S&S Automotive: Arizona Car Care
S&S Automotive is excited to present the following
Arizona car care tips. If you have a questions you would like answered in these tips,
contact us!
The Mesa/Phoenix area is one of the fastest growing areas of the country
right now, meaning more than ever, people are driving in this climate without
knowing all of the problems that the heat and dust can pose for a vehicle.
Below are some helpful tips to help new drivers adjust to the hot, dry summers
of Mesa, and some things that even life-long Mesa residents may never have
known!
Routine Maintenance:
- Take care of your engine's coolant:
- In the Arizona summer heat, it's absolutely critical to monitor your
engine's coolant level and pH balance. Coolant, as the name suggests, keeps
your engine from overheating by absorbing and carrying away heat from critical
components. Any fluxuation in the pH level, or drop in the amount of coolant
will signifigantly break down its ability to carry away heat. Make sure that
you're bringing your car to a repair shop with ASE certified technicians,
and that the shop checks and repairs both the level and pH balance.
- Use synthetic fluids (or synthetic blends):
- For any system in your car that uses a fluid (no matter whether it's
to lubricate, protect, power or regulate), use a synthetic version for driving
in Arizona. This includes your engine's oil, your differential (4-wheel drive),
transmission, power steering, brakes, etc. Synthetic fluid is created to protect
better and break down more slowly than standard oils and fluids, meaning added
protection between routine maintenance stop at your trusted repair shop. Make
certain that the fluids being used on your car are recommended by an ASE Certified
technician and/or your car's manufacturer.
- Invest in a window shade:
- Many people keep a window shade in their car that they can put in
their windshield to keep their car cooler during hot days. What many people
don't know, however, is those same window shades do wonders to protect your
dashboard from warping and cracking under the intense heat. It may not seem
like a big deal now, but a cracked or warped component on your dashboard can
cost thousands of dollars to replace, or else significantly drive down the
value of your vehicle when you want to trade or sell it. A small investment
for a window shade is really worth it for residents of Arizona during the
summer months.
- Keep your car washed and waxed:
- The heat and dust native to the Mesa, AZ area can take a serious toll
on your vehicle's paint and protective clear coat. In this sort of climate,
we need to wax our cars much more frequently than in other climates, or we run
the risk of expensive damages to the exterior of our car...damages that can
quickly drive down the value of the cars we've spent so much money to purchase
and maintain.
- While cleaning your car, don't use tire dressings:
- Like we mentioned, it's important to keep your car clean and waxed,
but it's just as important to avoid using chemicals that shine your tires.
These chemicals dry out the rubber in the tires, which are already being dried
out by the heat and lack of moisture in the air. Avoid costly, dangerous blow
outs by avoiding these tire-shining chemicals.
- Take care of your Air Conditioning early:
- Air Conditioning is a must here during the summer months, so don't
wait until your car is blowing hot air at your face to bring it in. Have a
trusted, ASE certified technician examine and replenish your air conditioning
system in the winter or spring months, and avoid having to wait for service
as well as unpleasant car rides. In addition, remember that air conditioning
dries out the air as it cools. In Arizona, where the air is dry to begin with,
it's a good idea to keep your car stocked with liquids during long car trips.
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Desert Driving:
- Your hoses are critical:
- Before doing any desert driving,
have your hoses checked by an ASE certified repair shop. Hoses deteriorate
from the inside out, so it's hard for the untrained eye to tell whether a
serious problem is developing. These components are especially critical to
tend to in this climate because a burst hose in the middle of the desert can
mean big-time repairs, not to mention the dangers inherant in being stranded
in the desert.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car at all times:
- Whenever you're planning on making an extended trip outside of the
metropolitan area, make sure to keep an emergency kit in your car with at
least extra containers of engine oil, coolant, and power steering fluid. Also
be sure that your spare tire is properly inflated and that you have the know-how
and the proper tools to change a tire if the need arises. It's also a very
good idea to stock up on fluids before you leave on your trip, as well.
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We service all makes and models, both foreign and domestic.
To see a complete list of services that we offer, visit our Services page.