Winter has been wetter this season in San Diego than it has been in decades breaking rainfall and snowfall records along the coast and on top of the county’s mountains. On Valentine’s Day, 10+ inches of rain fell at Palomar Observatory, which is more than in any day in history (since they started keeping track of such things). Mountain towns such as Mount Laguna, Cuyamaca Peak and Julian have received regular dumping’s of 4 to 6-inches of snow with some ski resorts having to close down temporarily due to too much of it.
So whether you’re lovin’ or hatin’ this cold and wet, un-San Diego weather, make sure you are not stuck outside in it by taking proper care of your car, truck or SUV. Here are some auto repair tips to make sure your vehicle stays in top shape during this very unusual San Diego winter:
Consider a Car Wash. No Really.
A little rain is not going to do much damage to your vehicle but consistent, excessive rain and wetness can start to take its toll. Rain contains acidic properties that can harm your vehicle’s finish or the metal underneath. Though it might seem counter intuitive, a sudsy car wash can help wash away this acid. Adding a wax to your car wash routine will help protect the exterior from future damage caused by the acids in the rain.
How Do Your Wheels Feel? Don’t Delay on Tire Replacement or Brake Repair
Beyond the exterior of your vehicle, your tires and brakes take on a whole new level of importance during rainy weather driving. Though driving on worn tires is always a bad idea, driving on bald tires on wet roads is even more unsafe. The worn out treads can’t grip the road properly either to accelerate or stop as it should.
Likewise, pressing the pedal on worn out brakes will cause more skidding and sliding and will prevent you from stopping as you should. A recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that rain causes the most driving accidents. If you’ve been putting off replacing your tires or brake pads, don’t delay any longer and schedule an inspection with your San Diego auto repair shop.
How Are Your Wipers and Headlights Working?
If you are like most San Diego drivers, your windshield wipers have been getting more work in the past few months than they have in the past few years. If they are streaking your windshield instead of cleaning it, or you can’t remember the last time they were replaced, they are probably long overdue. Oh, and be sure to refill your window washer fluid while you’re at it.
More than your wipers, this rainy season will make you realize how dirty (or clean) your headlights are. Give them a proper scrubbing so you can best navigate the roads during a downpour.
Planning on Hitting the Slopes?
The continuing snow has been a windfall for area ski resorts. If you’re planning on taking advantage of the white powder, make sure to pack a set of snow chains for your vehicle. They are required for use on many of the roads and it just makes sense to bring them along.
Does your truck or SUV have 4-wheel drive options? Great! Make sure to use them when driving on snow covered hills. If you’re not used to this option, be sure to use it with care and engage the 4-wheel drive slowly and smoothly. Don’t just gun it on the highway and hope for the best. Start off slow and gradually accelerate as you get used to it. And remember, avoid using 4-wheel drive unnecessarily as it could damage your transmission and suspension system causing automotive repair.
It’s Time to Turn up the Heat Inside the Cabin
Even if you’re not planning on heading east to the mountains to ski, coastal and inland regions have been hitting freezing or near freezing temperatures a lot more than normal lately. For those San Diegans not used to driving in the cold weather, they may have to use a rarely used button on the car known as the heater.
If your windows and windshield is covered in a thin layer of frost or ice, it may be time to turn on the defroster, the button with the rectangle and 3 squiggly lines with arrows. You can speed up the window defogging process by cracking a window or two. If your window isn’t clearing up or the air blowing from the heater is only lukewarm, then it may be time for an auto AC/Heater repair.
