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(Photo courtesy of AAA)
To help your vehicle safely survive higher temperatures, you need to pay attention to five key areas:
- Battery
- Securely mount the battery in place to minimize vibration.
- Clean any corrosive build up from the battery terminals and cable clamps.
- 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.
- Engine Coolant
- Have the system flushed and the coolant replaced periodically as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Consult the owner’s manual to determine the service interval appropriate for a vehicle.
- Inspect hoses and drive belts for cracking, soft spots or other signs of poor condition.
- Replace worn parts.
- Tires
- Check tires when the car has not been driven recently.
- Inflate tires to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer—not the number molded into the tire sidewall.
- Inspect the tire treads for adequate depth and any signs of uneven wear that might indicate a suspension or alignment problem.
- Engine Fluids
- 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.
- Air Conditioning
- Maintain a comfortable driving environment to reduce fatigue and increase driver alertness for increased vehicle safety.
- Have the air conditioning system checked by a certified technician.
Even with proper preventive maintenance, summer breakdowns can occur. Drivers should have a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicles. 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.
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