicles and rogue shopping carts.
If you must park next to another car, be sure to give your neighbor plenty of clearance. They should ideally be able to open their doors completely without hitting the body of your vehicle.
Use A Garage Or Carport
While you may be able to avoid most carts and fellow grocery shoppers by parking strategically, your own driveway may be a danger zone for your vehicle.
Ideally, you should park your car in a spacious garage or carport.
But if you don’t have the luxury of covered parking, make sure you institute rules with your own kids or the neighborhood children about bikes, bats, and balls being used in your driveway.
Wax On
Antwerpenvm advises car owners to regularly add wax to their cars,
“A fresh coat of wax can help prevent corrosion and damage from salt, gravel, and dirt on the roads. Don’t forget the lower parts of your vehicle, behind the wheels, and the front grille. Salt, ice, and snow tend to build up in these areas the most. Wax creates a layer of protection between your paint and these substances.
Wax is hydrophobic, which means it repels rain, snow, and ice. It will help prevent rust and keep dirt and water spots away from your car’s exterior. You can use a traditional polymer wax or a spray wax in an easy-to-apply spray bottle. For even more protection, you can have a high-tech ceramic coating with UV protection added by a professional.”
Address Damage When It Occurs
If and when you get a shopping cart ding or have a minor fender bender, it may be tempting to not address the damage right away.
After all, your vehicle is still perfectly functional and you will get to fixing it eventually, right?
But the truth is, small dents and scratches can spread and turn into much larger and more costly fixes down the road.
The damage can lower your vehicle’s value and cost you much more in the long run than you would like to pay. By reaching out to a dent removal expert, you can get small imperfections dealt with quickly and affordably.