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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing hands and disinfecting high-touch surfaces are among the best ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus. While people have been focusing on inside the house, it also time to turn your attention to your car’s interior.

Experts at the Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) offer these ways to reduce the existence of bacteria, germs and debris in your car:

• • Focus on high-touch areas: It’s not just the steering wheel and door handles you need to clean. Make sure you are wiping down the shift lever, touch screens, turn signals, wiper controls, seat belt buckles, armrests, seat adjusters and key fobs, too. Make it a habit to wipe down the car daily or weekly.
  • What to use? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests disinfectants like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Lysol brand Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner and Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes. If you don’t have access to these, consider using 70% Isopropyl alcohol to wipe down your interior. This staple is safe for nearly every vehicle’s dashboard and dials. You can also use soap, water and a little elbow grease if you have older, cracked leather and fabric. Avoid using products that are ammonia-based or that contain bleach or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals can damage vinyl and plastics.
  • Vacuuming your car every week. Don’t forget to remove floor mats and shake out loose dirt. You can use the vacuum brush attachment for the front and back floorboards, seats, headrests and cargo areas.
  • Consider replacing your air filter. NARPRO repair facilities can take your vehicle beyond clean by sanitizing the air conditioning filter and ducts. Professional equipment and processes can eliminate mold, mildew, viruses, bacteria and volatile organic compounds from your car’s HVAC system.

While no amount of cleaning and sanitizing can guarantee you’ll avoid the coronavirus, experts agree that vigilance is vital to preventing the spread of this global disease.

Written by: Howard Fleischmann, Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair

Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t broil in your car this summer: 

• Always search for a shaded area to park and use a window shade to protect your front seat. Doing this can reduce the temperature in your vehicle by 50 or more degrees. This temperature difference will help your vehicle’s air conditioner work more efficiently and quickly 
• Be aware of the first signs of AC trouble. Look for lack of air flow. This may indicate your cabin air filter is clogged or you have a fan-speed problem. Watch for warmer air coming from the ducts. This could indicate a Freon leak or compressor problems. Hear noises when you turn on the air-conditioning unit? This may be a sign of compressor failure, a belt going bad or a blower motor problem.
• Have your air-conditioning system inspected yearly by a trusted auto repair shop to mitigate any problems. Don’t have a go-to mechanic? Dozens of Valley shops are endorsed by Neighborhood Automotive Repair Professionals (NARPRO). After all, who wants to be stuck with no AC on a blazing hot day? 

Be your best advocate. Even if you don’t have a mechanical bone in your body, you know when your car isn’t running like it usually does. Pay close attention to the warning signs and symptoms so you can discuss these with your mechanic

Lastly, remember, your vehicle is made up of many complex systems designed to work in unison. If your engine cooling system is not working very well and your vehicle is running warm, your air-conditioning is not going to blow very cold air. Engine cooling and air conditioning systems work together, so it is very important that both systems are inspected annually.

Dave Martin is the owner of Martin’s Auto Repair in Phoenix. He also serves on the Neighborhood Automotive Repair Professionals (NARPRO) board.

The best place to start is by visiting a reputable auto repair shop. If you don’t already have a shop you trust, search online for the Neighborhood of Automotive Repair Professionals (NARPRO.com) to find the best auto repair shop in your area.

A week before your trip, take your vehicle in for a routine oil change and air filter replacement. During this visit, a reputable repair shop will also provide a multi-point inspection of your vehicle. A few key areas they will evaluate include:

• Belts and hoses– the professionals will look for cracks, discoloration, holes and leaks that could prevent your vehicle from operating safely and efficiently.
• Tires – are your tires properly inflated? Is the tread worn out, dry, cracking? In the Arizona summer, asphalt can be close to 180 degrees. This heat can be a deal-breaker for a less-than-ideal tire situation. Are you prepared to deal with a blowout at 75 miles per hour? Don’t take chances with your tires, get them checked.
• Windshield wipers – in the desert climate, wipers can get brittle and become ineffective. Have your blades looked at and replaced every six months. If you encounter an unexpected monsoon, you will be thankful to have new blades.
• Battery – when was the last time you had your battery checked? Did you know, in Arizona a car battery only lasts 2-3 years? Plus, nowadays, we are putting even more stress on our batteries when we plug in our phones and other devices. Reputable auto repair shops can check your battery function and forecast your battery life. Take this simple precaution so you don’t end up stranded at a roadside rest stop.

Taking care of your car before your next trip can be the difference between making memories with your loved ones or searching frantically for a repair shop in a strange town. Don’t leave it up to chance, visit a NARPRO-approved shop before you head out for adventure this summer!

Written by: Brad Slagle, NARPRO Board of Directors

Brad Slagle serves on the NARPRO Board and manages S&S Tire and Auto Service Center, a family -owned and operated chain of tire and automotive services/repair stores in the West Valley.

In Arizona, when temperatures reach 100-plus degrees, the pavement can actually be closer to 180 degrees. Tires forced to withstand exorbitant heat could cause significant damage if the tire is compromised in any way.

Many times, tires can be damaged or worn but look fine to the untrained eye. That’s where a professional’s opinion can be crucial. Companies like those endorsed by NARPRO (Neighborhood Automotive Repair Professionals) are happy to do a free tire inspection at any time. Take advantage of this service.

I know you have heard it before, but tire pressure is also essential to appropriate tire wear. A properly inflated tire helps the heat dissipate and prevent blowouts. Check the inside of your vehicle’s door panel to determine the proper air pressure, not the numbers on the side of a tire.

Arizonans should also know that heat can shorten the life of a tire. Even if it hasn’t hit the standard 25,000 miles, a tire in the Valley is good for only five to six years. As an educated consumer, you want to look at the born-on date that is on the side of every tire. The four-digit code tells you what week and year the tire was manufactured.

When you purchase new tires, make sure to visit a reputable shop so you aren’t being sold old — or worse — expired tires.

Lastly, did you know you can now use nitrogen in your tires instead of regular air? The benefits of doing this include slower air dissipation through your sidewalls and less oxidation of the internal rubber. Plus, it’s better for the environment.

While you will still need to regularly check your pressure, you can do it once a month now, versus once a week. Most reputable tire shops provide nitrogen as an option for a nominal fee when they check your tires.

Howard J. Fleischmann is the owner of Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair focused on keeping Arizona Drivers safe since 1945. He also sits on the Board of the Neighborhood Automotive Repair Professionals (NARPRO.)

As a consumer, where should you start? First, look for a well qualified professional, like a member of the Neighborhood Automotive Repair Professionals (NARPRO). Unlike the average car owner, pros know what they are looking for when it comes to checking for wear-and-tear on a vehicle. 

Here are the top five things you should have a professional evaluate before your summer road trip: 

• Belts, hoses, and windshield wipers. These rubber parts can take a real beating in the Arizona sun. Auto mechanics will look for cracks, drying and splitting. Repairing a belt or hose can be the difference between a $100 fix and a $1,000 fix. 
• Battery. The hot, dry Arizona climate can seriously shorten the life of a car battery. Pan to replace these every two or three years. A good auto repair shop can test your batter to assure it’s operating at maximum capacity, which will help you avoid being stranded. 
• Tires. Proper inflation is critical to maximizing fuel efficiency and lengthening the life of a tire. Tires also dry out int he heat, running a risk of a deadly blowout. Have a pro rotate and balance your tires every 6,000 miles. 
• Check fluids, including oil, brake, transmission and coolant to assure all parts of your vehicle are functioning properly all summer long. 
• Air-conditioning checkup. Have your AC serviced before it stops working. Failing to catch a leaky hose can lead to a bigger, more expensive problem, like compressor breakdown. 

Most reputable shops will perform summer inspections at no cost. Make it a goal to build a relationship with a trustworthy auto mechanic who is willing to actually show you the parts that need to be replaced or repaired and you will not only have peace of ind, you will have a safe and functional car!

Glen Hayward is the owner of Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe and is a board member of the Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals.

First: Find a car with a good battery and a willing driver. Don’t be afraid to flag someone down and ask for help. Most drivers have been in your shoes and experienced a dead battery once or twice in their lifetime. Position the vehicles so the front bumpers are aligned, leaving a couple of feet of room between the cars for you to work. Make sure both vehicles are turned off before attaching jumper cables to the batteries.

Second: Open the hood on each car, make sure they are safely propped open then look for the red and black color-coded rubber caps covering the negative and positive battery posts. Universally, red denotes a positive charge and black denotes negative. Place a red clamp on the positive post of the good battery, then place the other red clamp on the positive post of the dead battery. Now return to the car with the good batter and place the black clamp on the negative post. Last, place the black clamp on a grounded surface on the vehicle with the dead battery.

Third: Have the driver of the vehicle with the good battery turn their engine on and allow it to idle. Leaving the car running for a short time will allow the dead battery to recharge. After a few minutes, attempt to start your engine. If your engine starts without any problems, leave both vehicles running for a few minutes to allow the battery to continue to charge, then remove the jumper cables starting with the black clamp from the grounded surface first, then the other black clamp from the negative post of the good battery, followed by the red clamp from your vehicle’s battery, and finally the other red clamp from the good battery.

Following these simple steps to jump a dead car battery can make a real difference in someone’s life — we all know being stuck on the side of the road in Arizona is no picnic!

Brad Slagle is the relationship manager at S&S Tire and Auto Service Center, a family-owned and -operated business in the West Valley. Slagle also serves on the board of the Network of Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals, or NARPRO.com.

Do not concern yourself with the Jones. Your vehicle needs to serve you, not them. Do you have a 4×4 which has never been in the dirt? A truck with no scratches in the bed? SUVs are the rage because they so versatile. However, you will be better off in a sedan (or minivan) and rent to suite the occasional special purpose.

With practical asset management and vehicle maintenance you should control when to invest in another vehicle.

When you are in the market for a vehicle NARPRO shops are motivated to help you get the best value possible. No, we don’t sell cars but we want you in a car which you like long term and we not only have extensive experience we have access to more information than ever. WWW can provide anyone with information overload, but it can certainly provide tools to make sense of dollars and cents; i.e., Edmunds TCO (True Cost to Own) and Compare Cars. . Do your homework.

New cars depreciate significantly when the papers are signed. Your asset is worth less even before you open it’s door. The first few years are the most expensive for any vehicle. Fiscally conservative drivers acquire used vehicles >3 years old, and suing a system to evaluate prospects is the best way to get what you need. Here’s one we made for you: Vehicle Purchase Checklist.

While love that we live in a country where we can buy almost anything, but I also appreciate that we don’t need to buy everything. Live comfortably and save where we can.

by: Jim Garnand

According to leading Arizona mechanics from the Network of Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals — or NARPRO.com — most cars can run until they are close to 200,000 miles, but only if they are properly maintained. There are several things you can do to keep your current vehicle running longer, minimize out-of-pocket expenses and avoid purchasing a new car this year.

Be diligent about routine maintenance, because you play a big part in making sure your car is properly taken care of. Get to know your owner’s manual and the recommended major service intervals for your vehicle. It’s more than just having your oil changed and tires rotated; preventative care will extend the life of your car, and in most cases, it’s cheaper to take care of your car than to buy a new one.

Set aside money each month for car maintenance, especially if your car is no longer covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. If you own a midsize se-dan and drive the average 10,000-15,000 miles a year, NARPRO recommends setting aside $100-$200 a month for car care/repair throughout the year.

Pay attention to what’s going on with your car. If something goes awry with your vehicle, be prepared to provide de-tailed information to your mechanic about what your car is doing. This will help the pro fine-tune their diagnosis. Providing specific and accurate information about signs or symptoms you’ve experienced before and after your car started acting up is important to assuring an accurate diagnosis.

Develop a committed relationship with your auto repair shop, because building trust will save you headaches and money in the long run. A reputable repair shop can provide you with a road map for future repairs, will stand behind its work, and having a vehicle history will help technicians provide the best service for your car. Plus, your car may be considered more valuable when you sell it if you can show your repair history.

With a proactive mentality and commitment to maintaining your vehicle regularly, you could save thousands of dollars in car payments this year. What could be better for your bottom line and goal to avoid debt?

Jim Garnand has been working with customers and their vehicles in Phoenix for over 30 years. He’s an ASE Certified Master technician, third-generation owner of Hi-Tech Car Care and president of Neighborhood Automotive Re-pair Professionals, NARPRO.

“As outside temperatures rise, the risks of children dying from being left alone inside a hot vehicle also rises,” says James Garnand, NARPRO’s Passenger Safety Coordinator, “One child dies from heatstroke nearly every 10 days from being left in a hot vehicle, but what is most tragic is that the majority of these deaths could have been prevented.”

NARPRO urges all parents and caregivers to do these four things:

1. Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended.
2. Make it a habit to look in the backseat every time you exit the car.
3. Always lock the car and put the keys out of reach. And, if you ever see a child left alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 right away.
4. Always keep personal items such as purses on the rear floor so that checking the rear seat area becomes a habit.

If you are a bystander:

1. Always make sure the child is Ok and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.
2. If the child appears Ok, you should attempt to locate the parents; or have the facility’s security or management page the car owner over the PA system.
3. If there is someone with you, one person should actively search for the parent while someone waits at the car.
4. If the child is not responsive and appears in great distress, attempt to get into the car to assist the child, even if that means breaking a window.

Know the warning signs of heatstroke, which include:

• Red, hot, and moist or dry skin
• No sweating
• A strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Acting strangely

If a child exhibits any of these signs after being in a hot vehicle, cool the child rapidly by spraying them with cool water or with a garden hose, never use an ice bath. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Children’s body temperatures can rise up to five times faster than that of an adult, and heatstroke can occur in temperatures as low as 57 degrees. On an 80-degree day, a car can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes.

“Fifty-nine percent of all vehicle-related heatstroke deaths in children are caused by a child accidentally being left in the car, and 29 percent are from a child getting into a hot car on their own,” says Leach. “We want to get the word out to parents and caregivers, please look before you lock.”