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If the heat of summer is wearing you down, it is likely taking its toll on your car battery too. Contrary to popular belief, summer highs rather than winter lows pose the greater threat to battery life, according to the non-profit Car Care Council.

Sooner or later all batteries have to be replaced. Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, thus damaging the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, leading to slow death for a battery.

“When most motorists think of dead batteries that cause starting failure, they think of severe winter weather, but summer heat is the real culprit,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Many battery problems start long before the temperatures drop. Heat, more than cold, shortens battery life.”

With the hot summer temperatures on the rise, knowing the symptoms of a sick cooling system are critical to your summer driving plans, since cooling system failure is a leading cause of vehicle breakdowns. The most noticeable symptoms are overheating, leaks, a sweet smell of antifreeze and repeatedly needing to add coolant, according to the Car Care Council.

Coolant reservoir and level indicator- image“Neglecting your cooling system can result in serious damage and even complete engine failure, which would put a sudden end to your summer road trip,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “If the cooling system doesn’t receive regular maintenance, it’s not a question of whether it will fail, but rather when it will fail. Performing regular checkups of belts, hoses, the water pump and fluids will ensure your car remains properly cooled and healthy for many miles down the road.”

A properly operating brake system is critical to safe vehicle operation and control under a variety of conditions. Brake Safety Awareness Month in August, sponsored by the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), is the ideal time to stop and make sure your brakes are working properly before the new school year and colder temperatures arrive.

“When it comes to vehicle safety, the brake system is at the top of the list,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Motorists can put a stop to any potential brake system problems by recognizing the signs and symptoms that their brake system may need maintenance or repair.”

Buyer beware! Over a million cars with flood damage are lurking in used car lots. NEVER buy a car that has sustained water damage. Automotive expert Lauren Fix, The Car Coach shares important tips on how to spot a car that has been through a flood.

What should you do if your car has been in a flood? ALWAYS take your flood-damaged car to a mechanic to find out the extent of the damage to features like your car's electrical systems, air bags, passive safety systems and more. Automotive expert Lauren Fix, The Car Coach tells you how to clean your car once the waters recede.

Small cars have big parking and gas benefits but are they also BIG on danger? New offset crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for small cars has consumers worried, with only the 2014 MINI Countryman scoring "good." Automotive expert Lauren Fix, The Car Coach reports for The Willis Report.

DENVER, CO (April 9, 2014) – While 96 percent of drivers consider underinflated tires a serious safety issue and 89 percent think properly inflated tires and an automatic warning system could save their life, a new national survey finds 42 percent of drivers still can’t accurately identify the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) dashboard warning symbol. According ta new consumer survey1 conducted on behalf of Schrader International, the leading global manufacturer of sensing and valve solutions, drivers’ recognition of TPMS, a global safety system that warns drivers of significantly underinflated tires, could still improve despite an overall increase from a 2010 comparison survey.

Recognizing this disconnect between what drivers consider crucial their driving safety and their ability trecognize the important tire pressure warning symbol, Schrader, along with OEM car manufacturers, aftermarket service and repair leaders, and state and federal governments, are helping tfurther educate drivers on the importance of TPMS via a variety of supportive routes.

(PHOENIX, Arizona) April 3, 2014— Last week a Gilbert man lost his whole family when the tire blew out on the vehicle they were driving, causing it to collide with an ongoing semi on I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix. While it’s not known at this point what was wrong with the tire, accidents like this are too common and many can be avoided by just taking some simple preventative measures.

It’s easy to understand why there’s so many vehicles with potentially dangerous issues.  According to the US Department of Transportation, there are 253 million registered vehicles on the roads in the United States. According to the Chicago Tribune, with the latest 4.8 million vehicle recall by General Motors, “in 2014 the automotive industry is on pace to surpass the historic high of 30 million vehicles recalled in 2004.”  That’s a shocking 11.8 percent of all vehicles in the US being under some sort of recall for potentially dangerous if not fatal, issues. And the problem is, according to Edmunds.com, millions of recalled cars with potentially dangerous issues are being driven on the roads today simply because the owners have no idea their vehicle has been part of a recall.

(Phoenix, Arizona)  With high gas prices and a sluggish economy, many people are putting off car repairs. In some cases, a $100 fix that’s ignored can put your safety at risk and end up costing thousands. According to a December 2011 Consumer Reports survey, 40 percent of people say they’re postponing car maintenance or repairs.

Automotive Expert Matt Allen sees it a lot, “When we have to fix catastrophic damage because the car’s been neglected, it’s even more expensive because now we’re replacing several parts, not just the one that originally needed maintenance.”

Allen has at least one customer who practices what Matt preaches. His car boasts 279,000 miles and it’s never broken down because he stays current on maintenance.  A trusted mechanic will explain what issues you should address right away and what can be delayed without compromising safety.

August 2014 is Brake Safety Month, and in honor of that, Phoenix Auto Repair Shop Virginia Auto Service is providing free brake inspections for all passenger cars, light trucks and SUV’s up to ½ ton. (Value $64).

Brakes are one of the most important safety components on your vehicle and a top cause of accidents for trucks and larger vehicles.

Virginia Auto Service provides complete brake repair and service in downtown, Phoenix, Arizona. Click here to schedule an appointment.