PHOENIX - eTradeWire -- As we enter monsoon season, your Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) want drivers to stay safe. From making sure your wipers work to avoiding catastrophic engine failure, local experts are sharing monsoon driving advice.

Car checks:

• Be sure your windshield wipers are in good working condition.
• Make sure headlights and brake lights are clean and bright.
• Inspect tires for cuts and sidewall bulges and check tread. The minimum acceptable tread depth is 3/32 inch, which is about the distance from the edge of a penny to the top of Lincoln's head.
• Check rubber molding around windshield, doors and cab. If water seeps it, it can lead to major electrical problems.
• Carry an emergency kit and fully charged cell phone.

Monsoon driving tips:

• Drive with headlights on during rain to increase visibility.
• Slow down when roads are wet and create a safe distance between you and the cars ahead.
• Avoid getting close to big vehicles like buses and semis. They can create a spray that hits your windshield and can make it harder to see.
• Never cross a flooded road. Just a few inches of water can move a car, truck or SUV.
• Driving through water can lead to catastrophic failure of your engine and/or transmission.
• If you lose traction and it feels like your car is drifting or sliding, ease off the gas pedal. Do not hit the brakes. If you're drifting or sliding carefully turn your steering wheel in the same direction of your slide.
• If you drove into water or your parking space became flooded have it towed ASAP. Ask the driver to deliver the car without starting it so a mechanic can evaluate before turning the ignition.
• If you entered water pay close attention as you drive out. Gently apply your brakes a few times at low speed. Does anything look, feel, sound or smell different? If in doubt, have a trusted mechanic check it out.
• If you're caught in a dust storm, pull off the road as far as safely possible, place your car in park and turn off all lights, including headlines, emergency flashers and dome lights.  If you leave lights on, other drivers might follow and crash into your parked car because low-visibility affects depth perception.

NARPRO (Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals): The Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) helps car owners find skilled and honest car repair shops. NARPRO only recommends independent, family-owned, full-service auto repair shops that have passed 26 rigorous tests. Visit www.NARPRO.com to find recommended shops near work or home. NARPRO is the easiest way to find an honest mechanic in the Valley.

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