Car Maintenance in Arizona

Arizona is hard on cars. Batteries die faster. Windshields break. Tires go flat. It is inevitable. Good car maintenance in Arizona is key. Here is a list of things you need to do to keep your car running…and surviving summer on the road.

Car Batteries

Car batteries have a life of roughly two years in Arizona. It’s something you want to stay ahead of the game because you do not want to be stranded with a dead battery in the summer.

• Always have jumper cables in your car.
• Consider getting a portable car charger – and keep it in your car. This is a lifesaver.
• Get your battery tested every two years. Most places will do this for free. Add a reminder to your calendar so you don’t forget.

tires

Tires also take a beating. We have first-hand knowledge of this. (Check my post on our first 100 days in Phoenix. ) We had three flat tires in our first six months of moving to Arizona. Arizona roads are HOT in the summer, which will wear them down. Check the pressure and the tread periodically. And always carry a good spare in your car.

Be careful of road debris. If you are building a new home, be careful about driving around the construction. There will be lots of nails and sharp objects that can create a flat tire.

If you do get a flat, it it helpful to have something to kneel on if you are changing the tire yourself. A small scrap of carpet will do the trick. And your knees will thank you.

If you have a spare put on your car, replace the original tire as soon as possible. You wouldn’t want to have another flat and be caught without a spare. Fortunately, there are lots of tire shops in the Phoenix area, including Discount Tires – where they know us by name. (In fact, as I write this, we are planning to go there today to get replacement tires for our daughter’s car!)

Windshields

Windshields are going to crack. It’s a fact of life. We replaced two in 4 months when we moved to Arizona. There are a lot of rocks on the road that can easily get kicked up to your windshield. There isn’t a lot you can do to prevent this – it’s just one of those Arizona things.

Speaking of windshields – don’t forget the windshield wipers. The dryness and the heat can do a number on them. Since it doesn’t rain that often, you may not even notice…until it does rain. (And when it rains here, it pours!) Get them checked in the spring, so you are ready for rain in the summer.

Air Conditioning

Car maintenance in Arizona and air conditioning go hand-in-hand. It is a must for living here and you shouldn’t take it for granted. Get it checked early in the year, so it is in tip top shape for when you really need it.

Coolant

This one seems like a no-brainer, but it isn’t something that I thought of much until we moved to Arizona – in fact, we started having some issues with our coolant on our cross-country move to Arizona, making it necessary to check it every time we stopped.

Be sure to get your coolant checked periodically to avoid your car overheating.

Exterior

Car maintenance in Arizona also includes your car’s exterior. It’s no accident that there are so many car washes in Arizona – the cars get dirty. And the dirt can eventually break down the surface of your car. So wash your car on a regular basis.

Keeping it clean is just the first part. You should also regularly wax the car giving the exterior an extra level of protection.

Many car washes offer memberships which give you unlimited car washes. They are a quick and easy way to keep your car’s finish looking great – and lasting longer.

Avoid Heat Mishaps

Another way to take care of your car in the heat is to make sure you don’t leave things inside your car.

Things will melt. I’ve heard stories of shoes melting – shoes! The car gets that hot. Imagine the mess that melted things would make. Also, things can explode, such as soda cans. What a mess that would be. And some things can start a fire, such as lighters, or even water bottles (reflecting the sun through the water bottle could create a spark). The rule of thumb is never leave anything in your car.

There are a few things that you can do to minimize your discomfort in a hot car. Sun shades for your windshield are a must. A towel will make sitting on a hot seat easier. I’ve heard that some people keep potholders in their car for holding onto a hot steering wheel. The best and easiest tip is to park in the shade whenever possible. It may mean a slightly longer walk to your car, but it is worth it not getting into a scorching hot car.

So before summer comes, get your car checked out to make sure it is ready to endure a summer in Phoenix. A little preparation and care will go a long way to keep your car (and you) safe and healthy in a Phoenix summer.