Jack Williams

Is Your Car Prepared for a Disaster?

Is Your Car Prepared for a Disaster?

September is National Preparedness Month -- a time to prepare yourself and your family for emergencies and disasters, on both a large and local scale. Emergencies such as hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, floods, earthquakes, and even water main breaks and power outages can happen unexpectedly in communities just like yours. Is your car ready if you have to use it in an emergency such as one of these?

The Car Care Council recommends checking the following to make sure your car is ready for the unexpected:

· Tire Tread: Tire tread helps your car grip the road. Having low tire tread is especially dangerous when driving in wet, flood-like, snowy or icy conditions. Check your tread easily with a penny.

· Tire pressure: Pressure that is too low or too high can affect gas mileage, tread wear and vehicle performance. Check your tires once a month when they are still cold, using the PSI (pounds per square inch) number located on the driver door or in the owner's manual.

· Fluids Check: Check your car's fluids once a month or take a peek when you fill the gas tank. Top off fluids, such as your oil and coolant, and visit a technician if you suspect a leak.

· Belts: A broken engine belt can literally stop you in your tracks. Look for signs of excessive wear or looseness.

· Brakes: Your vehicle's brakes are very important for safety; make sure they are ready in any condition. Have your brakes inspected by a technician once a year, and be aware of any signs of brake trouble, including noise, pulling and vibration while braking.

· Battery: Even in a non-emergency, it is stressful when your car does not start. Extreme temperatures, such as summer and winter, can wear the battery. A technician can test that the battery is charging at the correct rate. If your battery is three years or older, it may need to be replaced.

· Emergency Kit: A vehicle emergency kit should include jumper cables, a road atlas, first-aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, water, non-perishable food and blankets.

To read more, go to www.carcare.org .

Jack Williams Tire and Auto Service Centers specialize in all of your vehicle's service needs. Whether your vehicle needs factory scheduled maintenance, state inspections or mission inspections, Jack Williams' ASE certified professionals know just how to help you. Visit any of our 29 locations to meet with Jack Williams' team of experts for alignments, brakes, shocks, struts, exhausts, batteries, fluid services, oil changes, filters, belts, hoses, diagnostics and more! Jack Williams Tire is proud to employ ASE certified technicians.