The 2nd of 8 Part Series form The Collision Center for Car Care in the Las Vegas desert. Hot summertime temperatures in Las Vegas can wreak havoc on your car-battery. Heat shortens battery life faster than cold temperatures. The most common reasons for car battery failure are usually due to excessive heat or over-charging, leading to car-starting failure.
- Car exterior paint damaged by the hot sun – Exterior Paint
- Car battery maintenance in the Las Vegas desert
- Maintain your vehicle air filter in the Las Vegas desert
- Maintain your vehicle Oil in the Las Vegas desert
- Maintain your vehicle Air Conditioning for the Las Vegas desert
- Maintain your vehicle Coolant for the Las Vegas desert
- Low tire pressure can lead to tire failure
- Las Vegas desert rain, check your windshield wipers
Help Your Car Survive the Las Vegas Summer Heat
The extreme high temperatures in Las Vegas take a toll on your vehicle, making automobile maintenance a high priority if you want it to last. The Collision Center will take a look at the most important things to check up on to keep you in the driver’s seat during the hot summer. This weeks blog covers car battery maintenance.
Vigen Khachikyan, the General Manager of The Collision Center, cites overheating as the most common issue he sees during the summer, with the primary culprit being coolant leaks. However, Khachikyan notes that a general distrust of auto mechanics can prevent people from bringing their vehicle in — turning a minor problem into a major one.
“A lot of times, the misconception is that a lot of shops may actually be trying to sell you something you don’t need,” Khachikyan said. “Some may actually be honest with you, but the bad reputation the auto industry has nowadays is that they’re always trying to sell you something, so a lot of people discredit the person’s advice unless they’ve trusted or used them before. At The Collision Center we think you the customer, deserves to know what is wrong with your vehicle, how we are going to fix it, and how long it is going to take. We have initiated our Transparent Repair Servicetm or TRStm, we encourage our clients to ask questions and they will be answered by our knowledgeable staff. We understand how important it is for you to have answers for all of your questions. We want you to have peace of mind regarding all of your repairs.”
People don’t have the time to become their own mechanic, but Khachikyan recommends that people learn how to check their vehicle’s fluid levels. Being able to identify when the fluids are low allows motorists to find possible leaks on their own.
Khachikyan warns that anyone checking their coolant levels should make sure their radiator is cool beforehand. “If you open up a radiator when it’s hot, you can get hot fluids spilling out everywhere and you can get very serious burns,” Khachikyan said. “The fluids can get up to 220 degrees. That being said, it’s good to check your own fluids.”
Khachikyan recommends that people consult with someone they know and trust — preferably in the auto industry — to learn how to check a vehicle’s fluid levels. He said The Collision Center is willing to show customers how to check these levels, which fluids go where and how to avoid overfilling.
2. Car battery maintenance in the Las Vegas desert
Hot summertime temperatures in Las Vegas can wreak havoc on your car-battery. Heat shortens battery life faster than cold temperatures. The most common reasons for battery failure are usually due to excessive heat or over-charging, leading to car-starting failure. Heat causes the fluid inside the battery to evaporate and causes damage from the inside.
According to AAA of Las Vegas, the company “generally responds to an average of 65,000 battery calls each summer.” To put this in context, an AAA representative said the company responded to a total of nearly 200,000 Las Vegas roadside-assistance calls last summer.
A supervisor at AAA of Las Vegas, recommends that Las Vegas drivers get their batteries checked before the scorching summer is in full swing. “Before the dead heat of the summer begins, one would want to have their repair shop or custom mechanic run a battery test to see what kind of capacity it’s at. And certainly, if it’s testing below its capacity, being proactive and replacing it will prevent you from sitting on the side of the road in 120-degree weather.”
- Check Your Battery Regularly
Before checking the battery, take a look to see if it’s a service-free battery. What that means is there is no access to the internal battery fluid, so don’t try to pry off the caps. If you have a serviceable battery, there are usually two caps on the top of it. Wear eye protection and gloves because the fluid is very acidic. You can pry off the two caps with a flat head screwdriver. Once it’s open, shine a light inside and look for water. If you can’t see water, the battery is running dry. You can put tap water inside the battery, filling it to the top of the hole. Once filled, replace the caps.
While you’re looking in the battery, it’s a good time to check for corrosion on the battery posts. The battery posts is where the car is physically connected to the battery. Household baking soda works at dissolving the corrosive material, but you can also check with your local auto shop for products that help get rid of and deter corrosion.
Mention this blog and come into The Collision Center for a very special offer on battery maintenance or replacement.
Just In Case
Carry “just in case” items, especially if driving long distance through the desert. It’s a good idea to carry extra drinking water, basic tools, a blanket, sunscreen, a first aid kit, car coolant and extra oil. It is a helpless feeling breaking down on the side of the road, but that feeling is magnified when you’re broken down in the middle of the desert. I wouldn’t count on the kindness of strangers in Las Vegas.
Not Mechanically Inclined?
If all of this seems like gibberish to you, seek the assistance of our professionals at The Collision Center. Mention this blog and receive a very special offer on car battery maintenance or replacement.
Proper maintenance will help your vehicle last in the brutally hot Las Vegas desert sun.
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