Kelly's VIP Auto Center Inc.

Covid protection update:

We are still taking all the necessary precautions we were taking before the State reopening. Cleaning everything and social distancing.
Please don’t judge us for continuing to do this, it may never change.
These precautions are not only to protect you, but also our other customers, vendors, our employees and ourselves.
Please don’t come inside the building if you have any symptoms. We have many ways of handling your needs without being close to one another. We will work with you. Call ahead and we will figure it out.
Please know everyone’s well being is our top priority during these uncertain times.
Thank you for your consideration and cooperation.

Good evening.
As we prepare for the week ahead, Kelly and I want you to know, we are still here to help if you need us.
We will be open normal business hours and will do everything we can to provide the service you need.
We are taking every precaution to ensure your safety as well as ours.
If you need us we will be here. You can use our night drop for your keys if you would rather not come in the office. Please be assured we will sanitize everything. We will work with you to make sure you feel secure in everything we do.
We pray for the safety of everyone in our community and hope that this will soon be a thing of the past.

Be safe and we will also.

We’ve been busy and life happens, then before you know it...time passes.
We haven’t forgotten about all our wonderful Customers. You are a big part of our busy life.
Thank you all for trusting us with your vehicles. We know how important it is to be safe and ready to go at any given moment.
Happy New Year/Decade.
Wishing you all the best in the year to come. ❤️🙏

What are the benefits of having a wheel alignment?
Your tires, as well as suspension and steering components will last longer and your vehicle will handle better. You might notice that after the wheel alignment, the car holds the road better and feels more stable. This is even more noticeable if you have a sporty car or wider tires.
When an alignment is preformed, the steering and suspension components are checked first to ensure no problems exist.

Call 417-881-7884 to schedule your alignment appointment.

The cooler weather is upon us and many of you will be seeing your tire pressure monitor coming on. For every 10 degrees the weather changes you may lose a pound of air pressure in your tires. This may be normal and just needs to be adjusted. Regardless, it’s hard on your tire wear when your tires are low. Get it checked. We will do it for free.

Dream Vacation or Nightmare Road Trip? Pre-Trip Vehicle Check Can Make the Difference

Road trip car trouble can be a real nightmare, but performing a pre-trip vehicle check helps drivers avoid a vacation breakdown disaster, says the Car Care Council.

“When dreaming about summer vacation, the thought of a roadside breakdown can be terrifying,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Performing a pre-trip driveway inspection gives motorists peace of mind by reducing the chance of unplanned, costly car trouble and providing an opportunity to have any repairs performed by a trusted technician before hitting the road.”

Right in their own driveway, motorists can determine how road ready their vehicle is with a 10-minute vehicle check. If service or repairs are needed, they can be performed in advance to ensure safety and reliability on the road.

Check the tires including tire pressure and tread. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy and uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

Check the hoses and belts as they can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.

Check filters and fluids including engine oil, power steering and brake, and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and inspect and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

Check the brakes and battery to be sure the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free and that the brakes are functioning properly.

The Car Care Council also recommends that motorists restock their emergency kit, consider a pre-trip tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy, and order a free copy of the Car Care Council’s popular Car Care Guide for the glove box at www.carcare.org/car-care-guide.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Be Car Care Aware - The Car Care Council The Car Care Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating motorists about the importance of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair through its “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign.

Winter is here and the temperatures are below normal. Remember to take care of your vehicle in order to avoid unexpected repairs.

“Why not wrap up the holiday season with a gift for you and your car? Inspecting six key systems ahead of time can save you the headaches and cost of an emergency breakdown later,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Regular vehicle maintenance is always more convenient when you’re doing it on your own schedule. By taking a few easy preventive maintenance steps now, you can have more confidence when driving in severe winter weather.”

Battery – Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather is hard on batteries, so it’s wise to check the battery and charging system for optimum performance. Because batteries don’t always give warning signs before they fail, it is advisable to replace batteries that are more than three years old.

Antifreeze – Antifreeze (coolant) should be flushed and refilled at least every two years in most vehicles. As a reminder, do not add 100 percent antifreeze as full-strength antifreeze actually has a lower freeze point than when mixed with water.

Brakes – Have the brake system checked. Brakes are critical to vehicle safety and particularly important when driving on icy or snow-covered roads.

Tires – Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires lose pressure when temperatures drop.

Oil – Be diligent about changing the oil at recommended intervals and check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time. Consider changing to low-viscosity oil in winter, as it will flow more easily between moving parts when cold. In sub-zero driving temperatures, drop oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30 as thickened oil can make it hard to start the car.

Wiper Blades – Cold weather can affect the life of windshield wipers, making the rubber hard and brittle and increasing the potential for cracks. Wiper blades that are torn, cracked or don’t properly clean your windshield should be replaced. Some manufacturers offer special winter blades that have a rubber boot covering the arm assembly to keep snow and ice out. When changing the blades, have the windshield wiper system nozzles cleaned and adjusted if necessary, and check the fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir.

During the winter, the Car Care Council recommends keeping your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full as that decreases the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

Finally, if you’re due for a tune-up, consider having it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

Schedule your winter checkup soon.
Check in on Facebook and receive $5.00 off your service.

(Compliments of the Car Care Council)

#9 in series "Vehicle systems overview"*

LIGHTING AND WIPERS

What is it?

Lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving – the chances for accidents increase if you can’t see or be seen. Some states have laws that require the headlights to be on with the wipers. If you detect any problems with your car’s lights or wipers, have them checked out at once.

What does it do?

The wiper system keeps excessive water, snow or dirt from building up on the windshield and removes them to maintain clear visibility through the windshield. The lighting system provides nighttime visibility, signals and alerts other drivers, and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior.

Typical Wear and Tear

Lights and wipers are normal wear items that require periodic replacement. Factors affecting replacement intervals include:
Operating conditions (winter conditions are tough on wiper blades)

Frequency of use

Material and type of lights and wipers
Sunny weather – wiper blades can deteriorate faster and need more frequent replacement in desert states

Symptoms
Chattering or streaking wiper
Rapid signal blinking
Dimming lights

Check in on Facebook during your visit and receive $5.00 off your service.

*Compliments of the Car Care Council

#8 in series "Vehicle systems overview"*

EXHAUST SYSTEM

What is it?

Your car’s exhaust system has come a long way from the old days of exhaust pipes and mufflers. Today, the exhaust system is safety and emissions control rolled into one. Have your car’s exhaust system inspected regularly and check it immediately if you suspect any problems.

What does it do?

The exhaust system routes dangerous exhaust gas from the engine out and away from the car to keep from affecting the occupants. Next, the exhaust system reduces exhaust noise from the engine. The catalytic converter reduces the level of harmful pollutants in the exhaust. The oxygen sensors mounted in the exhaust system monitor the level of oxygen in the exhaust gases to maintain efficient engine operation and to monitor the converter’s operation.

Typical Wear and Tear

Maintain a safe car with regular exhaust system checks. Factors that affect replacement requirements include:

Driving habits (short trips take their toll on exhaust system life)
Road conditions (salt, road spray, bumps)
Vehicle type
Age of exhaust system parts

Is your check engine light on? Is your exhaust noisy?
Schedule an appointment to have your system checked.
Check in on Facebook for $5.00 off your service.

*Compliments of Car Care Council

#7 in series "Vehicle systems overview"*

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

What is it?

The engine cooling system affects your car’s overall dependability and engine longevity. Cooling systems have advanced over the years with new coolant formulations and new radiator designs and materials. If you suspect a problem with your cooling system, you should check it immediately.

What does it do?

The key parts of the cooling system remove heat from the engine and automatic transmission and dissipate heat to the air outside. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine. The coolant absorbs heat and returns it to the radiator where heat is dissipated. The thermostat regulates the coolant temperature to keep it consistent for efficient engine operation.

Typical Wear and Tear
Factors that affect the replacement of cooling system parts include:

Driving habits
Operating conditions
Type of vehicle
Type of coolant
Frequency of regular maintenance such as coolant changes

Symptoms:

Overheating
Sweet smell
Leaks
Repeatedly need to add fluid

Extreme temperatures are hard on vehicles in general.
When was the last time you had your cooling system flushed?
Schedule an appointment to have your cooling system checked. Check in on Facebook and get $5.00 off your service.

*Compliments of Car Care Council