Road Safety Archives - Page 2 of 4

How to Stay Safe on the Road in a Dust Storm

It’s monsoon season in Phoenix, AZ and that means motorists could potentially have a run-in with a heavy dust storm. Often our dust storms are extremely dense and can severely limit motorists visibility. It is important for your safety, and the safety of others, that you know what to do if you happen to encounter a dust storm on your travels.

There are two major kinds of dust-related hazards Arizona drivers face: dust storms/haboobs and dust channels. But what is the difference?

Dust storm– Easy to avoid as the massive height and span are seen miles in the distance giving motorists plenty of opportunity to exit the roadway or choose another route.
Dust channel– These consist of blowing dust that whips across the roadway engulfing your vehicle in low or no visibility without warning. These fast-moving blowing dust events can result in serious crashes because they give motorists little or no time to respond.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), while blowing dust can occur anywhere in Arizona, there’s a stretch of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson where dust channels often suddenly develop, so ADOT is currently installing a first-of-its-kind dust detection zone from mileposts 209-219. They state that nearly half of all blowing dust-related crashes that occur on I-10 occur within a half-mile of milepost 214, northwest of Picacho Peak.

In 2012, ADOT began the “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” campaign to emphasize the importance of driving safety during a dust storm. These are their tips:

Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
If you encounter a dust storm, immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers. You do not want other vehicles approaching from behind to use your lights as a guide, possibly crashing into your parked vehicle.
Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.

At Virginia Auto Service, we like to help people with their vehicles and road safety in any way that we can. We hope these tips, provided by ADOT, help you stay safer this monsoon and dust-storm season. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto repair services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

Why Your Engine Overheats

We’re sure you’ve seen it, a car pulled off to the side of the road, steam pouring out from under the hood. Maybe it has even happened to you. This unpleasant phenomenon is caused by an overheating engine. It is a common occurrence in Phoenix, Arizona, especially in the summer months.

Heat is, by far, your engines worst enemy. Making yourself aware of the reasons for a vehicle overheating -and understanding the necessary preventive maintenance routines- can help you avoid major engine damage. There are some common problems that cause an engine to overheat, including a bad thermostat, blocked radiator, failed water pump, and a leaky cooling system. Some conditions are simple, straightforward repairs, and others require hours of work and expensive parts.

What is Overheating?

Your vehicle’s engine functions properly within a certain temperature range. Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, that range is usually between 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Overheating occurs when the temperature of the engine climbs to a point where mechanical damage can occur- usually a sustained temperature of over 240 degrees Fahrenheit.

An overheated engine can cause serious damage to pistons, cylinders, bearings and valves, as well as other vital engine components. For this reason, you should never ignore the warning signs of overheating. You should shut down your vehicle at the first indication that your engine is operating above the preferred temperatures.

Signs that your vehicle may be overheating include:

Steam coming from the engine area
Temperature gauge spiking to the red zone
Engine warning lights – often shaped like a thermometer – illuminated on the dashboard

4 Reasons Why the Engine Overheats

Most of the causes of overheating come from a lack of circulation- which can be caused in different ways.

A leak in the cooling system. The leak itself isn’t usually what causes the engine to overheat, it’s the air that enters the cooling system. When there’s a leak, the level of coolant drops below recommended levels and air is sucked into the system and circulated. Air is, of course, lighter than coolant, and rises to the top of the cooling system. When this happens, it is what we call an airlock. An airlock is a large air bubble that cannot be pushed through the cooling system. Because of this, the cooling system stops circulating effectively and the coolant that is left becomes overly hot.
Cooling system blockage. As overheating is due to the lack of coolant circulation in the engine, a blockage would technically be an indirect cause. If the cooling system is blocked, the coolant can’t circulate to disperse heat, and the engine gets too hot. Some common cooling system blockages include:

Mineral deposits blocking the radiator
Foreign object in the cooling system
Thermostat not opening when it should

Water pump failure. A failed water pump is probably one of the most regular causes of overheating. The water pump is responsible for maintaining coolant circulation and is the most active component of the cooling system. After a period of time, the impeller in the water pump can break or wear out and no longer turn. Shortly after this happens, the engine overheats.
Too little engine oil. It is not as widely known that the engine oil plays a large part in engine cooling. The oil lubricates the internal parts of the engine to prevent friction- a main cause of heat in the engine.

How to Prevent Overheating

To avoid overheating, watch your temperature gauge and coolant levels and regularly inspect your belts and hoses. Make sure the radiator cap is working properly and replace it if needed. Remember to never remove a radiator cap when it is hot. Other ways to prevent overheating include:

Flushing the cooling system as recommended in your vehicle owner’s manual, or sooner if needed
Have coolant leaks repaired as soon as you notice them
Change your engine oil and oil filter at the recommended intervals

Watch the temperature gauge on your dashboard, if it goes into the red, or the “hot engine” light comes on, pull over and shut off your vehicle to prevent damage. Remember that if your car overheats even one time something is wrong with your vehicle and it needs to be fixed.

If your engine has overheated, Virginia Auto Service is here for you. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto repair services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

How to Safely Handle a Tire Blowout

Tire blowout season begins in the middle of May and runs through early October. In our last blog, What Causes a Tire Blowout – And How to Prevent It, we discussed what the common causes of a tire blowout are, and what you can do to prevent them. In this post, we will take the topic a step further and explain what you should do in a tire blowout situation.

What Happens When Your Tire Blows?

Knowing what a tire blowout sounds and feels like will help you understand what is happening and what you should do next.

Sounds like- There are three key sounds you may hear when your tire blows. 1. A loud bang or boom when the tire pops resounding throughout the vehicle. 2. A “whooshing” sound, or the sound of air rapidly leaving the tire. 3. A rapid, repeated flopping or flapping noise of the flattened tire hitting the road.

Feels like- When you experience a blowout, the first thing you will feel is the vehicle slowing down a bit. Then, depending on which tire blows, it will pull strongly either to the left or right. If you had a front tire blow, then the force will be felt mostly in the steering of the vehicle. If it was a rear tire, the force will mainly be felt in the seat or body of the vehicle. Your reaction to the blowout should be the same whether it occurred in the front or back of the vehicle.

What to Do When You Have a Blowout

Take a deep breath, stay calm, and follow these tips:

Keep a firm, steady grip on the wheel. Avoid jerking before the car has slowed, especially if it is a rear tire blowout. Turning or jerking the wheel at a high speed could result in a spin out.
Do not slam on the brakes. If you brake, it could cause you to lose control and skid. Allow your car to slow gradually.
Pull to the side of the road. Look for gaps in the traffic to allow you to pull over, gradually releasing the accelerator while you do. Once you are 20 miles per hour or lower, you can gently press on the brakes until you come to a stop.
Apply the parking brake and activate emergency flashers. Exit the vehicle only if you are in a safe place to do so.

After a Tire Blowout

After you have come to a complete stop, applied the parking brake, and activated your emergency flashers check your surroundings and make sure it is safe to exit the vehicle. If you have some in your roadside emergency kit, put out reflective triangles or cones. Then, if you know how and you are in a safe location, change your blown tire to your spare. If you are unsure how to change your tire, or the area you are in is unsafe to change a tire in, call for roadside assistance.

Remember, spare tires are only recommended in emergencies and should not be driven over long distances or at high speeds. Before a long road trip especially, read your owner’s manual and learn where your spare tire and the necessary tools are located in your vehicle. Some owner’s manuals offer instructions on how to change a flat tire as well, however, it is a good idea to educate yourself on the process before you are stuck on the side of the road.

We hope you find this quick guide for safely handling a tire blowout helpful. If you haven’t already, check out our previous blog, What Causes a Tire Blowout – And How to Prevent It, for tire blowout prevention tips.

For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online today for quality care and information to help keep your vehicle performing at its best.

Save

What Causes a Tire Blowout – And How to Prevent It

The heat is on! Temperatures are rising, as summer approaches. The heat of summer results in asphalt temperatures skyrocketing- which increases the risk of a tire blowout. Read on and we’ll explain the main causes of tire blowouts- and how you can prevent them. (Stay tuned for part two, How to Safely Handle a Tire Blowout)

Tire blowout season begins in the middle of May and runs through early October. The reason for this is simple. It is during this timeframe that the temperatures outside are the hottest, and motorists are taking longer road trips in heavily loaded vehicles. It is this combination that can push a damaged or neglected tire past its breaking point. Even if you have been lucky enough to avoid tire problems, you have likely seen “road gators” (treads of blown tires) littering the highways throughout this time frame. Though blowouts are most common during these months, they can happen any time of year, especially in warmer climates like Phoenix, Arizona.

These are the most common causes of tire blowouts, and how you can prevent them:

Underinflation- This is the number one tire killer, and something so easy to remedy. Air is what allows the tire to carry the weight of your vehicle and all of its cargo. The internal parts of the tire- fabric, rubber, composites, and steel- flex beyond their limits when the tire is improperly inflated. They will weaken, over-flex, and eventually fail, which results in a blowout. The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual or on the driver’s side door jamb. Most vehicles manufactured in 2007 and newer are equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), however, you shouldn’t rely solely on the system. The system issues an alert only when a tire is significantly underinflated. Regardless of what your TPMS says, you should check your tire pressure at least once a month, maybe twice from May-October.
Worn tires. The heat of the roads in the summer will easily rip away at the remaining tread, resulting in a blown tire. Today’s tires almost always have a wear bar built into the grooves. If the wear bar is even with the tread of your tires, they need to be replaced. Another way to tell is the penny test. Basically, you place a penny head down between the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then the tread is dangerously low and you need a new tire.
Too much weight. Overloading your vehicle and applying too much weight to the tires can also critically damage them. When hauling a heavy load, you may need to reconsider the number of passengers along for the ride or if you need to carry a lot of passengers you may need to limit the amount of cargo you bring on board. You can find your vehicle’s Gross Vehicular Weight Rating in the same places as the recommended tire pressure. The maximum recommended weight your tires can carry is based on tires that are properly inflated. If they are underinflated, the number would drop significantly.
Potholes and other road hazards. Slamming into a pothole, driveway lip, or other road hazards are another way to injure your tire leaving it prone to a blowout. These impacts can pinch the internals of the tire between the wheel and the object. If the impact is hard enough, it can even fray or cut the tires internals. Sometimes, the damage is immediately apparent, and other times it could take days, weeks, or even months for the damage to become apparent. Which leads us to the next potential cause of a blowout.
Slow death. It is not uncommon for a tire to suffer damage that causes its demise long before it fails. Often motorists neglect to check their tire pressure or fail to realize they have a slow leak. When summer vacation comes along they will load their family into the car and head off for a fun-filled vacation. The combination of the heavy vehicle load, the high summer temperature, and highway speeds add stress to the already failing tire and it blows. Monthly or bimonthly tire checks can prevent such a situation.

We hope you find this quick guide to preventing a tire blowout helpful. Watch for our next blog in which we will discuss how to handle a blowout situation safely. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online today for quality care and information to help keep your vehicle performing at its best.

Save

How to Stop Safely When Your Brakes Fail

Do you know what to do if your brakes fail while driving? The difference could mean life or death.

The best thing you can do to prevent brake failure from happening to your vehicle is to perform regular maintenance per the intervals described in your owner’s manual.

Should a situation arise where you are driving a vehicle in which the brakes have failed, here are seven tips, provided by Allstate, to help you stop as safely as possible:

Don’t Panic

This may be easier said than done, but keeping a clear head will be in your best interest when things go awry behind the wheel. Remain calm and proceed with the below tips and attempt to get your car off the road safely.

Try the Brakes Again

Your vehicle most likely has a dual braking system, unless you are driving a classic car. Dual braking systems control your front and rear brakes independently, so both halves of the system would have to fail for you to lose all braking power. Unless you’re behind the wheel of a classic car, your vehicle likely has a dual braking system, which controls your front and rear brakes independently. As a result, both halves of the system would have to fail for your car to totally lose all braking power. Nonetheless, your car’s braking ability being reduced by half can be enough to make it feel unsafe, however, you may still have some stopping power. Try applying strong, consistent pressure to the brake pedal to see if you can slow the car down.

Take Steps to Slow Down

According to Tech-Cor Research, if your main braking system isn’t working, one option is to very carefully employ the emergency brake. The emergency brake is separate from the main, hydraulic brake system, so it can help stop the vehicle when they fail. However, it will take the car longer to slow to a stop this way than it would with your traditional brake pedal.

Autoblog suggests keeping your foot off the accelerator and downshifting so that the engine can help slow the car down as another way to slow your car and help you stop. For manual transmissions, work your way down through the gears to slow the car down. For automatic transmissions, taking your foot off the accelerator will cause your car to shift to lower gears as it slows down. For newer cars with automatic transmissions that allow you to also drive them manually, you may want to use the paddle shifters (if available), which are levers on the steering wheels of cars with this feature, or put your transmission in manual mode and downshift to the lowest gear. Check your car owner’s manual for information on using your automatic car in manual mode.

Work Your Way to the Right and Out of Traffic

Once you’ve slowed down, it’s critical that you get your car off the road to minimize the chances of getting hit. When you are on the highway or a larger road, you will first want to focus on getting your vehicle to the right lane safely so that you can work towards getting it off the road. Use your turn signals, and pay attention to the traffic around you. Once you get into the slow lane, make sure your hazard lights are on. Steer around any possible hazards and use your lights and horn to alert other motorists if needed.

Move to the shoulder, or somewhere safe off the road like a parking lot, and shift into neutral. Use your emergency brake to further slow the car, but be prepared to release it if you start to skid. If the emergency brake doesn’t help, look for other ways to stop. PBS.org recommends rubbing your wheels against the curb to scrub off speed or drive onto a soft shoulder to help you slow to a stop.

Wait Until You’ve Stopped to Turn Off the Vehicle

You may reason that shutting off the vehicle will help it slow down, it is better to keep your engine running until you have come to a complete stop. Shutting off the ignition will also shut off your power steering, which will make your vehicle even more difficult to handle.

Get Help

Once your car is safely off the road, you’re going to need some assistance. Do not drive the car again, even if the brakes suddenly appear to be working. Keep your hazard lights on, and if you have reflective triangles or road flares, you can also put them behind your car to make yourself more visible. Stay out of oncoming traffic, and avoid standing next to (or behind) your car if you can. Have the car towed to Virginia Auto Service for inspection and repair.

Be Safe

Have your brakes inspected by one of our professional service technicians before you try to drive it again. Remember, you can also prevent problems before they start by having your car’s brakes inspected regularly.

If your brakes go out, knowing what to do could help prevent damage to your vehicle as well as serious injuries. If you are still a little unsure what to do in the event of brake failure, there are helpful instructional videos that can be viewed on YouTube.

At Virginia Auto Service, we love to help you with your vehicle and safety in any way we can. We hope you find these tips for stopping safely when your brakes fail helpful. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

How to Get Your Car Unstuck from Mud

Off-roading is a popular activity that people participate in all over Arizona. There are even clubs and Facebook groups dedicated to it!

The activity isn’t without its risks, though. You run the chance of encountering patches of thick mud, especially in the days and weeks following rain. For the most part, you may be able to determine if it is safe to drive through, but even the most experienced off-roader can be misled and find themselves stuck.

Should this situation arise, it is important that you know what to do. How you approach the situation could mean the difference between getting yourself unstuck, or waiting hours (and spending a lot of money) for a tow truck to help you.

Here are seven tips to get your car unstuck from mud:

Arrive Prepared

Like we said, even the most avid off-roader can potentially find themselves stuck. It is safest to plan ahead. One of the best things you can do is include the following items in your roadside emergency kit before you take off on your adventure:

Shovel– This is probably the most useful tool for getting your vehicle unstuck. You can use your hands or another item for digging or scooping, but a shovel will get the job done quickly and with the most ease. (If more than one tire is stuck, your back and hands will be glad that you had a shovel.) You don’t have to try and figure out how to fit a garden shovel in your car. A D-handle or foldable shovel will work perfectly and fit in your vehicle with ease.
Cardboard, Carpet, or Plywood– A piece of cardboard, carpet or plywood can help provide traction.
Plastic Recovery Tracks– A step up from the carpet/cardboard solution, a molded plastic recovery track like the Maxtrax MKII or the MAXSA Innovations 20333, won’t sink or slide under your tire. As an added bonus, when held at the end they can be used as a shovel.
Hi-Lift Jack– A hi-lift jack can be used to lift a stuck tire so you can slip your traction device (cardboard, carpet, recovery tracks) underneath it with ease.
Tow Strap– This is great to have if you are off-roading in a group. If you have a tow strap you can use one vehicle to help free another. You should avoid using straps with hooks, as they can be dangerous if the strap breaks. Remember to only connect to automobile frames, and not the body or bumpers

Stay Calm

If you find that you are stuck, avoid panicking and acting rashly. Avoid the urge to slam your foot on the gas, as you will only get yourself into a deeper hole, literally and figuratively. Remove your foot from the gas and take calming breaths until you are composed.

Assess the Situation

Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation, then make a game plan. If your wheels are so deeply buried that the axle and chassis are now resting on the ground, you will know that you have a lot of work ahead of you. Same goes if you have more than one wheel sunken into the mud or sand. If the drive wheels are sunken, or if your car is tottering by its frame enough to alter its weight distribution and reducing traction in the drive wheels, getting it unstuck will also prove to be a little more difficult and time-consuming. If your case is less severe than all of that, you will probably get out somewhat easily.

Try the Easy Escape

If your situation doesn’t appear to be very severe, try and gently accelerate your vehicle out of the mud. Use your steering wheel and make sure that your front wheels point straight. For vehicles with an automatic transmission, use the lowest gear setting. For a manual transmission, you should try a higher gear like first or second. Gently accelerate, rocking the vehicle slightly, to see if the vehicle moves without the wheels spinning in place. If you move slightly, but don’t escape, throttle up and try to conserve the momentum you’ve built. At this point, the wheels may start to spin faster than the vehicle moves, which is fine as long as you continue to move in the direction of escape. If you stop moving and/or start to drift uncontrolled, stop. You don’t want to drift further into the mud or towards any potential oncoming traffic.

Ask Someone for Help

Your passenger or a willing passerby can prove to be helpful. Ask them to stand at the side of the vehicle that is opposite your escape path and push. Use the same method as before–slowly accelerating and rocking. Hopefully, they will be able to help push you out of the initial dip. You might find that, while rocking, it also helps to move your steering wheel back and forth. This will wiggle the front of the vehicle and could build momentum to the back and forth rocking. Essentially what is happening is the front wheels are acting as flippers with the back wheels and you are “swimming” the car out of the mud.

Get Traction

If you aren’t getting anywhere with the above tips, then it’s safe to assume your wheels and axles are buried too deep for an easy escape. Now it’s time to dig out the mud surrounding your tires. Gently scrape mud from off the tires as well so that you can see some tread. If you have one, use your jack to lift the tires a little then place your cardboard, carpet, plywood or plastic recovery track in front of the wheels. If you don’t have one of these, a coat, blanket, or car mat can be used. You could even try gravel, rocks, foliage, or sticks. You just need something to provide traction. Accelerate slowly and you should hopefully find yourself unstuck soon.

Time for a Tow

If you have tried everything listed above and you are still stuck, it may be time to blow the whistle and call for a tow. This could be a tow truck or a friend who can use a tow strap and/or winch to help you out.
At Virginia Auto Service, we love to help you with your vehicle and safety in any way we can. We hope you find these tips for getting your vehicle out of the mud helpful. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

How to Use Snow Chains

Over the last week or so Arizona has had back to back winter storms. It made for lots of rain here in the Valley, and quite a lot of snow in the Northern parts of the state. Parts of the state saw so much snow that ADOT felt it was safer to shut some roads down and advised people to avoid travel if possible until road conditions improved.

With this much snow falling, many Valley residents are heading North to play in the snow or visit one of Arizona’s ski resorts. If you plan on spending time in the snow, make sure your roadside emergency kit is fully packed and snow ready. Also, keep in mind that ADOT is recommending snow chains or four-wheel drive for those headed to the high country. Living in the Valley, snow chains are not something we need to be accustomed to, and if it is your first trip to go play in the snow, you may not know how to use snow chains properly.

12 steps to safely and properly apply snow chains:

These are 12 steps, provided by Les Schwab Tires, to applying snow chains. You can also view their snow chain installation video here.

Find a safe spot and pull off the road as far as possible on the shoulder. Turn on your hazard lights.
Installing chains on all four tires is ideal unless it says otherwise in your owner’s manual. If you use only two, make sure the chains go on the drive wheels. Generally, for four-wheel drive and front-wheel drive vehicles, the chains go on the two front tires, and on the back tires for rear-wheel drives.
Unroll the chain making sure the hook ends are facing the ground.
Push the yellow end of the chains behind and around the tire, then pull the two ends over the top and fasten them.
Grab the chains from both sides of the tire and pull them together toward the center of the tire.
Hook the red fastener into one of the links as snug as you can. It’s okay if there are extra links.
Push the cable to the back of the tire, position the chains loosely over the tread.
There will be another red fastener and draw chain at the bottom of the tire. Pull them towards you until there’s no slack. Then, feed the red draw chain around the opening on the fastener and pull it tight. Lock a link into the notch on the fastener.
Next, feed the rubber end of the draw chain through the red rings. You may only be able to get it through one of the two rings, depending on tire size, but try to get it through both. Tightly stretch the rubber end and hook it to a link in the side chain.
Repeat process on the other tire(s).
Chains should be tight against the tread. Drive forward 15 feet and stop. The chain will have created some slack, tighten the draw chain on each tire, then you are ready to drive.
Once you are through the snow zone, find a safe place to pull off the road, turn on your hazard lights and take off the chains. DO NOT drive for any distance on bare pavement with chains.

Other Snow Chain Tips

Purchase the right chains. When obtaining your tire chains, you must first make sure they will fit your tires. Most tire chain packaging has a guide that indicates which tires it fits. You should not attempt to use chains that are too small or too large for your tires. Doing so could damage your vehicle as well as result in dangerous driving.
Practice installing them before you need them. Doing this will make it less stressful and easier to do when it matters.
Immediately stop and fix a cross chain if it fails. Driving on broken chains can cause you to lose much-needed traction, as well as cause damage. Listen for a loud sound of slapping, or metal on metal.
Don’t drive over 30 mph. Make sure you accelerate slowly and evenly when you have chains on your tires, and keep your speed low. Don’t spin your tires.
Be mindful of your driving. How you drive will affect your chains. Use extra caution and avoid locking the wheels when you brake, hitting curbs, and driving on pavement that is not covered in snow and/or ice. Doing these things could cause your chains to wear down prematurely and could potentially damage your tires.
Lay them out to dry before storing. The chains will rust if they’re stored wet. Lay them out to dry first.

At Virginia Auto Service, we love to help you with your vehicle and safety in any way we can, we hope you find these snow chain tips helpful. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

For further safety information on driving it the snow and rain please read the following posts:

Prepping Your Car for The Snow

How to Be Prepared to Drive in the Snow

14 Monsoon Road Safety Tips

Driving in the Valley: El Niño Road Safety Tip

Talking About Driving Safety with The Elderly

There comes a time in most people’s life that driving for themselves is no longer safe. For most, this will be a very sensitive time in their lives, and tender egos may cloud their better judgment.

If you are having concerns about an older relative or friend’s ability to drive, you should discuss it with them promptly. Avoiding the subject could, unfortunately, be a matter of life and death. It’s painful and awkward to tell an older adult that they are no longer able to drive, and for them, it may be a bit humiliating. As difficult as the conversation is, if you truly believe they are a danger behind the wheel, you need to have the conversation sooner rather than later. Later may be too late.

Don’t Wait for Their Driving to Become a Problem

When confronted with changes in their driving abilities, their initial response will often be denial and anger. Later they will probably become sad, and maybe even a little depressed as they realize that their personal freedoms are slipping away. It’s not uncommon for the topic to come up after an accident or frightening near miss, making it an even more emotional conversation. Plan ahead of time and have a series of conversations with your parents or older relatives about driver safety and how they can plan to adapt their driving habits if it becomes necessary long before their driving becomes a problem- maybe years before. This will help ease your burden when the time to have the discussion arrives by being able to remind them of your previous discussions.

When It’s Time for The Talk

Geriatric expert David Solie states in his book, How to Say It to Seniors, that “because elderly people face so many losses at this stage of life, they tend to rigidly control the few things they can. This struggle for control will almost certainly come into play where driving is concerned because giving up the car keys could affect where they live, who they see, and what interests and activities they can pursue. To you, this decision is a simple matter of good sense and safety; for them, it represents the end of life as they’ve always known it.” Take time to plan your approach ahead of time, and remain sensitive to their feelings.

Introducing the Subject

Try to avoid coming on too strong so that you don’t set the conversation off on the wrong foot. If you’ve noticed their driving capabilities slipping, then they probably have too. Try and get them to express their own concerns. Start the conversation with a question. For example, if they had received a ticket or been in an accident, ask about it. Then follow up with other questions like, “How are you doing with your driving? Are you finding it a little more difficult than it used to be?”

Use Reflective Listening

Hearing that they may need to stop driving is difficult. You will be met with objections. Usually, they will start pointing out all of the reasons that they can’t stop driving. How will they get to their weekly golf game? How will they get to their appointments or the grocery store? They gloss over the questions about their driving ability by making a case for all the reasons they can’t stop. This is important to recognize. They know they are struggling to drive safely, but they just can’t imagine how they can get by without a car.

Elizabeth Dugan, a geriatric researcher who wrote the book The Driving Dilemma, suggests you help them express their fears by using “reflective listening.” Reflective listening essentially means rephrasing what the person has said and conveys support and encouragement. It helps the speaker gain insight about his experience. Instead of immediately jumping in with promises (I’m sure Sue will take you to golf), or reassurances (It will all work out fine), use reflective listening to direct the conversation. You can say something along the lines of, “I know you are worried that you will have to give up some of your usual activities when you give up driving.” This kind of response encourages them to continue the discussion and continue to reflect on their worries, instead of shutting it down.

Make the Time for a Long Discussion

Don’t rush the conversation. Take the time to truly listen to all their concerns and feelings. Don’t be surprised if they become nostalgic and begin talking about the past. They may reflect on road trips, buying their first car, or teaching their kids to drive. Let them talk.

Encourage the Reminiscences

Resist your urge to interrupt them and get them back on track. Instead, ask them questions, ask to see photos. Reminiscing helps people sift through their emotions and come to terms with current circumstances.

Ask Them Directly What They Think They Should Do

As the discussion progresses, ask them what they feel they should do about driving. Maybe encourage them to write out a list of pros and cons of the alternatives they face. Sometimes this helps them realize that there are some benefits to giving up their key (saving money on gas, auto insurance, and car maintenance). It will also bring focus to the consequences of continuing to drive, such as fatal accidents.

This may be a good time to put the conversation on hold. Suggest meeting again in a couple of days, after you have all had the chance to reflect on the options.

6 Ways to Help Someone Stop Driving

Your continued support and involvement in their lives will make giving up the car a far less lonely and frightening prospect. These tips from Caring.com will help you ease their fears and transition smoothly into their new lifestyle.

Make it a habit to check in on them often, just to chat or share some news.
Offer to drive them to the activities they enjoy — or help find someone else who can take them.
See that they’re included in family outings, like their grandchildren’s school events or a day at the beach.
Encourage them to try taking the bus on their next trip to the pharmacy, or to walk, if it isn’t too far away, and offer to go with them if you can.
Urge them to ask for rides from friends, and to reciprocate in whatever way they can (preparing a meal, for example).
Help them develop new routines and interests that don’t require driving, like gardening, walking, or swimming at the local pool.

Virginia Auto Service loves to help you with your vehicle and safety in any way we can, we hope you find these tips helpful and make the conversation with your loved one a little easier. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

Move Over When You See Those Flashing Lights

Did you know that one tow truck driver is killed every six days on the road? Or that 23 highway workers and one law enforcement officer are killed every month and five firefighters are killed every year? It was for this reason that Arizona initiated the “Move Over Law,” ARS 28-775E-1-2, in 2005.

According to moveoveraz.com, the law is a measure designed to protect the lives of everyone who uses our roadways. The law requires all drivers to move over one lane to create a safe margin of space when passing by any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road.

As stated above, the law took effect in 2005 in order to reduce injuries and fatalities to law-enforcement officers and emergency responders assisting the public. It was later enhanced in July 2011 to protect everyone, including stranded motorists, tow truck drivers, roadside assistance providers and road work and maintenance crews, as well as emergency responders and law enforcement officers. The new slogan is “Move over. Every car, every time.”

The law recognizes that there may be times when it is not safe for the motorist to move over. In those situations, the driver should slow down -between 15 to 20 miles below the posted speed limit- and proceed with caution. Drivers should watch for people or objects that could enter their travel lane, and be prepared to stop.

Arizona’s Move Over law applies to all public roads and highways statewide, including local roads and surface streets, interstates, parkways and state highways. It can be enforced by any law-enforcement officer, including local police, county sheriff’s deputies and Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers.

Failure to comply with the law is a moving violation. Fines vary by jurisdiction but can range from $150 to $650.

So, remember…

MOVE Over when you see any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of any road or highway.
SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION if you cannot move over.
Not obeying the law is a moving violation punishable by fines; worse, you or someone else could be injured or killed.

Virginia Auto Service loves to help you with your vehicle and safety in any way we can, we hope you find this post helpful. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

Prepping Your Car for the Snow

Living in Phoenix in the winter means we don’t have to worry about driving in the snow daily. However, snow is a short road trip away, should you be inclined to go play in it for a day or two.

Winter road conditions bring hazards that many Phoenicians are not entirely familiar with, so we have come up with a short guide to help you prepare yourself and your car for the snow.

Look Over Your Car

Cars face more challenges in snow areas. Check that your tires, wipers, lights and brakes are all in good condition.

Colder temperatures are hard on a car battery. Make sure that your battery terminals are clean and the clamps are tight. If it has been three or more years since you have replaced your battery, have its charge checked, or consider replacing it. It is better to pay for a new battery before you go than to end up stranded with a dead one in the snow. Make sure that you have jumper cables in your vehicle, in case your vehicle struggles with the cold.

Check your coolant levels. Another name for coolant is anti-freeze. Its purpose is to increase the temperature to boiling which allows our cars to handle the hot weather and more importantly for a snow trip, it prevents the engine from freezing. Make sure the coolant is the proper mixture to cope with the temperatures you will be in. You can refer to your owner’s manual, or talk with one of our trusted mechanics for more details.

Check that your wiper blades are in good condition and that your washer fluid is full. Consider using a solution that is made for colder climates so it doesn’t freeze on you.

Keep the Gas Tank Full as Possible

As a rule, you should try and avoid letting your tank drop below a quarter full at all times. It is better for your engine and ensures you won’t run out of gas. However, in cold weather, the fuller the tank the better. If you end up on the side of the road you can keep your car running longer for warmth if you have enough gas.

Invest in Snow Chains

Chains for your tires can be a lifesaver in the snow. Before you head up, consider buying a set. Before you go, make sure you learn how to use them so that you aren’t struggling to figure it out in the cold snow.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Keep your basic emergency kit, but add to it for cold, snowy conditions. In winter, add extra warm clothing like jackets, hats, and gloves, a shovel, kitty litter or sand, an ice scraper, blankets, etc. in case of a breakdown.

For more information on driving safely in the snow read our blog How to Be Prepared to Drive in the Snow.

Virginia Auto Service loves to help you with your vehicle in any way we can. If you need help preparing your car for a trip to the snow, give us a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.