Car Care Tips- Action Movie Mythbuster!

Miller writes: I have a bet with my Wife on this: In TV shows, you often see cars rolling over and bursting into flames. Does that really happen? It could cost me a month of doing dishes if they don’t!

Mike: Better get some rubber gloves buddy! Car companies put in several safeguards to keep the fuel in the tank on rollovers and not allow it to ignite. From check valves in fuel tank filler necks, to automatic cutoffs on fuel pumps, cars are harder and harder to ignite. Engineers take data from thousands of accidents every year and use that knowledge to make their cars safer. Explosions rarely happen outside of Hollywood.

Here is a tip: Here is one of my biggest pet peeves! Don’t ignore your tires!  It could cost you a tire if you run it low and possibly a lot more if it blows out. Every day I sit in traffic and look at the tires of the vehicle in front of me and I usually see a low tire that the driver is unaware of. I usually try to catch up and tell them, but it doesn’t always work out. Here is what you do: Get a good tire gauge and check the tires once a week, but more importantly, learn how they are supposed to look and when you get in your car each day, give them a quick glance just to make sure you haven’t picked up a nail and have a low tire. If you have a low tire, and can catch it before you drive too far, then a little air will get you to the tire shop. Now that I’ve told you what to do, try it this evening or in the morning when you go out to the car. It’s a good habit to have.

Mike The Car Guy University: Listen to The Automotive Reporter radio program with Mike Herzing and Harold Gunn Sunday mornings from 8:00-9:00 on KGOW 1560AM “The Game” or go online www.1560thegame.com

Mike was an ASE Certified Master Tech and auto shop owner for 31 years. If you have questions or comments, E mail me: mikeh@letstalkwheels.com or go to www.letstalkwheels.com to read more articles. -MH

Honda Cars of Katy is located off I-10 on Katy Freeway at the Westgreen Blvd exit. For more details please contact the dealership at 281-994-0055. Honda Cars of Katy is a new car and used car dealer that proudly provides service, parts, selection and customer service to the greater Houston area including Katy, Sugar Land, Houston Heights, Memorial, Downtown Houston, Bellaire, River Oaks, West University, Montrose, The Woodlands, Midtown, Cypress, Humble and Jersey Village.