Important Information From Alex's Paint & Body Inc

California State Law Protects Consumers

"Insurance companies are prohibited by law from requiring that repairs be done at a specific automotive repair shop. You are entitled to select the auto body repair shop to repair damage covered by the insurance company."

Cool Tips for a Safe Summer Trip

Focus on Safety

Of the many great things about summertime, few match the fun of a family road trip. Before you hook up that new boat or camper, or hit the road with your family or friends in your car, SUV, pickup, or RV, take the time to review some summer travel safety tips. Prevention and planning may take a little time upfront, but will spare you from dealing with the consequences of a breakdown—or worse yet, a highway crash—later.

Before You Go

Regular maintenance such as tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, and tire rotations go a long way toward preventing breakdowns. If your vehicle has been serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, it should be in good condition to travel. If not—or you don’t know the service history of the vehicle you plan to drive—schedule a preventive maintenance checkup with your mechanic right away.

When your vehicle is well maintained, getting it ready for a road trip is relatively quick and easy. However, regardless of how well you take care of your ride, it’s important to perform the following basic safety checks before you go on a road trip:

Vehicle Safety Checklist:

Tires — Air pressure, tread wear, spare

Check your vehicle’s tire inflation pressure at least once a month, when your tires are cold (they haven’t been driven on for three hours or more)—and don’t forget to check your spare, if your vehicle is equipped with one. The correct pressure for your tires is listed on a label on the driver’s door pillar or doorframe or in the vehicle owner’s manual—the correct pressure for your vehicle is NOT the number listed on the tire itself.

A tire doesn’t have to be punctured to lose air. All tires naturally lose some air over time. In fact, underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure.

Also, take five minutes to inspect your tires for signs of excessive or uneven wear. If the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch, it’s time to replace your tires. Look for the built-in wear bar indicators or use the penny test to determine when it’s time to replace your tires. Place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head upside down.

If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your vehicle needs new tires. If you find uneven wear across the tires’ tread, it means your tires need rotation and/or your wheels need to be aligned before you travel.

Fluid Levels — Oil, brake, transmission, power steering, and windshield washer fluids 

Check your vehicle’s oil level periodically. As with coolant, if it’s time or even nearly time to have the oil changed, now would be a good time to do it. In addition, check the following fluid levels: brake, automatic transmission or clutch, power steering, and windshield washer fluid.

Make sure each reservoir is full. If you see any signs of fluid leakage, take your vehicle in to be serviced.

Lights — Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, interior lights, and trailer lights

See and be seen! Make sure all the lights on your vehicle are in working order. Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights. Towing a trailer? Be sure to also check your trailer including brake lights and turn signals. Trailer light connection failure is a common problem and a serious safety hazard.

Air Conditioning — AC check

Check AC performance before traveling. Lack of air conditioning on a hot summer day affects people who are in poor health or are sensitive to heat, such as children and older adults. Call us for more details.

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