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20 June 2022
Arizona is a great state to live in, don’t just take our word for it; check out this article about all the ways Arizona rules. However, we all know that not every place can be the perfect place. It’s no secret that when you live in Arizona, you will have to deal with the heat. And while most natives aren’t bothered by the few months, the heat can be brutal; your car can certainly take a beating. Here are some tips and tricks about keeping your vehicle running smoothly and comfortably while in Arizona.
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If you’re from a snowy region, you know every car comes equipped with an ice-scraper. Well, consider the sunshade the ice-scraper Arizona equivalent. Unfortunately, cars don’t come with sun shades, so best to buy one before the summer heat hits. The reasoning is obvious: sunshades help prevent your car’s interior from becoming excessively hot in the summer. Besides allowing your vehicle to cool down faster, they also protect your dashboard, seats, electronics, and other valuables from damage caused by the sun’s rays.
The good news is that sunshades are cheap, durable, and portable. Plus, fixing a sunshade to your windshield sure beats scraping off snow and ice.
Trust me, I know warranties tend to be a scam, but in Arizona, you will go through car batteries much faster than expected. This is because high temperatures cause the battery to lose fluid more rapidly, destroying its internal structure and affecting its ability to hold a charge. High temperatures also cause the components of the charging system to malfunction, causing the battery to overcharge. On that same note, always keep jumper cables in your car just in case you get caught with a dead battery. Nothing is worse than being stranded in the heat with a dead car.
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It’s no surprise that Arizona’s most popular car color is white. Being smart about the different options when shopping for a car will pay off during summer. To drop a little science on you, black objects absorb all wavelengths of light and convert them into heat, so they become warm. Since white objects reflect all wavelengths of light, the light is not converted into heat, and the object’s temperature does not increase noticeably. To put it plainly: dark-colored cars will soak up more heat than light-colored cars.
Along the lines of choosing components wisely: skip the leather interior — unless you like peeling your skin off your car seat every time you stand up.
I think we’ve made our point here: summer = hot car. If you see a parking spot under a tree, but it’s not necessarily the closest spot, you’ll want to take it. Not only does it make your car cooler when you return, but as we mentioned earlier, the sun can also take a toll on your car battery, electronics, and sanity. If you’re extra motivated, crack your windows to allow a tiny bit of circulation.
Hopefully, this article helped illuminate a few things for you. We know parking in the shade and cracking your windows isn’t rocket science, but it never hurts to have too much info than not enough. In contrast, this may sound daunting, a silver lining that locals like to say: you never have to shovel sunshine.
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A towering wall of dust can roll across central Arizona on a monsoon evening, swallowing skylines, grounding flights, and cutting visibility to near zero across parts of the Phoenix metro. Spectacular? Absolutely. Routine? In the Southwest, yes. These dramatic dust storms—called haboobs—are a hallmark of Arizona’s summer monsoon. Here is what they are, how they form, and how to stay safe when one arrives. advertisement What Is a Haboob? A haboob is a fast-moving dust storm generated by thunderstorm outflow winds. As a storm cell collapses or surges forward, dense, cool air rushes toward the ground and spreads outward like
Coyotes are as much a part of Arizona’s landscape as saguaros and sunsets. Known for their adaptability and eerie night calls, these wild canines have become one of the state’s most fascinating and misunderstood residents. Whether spotted trotting across desert trails or heard howling in suburban neighborhoods, coyotes embody the untamed spirit of the Southwest. advertisement Masters of Adaptation Arizona’s diverse terrain — from the Sonoran Desert to pine-covered plateaus — offers coyotes a variety of habitats. Few animals are as flexible in their survival strategies. Coyotes thrive in deserts, forests, grasslands, and even urban environments like Phoenix and Tucson.
Arizona might be known for its sun-soaked deserts and dramatic red rock formations, but the Grand Canyon State also offers incredible water adventures for locals and visitors alike. From lazy tubing down rivers to kayaking through canyons, there’s no shortage of aquatic fun to cool off under the Arizona sun. advertisement 1. Tubing the Salt River No Arizona summer is complete without a float down the Salt River in Mesa. This laid-back, family-friendly activity lets you relax as you drift through stunning desert scenery while spotting wild horses along the banks. Bring sunscreen, water shoes, and a waterproof speaker for
The Salt River wild horses are one of Arizona’s most beloved symbols of freedom, beauty, and resilience. These majestic animals roam the lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest, an area synonymous with the wild, untamed spirit of the American West. But once again, their very existence is under threat. advertisement A Fight for Survival In 2015, when the Salt River wild horses faced possible removal, Arizonans came together in a historic show of unity. The outpouring of public support led to the passage of the Salt River Horse Act in 2016, protecting the herd from unnecessary removal and
