The alternator in your car is doing all the work that you think the car battery has been doing. If the alternator fails, the features and systems you have come to depend on in your vehicle will no longer be working.

The alternator is charged by a belt that is attached to the engine, and spins as the engine is running. Te alternator should be checked by a service station often to ensure it is operating effectively. Without the alternator, you might be surprised how many features won't operate. 

Because of differences in rubber compound and the shape and depth of tread, all-weather and summer tires excel in different types of weather conditions. The stiffer rubber and shallower tread of summer tires leads to increased performance in warmer temperatures, and they can out-perform all-weather tires in wet conditions.

All-weather tires are generally found on passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks. Higher performance cars and luxury SUVs tend to have summer tires for increased performance during acceleration, braking, and cornering. 

Most vehicle owners want to keep the exterior of their cars in excellent condition. Aside from regular washing, waxing, and polishing, using a clay bar a few times per year can be beneficial for your vehicle. Read further to learn why!

Using a clay bar on your car will remove the dirt and remaining particles that regular washing leaves behind. Brake dust, insect residue, and other debris can be damaging because these particles bind to the paint and finish. 

If you're anything like the Honda sales and finance team here at Honda of Serramonte, you have places to go, things to see, and people to communicate with on a daily basis. We want you to get to all of your daily destinations safely. With accidents continuing to be on the rise each year because of distracted drivers, here are a few safety tips to help reduce the chance of you becoming another statistic. 

There are so many different options to consider when you are purchasing or leasing a new vehicle. You now have the discretion to basically create a vehicle from the inside out, that comes with all of the power you want under the hood, comfort on the interior, and technology to keep you and your family safe.

We here at Honda of Serramonte know how important your safety is to you, so we often recommend vehicles to our clients that come with backup cameras. This is a great feature that allows you to see your vehicle from all different angles. 

Knowing what to look for in a test drive is the secret to used car shopping. Here are a few tips and tricks to know before starting the motor and during the drive.

Begin by getting in and out of the vehicle. Is it comfortable and easy? Sit in the car. Can you see all around you clearly? Start the motor, and let it idle for a few minutes. Operate the controls, such as the blinkers, windshield wipers, and radio.

Next, drive on a freeway or highway. Feel how the car handles at higher speeds. Drive in an area where…

It’s important to take good care of your vehicle if you want it to last a long time. Even if you don’t consider yourself as mechanically inclined, you should learn a few things about your vehicle. We at Honda of Serramonte can help you get to know your vehicle while also providing service and maintenance when needed. It’s important to have a good mechanic and one that you can trust. Here are some tips.

• Make sure the mechanic is certified.
• Make sure the mechanic has experience working on your make of vehicle.
• Check for referrals and recommendations…

The pressure in the car tires must be within a certain range to extend the life of the tread and avoid maneuvering issues on the highway. Keep in mind a few of these potential signs if the pressure falls out of the recommended range.

If the pressure falls below the recommended range, the tires tend to ride with more tread on the road. This under-inflated tire can wear the tread in outer areas and put the tire at risk of a blowout. That added friction makes it hard to steer your vehicle when driving at higher speeds. 

Transmission systems that are designed for cars generate a lot of heat when key mechanisms shift gears. If you want to protect your transmission, you can accomplish this task by seeking professional automotive maintenance services.

The weather and harsh environmental elements can harm transmission hardware. In order to protect and preserve the housing on key transmission components, you'll need to visit a professional shop for  inspections. When a seasoned crew implements transmission inspection procedures, many areas are checked, such as fluid lines and shifting components. 

Shifting into four-wheel-drive requires a unique mechanical device known as a transfer case. When that component breaks down, it must be repaired immediately if you want to avoid further damage to your vehicle. Here is a quick look at three signs that your transfer case might need to be serviced.

The first sign that you should keep an eye out for is a grinding noise whenever you shift into or out of four-wheel-drive. If the transfer case is badly damaged, then you might not be able to switch into four-wheel-drive at all.