car safety

As a Ventura County business, our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims of the recent fires. And while the safety of you and your loved ones should be everyone’s top priority and concern, those who know Mirek know that he is always stressing the importance of protecting your car as well! Therefore, the following includes some important information for how to maintain and prepare your vehicles.

Is your car is being affected by fire ash and debris?

If you are in an area where there is debris in the air, then yes, it affects your car! To minimize the damage you must wash away all debris to keep it from corroding the paint on your car. The ash might look fine while dry, but the next time your car gets wet, the elements that mix together can become highly corrosive. (For example, potassium in the ash, when mixed with water, will form potassium hydroxide, which has a similar corrosive effect as drain cleaner.)

Where do I leave my car?

Keep all vehicles in a secure garage and be sure vehicle windows and sunroofs are closed to minimize any residual exposure to the ash.

If car must be left outside the next best option is a fitted car cover to protect vehicle surfaces and keep excessive ash residue off of painted surfaces, wheels, and tires as much as much as possible.

If neither of these options are available to you. Make sure to wash your car once a day to minimize vehicle corrosion.

What do I do when the fires are over?

Once the fires are over have your car inspected by a licensed mechanic…we know a good one if you need a referral! 😉 If necessary, replace the engine air filter, and have mechanics inspect and replace ventilation filters in the passenger compartment. A dirty air filter can restrict fuel economy and increase vehicle emissions.

Have you taken your car in for maintenance?

It is so important to keep your car up to date with all routine maintenance; you never know when something might decide to fail, and we don’t want that to be at a time of emergency. Make sure you’ve checked your tire pressure, battery, lights and all car fluids.

Do you have a car emergency kit?

We suggest basic tools, a good flashlight, water bottles, extra cash and a first aid kit. For women, it is a good idea to keep a pair of walking shoes as well. If possible, a properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack and a portable battery jumper and empty gas can might prove useful as well. Given the current environment with these fires, it may also make sense to have a blanket, change of clothes, and some emergency canned food in the event of a quick evacuation.

We hope that the above tips prove helpful to you. Should you have any car troubles, please call Mirek at German Tech in Thousand Oaks, which offers maintenance and full body work services by skilled professionals.

Take care and please stay safe!

The safety of my customers is very important to me, and I want to ensure that you are properly prepared for the rain. Below are some important questions to ask before driving in less than perfect Southern California weather:

Have you had the Anti-Lock Braking System inspected?
Have you had your brakes and brake pads replaced regularly?
Do you have a high-quality brake fluid?
Have you checked your defroster to ensure it works properly?
Have you checked your tires’ tread lately?
Are your tires are properly inflated?
Have you checked your windshield wipers to make sure they are adequate?
Do you have washer fluid in your car?
Have you changed your shocks and struts in the past year?
If you live near freezing temperatures, make sure to have snow chains, as well as a supply of salt, sand or kitty litter (the non-clumping kind).
Do you have an emergency kit in your car? I suggest basic tools, a good flashlight, water bottles, and a first aid kit. If possible, a portable battery jumper and empty gas can might prove useful as well.

In addition to the above, I found the following information on www.Edmunds.com, and feel it is important to read. I’ve shortened it, but feel free to visit the site for the full article.

When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that rain reduces driver perception. It’s harder to see through the rain, and also decreases visibility through its action on headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming a statistic.

Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.
Allow for more travel time.
Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you’re slowing down.
Stay toward the middle of the road to avoid deep standing puddles.
Don’t use cruise control.
If you see a large puddle up ahead, drive around it or choose a different route.
Don’t attempt to cross running water.
After you cross a puddle, tap on your brake pedal lightly to dry off some of the water on your rotors.
Turn on your headlights, even when there’s a light sprinkle. It helps you see the road, and more importantly, it helps other motorists see you. However, don’t blast your high beams in the rain or fog, it’ll obscure your view further, as the light will reflect back at you. If your car is equipped with foglights, you may find it helpful to turn these on.
Watch out for pedestrians.
If it’s raining so hard that you can’t see the road or the car in front of you, pull over and wait it out.
Let the car ahead pave a clear path, so to speak, through the water.
Give a truck or bus extra distance.
Defog your windows. Rain will quickly cause your windshield to fog up. Switch on both front and rear defrosters and make sure the air conditioning is turned on.
If you start to hydroplane, don’t brake suddenly or turn the wheel, or you might spin into a skid. Release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake, tap the brake pedal (unless you have antilock brakes, in which case you can put your foot down).

I hope that the above tips prove helpful to you. Should you have an accident, German Tech in Thousand Oaks offers full body work services by skilled European professionals. Remember that you have a choice as to where you want your car serviced, and most of the time, you are not limited to only use the insurance companies preferred provider.

Take care and drive safe out there!

Mirek
German Tech Auto Repair & Sales

Sources:
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/45401/article.html

Car Safety During Fire Season

Car Safety in the Rain