Get Ready For Summer: Vehicle Safety and Maintenance Check List

Summer is almost here!  It's a good time to do some routine checks of your vehicle before taking a trip and it's easy to do it yourself. About.com's Auto Repair section has some very useful how-to links:

Radiator Flush: The coolant in your radiator doesn't last forever. Over time it can break down and start to corrode the inside of your radiator. This can lead to cooling problems and radiator repair. A radiator flush once a year is cheap insurance against radiator repairs.

Replace Your Air Filter: You should replace your air filter twice a year, so now's a good time to get that 5-minute job out of the way.

Tire Checks: Summer traveling could mean driving in the rain. The tread on your tires must be adequate for rainy weather or you could end up in a ditch, or worse. Checking the tread depth on your tires take one minute. While you're at it, you should check your tire pressure, too.

Replace Your Windshield Wipers: Winter weather can be brutal to your windshield wipers, making them almost useless if you get caught in a summer rain shower. Replace them at the beginning of the summer and you won't have to worry.

Inspect Your Brakes: It's a good idea to inspect your brakes twice a year just to be sure everything is up to snuff. Car safety should always be a top priority. Go ahead and check your brake fluid while you're at it.

Check Your Battery: Corrosion is very likely to build up during winter weather driving. Check your battery posts and cables to ensure you'll have no starting problems.

Check Your Headlights: Sometimes you don't notice that you have a bulb out. Now's a good time to take a look to see if you need to replace a headlight bulb. Not only is it unsafe to drive with one headlight, you can get a ticket!

Source: http://autorepair.about.com/od/seasonal/a/summerize.htm

Also important is checking your oil every 3000 to 5000 miles. Keeping the oil from getting too low preserves the life of your engine. Checking the fuel filter is also recommended but might be better done by professionals.  Changing a clogged fuel filter can increase your vehicle's fuel economy and performance which is wise before heading out on a long road trip!

It's essential to bring lots of water when traveling, especially when driving through the desert. Also, it's a good idea to travel with an roadside emergency kit.  Check out this checklist from Consumer Reports:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/roadside-emergency-kit-what-to-carry-with-you/index.htm

We hope you have a safe and fun Summer!  Come see us at one of our FooteWork offices, located in Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Williams, Arizona for any of your auto, RV, motocycle, OHV, boat, or aircraft title and registration needs.  We also do Level 1 Inspections to check vehicle ownership both on and off site and abandoned vehicle, towing and salvage yard inspections as well as many more motor vehicle services.  

Happy Summer!

The Difference Between A Moped and A Motor-Driven Cycle

A question we often get at FooteWork: What is the difference between a moped and a motor-driven cycle and what are the licensing requirements?

Moped - A bicycle -human-powered vehicle (with pedals)

• Has a 50 cc or less helper motor 
• 1.5 hp or less braking power 
• Rated at maximum top speed of 25 mph (on a flat surface with less than a one per cent grade)
• Any class of driver license can be used to operate a moped
• A moped must be registered, but a vehicle title is not issued
• Emissions testing is not required 
• Vehicle liability insurance is required

Motor-driven Cycle - A motor scooter and motorcycle

• Has a 50 cc or higher motor
• Manufactured to exceed 20 mph
• Rated at 5 hp or less
• Not more than three wheels in contact with the ground
• Includes motor scooters rated at 5 hp or less
• A motorcycle license or endorsement is needed to operate any motor-driven cycle
• A motor-driven cycle must be both titled and registered 
• Emissions testing is not required 
• Vehicle liability insurance is required

Whether you own a moped, scooter, motorcycle, car, OHV, airplane, boat, commercial vehicle, or RV,  FooteWork provides complete full service vehicle registration and title services. Footework is your one stop vehicle registration office!  Licensed and bonded, FooteWork processes your title work while you wait.  For a nominal service fee, you'll leave our office with a new title, registration or license plate in as little as 10 minutes.  Come see us!

Another Happy FooteWork Customer!

Emma at our Prescott Office...another happy FooteWork customer!

Check out all our services at http://www.footework.com/services.html!

Important Aircraft Registration and Re-Registration Facts for Arizona Aircraft Owners

Did you know that a third of all aircraft are inaccurately registered?  Because of these inaccuracies, there is a new process in place that really affects aircraft registered before October 1, 2010.  According to the FAA, "About one-third of today's 357,000 registered aircraft have inaccurate records. At least 100,000 of these are not expected to re-register. Prompt reporting of a change in aircraft ownership, mailing address, or destruction has long been required by registration regulations. Without these reports from the owners the aircraft records could not be updated. The Registry has revoked registrations due to unreported changes; however, this process is slow and expensive. In many cases registration would be revoked, but owners whose notices were undeliverable would be unaware and continue to operate their now unregistered aircraft."-source: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/reregistration/


"These improvements will give us better knowledge about the state of the aviation industry, especially general aviation," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "We also are responding to calls from law enforcement and other government agencies for more accurate, up-to-date registration data."

Basically, aircraft registered before October 1, 2010 have a specific re-registration dates over a three year period that takes place from October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013 to renew and update their information.  Six months before your expiration, the Registry (Aircraft Registration Branch) will mail information to the owner that identifies the re-registration expiration date and the three month window to which comply before expiration.  It is important that they have the correct address and most likely many will need to be proactive to find out this relevant information.  All aircraft registered on or after October 1, 2010 have three years before their expiration date which is shown on their current paperwork.


Aircraft Re-Registration Schedule

If the Certificate was issued in:	The certificate expires on:	The owner must apply for re-registration between these dates, - to allow delivery of a new certificate before expiration.
Marchof any year	March 31, 2011	November 1, 2010	and January 31, 2011
April of any year	June 30, 2011	February 1, 2011	and April 30, 2011
May of any year	September 30, 2011	May 1, 2011	and July 31, 2011
June of any year	December 31, 2011	August 1, 2011	and October 31, 2011
July of any year	March 31, 2012	November 1, 2011	and January 31, 2012
August of any year	June 30, 2012	February 1, 2012	and April 30, 2012
September of any year	September 30, 2012	May 1, 2012	and July 31, 2012
October of any year	December 31, 2012	August 1, 2012	and October 31, 2012
November of any year	March 31, 2013	November 1, 2012	and January 31, 2013
December of any year	June 30, 2013	February 1, 2013	and April 30, 2013
January of any year	September 30, 2013	May 1, 2013	and July 31, 2013
February of any year	December 31, 2013	August 1, 2013	and October 31, 2013

To check the accuracy of your aircraft's registration go to: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/nnum_inquiry.aspx.  

CONTACT FOOTEWORK, WE ARE AIRCRAFT OWNERS TOO!
Bottom line, the process may be a bit confusing.  For all Arizona Aircraft Owners who have questions or need assistance, feel free to call FooteWork.  Our staff is poised to assist you with ADOT and FAA issues.  Clear Skies!