Driving Tips For New Mexico Weather and Road Conditions

Our New Mexico weather is one of the most diverse in the country. We can experience cool winter-like air in the morning and a warm afternoon the same day and then wake up to half a foot of snow on the ground which quickly melts away. Being a New Mexican means adapting to changes in weather and road conditions frequently. Melloy Dodge spoke with our technicians about tips to be aware of when you are driving in these differing weather changes. 

We don’t get it often, but when the rain comes during monsoon season, we either get a little sprinkle, or it’s a sudden downpour. When you are driving in rain it is best to give the vehicle in front of you a little more driving room. Water acts as a lubricant on your brakes and creates slippery surfaces and this added lubricant can delay your stopping time. It’s always recommended to drive more cautiously and be aware of your surroundings. 

Spring means wind, and Melloy Dodge knows how intense they can be. When you are driving in heavy and gusty winds, keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel and always maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Where there is wind there is dirt, and this can hinder visibility-- always keep your headlights on as well. 

Snow is a sight we love to see but can be just as dangerous for your vehicle as walking on ice is for us. Some things to always do when you have to drive in snow and icy conditions are to always keep the vehicle movements smooth; don’t slam on the brakes, accelerate quickly, and keep your wheel in control. For more snow driving safety tips, visit our previous blog (Link). 

Taking care of your tires and brakes is a great way to keep driving safely in our ever-changing weather. Currently, when you purchase 3 Tires you get 1 Free! Melloy Dodge is also proud to offer our Express Lane, you can bring your vehicle in to be maintained whenever your schedule allows. We have a multiple-point checklist that we go through before getting you safely back on the road. For all of your vehicle needs, our team at Melloy Dodge is here to keep you safe on the roads!

Products To Use When Cleaning Your Vehicle

There are a lot of products in the stores that market themselves as vehicle cleaners and shiners. But, some of these products can be especially harmful to your dash and leather seats. In our New Mexico sun, some products can end up burning your dash, door panels, and even leather and vinyl seats instead of protecting them. Our staff at Melloy Dodge talked to a vinyl and leather repair expert that frequently repairs these car accessories after “vehicle cleaning products” have been used. 

One of the recommendations was avoiding products that have a silicon base to them. He explained that these companies make money on you continuing to use them because they make your interior look clean and shiny, but in reality, these products are drying out and causing damage to those accessories you’ve applied it to. He recommends using a damp sham, and if you need to use a cleaning product, soap and water work best! 

Our vehicles are our assets and we don’t want you to have to spend more money than you already do. The better we take care of our vehicles, the longer they will last! If you are in the market for a new vehicle, stop by Melloy Dodge and shop our wide inventory of new and used vehicles!

How Often Should You Change the Brakes on Your Car?

One of the most important maintenance items on your vehicle should be monitoring the quality of your brakes. The brakes on your car wear down due to miles driven, road conditions, and overall driver behavior.

On average, brakes should be replaced or at least checked by a licensed service technician every 50,000 miles. If you use your car for heavy-duty hauling and utility jobs or are constantly in rough terrain, you will need to get them checked sooner. The same applies if you are consistently driving in stop-and-go traffic, where your brakes are worked and overworked daily.

Terrain can be a big factor when assessing if it is time to change your brakes. Drivers who mostly travel flat, low-traffic highways put less wear and tear on their brakes than those who drive in more mountainous regions where brakes are used heavily on steep declines. City drivers may find more constant brake engagement than rural drivers. On an interstate like I-40, you can get a combination of all those things, so it then depends on how often you use the vehicle overall.

To ensure good vehicle maintenance and properly functioning brakes, take your car to your licensed service technicians at Melloy Dodge. Our technicians will check your brake pads, rotors, and fluids, and will also be able to advise you on basic vehicle maintenance. Also check your owner’s manual, which will give a recommendation on how often to replace your brakes based on your vehicle’s specs overall.

Brakes that work as they should save lives. Be sure to bring your vehicle into Melloy Dodge today so you can be sure to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to optimum vehicle maintenance.