Author: turkscollision

Hail can damage a vehicle when left out in the open during a bad storm. While Mother Nature is unpredictable, most people do not park their cars in enclosed locations. One certain thing is that elements can do a number on your vehicle. It is best to know how to fix hail damage on the car and return the surface to normal.

Hail damage leads to hail dents affecting your car’s resale value, while larger dings can be unsightly on the surface. Technically, hail of any size can damage your vehicle, but the biggest damage will occur if it has a diameter of an inch or more.

Can I Fix Hail Damage Myself?

Many Do-It-Yourselfers attempt to fix hail damage and there are many YouTube videos showing anyone how to fix pretty much anything. We know how to determine the severity of hail damage, and one needs to have at least some experience and specialized tools to enable you to repair hail damage. Here are some of the tools we use when fixing hail damage:

Heat Gun Hail Repair

Hail damage leads to several dents that cause the metal surface to stretch. The rapid heating and cooling method can remove the dents to make the car look normal again.

This technique uses a heat gun to warm each dent on medium/low heat, then treat it with a cold element like ice. It relies on the idea that the heat will make the surface pliable, and the rapid cooling will cause the surface to contract and push the dent outwards.

Suction-Cup Pulling Tools

As the name suggests, the tools are suctioned directly on the dent and pulled upwards to smoothen the surface. The process is often time-consuming as one has to move from one dent to another.

Why You Should Trust an Auto Body Shop for Car Hail Damage Repair

The best option to repair your car after hail damage is to call auto body repair shops. Some of the benefits of turning to professional auto body experts include:

• State-of-the-art repair tools: Auto body professionals use effective tools like paintless dent repair (PDR) to repair hail dents. The professionals are qualified to offer a perfect service in the shortest time possible.
• Repair guarantee: Most auto body facilities have repair guarantees. It means the quality of repair will last for the vehicle’s life.
• Multiple repair options: Professional auto body shops have various solutions for repairing hail damage. Depending on the severity of hail dents, you may require multiple solutions, like crack repair, paintless dent repair, or body panel replacements.

How Much Does Hail Damage Repair Cost?

The cost of hail damage repair depends on the severity and amount of dents on the car. Dent removal is priced dependent upon the size and amount of dents per panel. The sizes range from the size of a dime to the size of a half a dollar per dent, then the dents are counted and a price is given. It is essential to get the repair service as soon as possible. 

How to Schedule My Vehicle for Hail Repair with Turk’s Collision Center in Peoria, IL

If you are looking for professional hail damage repair, you will start by getting an estimate from the local autobody shops. At the time of the estimate, the repair expert will ask when you want to get the repair. You will get a planned schedule suitable to your needs and get your car repaired as soon as possible.

Turk’s Collision Center is a state-of-the-art automotive body repair shop in Peoria, IL. We thrive to be the leading automotive repair shop in the Peoria, IL area, offering excellent workmanship, superb communication, and advanced training with our customers. Our hail damage repair services are affordable and we work fast to return your car to its normal glory. Contact us today to schedule a repair.

Image credit: Ben Romalis / sunakri / Christian Delbert / Shutterstock

If you live somewhere that sees significant snowfall throughout the winter season, you may have given some thought to winter tires. Winter tires, sometimes called snow tires, are an investment in which the benefits of added safety may outweigh the additional cost. Read on to learn the pros and cons of snow tires, and whether getting a set for winter driving is a wise choice.

The Pros

• Improved Grip – When you’re driving through ice and snow, the improved grip of winter tires is big advantage. The tread patterns are specially designed to grip the snow and ice, and feature large tread blocks and deep grooves that cut through the snow. It throws the snow back and keeps the snow from getting packed down in the tread, which happens with all-season tire tread patterns.
• Better Braking – Most of us know that scary feeling when you brake in the snow and ice and your vehicle just keeps sliding through the stop. With snow tires, the sturdy grip helps you break when you need to.
• Longer Life for Regular Tires – When you switch out your regular, all-season tires for winter tires, you’re giving them a longer life by not riding on them all year round. While you might have to pay for two sets of tires, in the long run you’ll be saving money.

The Cons

• Poor Handling – Winter tires offer better braking and grip, but they don’t handle as well as all-season tires. When you’re driving in icy and snowy conditions, you need to drive more carefully since you won’t have as much control and handling when compared to what you’re used to in better road conditions.
• Faster to Wear – Snow tires are made from softer rubber than all-season tires, which means they’ll wear down more quickly. When winter is over, it’s important you switch back to your all-season tires. Driving on snow tires when you don’t need them can make the tread wear down and ultimately ruin the tire.
• Rough on Roads – The deep tread grip of winter tires can dig into the asphalt on the road, so you should only use them during the winter. If you drive with snow tires year-round, you can end up damaging your tires and the road, causing potholes and cracks in the asphalt.

So, are snow tires right for you? If you only see occasional snowfall, you’re probably fine with just all-season tires year-round. If you see significant snowfall and icy road conditions throughout the winter season, winter tires are well worth the investment. Visit our website to learn more about the services Turk’s Collision Service such as:

• Our Body Shop Services
• Our Bumper Repair Service
• Our Collision Repair Services
• Our Paintless Dent Repair Services
• And More!

Call us today! (309) 928-7310

Winter roads are some of the most dangerous of all driving conditions. Before the first big snowfall, it’s a smart idea to get your vehicle ready. Winter car maintenance will keep it running in good health during frigid temperatures, and taking certain precautions will keep you safer in the event you become stranded.

Mind Your Battery

Frigid temperatures can be especially hard on car batteries. When the temperature plummets into single digits, your battery performs at about half the power it does in hot weather. Before winter really hits, you’ll want to check your battery and perform any necessary maintenance. Check the fluid level of your battery, and if the fluid is low, add distilled water. On maintenance-free batteries, check that the window at the top of the battery indicates a fully charged state. If it’s more than five years old and shows signs of weakness, replace the battery with a top-rated model. And regardless of whether your battery is new or old, in good shape or worn, you should know how to jumpstart your car just in case.

Replace Wiper Blades

If, when running your windshield wipers, they leave streaks or miss any spots they should’ve cleared, it’s time to replace the blades. Wiper blades should be replaced every six months or so, but if you only manage to replace them once per year, be sure to do it before winter begins. Wipers that don’t perform at peak are especially dangerous in active winter storm conditions. An unobstructed line of vision while driving during a blizzard is essential, so don’t drag your feet on replacing your windshield wiper blades.

Check The Oil

Motor oil thickens when cold, making it harder for the engine to turn over. In the winter, you should be using multi-viscosity oil that has a “W” in the viscosity index, signifying that it’s formulated for winter use (always check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation just to be sure). Whenever you have the oil changed, replace the oil filter as well to ensure the system has the maximum amount of flow. Also, keep the coolant ratio at a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.

Replace Your Tires

If your tires are nearing the end of their life cycle, now is the time to replace them. You want your tires in the best possible shape to tackle the snow and icy road conditions ahead. If you live somewhere that only sees occasional snow throughout the winter, all-season tires will serve you fine. But if you live in an area that gets plummeted by snowfall and is essentially iced over all season long, invest in winter tires. Winter tires have tread patterns designed specifically to grip snow and ice for optimum traction on treacherous roads. If your tires don’t need replacing before winter, just be sure to keep them properly inflated, since big drops in temperature cause your tires to lose air.

Always Be Prepared

Even if you follow all the advice laid out above, there’s always a risk when driving in winter road conditions. Be sure to have an emergency kit in an easily-accessible place kept in your car at all times. This kit should include battery booster cables, an ice scraper, portable shovel, flashlight or flares, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, cell-phone charger, blankets, long-lasting food items like protein bars, and water bottles.

If you’ve been in an accident and your vehicle is in need of repair, contact Turk’s Collision Center. We offer top quality collision repair, quick turnaround time, and a lifetime warranty on our repairs. Check out what services Turk’s Collision Center can provide for you, or give us a call today at 309-694-2905.

If you’re an avid driver, you should be well aware that your seat belt is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe in the case of an accident. We all like to think that accidents won’t happen to us, but chances are they will, in fact, motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death among those aged 1-54. So the next time you’re in a car, make sure you buckle up.

Children

In 2016, 723 children ages 12 and under died as a result of a motor vehicle crash. While this number may seem high, there are far more kids who are injured in a crash. The best way you can keep your child safe in a car is to follow car seat safety guidelines and make sure that your child is buckled in properly. Many parents actually strap their children in incorrectly, so making sure that the seat belt is being used properly is an easy way to ensure your child’s safety. Make sure the seat belt or harness it sitting across the chest, and is also tightened properly. In addition, check that the car seat has been installed the right way and that nothing has come loose since installation. If your child is using a booster seat, check to make sure that they’re buckled correctly and that the seat is properly installed.

Adults

A total of 23,714 adults died in car crashes in 2016, and over half of them weren’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Wearing your seatbelt and staying buckled up is an easy way to prevent serious injury or death in a motor vehicle accident, and saved at least 16,000 people in 2016. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to wear their seatbelt, you could end up paying for it, not only in injuries but financially as well. Recently passed rules and regulations allow law enforcement officers to pull you over and give you a ticket if they catch you driving without a seatbelt on. The next time you’re in a car, make sure you wear your seatbelt or risk getting a ticket.

Turk’s Collision Center is a state-of-the-art automotive body repair shop that specializes in collision repair. We strive to be the leading automotive body repair shop in Illinois with excellent workmanship, advanced training, and superb communication with the customer. If you’ve been in a car crash, and aren’t sure where to turn for collision repairs, Turk’s Collision Center is here to help. Give us a call today at (309) 694-2905, or visit our website to learn more about the services we offer.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/index.html

https://saferide4kids.com/blog/car-seat-statistics/

Getting in a car accident can be stressful enough, but what about dealing with the damages afterwards? If you’ve recently been in an accident, and have damage you need to take care of, here are some tips on how to go about getting it fixed.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After you’ve been in an accident, you’ll want to let your insurance company know right away. While you’re waiting for your claim to be processed, you should take pictures of all the damage from different angles for your own records. If there are large pieces of glass missing from your vehicle, try and cover them using a tarp to protect the interior of your car from outside elements. Through this entire process, be careful to not hurt yourself on tiny pieces of glass.

Is it Covered By My Insurance?

Each car insurance company has different rules when it comes to repairing a damaged windshield. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, “If your windshield (or other glass, e.g., side windows, rear window, or sunroof) is damaged by something other than a collision, you’ll likely pay for it using comprehensive coverage.” Comprehensive coverage can cover many things, including storms, fires, vandalism, and collisions with animals. It’s important to remember that in many cases this coverage is optional, and if you don’t have it, you’ll be on your own to pay for damages.

Getting Your Windshield Fixed

Now that insurance has been taken care of, it’s time to make your windshield look brand new again. If the damage done to your windshield is small, such as a small bullseye chip, your auto body repair shop or windshield repair service will fix the chip with an adhesive or resin. The process should be quick, without any risk of any other damage being done to your windshield.

If you’re looking for a team of experienced professionals to help fix your cracked windshield, contact the team at Turk’s Collision Center. Not only do we believe that your car should be repaired in a quick and timely manner, but we’ll also take away the hassle of dropping off your car. Leave it to us to pick it up, repair it, and drop it back off for you. Give us a call today at (309) 694-2905, or visit our website to learn more about our services.

References

https://www.dmv.org/insurance/how-to-cover-windshield-repair-through-car-insurance.php

https://www.geico.com/claims/glass-claims-guide/

https://www.safelite.com/resource-center/auto-experts/step-by-step-windshield-repair-process

https://blog.allstate.com/chips-cracks-repair-replace-damaged-windshield/

https://siaonline.com/will-my-auto-insurance-cover-a-cracked-windshield/

Cars can be confusing, so knowing the different types of shops you should go to for specific fixes is good. Continue reading below for more information on the difference between an auto body shop and a mechanic and how to know when to take your car to the right one.

Mechanic

If you’ve gotten in an accident and don’t have any body damage to your car but need some things looked at, a mechanic is your best bet. They can check that dash light that’s come on or try to determine where that weird clicking sound is coming from. If you need something replaced, a mechanic will have the parts necessary to fix it, even if it’s small.

Body Shop

If you’ve been in an accident and have substantial damage to your car’s appearance, you should be on your way to the body shop. Even if the damage isn’t pressing, you’ll want to take it to experts to assess it and see how soon you’ll need to fix it. A body shop will have all the tools necessary to repair your car’s damage and have it look brand new. They can do various services, including paint touch-ups, dent repair, and even replacing more significant parts like bumpers. A body shop will also be able to evaluate all damage and the best way to approach it.

Know Your Needs

Knowing your needs is the most crucial part of deciding whether to go to a body shop or a mechanic. If something is wrong with the mechanical side of your car, such as a check engine light or an out-of-the-ordinary noise, you need to visit a mechanic as soon as possible. If you have minor dents, scratches, or damage from weather, such as hail, the body shop can help you fix your car and have it look brand new.

At Turk’s Collision Center, we have all the resources to help you after you’ve been in a collision. Call us today at (309) 694-2905 to set up an appointment, or visit our website to read more about our services.

When it comes to your car, dents happen, and whether it came from that pesky hailstorm or a loose shopping cart in the parking lot, you should consider getting them repaired. Below you’ll find a few reasons why you shouldn’t let that dent be ignored. 

It Can Lead to Rust and Corrosion

If you find a dent on your car and it has broken the seal in the paint, it can lead to bigger problems, such as rust and deterioration. If you live somewhere that your car is regularly exposed to the elements, such as rain and snow, you’ll want to get it fixed right away. Rusting and corrosion can happen quickly, especially if there’s salt left on the roads after a winter storm, or you live near an ocean where the salt in the air can get into the dent.

It Can Decrease the Value of Your Car

Not only can rust and corrosion ruin the appearance of your car, but it can also significantly decrease its value, which is bad news for you if you planned to sell it in the future. In the auto industry, the outward appearance of a used car is almost as important as the mechanical stability of it, so if you’re planning to sell your car or trade it in down the road, you’ll want to get those dents fixed right away. Not getting them fixed could mean you may end up settling for much less money than you anticipated, sometimes even thousands of dollars. If you want to get a good trade-in on your car, seriously consider getting any dents fixed and having a body shop take a close look around the entire exterior of your car.

Turk’s Collision Center strives to be the best body shop in Illinois, and with the excellent workmanship, advanced training, and superb customer service we show with each project, it’s no wonder we’re a popular choice. Our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to get you back out of the road and make your car look brand new again. To learn more about the services we offer, give us a call at (309) 694-2905 or stop on in with any questions you may have.

References

https://www.dentwizard.com/reasons-to-repair-car-dents.aspx

• Use a Credit Card to Pick Up Your Car: this isn’t required, but most rental car companies will look at your credit score to ensure you’ll be able to pay for the bill when you’re done. If you use a credit card, you won’t have to worry about going through the hassle of a credit check.
• Keep Different Drivers to a Minimum: If you can, keep the number of people driving the car to two people max. Even if everyone who will potentially drive is over 25, you’ll still have extra fees for the high number of people that could drive the car.
• Stay on Paved Roads: Not only does this include staying away from doing at off-roading, but it also includes places that don’t have clearly marked roads. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, driving on a patch of grass or a section of the beach is considered off-roading, and will violate the terms of your rental agreement.
  
• Fill Up the Car Before Returning it: You’ll want to fill up the tank before you return the rental car, not only because it’s easy and quick, but the rental company could also charge you for the gas that was used to fill it up. Many times, they charge more than what the actual gas prices are. Take the easy and cheap route and just fill up the car before returning it.
•  When vacationing in a new place, there are all types of things you need to help your trip go smoother. This may include a GPS, car seat, and even a toll pass. Consider bringing all these things from home if you’re able to, and it’ll help you save money on your vacation.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is a specialized process designed to get behind a vehicle’s “skin” (so to speak)  and massage dented panels back to their original shape.  PDR lets technicians remove hail damage, dings, minor dents, and creases without compromising a vehicle’s factory paint job.

To achieve proper repair, the PDR process requires trained technicians who use a variety of special tools gently and slowly push dings and dents back in place.  To achieve a quality repair, a technician must use delicacy, precision, and patience.  PDR works best with vehicles hit by hail, dinged by a runaway shopping cart, or a carelessly opened door.

Benefits of Paintless Dent Repair: 

• A PDR doesn’t require a vehicle owner to purchase new panels or replacement paint, making it an economic decision.
• A traditional repair requires a series of steps and a waiting period for new parts or new paint.  PDR is a specialized, albeit patient, process.  While it requires patience from the technician,  the finished product usually takes no more than one day.
• The resale value is Boosted. Dents and dings typically decrease the resale value of vehicles, but PDR returns vehicles to the original factory condition without affecting the paint finish.  For dealerships, PDR can add significant value to resale vehicles.  Applying new paint over a vehicle’s factory finish significantly reduces a vehicle’s resale value, which is why PDR is highly beneficial because it keeps the original finish intact.
• Environmentally friendly. Because the PDR process refrains from using paint in the undertaking, auto body shops reduce the number of harmful chemicals that enter the atmosphere.  Another factor is that it takes damaged vehicles and restores them to their original condition, prolongs the vehicle’s lifespan, extending the amount of time you can use it before replacing it.  Therefore, it reduces the carbon footprint by keeping you from buying a new vehicle.

Turks Collision is a state-of-the-art automotive body repair shop specializing in collision repair. We strive to be the leading automotive body repair shop in Illinois with excellent workmanship, advanced training, and superb communication with the customer. 

Visit our website to learn more about the services of Turk’s Collision Service, such as:

• Our Body Shop Services
• Our Bumper Repair Service
• Our Collision Repair Services
• Our Paintless Dent Repair Services
• And More!

Call us today! (309) 928-7310

Sources:

https://www.dentwizard.com/how-paintless-dent-removal-works-our-process.aspx

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/paintless-dent-removal.htm

Whether someone recently lost a car in an accident or it’s someone’s 16th birthday and you’re giving them their very first car, giving someone a new automobile can open up entirely new opportunities for them. Being mobile means they’re more independent and can rely less on others when it comes to transportation. (It might also mean it’s time for an upgrade of your own!) But giving someone ownership of your vehicle takes more than slapping a bow on the hood and handing over the keys. If you’re looking to hand over ownership, here are some of the major steps you’ll need to handle first:

Is the car paid off?

First, make sure the vehicle is paid off and that you’re legally the owner. When it’s all paid off, the dealership or bank should have sent over the car title in your name. If it’s not entirely paid off, speak with the dealership/loaner to determine the next steps or a potential payment plan for the recipient.

Car Title Transfer

The Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a detailed breakdown of the steps, but filling out the Title Transfer Section on your vehicle’s title will be required. This means copying down the odometer, your license, the buyer’s name, and signing it. They should have a section as recipient. There’s also a phone number to call for more details: 1 (888) 261-7864 for specific information about title transfers for gifted vehicles.

Don’t forget to remove your license plate!

Seller’s Proof of Sale

If you’re wanting to completely give ownership, this will be required for Illinois. This relinquishes all responsibility for the vehicle to the new owner. The form can be found here.

Car Insurance

Make sure the new owner picks up car insurance. This can be a step usually forgotten, but will be crucial if the new driver ends up in an accident or is pulled over for any reason.

Registration Time

With these steps taken care of, the new recipient should head on over to their nearest DMV with their new license, title and proof of insurance to get the car registered in their name.

Following these steps will be necessary to transfer the car to the new owner. If you’re wanting to buff out any of the dents beforehand, or if the new owner adds a few of their own, be sure to swing by Turk’s Collision Center to take care of the rest. Give us a call and make the gift as good as new: (309) 694-2905

Sources:

https://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/title-transfers.php

https://itstillruns.com/give-car-away-family-member-5876485.html

https://www.wikihow.com/Gift-a-Vehicle