Desert Hot Springs sits on the north side of the Coachella Valley, on a slope above Palm Springs. If you've ever driven the I-10 past the giant white wind turbines just before the valley opens up, those turbines are mostly above Desert Hot Springs. They aren't there for show — that area is one of the windiest spots in the entire state of California.
Wind plus sun plus heat is a tough combination for cars. Here's how it shows up:
Sandblasted paint and glass. Wind-driven sand etches windshields, eats clear coat, and grinds away at chrome. It also clogs radiator and condenser fins, hurting your cooling and AC performance.
Tire wear from side winds. Constant crosswind pressure stresses tires unevenly. Combined with hot pavement, this makes Desert Hot Springs one of the worst places in California for blowouts. Check tire pressures every two weeks in summer.
Battery failure. Heat kills batteries faster than cold ever did. The average battery in Desert Hot Springs lasts about 2 to 3 years. Get yours load-tested every spring before the heat hits.
Mineral water on cars. Desert Hot Springs is named for the natural hot mineral water found beneath the city. Many homes are on well water with a high mineral content. If you wash your car at home, you're leaving behind mineral deposits that can stain glass, paint, and chrome. Use deionized rinse water or wash at a coin-op with treated water.
For Spa-Resort Workers and Owners
Desert Hot Springs has a working spa-and-resort economy. If you commute to a resort or work in maintenance for one, your car is probably running long shifts in heavy heat. Don't ignore the small warnings — a slow-cranking engine, a slightly soft pedal, or a check-engine light that comes and goes. They're cheap to fix when you catch them early and expensive when you don't.
What Johnny Covers
Johnny handles engine repair, cooling systems, AC and climate control, brake service, batteries and charging systems, electrical, transmissions, oil changes, and diagnostics.
