Mango Automotive shares RV checklist for Yuma winter visitors

Mango Automotive & Diesel is urging RV owners and other winter visitors arriving in Yuma to check tires, recalls and vehicle condition soon after they arrive, then again before heading home. The advice targets the seasonal strain of heat, storage and long drives on RVs, tow vehicles and cars used for local travel.

Why it matters: - Winter visitors in Yuma often rely on their RVs, tow vehicles and towed cars for months at a time, far from their regular mechanic. - The checklist is meant to catch problems from storage, the drive south and long stays in the desert before they become roadside failures. - Mango says a second inspection before departure can reduce risk on the return trip.

What happened: - Mango Automotive & Diesel, the Yuma shop in the woman-owned Mango Automotive group, released a vehicle checklist for arriving winter visitors. - The shop recommends checks soon after arrival and again before the drive home. - The guidance focuses on tires, recalls and a pre-trip inspection for RVs and tow vehicles.

The details: - The arrival checklist starts with tire pressure, tire age and tread depth. - NHTSA advises checking tire pressure when tires are cold and comparing the reading with the vehicle placard, not the sidewall. - NHTSA considers tires worn to 2/32 of an inch of tread unsafe. - NHTSA says tires age even when they are not driven, with RVs, long-stored vehicles and spares at higher risk. - NHTSA also says the risk is greater in the southern Sun Belt. - Some vehicle makers recommend replacing tires after six years, and some tire makers after 10 years, regardless of tread wear. - The last four digits of the DOT number on the sidewall show the week and year the tire was made. - Open safety recalls on the motorhome chassis, tow vehicle and towed car can be checked by VIN at recalls lookup. - Mango recommends a road-trip inspection one to two weeks before departure so there is time to fix any issues. - The inspection covers the cooling system, brake pads and rotors, tire tread and pressure, fluid levels, wipers, lights, battery state, suspension and A/C operation. - The process ends with a road test. - Mango says heat, sun and stop-and-go driving wear brakes, batteries, A/C systems, tires and suspension faster than many drivers expect. - The Yuma shop services cars, light trucks, diesel engines, RVs and heavy-duty vehicles. - General auto repairs eligible for warranty coverage carry a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, including 36 months or 36,000 miles of nationwide coverage. - Eligible diesel and heavy-duty repairs carry a 2-year/24,000-mile warranty. - Terms and exclusions apply. - Mango Automotive & Diesel is at 3222 S Florence Ln near the 32nd St corridor and serves Yuma, the Foothills, Somerton and San Luis. - The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has an after-hours key drop. - Appointments can be booked online or by phone at (928) 344-3771.

Between the lines: - The checklist reflects a seasonal pattern in Yuma County, where tens of thousands of winter visitors arrive each year. - A 2017-2018 Arizona State University study for Visit Yuma, Yuma County and the Arizona Office of Tourism found October and November were the most common arrival months for RV winter visitors. - The same study found that more than 90% of surveyed winter visitors used their own vehicle while in Yuma County. - Many RV arrivals also appeared to tow a car for local trips, which increases the number of tires and systems that need attention. - Mango is positioning routine inspections as a practical defense against the combination of desert heat and long-distance travel.

What's next: - Winter visitors arriving in Yuma can use the checklist immediately after settling in. - Drivers planning to leave later in the season can schedule the pre-departure inspection one to two weeks ahead of travel. - Open recalls can be checked anytime by VIN before either inspection.

The bottom line: - For RV travelers in Yuma, the safest plan is simple: inspect on arrival, inspect before departure and do not ignore tires or recalls.