We are here to provide you with the best tips and tricks to help you understand your car needs. 

Types of Warning Lights

Both older and more modern cars will usually warn you if something needs to be fixed. Some of the common warnings include engine temperature, battery charge, oil pressure, as well as the brake system. If you are currently experiencing issues like these make sure to bring your car to your local repair shop to avoid any unnecessary damage.

• Engine Temperature: This symbol typically looks like a thermometer or expresses the word “TEMP” on your dashboard. This oftenly occurs when your car’s engine has gone beyond its maximum recommended temperature or when your engine coolant level is getting low. The result of an overheating engine can be very detrimental to your car since it can create rough idle, misfire and reduced power and fuel economy.
• Check Engine Light: The engine is the powerhouse of your vehicle. Meaning that your check engine light is one of the most important emergency lights on your cars dashboard. Once this light pops up on your dashboard, it means that your engine is not functioning properly and requires immediate attention. 
• Battery Charge: The battery light indicates a variety of things. Although, the two most important things it indicates is either your battery isn’t charging properly or there is a malfunction with the charging system. Driving with this light displayed on your dashboard can be very dangerous since it shows that your battery is low which can cause your car to malfunction. 
• Oil Pressure Warning: If this light is displayed, it means that the oil level in your engine has dropped to a significantly low level and new oil needs to be added. Driving with low oil levels will quickly destroy your engine. 
• Brake Warning: When the brake system warning light is on and flashing, this could mean your brake fluid is getting low or your parking brake might be in use. 

Listening to these emergency warning lights will help keep you safe, as well as maintain the health of your car.

Safety Symbols 

Various safety components have been designed into your vehicle’s operating system. To preserve the safety of you and those who ride in your vehicle, it’s important to understand the common dashboard warning lights.

• Tire Pressure Warning: The tire pressure monitoring system notifies you when one or more of your vehicle’s tires is low in air pressure, which could result in tire damage or the dangerous situation of a tire blowout. 
• Airbag Warning Light: This light means that there is something wrong with the functionality of your one or more of your airbags. 
• Traction Control: This symbol will usually pop up for a few seconds to show you that your vehicle is keeping traction while driving on a slippery surface. However, if the light stays on, it may indicate that you have a malfunction in your traction control system. 
• Service Vehicle Soon: If this light is displayed, it usually means more than taking your car in for a “regular checkup.” It tends to imply that either your vehicle’s engine or transmission needs to be repaired or replaced. 
• Parking Brake Light: This light usually indicates that your parking brake is engaged. However, if it stays on, you may have issues with your brake pads and want to get your brakes looked at as soon as possible. 

All these safety and emergency vehicle lights usually require immediate attention when they stay illuminated. Many cars are left damaged when not properly maintained, leaving the owner with a large hole in their pocket!

Lighting Symbols

Did you know that nearly 50% of all car accidents happen at night? That’s why it’s critical to have proper lighting throughout your vehicle. Proper headlights help drivers see clearer, increase reaction time, and spot potential hazards such as animals or objects on the road. Keep an eye out for the following dash lights:

• Lamp Out: When this light comes on, it means that there is an exterior light on your vehicle that is not working correctly. 
• Headlight Range Control: There is an issue with your headlight range control system when this light remains illuminated. 
• Front Fog Lights: When you see this light displayed on your dashboard, it means that your front log lights are engaged. 
• High Beam Light Indicator: This light means that your high beam or “bright” lights are turned on. Make sure there are no other cars around when engaging your high beam lights, strobe lights, or LED warning lights, as they can potentially cause accidents. 

These emergency vehicle lights will warn you when your vehicle’s light bars aren’t working or as well as notify you when certain lights are engaged. Proper visibility is key to ensuring safety while on the road.

Common Vehicle Warning Lights

Besides warning, safety, and lighting symbols, there are a handful of common indicators that every vehicle owner should be able to identify and understand. Knowing what these indicators mean, how to use them, and when to take action is essential to your and others’ safety.

• Hood/Bonnet Open: This indicates that the hood of your car is not properly closed. This can be very dangerous if your hood flies open while you are driving and obstruct your view of the road. 
• Low Fuel Level: This symbol is usually represented as a gas tank. Be sure to fill up on gas when this light comes on as you do not want to let your gas tank get dangerously low and be left stranded on the side of the road. 
• Hazard Lights: These are usually flashing lights and signify your hazard lights are engaged. You should use these lights when pulling over or if there is a hazard ahead. 
• Power Steering System: This indicator means that there is something wrong with the system. The system will usually be disabled until it gets fixed. 
• Child Safety Lock: This light will tell you whether or not your child safety lock is engaged or not. 

These warning lights may seem like common knowledge you learned in your driver’s education class, but it’s always nice to receive a refresher.

Is your dashboard indicating that you need a repair?

Whether your car’s diagnostic systems are telling you that it needs an oil change, a tire filled up with air, a headlight repair, an engine fix, a brake pad change, or just a regular maintenance check-up, McDowells is here to help! Remember, it’s important to take care of these issues as soon as you see one of these car warning lights to avoid potential damage to your vehicle. Call us today or visit our website to book an appointment.

And as a reminder, always wear your seat belt when driving and never operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The post Tips and Tricks for Understanding Your Car Emergency Lights appeared first on McDowells Specialty Repairs.

You and your recreational vehicle have gone on your fair share of trips this summer! Whether you have been going up and down the coast or hopping from one national park to the another, your RV has covered a lot of ground.
But when work obligations or extreme weather approach, your RV may be put into storage for a break. No matter how long the period of storage is, you’ll need to know how to properly store your RV.
This is where we can help! We are here to provide some tips and tricks to help you find the right storage facility to protect your recreational vehicle.

Finding the Right Storage Facility

When searching for a suitable RV storage facility, there are a few important things to consider. First, you will want to find a storage space that is relatively close to your home. This will make things such as maintenance chores and unpacking more convenient.
Second, finding a storage place with the proper security measures is essential. This will ensure your travel trailer is protected from any destruction or damage from other personnel. Additional things you will want to look for are storage yards with high-quality security cameras, high perimeter fencing, as well as gate access via personal codes.

The pricing of every RV storage facility varies based on the following factors such as location, size of the rental site, and the type of storage. For instance, an indoor storage facility is relatively more expensive than an outdoor storage facility. An indoor storage facility may be worth the investments as you consider your region’s climate conditions. If money is not an issue then you may want to consider an indoor climate-controlled facility. This can ultimately be more expensive, but it will provide the best storing conditions for your recreational vehicle to ensure the interior and exterior do not receive any damage.

Benefits of Covered RV Storage Facilities

Covered RV storage can be an essential investment for RV owners. Storing your RV in a covered self-storage facility can prolong its life and make sure no further maintenance damages occur by rain, sun, wind, or upcomin snow. This is very beneficial because it can reduce maintenance fees annually. If you plan on putting your RV in long-term storage, a covered facility will ideally be best suited for you economically. A covered storage facility will provide year-round protection from everything from UV rays to blizzards.

4 Tricks for Preserving your RV In the Summer Heat

Protecting your recreational vehicle from extreme heat measures means focusing many efforts on the exterior. You will want to consider specific tactics for treating the exterior as well as finding products that can protect your RV from UV rays. Below we have provided a handy guide for preserving your RV in summer storage.

1. Exterior Maintenance and Covering

Before you store your RV you must first give it a thorough cleaning. The importance of cleaning and waxing the exterior is to prevent any abrasive dirt or sand from eroding the surface. This will ensure there is no occurrence of any external openings. Waxing the surface will also help protect your RV from any sun damage by sealing the surface.

If your RV is placed in a storage facility that does not have covered parking spaces, then an RV cover is essential. There are multiple different covers on the market; however, one kind is superior to all others. Purchasing a cover that is made of high-quality, breathable material such as polypropylene or polyester that has open vents will provide the best protection.
RV covers are essential whether you are using an indoor or outdoor storage facility. They provide a variety of benefits such as protection for the plumbing system, waste tanks, and air intake piping. A breathable cover will also prohibit the growth of mold or mildew in the areas above by allowing all trapped moisture to evaporate.

2. Window Covers And Moisture Protection

Your RV dashboard and windows are exposed to UV rays daily whether you’re on a road trip or storing your RV. This often can result in faded windows or a cracked dashboard, which RV insurance does not cover. As such, windshield covers are very important. We also suggest closing all nighttime shades in your RV, as it can only decrease the chances of sunlight entering your RV. This helps to prevent the cracking of wood or plastic finishes and the fading of upholstery, couches, beds, carpet, and flooring materials.

You will need to increase or decrease the humidity in your RV depending on the climate you live in. Doing so properly can help prevent insects, rodents, and mildew.

Increasing Humidity

If your RV is stored in a very dry climate you will want to focus on increasing the humidity. Many RV owners will place a 5-gallon bucket in the center RV. This will put enough moisture in the air to prevent the wood from drying or cracking. Be sure to open all cabinets and closet doors to let the humidity be evenly distributed among the RV.

Decreasing Humidity

On the other hand, if your RV is placed in a moist and warm climate you will want to use DampRid or place buckets of silica gel packets throughout the RV to absorb the moisture from the air. This will help prevent the build-up of mold and mildew while increasing overall airflow.

3. Insect and Rodent Protection

To keep your RV in tip-top shape it’s important to prevent any insects and rodents from entering. Once a few are inside they breed rapidly and you could come back to an infestation the following season.

First and foremost, you will want to clean the RV thoroughly and remove all food and water resources. Even the smallest crumbs can attract insects and rodents, especially mice. Cleaning the exterior fridge panel as well as underbelly access points will prevent any bugs from hatching their eggs. Infestation of insects or rodents will require a pest control professional, which could be very costly.
Once the interior of the vehicle is clean you will want to inspect your RV thoroughly. Be sure to check underneath the RV for any areas that could allow pests to enter. Check rooftop and plumbing vents and be sure to seal any cracks or open areas with spray foam.

4. Mechanical Considerations When Storing RV

Make sure you completely power down your vehicle to prevent the deterioration of electronic and mechanical parts. This will also prevent you from worrying about a dead battery or malfunctioning parts when you take your RV out the next time.

If you are keeping your RV in storage for more than a month, you will need to fill the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer. Keep in mind that once the stabilizer is in place, it’s essential to run the engine and generator to ensure the stabilizer spreads through the entire fuel system. The fuel stabilizer will keep the engine in tip-top shape and prevent further problems from occurring with any power sources and mechanical parts underneath the vehicle.

How to Get Ready For Next Summer Adventure

We all know the RV life can be very overwhelming, especially when it comes to preserving your vehicle and finding the right RV storage facility. Cleaning and maintaining the exterior and interior of your RV can be very difficult, especially after years of use. At McDowell’s, we specialize in upholstery services so you can enjoy being on the road embarking on your next adventure.
If your recreational vehicle has had any interior damage from your summer adventures, schedule an appointment with McDowell’s. We work for all the major RV dealers here in the valley, meaning there is no job too big for us here at McDowell’s.

The post Key Tips for Storing Your RV This Summer appeared first on McDowells Specialty Repairs.

Clean It Out

The first thing you need to do: give the interior of your RV a thorough cleaning! After a fun and eventful camping season, it may surprise you just how much grime is lurking in all of the nooks and crannies. It’s time to clean out all food and other perishables, remove temperature-sensitive products, and vacuum, dust, wipe, and scrub every last corner of your camper. Not only will this prevent any funky or musty smells from becoming an issue; this will also make it possible for you to get out into the wild that much faster in the spring!

Remove Your Water Filters

Now that your camper is sparkling clean, you’ll want to remove any in-line water filters from your system before moving forward with winterization. Any chemicals you may put in your lines for winterization can damage your filters, and you may want to replace them before your next camping adventure, anyway!

Drain Those Tanks

Make sure to properly (and safely) drain all of your tanks, paying special attention and care with your gray and black water tanks. You don’t want wastewater sitting all winter, and freezing of any of your lines could cause damages that can lead to expensive repairs later. Once cleared, make sure you thoroughly clean your black water tank with the proper tank cleaner!

Prepare The Water Lines

Once you’ve drained your tanks, the time has come to drain all water from your water lines and water heater. To prevent injury, make sure that the water heater is turned off, cool, and not pressurized when you go to drain it. Open up all of the faucets and your drain lines to make sure to get all of the water out of your lines before continuing with winterization!

Remember: Bypass The Water Heater!

For safety, sanitation, and to save yourself a lot of time and angst in the spring, it’s very important to bypass your water heater before proceeding to your final winterization steps! You don’t want antifreeze to get into your water heater for a few reasons:

1. It doesn’t need it and takes a LOT to fill it, so it’s a waste of the chemical and your money.
2. You’ll need to thoroughly rinse out ALL antifreeze from your water heater before you can use it again, for health and safety reasons.

It takes a lot more time to clear your water heater than to clear the lines themselves, so it’s best to just bypass your water heater now and save yourself the grief later!

Add Antifreeze

Once your lines are completely dry and your water heater bypass is in place, you’re ready to move on to your final step of winterization! Close your drain lines and faucets. Using a water pump converter kit, you can use the inlet side of your water pump to pump antifreeze into your lines.
Once the system is properly pressurized, you can go to each faucet, turn them on one at a time, and wait until you see antifreeze. Do this for both hot and cold! Make sure that antifreeze has reached the city water inlet, pour a little extra antifreeze down each drain in your RV, double-check that all faucets are off and the heating element for your water heater is off, and you are properly winterized!

Consider RV Repairs

With your RV is staying put for the season, now is a great time to consider RV repairs! Whether your exterior has a few minor dents or dings that you want touched up with paintless dent repair, or there are interior RV repairs that need to be taken care of, the team of professional technicians at McDowells Specialty Repair can help! Give us a call today to get a quote and to find out more about what kind of repairs we can do to keep your RV looking good as new!

The post How To Winterize Your RV appeared first on McDowells Specialty Repairs.

Where to Go Winter Camping in Idaho

First and foremost you may want to know the places you can camp. According to an article from OnlyInYourState, these are the top 8 destinations in Idaho:

1. 1. Harriman State Park
   2. Lake Cascade State Park
   3. Heyburn State Park
   4. Idaho City
   5. Stanley
   6. Farragut State Park
   7. Bear Lake State Park
   8. Lake Walcott State Park
      Before packing your things, make sure the campgrounds are open on the dates you’d like to go. The tranquility of a snow-covered landscape can bring some much needed peace after the holiday chaos. Camping, in general, can help you escape from the busy city life in Boise too.

How Cold Is Too Cold?

An RV is a great way to stay protected from the chilly nights. However, if you find the temperatures sinking to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, which it most likely will in Idaho winters, you may want to invest in small space heaters. Also, be sure to cover up any areas where cold air may creep in through window sills or doorways.

Preventing Exterior Damage to Your RV

If you are new to RV camping, then knowing how to properly store and care for your vehicle is a must. You may already know that RVs and other types of travel trailers are not immune to sun damage. However, it’s still important to know that even if you’re leaving your RV in the sun for camping, you still shouldn’t park it in the sun for an extended amount of time when it’s not being used. RVs like any other vehicles can still suffer from sun damage, scratches, dents, and paint chips when not taken care of.
Investing in a well-fitting RV cover will help to protect your investment. But, we all know the elements can get the best of us from time to time. Especially with some harsh winter winds and snow your RV is bound to become dented or scratched at some point. If you want these to be buffed out, then going to a scratch and dent repair shop in Boise will be your best bet. Not only is it affordable, but it will also help your vehicle look as good as new.

Preventing RV Upholstery Damage

The cold air and warm air from within the RV can cause some major condensation. Your RV is at risk for mold if the moisture is not handled properly. This can really put a damper on your camping trip. To prevent your RV’s upholstery from smelling like mildew, invest in a dehumidifier, or raise the temperature from within. Surprisingly, if you keep the inside of your RV warm enough, it can slow condensation on glass surfaces like windows. Thus, your RV upholstery won’t be at risk for mold.

Prepping Your RV for Winter Camping

The same stuff you pack for summer camping is not necessarily the same stuff you’ll be packing for winter. For this season you’ll want to bring the obvious heavy blankets and coats. But if you didn’t already know, you need to do extra maintenance and double the packing to ensure your trip is a safe and comfortable one. Consider following this bulleted list to make sure your RV is prepped and ready for the road ahead.

1. 1. 1. • Make sure the batteries are charged
         • Have your headlights restored
         • Bring tire chains
         • Double-check your RV furnace
         • Bring a snow shovel
         • Bring heavy-duty sleeping bags
         • Always check the weather before leaving

Where to Have Your RV Restored

After a trip in the snow, your vehicle may have come back with a few dings and dents. If you’re looking for a place that can repair your RV upholstery or exterior body, McDowells is the perfect place to have both taken care of. On the flip side, if you attended the Idaho RV Super Show and want to make a few changes to the upholstery in your RV or travel trailer, then McDowells can help with that too.

The post RV Winter Camping Guide appeared first on McDowells Specialty Repairs.