Summer Sun Dangers

It's beautiful weather outside, your vehicle a/c is working perfectly, there isn't hardly any traffic on the road, how could you not be safe and comfortable as you drive home?  One risk factor you may not have anticipated (especially if you are a new driver) is the sun!

There are more dangers from the sun while driving than just a sun-burnt arm from hanging out the window.  Light can reflect off just about anything, whether it's in your car or not.  Sometimes you can remove the offending object, but sometimes not.  The light from the sun makes it hard to see when you are driving towards it, during the sunrise, or sunset.  There are also times when your back is to the sun, but you still have a hard time discerning what color the traffic light is.

Unfortunately, everyone will have the opportunity to drive with less than desirable sunlight.  Here are some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe as you battle the sun:

• Use the vehicle's visor.  This can help protect your eyes from direct sunlight.
• Wear sunglasses.  Keep them handy, and they will help cut out the glare of the sun.
• Keep your dashboard and windshield clean.  This will help cut out unwanted and unsafe glares, and make it easier for you to see through the glass.
• Increase your following distance, and decrease your speed.  These are just practical safety habits to keep you safe when the driving conditions are less than optimal.
• Change your route.  If possible, change the direction you are driving to a route without the glare.

Summer is the time of year when everyone wants to be outside and enjoy the warm weather.  Follow these helpful tips to continue enjoying the beautiful summer sun!

Don't Be Stuck in the Heat This Summer!

It is finally summer in Utah!  It seems like the rainy days changed overnight to the heat of summer.  You may have turned the a/c on in your house and in your car to stay for the next few months.

Did you know that your air conditioning is just a part of a bigger system in your car called the HVAC system?  The HVAC system includes heating, ventilating and air conditioning.  This system helps you be more comfortable as you drive around town, or take long trips.

You've all been in the car after it's been sitting for a couple of hours in the sun.  It's hot, stifling, and even hard to breathe as you sit and wait for the air conditioning to overpower the unimaginable heat.  You don't want to be stuck in a car like that for 5 minutes, let alone all summer.

You may wonder what signs you should look for if your air conditioner is not working properly.  One concern you may have is a squeaky belt.  Perhaps the most obvious sign is the air coming from the vents isn't very cold, and you are feeling pretty hot.

If your a/c seems to be struggling to keep up with the warm weather, bring it on over to Jake's and we'll take a look at it.  Generally our technicians will perform some pressure checks and look for leaks to begin with.  They may need to recharge the refrigerant. Either way, it's important to have an experienced technician to check the a/c system over.  You want to make sure you and your loved ones are comfortable this summer, so don't waste any time, and give Jake's a call.

Tire Safety, Can You See Abe's Head?

When you think of new tires for your car, what do you think of?  Some of you may think of regular maintenance, some may sigh and wish those tires would have lasted a little bit longer, and some of you may feel like it's Christmas when those new tires are put on, balanced, and smelling of rubber.

A couple of months ago, I bought new tires for my vehicle, and for probably the first 3 months, my neighbor's son, would come over and sniff my tires whenever he saw me, because he loved the rubber smell.  I have to admit, I don't get that excited about new tires.

Have you thought about how important it is to have good tires on your car or truck?  Your entire vehicle is literally riding on those tires, and not only do you want to be sure your car's engine and other systems are running properly, you also want to be sure that your tires are in good repair.

Take a few minutes and run through the following checklist to ascertain what conditions your tires are in:

• Check the tire pressure. If you aren't sure what the tire pressure should be, look in your owner's manual or in the door jam of your driver door.  Always be sure to check your tire pressure before going on long trips.
• Look for wear and tear on the tires.  Also check to see how low the tread is.  This can be done, by inserting a penny in the tread's groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you.  If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time to change those tires!
• Be sure that the valve caps are on each tire's valve.
• Do not overload your vehicle.  
• When towing, remember that some of the weight of the load will also be put on the towing vehicles' tires as well.
• Slow down when you see potholes or speed bumps.

At one time or another, you will need new tires on your vehicle.  If you have any questions about whether you car is in need of new tires, or where you can take your car, please give us a call, or stop by.  We would love to help keep your tires and vehicle road and trust-worthy.

National Ride to Work Day

You've all heard of take your daughter/son to work day, and probably even participated in it.  Have you heard of National Ride to Work Day?

Last month, was Motorcycle Safety Awareness month, and this month, you have the opportunity to practice what you learned.  Every year there are too many deaths caused by motorcycle accidents.  Each one of us can help reduce the fatality numbers by checking our mirrors, and blind spots for motorcyclists, not traveling too close to motorcycles in front of us, and being an overall conscientious driver.  Motorcyclists can also practice some safety habits by wearing protective gear, knowing how your motorcycle works, and practicing safe driving.

June 20th will be this year's National Ride to Work Day.  Motorcyclists will be out on the road, practicing safety habits, and enjoying the beautiful summer weather.  Let's all enjoy the summer together!

Do You Have a New Driver?

It seems that as summer approaches, there are more young drivers on the road each year.  Receiving your driver's license is a huge milestone in many teens lives.  It means mobility and freedom.

Unfortunately, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens.(CDC)  However, there are some steps you and your teen can take to prevent car crashes and keep you and your loved ones safe.

• Know Your Car: Make sure your teen is familiar with your car.  They should be familiar with the different features your car comes with and should always keep the gas tank at least 1/3 full.
• Seat Belts: I can't stress this one enough!  No matter how you look at it, seat belts save lives.  A driver or passenger will always be safer when wearing a seat belt.  Encourage and set the example for your teen to always wear a seat belt.
• Slow Down: Speed limits are there for a reason: to keep you safe!  Speeding is one of the main causes of fatalities in teen accidents.  
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: This can be anything from kids playing near the road, to a sunset that makes it hard to see.  You can't always assume a child will stay out of the road, or that another driver will see you even though you are blinded by the sun.  Take precautions, and drive carefully.
• Distracted Driving: There are so many distractions as a person drives down the road.  You have your cell phone, your friends in the car, a catchy billboard, etc.  Always stay focused on the road and be aware of what's going on.

Having an extra driver in the house can definitely be a positive thing.  So take the proper precautions and enjoy watching your teen become more independent!

Is Your Car Ready for Your Vacation?

As summer approaches, many of you are planning or have already planned a family vacation.  You're ready for a break from school and work, and just want to spend some quality time with you family away from home.  According to a survey done by AAA, 35% of Americans will be taking a family vacation this year.  With the drop in gas prices this past year, many of those trips will be road trips.  Maybe you will drive up to your favorite camping spot.  Perhaps you'll have a family reunion at a national park.  Or maybe you'll take a long-awaited trip to a theme park.  Wherever you go, you will try and plan for any possible mishap so you can spend your time enjoying each other, instead of worrying about troubles.

One item of your trip planning to keep in mind is your transportation.  If you are taking a road trip, you will want to make sure that your vehicle is well-maintained and up for the trip.  Some of the preparation you can do in your own driveway.  Some things to check for are:

• Check all fluids and filters (engine oil, coolant, windshield washer solvent, etc.)
• Check hoses and belts (for cracking, wear, misshapen, etc.)
• Check tires (pressure, balding, uneven wear)
• Check wipers and lighting
• Check brake system
• Check batter connection (be sure that there isn't any corrosion)
• Check gas cap and be sure it is not damaged 

You can also bring your car in for a Pre-Trip Tune-up.  “A pre-trip inspection provides the opportunity to have service repairs made at home by your own trusted technician who knows the vehicle, and helps reduce the chance of costly and dangerous trouble on the road,” said Rich While. (Be Car Care Aware)  You can also ensure that your car is running at it's most efficient capacity, to ensure better fuel economy and safety.

We all want to have a safe vacation, and usually all it takes is some planning ahead of time.  We hope you have a safe and fun summer!

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

As the temperature increases and the days become nicer all around, you start seeing more motorcycles on the road.  You'll see every type of motorcyclist out there.  You'll see the scooters, the commuters, the leisurely driver, the guy in leather, the guy with a helmet, and sadly the guy without a helmet.  Unfortunately, you won't always see a motorcyclist and so it's important to take precautions, especially if you are the motorcyclist.

The first step you can take as a motorcyclist is wear the proper gear.  Wear a helmet!  I can't stress this enough!  According to consumer reports, "riders without a helmet are 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury in a crash and are three times more likely to suffer brain injuries, than those with helmets."  Helmets have come a long way, and are lighter and more comfortable than they once were.  Also, wear protective clothing.

Another step you can take to protect yourself is to take a riding course with a nearby Motorcycle Safety Foundation.  The old adage is "Practice makes Perfect."  Why wouldn't you want to improve on your riding skill to be safe on the road.  There are multiple places you can take a course on riding a motorcycle.  These courses can also assist you in passing the motorcycle licensing test and help you become a more confidant and safe rider.

Watch for road hazards and bad weather.  A motorcycle is so much smaller than a car, that it reacts differently to some road hazards and bad weather.  A car can easily straddle pot holes in the road, but a motorcycle could be damaged and the rider hurt in the process if hit.  Also, be aware of the wind and rain.  Make allowances for unforeseeable mishaps.

As a driver in a car, there are also steps you can take to protect the motorcyclist driving near you.  First, be aware that he/she is there.  Always take time to look in your mirrors, and see those around you.  You are protected by the car, but the motorcyclist, not so much.  Be sure to check your blind spot when you change lanes, and leave enough stopping room when you travel behind.

We are all driving out there together, and it's important that we look out for one another.  If the roles were reversed, we'd want someone else watching our back.