CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Business is heating up at mechanic shops in North Carolina. Drivers are stopping by to get their cars checked, or fixed, ahead of warmer weather.


What You Need To Know

  • Creason Automotive and Wrecker Service in Charlotte is starting to see an increase in customers
  • Owner Don Creason says it’s important to check your engine oil, coolant and tire pressure levels before heading on a summer road trip
  • Creason also recommends checking your battery voltage if it’s at least 3 years old

As temperatures rise outside, so does the number of cars driving into Creason Automotive and Wrecker Service in Charlotte.

“This is what starts our busy time of the year,” Owner Don Creason said. “We’re busy between now and the fall.”

Creason recently took over the family business after his father’s passing. But he’s been working there since the 1980s.

“Cars have changed since then,” Creason said. “They’re much more computerized, and they’re much more complicated than they were at that point.”

What hasn’t changed through Creason’s career are the problems he sees once summer rolls around, such as a weakened battery.

“Anytime we see anything less than 9.6 volts, usually the battery is dead,” Creason said. “One of the things people don’t realize is they think of a battery issue in the cold weather, but the heat is just as hard on the battery as the cold is.”

Creason says if your battery is at least three years old, you should get it checked.

Next, check your fluids under the hood, such as engine oil and coolant levels.

“Without coolant, the car will run hot and eventually quit running completely,” Creason said.

Creason also recommends checking your tires' air pressure.

“If you have a tire that’s low pressure, it creates more friction,” Creason said. “When you already have heat, and the asphalt is hot, it could cause you to have a tire failure.”

Checking your spare tire’s air pressure is also recommended, according to Creason.

“You don’t want to have a second flat once you put the spare [tire] on,” Creason said.

Creason says while your car seems like it’s in good shape, it’s not a bad idea to take a few minutes and make sure it’ll get you to your summer destination safely.

“You take care of it, and it’ll take care of you,” Creason said.

For other summer travel preparation tips, visit AAA’s website.