Recent Hawaii Shipping News

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Why you need to pay attention to fluid leaks
The different types of fluid leaks and how to identify them
Final Word
 

Why you need to pay attention to fluid leaks

When your car is leaking fluid, it is always something that you should pay close attention to because it can lead to serious issues with your vehicle. What complicates things is that there are several different types of fluid leaks. These include transmission fluid, gear fluid, motor oil, coolant, power-steering fluid, brake fluid, fuel, or battery acid.

Some of these are obviously more serious than others. For example, if you are leaking coolant it is important that you get the leak repaired as soon as you can but it is not as critical as if you were leaking fuel or transmission fluid. Regardless of what fluid you are leaking, you should take your car to a mechanic right away when you notice a leak.

You can check for leaks by checking the street or driveway where you leave your car parked for extended periods of time. You simply should park your car for a few hours, move it somewhere close than examine the area where your car was originally parked. If there is a puddle of liquid that is slick in texture and has a color such as red or green, then you have a fluid leak.

However, in the summer, it is possible that you have a puddle of condensation from use of the car’s air conditioner. Therefore, it is important to check after your car has been parked for several hours. After a few hours, any condensation puddles will likely have dried and/or evaporated. In Hawaii, you will likely be using your car’s air conditioning often, so it is important to be aware of this.
 

The different types of fluid leaks and how to identify them

As we mentioned above, there are several different types of fluid leaks all of which you should be on the lookout for and get repaired if they occur. You can even tell the difference between these leaks if you know what to look for.

If the liquid is dark and smells like fuel than you can bet that is what it is. If this is the case avoid smoking anywhere near your vehicle, do not pump any more gas and get to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Clear fluids could be condensation from the air conditioner as we mentioned. However, it also could be brake fluid. The main way to tell the difference is if there is a stain left after the liquid dries. Condensation will dry and leave no stain whereas brake fluid will leave a stain. Like any other fluid leak, get this repair as soon as you can.

If the liquid is black or dark brown and does not smell like fuel it is likely an oil leak. Oil leaks will always be located under the engine and need to be addressed and repaired promptly.

A fluid leak that has a red or pink color to it is probably transmission fluid. You can confirm this by checking the transmission fluid level by looking at the dipstick under the hood. Whether you confirm it or suspect it, get to a mechanic to get it repaired.

If you find a leak that is green, blue or even yellow in color it might be coolant. The variety of colors that this leak can be can make it difficult to identify for sure. But you can bet that you do have some sort of fluid leak so go get it checked out.

Finally, if you find a leak that has an odor similar to spoiled eggs, it is likely a battery acid leak. Be sure that you do not touch this leak because it can burn and injure you. With that in mind, you should never touch any fluid leak. Just use color, appearance and odor to identify leaks.
 

Final word

Fluid leaking from your vehicle is something to take quite seriously. If you ignore a fluid leak for too long your car could stop running or even become dangerous to drive. That is why as soon as you find something that you think might be a fluid leak, you should seek a mechanics help as soon as possible. Be aware that a fluid leak can turn out to be condensation from the car’s air conditioner. There is a high possibility of this being the case because of how often you will likely be using your car’s A/C in Hawaii. Regardless, if you are not sure whether you have a leak or not, seek the help of a mechanic.

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After-market parts versus new parts
How you can get after-market parts
Conclusion
 

After-market parts versus new parts

At some point, everyone needs some repairs done on their car. This is no different in Hawaii. Occasionally during a repair, your car will need a part to get replaced. If this is the case it can get expensive quickly. Sometimes, you can get your mechanic to consider an aftermarket part instead of a new factory part sometimes referred to as an OEM part (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

Aftermarket parts have two distinct advantages. The first and most obvious is that they are considerably cheaper than new factory parts. The other advantage is that there are more aftermarket parts available on the market thus your mechanic will be able to find them more easily and quicker which will make getting your repair take less time.

Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to aftermarket parts as well. The first is that the quality of these parts varies. So, you could end up getting stuck with a part that you will soon need to replace again. The other primary disadvantage with aftermarket parts is that they will not have a warranty. So, if they fail, you will be stuck covering one hundred percent of the cost.
 

How you can get after-market parts

If you choose to go with an aftermarket part, there are two primary ways you can go about getting them. You yourself can look for one. This is not recommended as there are two big issues that can occur. First, you might not know what you are looking for. This means you might not find anything, or you could possibly end up buying the wrong part.

You could also buy a part that your mechanic feels is not a good fit thus it will not end up getting used. This is why you should ask your mechanic to look into the aftermarket parts you need for you which is the other and safer way you can go about getting your aftermarket parts for your vehicle in Hawaii.

However, if you do decide to go find your own aftermarket parts for your car, there are a few ways that you can do that. You can find aftermarket parts at a store like AutoZone. This is advisable if you are not going through your mechanic and are not too car savvy. You will be able to talk to a store employee and ask them the questions that you need to.

You can also go online and find aftermarket parts on a website like carparts.com. Sites like this will have a much better variety and availability of parts than an individual store but you likely will not get much help if you have a question about a particular part.
 

Conclusion

Aftermarket car parts can help you avoid breaking the bank during a car repair in Hawaii. Choosing aftermarket parts can also help speed up the repair process as they have much better availability than factory parts. Aftermarket parts also have their downsides such as not having a warranty. Your best course of action is to always talk to your mechanic first and get their opinion on any repairs and/or parts.

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The temperature in Hawaii and your vehicle
How to keep your car as cool as possible in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

The temperature in Hawaii and your vehicle

The weather in Hawaii is always quite warm. This is great for visiting the beach or even driving around in a convertible. However, If you are driving around in Hawaii in a car without a top that goes down, the ride can get hot and uncomfortable quick.

So, one of your options is to open the window and get some fresh yet warm air circulating throughout the car. Another option is to use your air conditioning instead. Unless you have a convertible, your air conditioning will end up playing an important role unless you have a convertible.

Thus, it is important that you keep your A/C in good, running condition at all times in Hawaii. On average Hawaii’s weather consists of humidity between sixty and eighty percent as well as temperatures between high sixties and high eighties.

In order to keep your air conditioning running well you should get your car serviced at least a few times a year. When you do, make sure they check your air conditioning in order to make sure there are not any outstanding issues such as leaks. You should also get your air filters changed at least once every year. Finally, you should be sure that you run your A/C for at least a couple of minutes each week of the year including during the winter.
 

How to keep your car as cool as possible in Hawaii

Obviously, air conditioning will get your car nice and cool. It will also do so quickly. Although, it will end up burning a considerable amount of fuel if you use it for too frequently or for extended periods of time. This will definitely increase the amount of money that you end up spending on gas during the hot summer months.

So, you should do what you can to keep your car cool without over-using your air conditioning. There are a few ways that you can minimize the use of your car’s A/C while still keeping your car cool in Hawaii’s warm weather.

First, you should do whatever you can in order to minimize the amount of the amount of heat that enters the car. There are two main things you can do to prevent that. The first and most obvious is to keep your car in a garage as often as you can. If you cannot do that at least try and keep it in the shade if possible. You should also keep a window visor when you have your car parked out in the sun.

Next you should do what it is in your power to keep the heat of of the various surfaces of your car. This will include your dashboard, wheel, and seats. You should keep these things covered when you are not in the vehicle. For your dashboard, you should buy a special cover. For your wheel, you can just use a smaller towel. In terms of your seats, you can purchase seat covers that will keep you cool because leather seats can become especially hot.

Finally, you should let some of the heat out of your car before you start driving by opening your doors and keeping them open for a few minutes before you start the car. When you do this you will still need to use the A/C to cool the car down but you will not need to do so for as long.
 

Conclusion

Hawaii’s weather is always warm and is often hot and humid. The air conditioner in your car will play a big role in your comfort while you are driving throughout the year. With that in mind, you should get your car serviced a few times every year and be sure to ask your mechanic specifically to check your air conditioning for any outstanding issues.

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The importance of paying attention to your dashboard indicators in Hawaii
The different types of indicators you need to know
Conclusion
 

The importance of paying attention to your dashboard indicators in Hawaii

Ignoring the idicators that light up on your dashboard are often the subject of many memes online because it is such common place behavior. However, it is an extremely dangerous game to play. Doing this can cause a ton of damage to your car and can put you in a very unsafe position on the road.

Specifically, in Hawaii, you are always at the risk of dealing with sudden rain as well as frequently dealing with potholes and cracks in the roads. So, if your dashboard lights are informing you that something is wrong and you ignore it when you are driving in Hawaii, you could end up with a tire blowout or something much worse. The worst part of the situation will be that you will know how easily you could have prevented the situation if you just had payed attention in the first place.
 

The different types of indicators you need to know

There are several different dashboard indicator lights that you need to make sure you pay attention to and do something about immediately if they light up:

• Tire pressure light indicator – Your tire pressure indicator is of higher importance in Hawaii than it is in most places. That is because of the potential for blowouts with potholes and cracks on the roads. If your tire is underinflated and you do not do anything about it, it could spell disaster if you hit a pothole.
• Brake light indicator – Obviously your brake light indicator is extremely important. Without your brakes functioning completely correctly your ability to stop your vehicle correctly will be compromised. This can easily be the difference between life and death.
• Check engine light indicator – This has the potential to be as serious as any other indicator on your dashboard. It could mean any number of things which can include potentially extremely important and crucial engine components. Do not ignore this light thinking that it is not serious.
• Oil light indicator – As you might expect, your oil light indicator obviously means that it is time to get your oil changed. However, you should be keeping track of this yourself without the help of your dashboard light and get your oil changed every three thousand miles or so regardless.
• Battery light indicator – Your battery light indicator is also quite serious. This means that you are in danger of your car not being able to start or, possibly, turning off suddenly as you are driving which is outrageously dangerous. Get your battery serviced as soon as you see this indicator light up.

Conclusion

Not paying attention to the indicator lights on your dashboard is not just irresponsible, it is plain out dangerous. In Hawaii in particular, the potential for sudden rainy weather and/or potholes on some roads in Hawaii are more than enough reason to make sure your car is constantly in its best and safest condition possible. If you need to ship a car from Hawaii or to Hawaii, you can always rely on us. Give us a call anytime at (808) 445-6695.

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Car mirror 101
The way traffic moves in Hawaii
Pro tips for using your mirrors
Conclusion
 

Car mirror 101

Your mirrors are crucial to your safety on the road. They obviously allow you to keep your eyes on the road in front of you while you are simultaneously able to check what is behind you and to the side of you. However, you need to make sure that you always have your mirrors correctly positioned so that you always have maximum visibility.

This means you should check your mirrors every time that you get into your car and then adjust them accordingly. If you have mirrors that are power adjusted by controls in your car, be sure that they are functioning each time that you get in your car. If they are not, get them fixed as soon as you can.

Take time each week to make sure that your mirrors are clear and clean. Smudges, dirt and grime are constantly possible in Hawaii due to due to bugs, humid weather, pollen and breezy weather.

Be aware that objects in your mirrors might be closer than they actually appear. So, if you look into one of your side mirrors and it seems like you are far enough in front of a car behind you to merge into another lane, be sure you turn your head quickly to check and make sure you actually do have enough room to safely merge.

Finally, your sideview mirrors are particularly prone to fog up in certain weather. Do not start driving until you are able to de-fog them. Driving without the use of your side mirrors is very dangerous and illegal as well.
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The way traffic moves in Hawaii

Traffic in Hawaii moves much more slowly than most places. This leads to congestion and higher rates of traffic jams. This means that maneuvering in traffic will be much more difficult and you will be at a higher risk of an accident when you are on a congested road.

Fortunately, drivers in Hawaii are also much more polite and friendly. So, the odds of someone allowing you to merge in front of you as a courtesy are high. Although, you should always keep alert and use your mirrors when you are performing any maneuver with a lot of other cars around.
 

Pro tips for using your mirrors

Most people are aware of the general use of their mirrors while driving. However, you can get the most safety out of your mirrors by using these pro tips:

• Side mirrors are equally important when opening your door – People tend to open their doors blindly. Doing so is a large danger to your door, yourself, bicyclists and other drivers. Always take a quick peek in your mirror and at your blind spot before opening your driver-side door.
• The adjustment matters – Exactly how you adjust your rear-review and side-view mirrors will depend entirely on your height, seat adjustment and vision. With that in mind, be sure that you can see the areas of the road closest to your car without cutting off any of the mirror’s view with any of your vehicle itself.
• Quickly check your blind spot – Checking your blind spot may be the most well-known rule when using your mirrors to merge. However, some people take way too long checking their blind spots. Do a quick turn of your head to ensure there are no cars in your blind spots, but if you linger with your eyes off the road for too long, you could get into an accident with the traffic that is in front of you.

Conclusion

Mirrors are an important and necessary part of a car’s safety. This is definitely the case in Hawaii where traffic can get bad in seemingly random situations. So, you should always be ready to maneuver your car with a lot of other slow-moving vehicles around. Stay safe and always use your mirrors in traffic in Hawaii.

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The benefit of owning a convertible in Hawaii
How to take care of your convertible in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

The benefit of owning a convertible in Hawaii

Owning a convertible in Hawaii has numerous obvious benefits. A convertible will allow you to experience the gorgeous weather and sun as you cruise around the islands. It will also allow you to get the best view of Hawaii’s beauty without having to pull over. Finally, you will have the benefit of turning heads as you drive as well as being able to use your car as a conversation starter because convertibles are aesthetic and highly sought after.

There are also lesser known benefits such as more head room for you and your passengers. If the weather turns bad quickly, you can just as easily close the roof and enjoy the comfort of shelter while you drive. A convertible will also eliminate any blind spots while you are driving which will significantly make your trips safer. With a convertible’s top down, you will also never need to worry about locking your keys in the car either.
 

How to take care of your convertible in Hawaii

The biggest difference with caring for a convertible is taking care of the actual top. This will require more effort and time than a regular car. The tops on convertibles are designed so that they can be cleaned even though they tend to be made of vinyl. However, automatic car washes can potentially be problematic because of the high pressure of the jets. Instead, you should get your convertible detailed or use a self-service car wash. This way, you can be completely confident that your convertible will be handled with the utmost care while it gets washed.

You also need to make sure that you put the top up when you are going to be away from the car for any extended period. The weather could change suddenly and there is the ever-present possibility of theft.

Finally, you should keep your car as clean as you can. Doing so will keep bugs such as spiders out of the vehicle when the top is down. Specifically, you should make sure that all surfaces have been wiped down on a weekly basis with a cleaning product that carries a citrus based fruit scent such as lemon.
 

Conclusion

Owning a convertible in Hawaii might be the perfect combination. You can cruise from destination while you feel the gorgeous weather simultaneously while you have the clearest view of all the beautiful sights. However, you will need to make sure that you take special care of a convertible. You will not be able to take it through a typical automatic car wash because of the pressure of the jets. You also need to make sure you put the top up when need be and that you keep the car as clean as possible in order to keep any insects out of the vehicle.

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What you need to know about car meets
The car meets of Hawaii
Conclusion
 

What you need to know about car meets

Car meets are a fantastic way to get out and see some great cars. It is also a good way for you to show off your own car. Before you head out to a car meet, there are a few things that you should know first.

First, these meets are equally about community as they are about the cars that are on display. So, when you visit or participate in one of these meets be sure that you are friendly and are opening to interacting with anyone in attendance.

Next, make sure that you stick to whatever rules the particular meet that you at has. For example, consider the rules about photography. Some meets allow pictures to be taken so long as you have permission. Other meets may prohibit all photography. Be sure that you review the rules before you enter the meet and you follow them once you are in the meet.

You should also be sure that you are as comfortable as possible when you visit a car meet. This includes dressing in comfortable clothing and brining water and sunscreen. Odds are you will be at the meet for a few hours, so comfort should be a top priority.

Finally, be sure that you arrive early. If you do not you will have a tough time finding parking and you could also end up losing precious time that you could have used to see some great cars.
 

The car meets of Hawaii

• Cars and Coffee – The Cars and Coffee meet in Hawaii has various types of cars on display from BMW to Jeeps. Anyone is allowed to attend but members get special benefits such as reserved parking.
• Motor Con – Is technically an auto show but it qualifies just fine as a car meet. It is held at the Hawaii Convention Center and has various types of cars. Interactive experiences are offered as well such as test drives.
• EuroSunday – This group has meets each month and features various exotic, rare, and vintage cars.

Conclusion

Car meets in Hawaii are a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather and some great cars simultaneously. They are also a great choice for spending a day with the family. Just be sure that you follow all the rules of the meet, arrive early and stay comfortable while your there. If you have a car on the mainland and would like to display it at a meet in Hawaii, you can always ship it there with Hawaii Car Transport.

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Your choices for getting your car to the big island
What you need to know about driving while you are there
What you should drive to see
 

Your choices for getting your car to the big island

When you travel to the big island of Hawaii and you want to take your car along, you only have one option in terms of getting your car there – shipping it. Thankfully, shipping your car to Hawaii is easy these days.

The general steps to getting your car to the big island of Hawaii are getting a quote, booking and scheduling your shipment, preparing for your shipment, having your car picked up and picking up the car at the port in Hawaii.

Getting a quote is as easy as calling a car shipping company or even logging onto their website. Most reputable companies offer instant quotes on the homepage of their website. After that, if you are ready to book and schedule your shipment, your best option is to call your auto transport company and discuss the options with an actual representative.

Then you should prepare for your shipment as best you can. This entails making sure the car is functioning and running correctly, taking out any personal items and then, a day or two before the car is picked up, getting the car washed so that the auto transport driver can conduct a visual inspection.

After that, your car will get picked up for shipping. Then you can travel to the big island yourself and, after that, you will wait for notification that your car has arrived at the port. When you do, you will then go to the port and pick up your car. On the big island, the ports that cars are shipped to are Hilo and Kona. Your car shipping company will give you an exact address. Be sure you call the port that your car has been delivered to and ask exactly when you can pick your car up because port hours can be limited.
 

What you need to know about driving while you are there

The traffic on the big island of Hawaii is not nearly as bad as traffic in mainland cities such as New York or Los Angeles. It is not even as bad as the traffic that you will typically encounter during rush hour near Honolulu. However, you will typically encounter some slow-downs from 3PM to 6PM in certain areas on the island.

Road conditions are also something to consider when you visit the big island of Hawaii with your car. The roads on the big island are not in the greatest condition which is the case throughout the state of Hawaii. There are considerable amounts of potholes and cracks in the road. Although, Hawaii has made some steady progress in improving the roads in recent years. Be on the lookout for these imperfections in the big island roads because driving over one with your car could cause damage.
 

What you should drive to see

There are many great sights that you can take your car to see on the big island of Hawaii. The most popular are:

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Hapuna Beach State Park
• Waipio Valley Overlook
• Green Sand Beach
• Rainbow Falls State Park

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The value of keeping your car clean in Hawaii
How the weather in Hawaii will affect your car washing frequency
A few tips for getting your car washed
Final word
 

The value of keeping your car clean in Hawaii

There is always value in taking pride in your car’s appearance. However, if your car gets dirty and you let the dirt sit on the car, it can wear away at the paint which can lead to eventual corrosion and rust. This will lead to a decrease in your car’s overall value.

In Hawaii, there is unfortunately a lot of opportunity to get your car dirty. There are a ton of bugs which could hit your car while you are driving, a bunch of trees which will get sap on your car if you park under them, many birds which can defecate on your car and more. With all of this out there, you will likely need to get your car washed at least once each month in Hawaii.
 

How the weather in Hawaii will affect your car washing frequency

On top of all the other factors that can get your car dirty in Hawaii, the weather can definitely contribute as well. The frequency and amount of rainfall will vary greatly depending on where you are. However, many places in Hawaii have much higher than average frequency of rain.

Some of you might wonder how rain contributes to how dirty your car is. Well, rain can actually be one of the biggest contributing factors to the dirt on your car. Rainwater is dirty because the air that is nearest to the ground has a bunch of dirt particles in it including but not limited to dust and pollen. When the rain falls, it picks these things up and then hits your car leaving these particles stuck to it.

Try to avoid driving when you know that it is going to rain and try to keep your car in a garage. Otherwise, be prepared to get your car washed pretty frequently.
 
 

A few tips for getting your car washed

Use the following info to get the most out of every one of your car wash experiences:

• Brushless is the way to go – Old car washes can tend to use some abrasive and damaging brushes that can scratch and chip your car’s finish. Your best bet is to find a “touchless car wash” so you do not have to worry about that.
• Wax it – Getting your car waxed is a great decision in Hawaii after getting it washed. The wax will protect your car from potential paint damage. It will also help the rain bead which prevents it from spreading over a larger area. More importantly, especially in Hawaii, it will protect your car’s finish from the effects of the sun.
• Get the car washed when it is not too busy – When the car wash is busy, attendants tend to use the same towels for several cars at a time. By the time they get to your car, they will be getting dirt on your freshly washed car. When it isn’t busy, they will have a chance to get a clean towel.
• Inspect the car after the wash – Take some quick pictures of the car’s exterior before the wash. Once the car wash is over, check out the car to see if there are no new scratches or chips. If there are, kindly ask the car wash to cover the repairs while showing them the proof the damage is new.

Final word

Getting your car washed when you are in Hawaii is quite likely going to be part of your monthly or weekly routine unless you are able to keep your car in a garage. Hawaii is full of particles of dirt from the road, rain, pollen, trees bugs and more. So, it can go from clean to dirty quick. If you have your car in Hawaii and you plan on shipping it, you will have to get it cleaned before it gets picked up. So, keep your car as clean as you can in Hawaii.

Jump to section:
Car battery 101
Hawaii’s weather and how it affects your battery
Advice for getting the most out of your battery
Conclusion
 

Car battery 101

Your car’s battery is crucial to your engine’s function. If your battery is not working properly, your car will not run correctly. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind in order to keep your battery working the way it needs to be.

About once a month, you should get under the hood and clean any dirt and oxidation from the battery. You will find that most of the corrosion occurs near the battery nodules. So, in order to properly clean them you will need to remove the battery clamps temporarily. Doing this will ensure that the charge remains strong.

You should also ensure that the battery connection is secured properly. If it is not, the battery could become disconnected as you are driving which would shut the car off suddenly. This can be extremely dangerous because it puts you at high risk of getting into an accident.
 

Hawaii’s weather and how it affects your battery

Both high temperatures and low temperatures can negatively affect a car battery. In the case of Hawaii, it will obviously be high temperatures affecting your car’s battery. Higher temperatures can both cause internal liquids to evaporate as well as corrode vital internal parts of the battery.

Both of these things will cause the battery’s charge to weaken and for the battery to stop working much faster than normal.

You can prevent Hawaii’s high temperatures from affecting your battery this way by doing whatever you can in order to keep the car’s internal engine temperature down. The easiest way you can do this is by keeping your car in a garage when you are not using it. Keeping it in the shade or covered will also suffice.

You should also get your car’s engine checked by a mechanic. This way things such as possible leaks or faulty parts will not contribute to a rising temperature in your engine for very long.
 

Advice for getting the most out of your battery

If you want to make sure that your battery remains performing at its highest level, you can take the following steps:

• Get your engine serviced – You should take your car into the mechanic at least twice a year. If there is something wrong with your battery, they will spot it whereas you might not.
• Keep it clean – Be sure to wipe the battery clean of any corrosion or dirt. If you do not, the battery could be giving off a weaker charge than normal.
• Make sure it is secure – As we mentioned earlier, having lose battery connections is a danger that you do not want to risk. Check your battery’s connections at least once a month.
• Keep it cool – Do whatever you can to keep your battery from getting too hot in Hawaii. This includes keeping the car in a garage or shade as well as not pushing the engine too hard when you are driving.

Conclusion

Your car’s battery must be in good functioning condition in order for your car to run. One of the primary ways that something could cause your battery to stop working would be if it gets too hot which is a distinct possibility in Hawaii. Regardless, you should do whatever it takes for you to ensure that your battery is working at its highest level at all times.