Honda of Stevens Creek Blog

When you come to our dealership, or any dealership for that matter, we want you to make your purchase based on your knowledge of the vehicle you wish to buy. We want you to make an informed decision, which is why we at Honda of Stevens Creek recommend you always read a vehicle history report on any pre-owned vehicle you hope to purchase.

Vehicle history reports are detailed reports of important information on the vehicle. It includes the following:

• Make and model of vehicle
• Body style and engine info
• Basic equipment features
• Safety options 

With there being so many ways to easily be distracted behind the wheel, you have to take a provocative approach if you want to stay safe on the roads. Follow the tips provided here by Honda of Stevens Creek to enjoy a safer and less-distracted driving experience.

Before you leave the house, spend time in front of the bathroom mirror so you won't be using the rearview mirror while you are driving. Take care of your makeup, combing your hair or beard, and applying lipstick in front of the mirror in your bathroom and then go driving. 

We want you to know how to take good care of your vehicle and also how to choose a reliable mechanic to do the things you’re not able to do yourself. Good maintenance adds years to your vehicle’s life. At Honda of Stevens Creek, we have certified mechanics to provide service for your vehicle and give you tips on preventative maintenance you can do yourself. Choosing a reliable mechanic involves some steps.

• Get recommendations from friends and family.
• Start with small jobs until you get to know them.
• Check on certifications earned by the mechanic. 

Just using these few test drive tips can make your car shopping experience informative and enjoyable. Have a general idea about the type of vehicle you need. This will save you time. Be sure to give yourself an afternoon or morning to test drive many vehicles. You don’t want to be rushed or have to leave before you are ready.

During the drive, feel how the car handles around corners and while braking. Drive in reverse and park. Sit inside while it is running and listen to it idle. Is it quiet, smooth, or knocking? 

If your car did not have belts and hoses, it could not operate. Let's dig deeper into this important subject now. Under its hood, your car features an array of belts and hoses. Belts turn on pulleys and other parts and help motivate your car. Hoses move liquids and gasses throughout your auto's systems.

Time, heat and pressure can damage your belts and hoses, so keep up with your car owner's manual-recommended maintenance schedule. Also, you can look for signs that these parts need immediate replacement. On hoses, search for remnants of leakage. 

The service staff at Honda of Stevens Creek always checks the health of your vehicle's battery whenever you bring it in for work. However, it is helpful to know how to check the vehicle on your own, particularly during weather extremes, to make sure it is operating properly. Checking your battery on your own helps prevent being unexpectedly stranded somewhere in San Jose, CA or elsewhere.

The easiest way to check the state of your battery is with a voltmeter. If possible, use a digital voltmeter, which is easier to read. 

Breakdowns can be an unexpected experience, but being prepared can help you stay safe in a roadside emergency. Here are some tips from the Honda parts and repair team at Honda of Stevens Creek to help you stay safe on the road.

Keep a set of jumper cables or a a portable jump-starter in your car. A portable jump-starter can be helpful if you can’t get help from a second vehicle. Periodically check on the starter to make sure that the battery stays charged. If your vehicle breaks down on the road, try to move over to an emergency…

If you don't have sufficient tread on your vehicle's tires, there is a good chance that you won't have sufficient traction on the road. This could result in an increased stop time on icy, wet or snowy roads. There are many ways to check to see if a tire has enough tread to drive safely on, and the Honda service team at Honda of Stevens Creek can help.

If the tire looks like it has no tread, it is said to be bald. A bald tire should be replaced right away. You can also use the penny…

The warnings signs of a cooling system failure are evident when the car overheats. Here is what you need to look out for when your vehicle overheats.

Look to see if the radiator hoses are secure to the engine and the radiator. Give the hose clamps a close inspection. They should be tight and they should not be corroded. Open the radiator cap when the car cools and see if the coolant may be low. There could also be a blockage in the radiator leading to the system fail. 

If you have a dead battery, here is a guide from our Honda service team on how to jump the battery from another car:

• Move the two vehicles nose to nose so the battery compartments are as close to each other as possible.
• Turn off the engine of the operating vehicle.
• The jumper cables will be marked positive and negative. Attach the positive cable to the positive terminal of the battery that is dead. Attach the other positive to the positive end of the good battery.