Recent news reports are warning drivers about the potential of car trouble caused by the sweltering summer heat. Extreme temperatures can increase the likelihood of breakdowns and crashes, so it is important to take a few precautions to keep your car in tip-top shape.
According to AZFamily.com, hot temperatures can lead to tire blowouts, especially when they are under-inflated and are heated by the hot pavement. New cars are likely to have low tire pressure warnings on the dashboard, while older cars will need to be manually checked. Keep tires inflated to the specifications in your driver’s manual to reduce your chances of a blowout. Also, remember to obey speed limits because in the event of a blowout, speeding can increase the chances of a rollover accident.
Watch that your car does not overheat, which can lead to a breakdown. Fluids evaporate quickly during hot summer months, so make sure to regularly check all oil, coolant, transmission, power steering, and brake fluid levels. It’s also a good idea to keep your windshield wiper fluid topped off.
We recommend that you have a mechanic inspect your car regularly. While most car owners can top off fluids, having the fluids flushed and replaced by a professional on occasion is also very important. This is especially true for your coolant, which keeps your car from overheating.
Heat can damage your car battery, too. Have your mechanic check your battery, and make sure to carry a vehicle breakdown kit that includes jumper cables, just in case.
Invest in a sunshade for your car. This can greatly reduce heat damage to your dashboard and seats, and also reduce how hot your car gets when it is parked. If possible, park in shaded areas and leave your windows cracked to maintain air flow.
It’s extremely important that we remind drivers to never leave children or pets in cars, not even for a minute. With temperatures as hot as they are this summer, cars can get dangerously overheated within minutes, leading to severe injury or death for your children and pets. Children’s bodies heat up much faster than adults, making them more susceptible to heatstroke. Even temperatures in the 50-degree range can pose a health hazard because the interior of the car can get dangerously hot very quickly.