Community Corner

AAA Says Stifling Heat Can Cause Vehicle Failure

AAA Mid-Atlantic said high heat can cause auto parts to fail.

With heat advisories warning of temperatures of 100 degrees or higher, it's not just heat-related illnesses people need to be aware of right now.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says the stifling heat can also cause problems for vehicles.

“High heat can cause auto parts to fail and leave motorists stranded, thus AAA advises motorists to take preventive measures during extended periods of very high heat like this week,” said Martha Mitchell Meade, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “With each day of high heat, the number of calls to AAA for emergency road-side assistance increases dramatically. Requests for help will go up by about 700 per day when the thermometer rises 10-15 degrees.”

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Mead said common heat-related vehicle problems include dead batteries, overheating and failure of rubber parts such as hoses and belts. 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. 
 

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