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Distracted driving is the cause of many accidents on the roadways today. At DCH Gardena Honda, we want you to be safe when you are out on the road. When you are driving, it's important to follow some basic tips in order to drive with less distraction.

If you use your cell phone frequently, put it in the car out of reach. One of the most distracting items to drivers now is the cell phone. Don't try to check email or answer a call when you are on the road. If you must use your phone, pull over…

To judge the quality of any vehicle, you have to take it on a test drive. Here are some tips to help you get the most information from the ride.

When first getting in the vehicle, note how easy it is. You will be climbing in and out of it for some years to come, so it should be comfortable. Once inside, take a few minutes to study the dashboard, gears, lights, and wipers.

When you are ready to hit the road, do some freeway driving, stop-and-start traffic driving, and drive backwards. How does the car take corners, brake, and…

Many vehicles come with the option for a hatchback on the rear of the vehicle. For some makes and models, this is a standard feature. While there is nothing wrong with a standard rear door, a hatchback provides a lot of great features, such as:

• The option to open up your trunk and tailgate if you would like.
• You can often get to the third row seating through the tailgate of your vehicle. 

Although batteries are designed to last a designated number of months or years, they may fail due to extreme weather temperatures and conditions. Signs might include malfunctioning electronic equipment or dimmed dashboard and headlights. When the battery charge seems to be dropping, testing the part is a sure fire way to determine if replacement is necessary.

Here's how you can test your battery safely at home. Make sure the vehicle and all electronic components are turned off. Attach the red positive voltmeter lead to the positive battery post. 

If you are diligent about changing your motor oil, you’re a car owner who cares about your vehicle. Unfortunately, there are several motor oil myths many drivers still believe. If you fall in this category or have concerns, stop at our Gardena Honda service center and speak to our qualified staff.

Here are two common myths many drivers still believe:

• MYTH - If the oil is black, it needs to be changed. The oil’s job is to lubricate and clean the engine. If it’s black, that means it’s doing its job. The deep color of the motor…

It is important to keep your vehicle’s ignition in superb condition because a fully functional ignition ensures your vehicle will perform at its optimal level. You can get routine vehicle inspections to keep your ignition running properly, and you should also be aware of warning signs that could mean there’s a problem with your ignition.

The most prevalent sign that your ignition is experiencing problems is when your car won’t start. 

One of the decisions that you'll need to weigh when buying a new car is whether you'll prefer a front-wheel-drive vs rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Our team at DCH Gardena Honda wants to help you make an informed decision.

Power from the engine is sent to the solid rear axle in rear-wheel-drive cars. Rear-wheel-drive cars tend to have better handling. The main drawback of rear-wheel-drive is traction, especially in rain or snow. In front wheel drive, power is sent to the front wheels. The weight of the engine over the front wheels gives front-wheel-drive cars better traction. 

You never want to be stuck in a parking lot with a car that won't start. Here is a guide from the DCH Gardena Honda service team to help you jump start a car with a dead battery:

• Bring the two cars nose to nose, then turn off the engine.
• Identify the positive and negative ends of the jumper cables, then place the positive to the positive on dead battery. Do the same with the good battery.
• Now place the negative cable to the negative terminal on dead battery. 

As a car owner, you understand how important your engine is and how important it is to maintain and service your engine. To keep your engine running at its optimal level, it is important to make sure it is not overheating. Below are some reasons why an engine may overheat:

• Cooling System Leak - In order to keep your car engine from becoming too hot, your engine has a cooling system that circulates coolant throughout the engine. Over time and due to use, the cooling system may become compromised. This could lead to a cooling leak, and without the coolant circulating…

At some point, most drivers notice the first squeaking sound or slight vibration upon applying the brakes. It is tempting to brush these signs off as a car that is just getting older or justify procrastination on getting it checked out because of fear of the related costs. Let the DCH Gardena Honda service team help!

The problem with older vehicles that begin having signs of wearing brake systems is that minor nuisances, like squeaks and vibrations, will eventually lead to major safety concerns.