Keep Your Car Cool

Extreme heat can push a car past its limits. And while many drivers consider the importance of readying their vehicle for cold weather in winter, it’s important to remember to also prepare for hot summer months.

AAA recommends drivers address these key areas to help their vehicle survive high summer temperatures:

• Hot summer weather can cause battery fluid to evaporate and lead to corrosion on terminals and connections. Clean corrosive buildup from battery terminals, cable clamps and ensure the clamps are tight enough that they will not move. 

• If a car’s battery is more than three years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested by a trained technician to determine how much longer it will last. Any AAA Approved Auto Repair facility can perform this test or AAA members can request a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician to test their battery for free.

• Over time, engine coolant becomes contaminated and its protective additives are depleted. The system should be flushed and the coolant replaced periodically as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

• Between flushes, make sure the coolant is filled to proper levels by checking the overflow reservoir. If necessary, top off the reservoir with a half water, half coolant mix.

• Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Boiling coolant under pressure could cause serious burns. 

•  Inspect hoses and drive belts for cracking, soft spots or other signs of poor condition. Worn parts are more susceptible to failure in hot conditions and should be replaced. 

• Driving on under-inflated tires not only affects the handling and braking of a vehicle, can cause tires to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout. 

• More than half the vehicles on the road were found to have at least one under-inflated tire, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.

• Tires should be checked when the car has not been driven recently, and they should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, not the number molded into the tire sidewall. Recommended tire pressures can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker normally located on the driver’s door jamb. Some vehicles use different pressures for the front and rear tires. 

• Engine fluids lubricate and serve as coolants by carrying heat away from critical components. When fluid levels are low, the cooling effect is reduced and the possibility of overheating increases. Drivers should check all vehicle fluids including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid to ensure they are filled to the appropriate levels. If any fluids need to be topped off, be sure to use the type of fluid specified in the owner’s manual.

• Maintaining a comfortable driving environment to reduce fatigue, which can play an important part in driver alertness and vehicle safety. If a car’s air conditioning is not maintaining the interior temperature as well as it did in the past, it may mean the refrigerant level is low or there is another problem. Have the air conditioning system checked by a certified technician. 

• Many automotive climate control systems today are equipped with a cabin filter that prevents outside debris from entering. If present, this filter should be inspected and replaced as needed to ensure maximum airflow and cooling during the summer months.

• AAA recommends every driver have a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle. The kit should include water, non-perishable food items, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares or an emergency beacon, basic hand tools, and a first aid kit. 

The East Penn Region, of AAA East Central, an affiliate of AAA and the Pennsylvania AAA Federation, has more than 280,000 members throughout its service area which includes Chester and Montgomery counties.