AAA says the hot weather can be an engine killer. Spokesperson Martha Meade says roadside assistance calls increase by as much as 700 per day when temperatures hover around 100. News/Talk 960’s Timothy Martin reports.
AAA offers the following tips for motorists traveling during high heat:
- Run errands during early morning and evening hours, and try to carpool whenever possible.
- Do not run your car’s air conditioning system in continuous stop-and-go traffic conditions. Roll down the windows and give it a break periodically.
- Leave extra space between your car and the vehicle in front of you, so that your engine is not drawing in hot exhaust.
- Keep an eye on your car’s temperature gauge. If the gauge starts to reach the ‘hot’ mark, turn the air conditioner off, roll down the windows and run the heater at full blast until the gauge returns to the ‘cool’ end.
- Heat kills batteries. Make sure you have a strong battery that is up to the challenge by having your battery tested. If your car’s battery needs a jump-start, have the battery recharged to full power as soon as possible, or have a power output tester applied to the battery to determine if it needs replacing.
- Check your oil to make sure its level is at the ‘full’ mark. Oil serves as both a lubricant and as a coolant for your car’s engine.
- Check your car’s coolant levels before leaving home. When adding coolant to your car’s radiator, supply a 50-50 mix of water and anti-freeze.
- Make sure your tires are in good condition. Hot pavement can test tires that are under-inflated or on the edge of wearing thin.
- Keep a fully-charged cell phone with you in case of emergency, but don’t leave it in your car, especially during the hottest part of the day. Heat will cause the phone’s battery to lose power. Also remember to remove all electronics which can be damaged due to heat including laptops.
