There's are many reasons we love living and working in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area communities. This is simply one of the greatest places on Earth.
Unfortunately, daily driving around San Francisco can take its toll on your car. It's very important that you take good care of your vehicle when you live here. Regular maintenance is crucial and you'll want to take care of minor repairs before they develop into something much more significant (and costly).
Here are some of the things that will affect the health and performance of your car in San Francisco:
The Weather
We get a lot of rain in the winter and plenty of fog in the summer. Plus, the air is extra salty with the ocean on one side and the bay on the other. Between the moisture and the salt, rust damage is always a concern. In addition, rubber seals, belts and hoses can corrode more quickly in this climate. Also, the wet roads will kick up a lot of dirt, debris and grease that can affect your brakes, wheels/tires and suspension. It's important to clean and service these components regularly. The same goes for your air conditioning, heating and defrosting system that you probably use plenty depending on the weather outside.
The Hills
The hills of San Francisco are one thing that make this city so iconic, but they are rough on cars. If you drive through the city every day, you will wear out your brakes and tires more quickly compared to other urban or rural settings. The suspension system and transmission will also take a lot of extra stress when going up and down these hills, making tight turns and stopping/starting at all the traffic lights.
The Rough Roads
This is an old city and the roads aren't always great. Plus you have the cable car tracks and other things that can make your daily commute extra bumpy. This definitely puts more strain on your suspension system, wheels and tires.
The Traffic
Last but certainly not least is the traffic. It gets worse every year. Whether you are driving through the crowded streets of San Francisco our on the backed up freeways tangled throughout the Bay Area, you will encounter slow downs and stop-and-go traffic just about everywhere (especially during the morning and evening rush hours). Brakes wear out quickly and it will also impact both your engine and transmission. Be sure and get oil changes regularly and service your transmission as needed to avoid being left stranded on the side of the road.
San Francisco is a wonderful place that we all love, but taking care of your car is extra important in a city like this. For all your automotive maintenance and repair needs, count on the auto repair experts at San Francisco Automotive Solutions. We're here to keep your vehicle running great and we can also help put together a custom maintenance schedule based on your vehicle and driving habits. Call or text us today at (415) 957-1170 or schedule your service appointment online.