Arizona Dust Storm Driving Tips

So, what is the climate in Arizona? From Glendale to other parts of Arizona, the weather is typically beautiful and warm but you should always stay vigilant if you plan on doing plenty of driving, regardless of if it’s dust storm season or not. Regularly checking the Arizona climate zone maps can help you better prepare for your Phoenix travels. If possible, it’s best to avoid driving through a dust storm but we know that’s not always possible. With that being said, here’s what to do in a dust storm and after a dust storm if you’re driving and find yourself caught in one:

In a Dust Storm

• Immediately check your surroundings for other vehicles and start to slow down if you can safely do so.
• It’s best to exit the highway if you can do so, otherwise, pull over safely to stay out of the roadway.
• Turn your vehicle off and utilize your emergency brake.
• Ensure everyone’s seat belt is buckled and wait for the storm to pass.

After a Dust Storm

• Check to make sure your passengers are safe.
• Ensure your vehicle’s components are in working order. It’s best to inspect your radiator, tires, and windshield.
• If possible, safely exit the area and ensure you’re not driving into another dust storm.

Stay Safe While Driving With Cactus Jack's Auto!

Now that we’ve helped you answer, “What is the climate in Arizona?” and you’re aware of what to do during and after a dust storm, you can work with our team at Cactus Jack's Auto to discover more car maintenance tips to maximize your safety during your travels. Let us know today if you have any questions!

How To Keep Your Car Cool in the Summer

It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a pre-owned vehicle or a brand-new one, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than climbing inside a hot vehicle after it’s been sitting under the Mesa sun. Fortunately, we’re here to help you learn how to keep your car cool in the summer so that you can stay comfortable and content, no matter the temperature.

Whether you’re just taking a short drive around Surprise or a cross-country adventure, ensuring you’ve got a cool car in the summer can maximize comfort for you and your passengers. Learn how to keep your car cool in the summer today with the experts at Cactus Jack's Auto!

Does AC Use Gas?

Before we go over how to keep a car cool without AC, you may be wondering, “Does AC use gas?” and the answer is yes! While it may seem obvious to use your AC to cool your car down before you hit the Glendale roads, using your AC could mean a decrease in fuel efficiency.

However, there’s a caveat to keep in mind. Many vehicles are designed to be aerodynamic and easily cut through the air and if you’re traveling at high speeds, you’ll want to keep your windows up and turn on your AC to maximize efficiency. Generally, if you’re traveling at lower speeds, using your windows instead of your AC will ensure you enjoy the most amount of efficiency. Work with us today to find out more information about how to be fuel efficient when driving.

How To Keep Your Car Cool Without AC

Now that we’ve answered the question, “Does AC use gas?” we understand that you may want to learn how to keep your car cool without AC. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your car cool without turning on your AC system. Here are some of the best ways to reduce the temperature in your vehicle without AC:

• Open Windows & Doors: If you’re in a secure area and you’ve got a couple of minutes, opening your windows and doors will help your vehicle quickly cool off before you start tackling your Phoenix commute.
• Look for Shade: Whether it’s underneath a tree or in a garage, parking your vehicle in the shade can greatly reduce the temperature of your vehicle’s cabin as it’s parked.
• Find a Sunshade: It’s not always possible to park somewhere that has shade but you can purchase a sunshade and put one up anywhere to park to have the same cooling effect on your vehicle’s interior.
• Seat Covers: If you’ve got leather seats, they can get pretty hot if they’ve been sitting in the sun. Choosing a cloth seat cover can help you avoid having to sit on hot leather seats.
• Slightly Open Your Windows: You can always slightly open your windows to help air circulate and reduce the temperatures inside your vehicle. If you plan on leaving your car unattended for a long time, we recommend you do this with caution.
• Tint Your Windows: Tinting your windows can help dramatically lower the temperature inside your cabin. Of course, it’s best to check your local laws if you do so as there may be some restrictions on the darkness of your tinted windows.

You Can Come To Cactus Jack's Auto For More Car Care Information!

We’ve got plenty of other car care information you can follow to keep your vehicle running smoothly and in excellent condition. Work with Cactus Jack's Auto today and let us know if you have any questions for our experts!

Preparing for Monsoon Season

Monsoon season in Arizona can provide unsafe driving conditions if you’re not prepared. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with some monsoon safety tips so that you’re ready for anything that comes your way on Mesa drives. Is monsoon season in Arizona similar to driving in the rain?

We’d say there are some driving safety tips that can be followed whether you’re driving in the rain or during monsoon season but you definitely want to be more prepared for the heavy rain and high winds that can often be associated with a monsoon. With that being said, Cactus Jack's Auto will be providing you with some car maintenance tips and tricks below to ensure that you’re prepared for the monsoon season in Arizona!

Monsoon Safety Tips – Vehicle Preparation

It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a 4×4 vehicle or a front-wheel-drive sedan, you’ll want to make sure that driving in the rain or driving during monsoon season is no problem for your vehicle. Having specially designed rain tires among preparing other components of your vehicle can ensure a safe driving experience for you and those around you when the weather becomes severe. Here are some monsoon safety tips you can follow to prepare your vehicle for the extreme weather:

• Lighting: New light bulbs for your vehicle can ensure that you can see the Surprise roads clearly during heavy rain. Additionally, new turn signal bulbs and even brake lights allow others to clearly see you as well if you’re driving in the rain.
• Windshield Wipers: Windshield wipers can be easy to forget but make sure that you’ve got a new set before monsoon season. Windshield wipers on vehicles near Glendale often deteriorate quickly due to the extreme temperatures and conditions so ensure you’ve got a new working set you can count on.
• Rain Tires: Ensure your tires have the proper amount of tread and the correct air pressure to ensure you’ve got the most amount of traction when the roads get slippery. If possible getting some rain tires or tires made for driving in inclement weather can maximize traction and ensure a safe driving experience.
• Brakes: It’s a good idea to ensure your braking system is in working order so you’ve got the stopping power you need if you’re driving during monsoon season and need to quickly brake.
• Battery: The last thing you want to do is have to jump your vehicle during monsoon season so ensure your vehicle’s batteries are in working order.

Monsoon Safety Tips – Driving

It’s a good idea to take shelter during monsoon season and avoid driving if the roads are particularly slippery but if you’ve been caught in heavy rain during your Phoenix travels, there are some tips you can follow to maximize your chances of getting home safe. Here are some driving tips during monsoon season:

• Slow down and increase the distance between you and the vehicles around you.
• Avoid driving by large vehicles as they often create a mist that can make it difficult for you to see the road in front of you.
• If you lose traction when you’re driving, avoid slamming on the brakes and instead try to coast to a stop and turn in the direction you’re sliding.
• Try not to drive through a flooded road, especially if you can’t tell the depth of the water.
• If your car has become flooded, immediately turn your vehicle off and try to get to a safe location. You’ll want to have your vehicle towed when it’s safe to do so.
• If you have no other choice than to drive through a flooded area, drive slowly to avoid damaging your vehicle.
• When visibility is dramatically reduced, it may be a good idea to pull off to the side of the road as safely as possible and turn on your emergency lights.

We’ve Got More Automotive Advice for You at Cactus Jack's Auto!

Whether you’re driving during monsoon season or you’ve got other questions, Cactus Jack's Auto is here to help! Connect with our team today and discover more automotive advice.

Can You Jump a Car in the Rain?

We want to help you keep your vehicle in excellent shape so you can take on the Mesa roads with ease. If you need car maintenance tips and tricks, you can always come to us for assistance. With that in mind, if you’re getting ready for a cross-country road trip and you’re trying to ensure you’re prepared in case anything happens, it’s important that you’re aware of the nuances involved with jumping a car, especially if it’s raining.

So, can you jump a car in the rain? Yes! You can jump your car in the rain but there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind to ensure you’re doing it properly. Learn all about jumping a car in the rain today with Cactus Jack's Auto! Here are some of the things we’ll be going over today:

• Can you jump a car in the rain?
• What should you do to safely jump a car in the rain?
• Is it safe to jump a car in the rain and thunder?

Things To Consider When Jumping a Car in the Rain

Whether you’ve got a rugged truck or a fuel-efficient sedan, you may be surprised to hear that your engine bay often gets wet as you’re driving around Surprise, especially if it’s recently rained. That’s why it’s typically safe to jump your vehicle in the rain as long as you’re doing it correctly. Here are some things to consider when you’re jumping a car in the rain:

• Do your best to avoid raindrops from touching the battery terminals
• Make sure all connections are tight on your battery terminals
• Don’t let the ends of the jumper cables touch each other
• Avoid jumping your vehicle if the battery is frozen
• Ensure jumper cables are secure when you’re jump-starting your vehicle

Why Jumping a Car in the Rain Is Not Always Recommended

While it’s typically safe to jump your vehicle if it’s raining, it’s not always recommended due to safety and visibility concerns. Although the general rule of thumb is to avoid electricity and water, your vehicle’s engine bay can get exposed to water during your Glendale travels when it rains. However, it’s not often recommended to jump your vehicle in the rain because of the following reasons:

• Visibility: Rain often means inclement weather and that weather can cause poor visibility where you may have issues properly jump-starting your vehicle.
• Slippery: You may not be wearing the right shoes if it’s heavily raining and you could slip and hurt yourself if you attempt to jump your vehicle in the rain.
• Moisture: While your vehicle’s battery and certain engine components are designed to withstand a small amount of water, too much moisture could cause issues if you’re not careful.

Is It Safe To Jump a Car in the Rain & Thunder?

You’re now aware of the nuances involved with jump-starting a car in the rain, but is it safe to jump a car in the rain and thunder? While yes, you can jump your car in both rain and thunder, we recommend you seek shelter if possible as thunder and lightning can mean extreme weather. It’s often best to wait until thunder and lighting have receded and you’re just experiencing rain to jump your vehicle.

Find Out How To Avoid Jumping a Car in the Rain With Cactus Jack's Auto!

Preventative maintenance can go a long way to ensuring you don’t have to worry about jumping your car before you head out onto the Phoenix roads. We’ve got plenty of vehicle maintenance advice so that your vehicle won’t let you down. Reach out to Cactus Jack's Auto today and find out how to keep your vehicle running smoothly!