Auto body damage comes in many forms — from dents, to dings, to paint damage, to broken external components, and more. Considering the fact that vehicles spend most of their time outside in an uncontrolled environment, these problems have the potential to present themselves at any moment.

While there’s nothing you can do to completely avoid the risk of these things occurring, there are some things you can do to lessen that risk. Curious as to what these things are? This Hinsdale auto body repair shop is going to explain below.

Drive with Plenty of Clearance

First and foremost, it’s important that you drive with plenty of clearance. That way, if the vehicle in front of you were to slam on its brakes, you’ll have ample time to stop. This will reduce the risk of fender benders and other related accidents, which reduces the overall risk of auto body damage.

We recommend leaving at least three seconds of stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. In rainy and/or snowy conditions, it’s better to leave five or more seconds.

Park Away from Others

Parking lots are ripe for auto body damage. Whether it’s a poor driver backing into a parked vehicle, a runaway cart slamming into the side of a parked vehicle, or a careless child opening a door into the side of a parked vehicle, it’s not uncommon for auto body damage to take place in parking lots.

As such, when it comes to parking in public lots, you may want to make an effort to park away from others whenever possible. The further you stay away from others, the less risk your vehicle has of taking on damage.

Wash Off Liquids the Second They Hit Your Vehicle

There are a number of liquids that can do serious damage to your vehicle’s paint. These include (but aren’t limited to) oil, coffee, soda, and even bird droppings. If allowed to sit and dry on a vehicle, they can wear down its paint job over time. For this reason, it’s best that you wash off any liquids as soon as you notice them. 

Scrape Off Your Windows Entirely Before Driving

When the winter rolls around, snow and ice start to cover the windows of vehicles. This snow and ice can be a pain to remove, but it’s in your best interest — and in the best interest of your vehicle — that you take the time to remove it.

Driving with ice on your windows impairs your sight and makes it more difficult to take in your surroundings. This makes you more susceptible to accidents, and as a result, auto body damage.

It’s strongly recommended that you remove any ice from your vehicle, make sure you can see everything around you, and drive with a full scope of vision.

Put the Distractions Away

Our last piece of advice is to put the distractions away. Whether it’s a phone, a sandwich, or otherwise, if it’s taking your eyes off the road for extended periods of time, it’s making you vulnerable to auto body damage (and worse). Make sure you’re focusing on the road at all times while driving!

Looking for a Hinsdale Auto Body Repair Shop?

As you can see, there’s quite a bit you can do to help your vehicle avoid auto body damage. If your vehicle already has an auto body problem, and if you’re looking for a Hinsdale auto body repair shop, look no further than Lombard Body & Fender.

Our auto mechanics are well-versed in all aspects of auto body repair, we and can have your vehicle looking and running like new in no time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!