Auto Body Shops Seattle with Spring Cleaning Tips – Interior Clean-up and Organization

Auto Body Shop in Seattle with interior auto cleaning tips…

Auto detailing means keeping the inside looking good too. Many people spend more time in their vehicles than they do their homes. On the occasion that someone asks for a ride, do you find yourself scooping piles of debris from the front passenger seat so they have a place to sit? Is there a pile of clutter on the floor to toss into the back seat as well?

How can you stand a cluttered car? The messier it gets the more overwhelming the thought of cleaning it up can be. Take advantage of a nice day and set aside some time to clean the vehicle that you live in.

Step One – De-clutter

First, take everything out of the car, including child seats, floor mats, everything in the glove box, console and door pockets. Empty the trunk as well. This is a good time to vacuum the seats and floor, wash the windows, wipe down the dash and do a good cleaning.

Go through the rest of the clutter and decide what you need to have in your car. Put it back neatly, considering how often it is used by the driver or passengers and how easily accessible it needs to be to the driver.

Step Two – What do you need?

How do you use your car? Is it just transportation from here to there or do you use your car for business? Are you involved in carpooling where you take turns transporting the kids to and from school or do you take business clients to lunch?

What do you need to have in the car at all times? Tissue for the children, pen and paper, change for parking meters, cell phone, etc…

Step Three – Where do you need it?

Decide what you need to keep close at hand and what you can store in the trunk. The snow brush and ice scraper can be kept in the trunk during the summer months. If you are one to keep CD’s in your car, just keep a few favorites in a small organizer and put the rest in the house. Rotate them every few weeks as you get tired of listening to the same ones.

Step Four – Organize for Safety

Loose objects that clutter up your car can be dangerous in the event of a fast stop or a crash; flying projectiles can cause damage to the vehicle or injuries to passengers.

Most auto parts stores carry a variety of accessories and organizers for cars including trash bags, CD storage, cup holders, trunk organizers and more. There are even organizers for the person who conducts business in their car; a container that holds files and has a writing surface and detachable portfolio.

Step Five – Put the rest away

Now that you have cleaned everything out of your car and returned items that you need while driving, look at the rest of the pile. No doubt, some if it is garbage. Throw out the empty water bottles and fast food bags full of wadded up wrappers. Put the book you borrowed last month (and meant to return promptly) on your nightstand, read it and return it with your apologies! What else is left? Does it belong in the house, the garage, or is it trash?

Step Six – Remember and Promise

Remember how much effort it took to clean up your car and promise yourself to never allow it to get this way again. Will you keep the promise? Think about how you feel when you pick up an important client and you don’t have to scoop everything into the back seat. Even better, think how impressed your clients or coworkers will be when you pick up several and have a nice clean back seat as well.

Keeping the interior of your car clean promotes safety, makes a good impression on others and can even reduce stress. A lot of people find clutter to be quite stressful; not a good thing for a driver who needs to be focused on the road. In addition, you need to be able to produce your registration and proof of insurance quickly when asked for it by a police officer. Just being pulled over is bad enough; but it’s really intimidating when the officer is standing there waiting while you fumble around looking for these important documents. Your quick cooperation may even save you from a ticket!

Mike Tompkins owns Collision on wheels, a mobile auto body shop that provides same day, on-site service: dent repair, scratch repair, collision repair, auto paint repair, bumper repair, fenders and doors for consumers and business in the Greater Eastside and Seattle area, Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kent, Renton, Woodinville, Lynnwood, Kirkland, Bothell and neighboring cities and communities.

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Avoid Rip-off with Auto Repairs - Tips from a Seattle Auto Body Shop

Auto repairs can be very expensive; labor is often the largest part of the repair bill. Add a large mark-up for replacement parts and you find yourself facing a large expense.

Your mechanic recommends a list of maintenance services to be done; you check the manual and find that it calls for these items later. Do you listen to the dealer and have it done now or go by the manual and do it later?

Your owner’s manual is a valuable resource. If you do not have one, get one. You can find them at major auto parts stores or online. Reading the manual will give you the information you need to have an intelligent conversation with your mechanic and to make a wise decision.

If your car has very low miles and is in need of repair, chances are there was a defect in manufacturing and a recall notice was sent out. You can find out if this is the case for you by visiting http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/

Check with the Better Business Bureau to learn if there have been many complaints filed against the mechanic you are doing business with. Also check to see if they are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified in the category of repair you need, such as engine, brakes, electrical, etc…

Your mechanic should be able to give you an estimate before repairs are done so you can either authorize the work or decline some or all of the repairs suggested. Take the time to make some calls to see how much other mechanics are charging for the same type of repairs.

Ask for a written warranty on all service performed and request that they give you the old parts to confirm that work was done. Some mechanics automatically leave old parts in your trunk. Don’t forget to check before you leave in case you don’t care to carry them around with you. If you trust your mechanic and prefer to have them dispose of the parts you can request this service when you pick up the car.

When you pick up your car take the time to look over the bill and ask questions. It’s OK to request that the mechanic point out what they did and explain further if necessary. A good mechanic should be willing to go for a test drive with you so you can be sure they addressed the noise, vibration, or symptom that brought you to them in the first place. Do not pay the bill and leave until you are satisfied with the repair work.

Mike Tompkins owns Collision on Wheels, a mobile auto body shop offering convenient auto body repairs to the general public. Most people are too busy for the inconvenience of taking their car to a traditional auto body shop for small fender benders. We Come to You – Convenient, professional, on-site repair and refinishing services for your car. All work is done in full view of the customer and completed in one day.

Same day, on-site service: dent repair, scratch repair, collision repair, auto paint repair, bumper repair, fenders and doors for consumers and business in the Greater Eastside and Seattle area, Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kent, Renton, Woodinville, Lynnwood, Kirkland, Bothell and neighboring cities and communities.

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