Honda of Serramonte Blog

All you need to test the battery in your vehicle is a simple voltmeter and the understanding of how to test it safely. Let the Honda service technicians here at Honda of Serramonte get you started with testing your car battery at home.

Begin to test your car battery by making certain the light switch is in the off position and that the car ignition is turned off. If you have a small wire brush or a terminal cleaning tool, try to get the corrosion off the terminals before testing to get a more accurate reading. 

Having a car also means having basic mechanic skills because you never know when your car could break down. As such, understanding how the cooling system works is as important as learning how to drive your car.

In general, properly functioning cooling system are designed to reduce engine temperatures and prevent car overheating. There are five important components that you should take care of when carrying out a service repair of the cooling system, including the radiator, radiator cap, radiator hoses, thermostat and water pump. 

Reading the tire sizing code can be somewhat confusing. A series of letters and numbers doesn't mean much to the untrained eye without some sort of road map. Fortunately, it is not really all that difficult to understand. For example, if a tire sidewall reads P265/70R17, then that translates to:

• P = Passenger vehicle type tire.
• 265 = Tire width. This tire would be 265 millimeters wide. 

One thing that you can do to get ready for winter weather is to make sure you always have a full gas tank. There’s often a debate about the proper level to have in your fuel tank. Many of us have been in a hurry, and only grab a few dollars in fuel before heading on our way. However, filling up that tank can be beneficial in many ways.

By always operating with a full tank, you keep the fuel pump cooled (typically cooled by fuel). If you run low on fuel, it can expose the fuel pump and…

A major blunder that many Colma commuters commit during the winter is leaving water in the windshield washer reservoir. When you need to clear the windshield in colder weather, the system will fail as the water turns to ice and could damage all those moving parts.

Correct windshield wiper fluid is formulated to work in the winter because it contains antifreeze. These means that even if the temperatures are in the teens, you can still turn on your wipers and have the windshield wiper fluid clear the way effectively. 

For a typical vehicle owner, it's difficult to identify common problems with their vehicle on their own. In many cases, you are advised to visit the a certified technician or auto shop. Aftermarket body panels may not fit right way and may lack appropriate crumple zones for crash safety. Different local mechanics have different brands for one part, which poses risks for your vehicle. OEM parts are equal, unlike aftermarket parts which have uncertain quality.

Most of us own, rent, or finance our way to owning a vehicle. Whether we’re interested in cars with lots of room for friends and our children, something to enjoy relaxing drives around Serramonte with, or even something more fun and daring the unleash on the open road, you should always have a vehicle that you can regularly use. If not, you'll find it's much hard to travel around town, run errands, or even do a whole host of other , and a host of other detriments that are all too real in the situations of those without…

If you are taking food to a friend or relative's home during the holiday season, it is important for you to do that without spilling the dish all over your vehicle. You need to pack the dish up just right so that it will not make a mess in your Honda car. How can the Honda of Serramonte team help you travel with less mess this holiday season? Follow our tips:

• Start by putting your food into a dish that has a lid that stays in place once it is on.
• Place the dish into a box or a…

Tire tread is very important if you want control and handling of your vehicle to be at its maximum efficiency. If you aren't sure whether your tire tread is good, you can do a simple quarter test. The Honda of Serramonte service team can help!

All you have to do is insert a quarter into the tread of your tires. If you can see the top of Washington's head, you know that it is time to get new tires. You should check your tires periodically to make sure that the tread looks good and that they are wearing…

Road trips can be a fun experience, whether by yourself or when you choose to adventure with a significant other or the rest of your family. Before you set out on any trip, we at Honda of Serramonte have some tips to help you have a safe trip and to be prepared for any potential problems.

First, always have your car inspected before you leave. The last thing you want is to have a breakdown far from any Honda service center. Along with a topped off gas tank, make sure your phone is fully charged. It's also a good…