5 Tips for Staying Safe While Driving in the Heat

How to Prepare Your Car for Hot Temperatures

I think you’ll agree in the Winter it’s hard to ever imagine complaining about Summer’s hot temperatures. Once the Summer comes, of course, we start wishing for the cold Winter. Well, maybe we don’t wish for the Winter snows quite as much.

The point is New Jersey’s Summers are hot, humid and dangerous.

It’s never too early to start prepping your car for hot temperatures. That’s why we put together five important tips, every driver must know, in order to keep you safe while driving in the heat.

Did you know even in the Spring, you and your passengers are at risk from suffering from heat stroke?

Check out these latest findings about the dangers of sitting in hot cars from Arizona State University, the University of California at San Diego and Consumer Reports.com.   

• Even at 61° F, the temperature inside a closed car reached more than 105° F in just 1 hour. 105° F is an extremely dangerous and even fatal temperature for children, elderly and animal passengers.

• Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees in minutes, with 80% of the increase in temperature happening in the first 10 minutes.

• Even in a shaded vehicle, a 2-year-old child’s core temperature could reach a dangerous—potentially deadly—104° F in a little less than 2 hours.

• On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 100 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
• Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. According to PETA last year an estimated 56 reported animals died from heat-related incidents.

• KidsandCars.com estimates 38 children die from heat-related deaths after being trapped inside vehicles.

  Spring and shade, studies prove preparing your car for warm temperatures is more than just a Summer problem.

The best way to get ahead of the heat dangers while driving is to update your car’s emergency kit. Be sure to stay hydrated by filling your car with extra bottles of water, snacks and extra cell phone chargers. Keep a spare tire or inflation kit in your trunk and always tell someone where you are going in the event of breaking down without a cell phone. Never leave a child or an animal in the car.  There’s never a good reason to risk someone’s life.

Alright, we’ve reviewed the importance of keeping yourself and fellow passengers safe while driving in the heat. It’s time to break down some of our helpful automobile tips for this Summer.

We want your car to stay cool and functioning when the weather gets hot.  Let’s take a look at these five, must-have tips every driver should know about keeping their car in tip-top shape this Summer.

Check the Air Conditioner 

• Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being comfortable. In fact, if you want to remain safe while driving in the heat, air conditioners are more than just a modern luxury. Even with the windows cracked, studies have shown the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees in nearly the first 10 minutes. Keep safe by testing your air conditioning before the weather gets extremely warm. As the Spring approaches, experiment by turning on your air conditioning. If the air is not running cool enough the problem is most likely the amount of air refrigerant. A refrigerant is an easy purchase at your local auto store. We’re always happy to answer your questions at the dealership.

Monitor Radiator Temperature 

• Checking the radiator temperature is another important tip. The cooling systems of your car are essential to keeping your engine running properly. Failing to catch radiator problems early will cause your engine to shut down. Before we advise you any further, it’s very important we remind you to never remove the radiator cap while your engine is hot. We recommend checking your car’s engine only after you have given your car a few hours to cool down after driving. Once the engine is cool, be sure to check if the radiator coolant is full by checking the overflow reservoir. Keeping the cooling systems regularly flushed will also prevent your car from overheating this Summer. Be sure to visit us at the Nutley Auto Kia service station for routine radiator flushing and inspections.

Look Under the Hood 

• We can’t stress enough just how important it is to routinely check under the hood of your car. Once your air conditioning is up and running it’s common to find evidence of condensation dripping from the bottom of your car onto your driveway. Colorful or oily liquids, however, are a sign of possible engine trouble. Be sure to do routinely check under your hood to avoid a dangerous breakdown. Look for cracked hoses and frayed belts. Make sure there is nothing blocking the radiator or air filter. Preventing these issues will keep your engine cool and your car running.

Check the Battery 

• In addition to changing your car’s battery regularly, be sure to also routinely inspect your battery. In the heavy heat, fast evaporation of battery fluid leads to heavy corrosion and it prevents your battery from connecting. To avoid battery issues be sure to check your battery routinely. Be sure to also tighten and adjust clamps to prevent your battery from vibrating while driving. Heat and vibration will continue to damage your battery if not properly addressed. Battery problems early it can lead to an internal car break down or engine failure. Breaking down on the side of the road in the peak of Summer is just as dangerous as breaking down in the depths of Winter. To avoid battery issues be sure to also tighten and adjust clamps to prevent your battery from vibrating while driving. Heat and vibration will continue to damage your battery if not properly addressed.

Replace Worn Windshield Wipers

• After a long Winter your windshield wipers can take a real beating. When the snow days are over, you may forget to regularly check your wipers. Once it starts to downpour on the highway you will need your windshield wipers to be in top form. Be sure to inspect and replace any worn windshield wipers to keep safe. In order to inspect your wipers properly lift up the arm and look at the bottom edges. If the edges are worn or frayed, it’s time to head into your service station for a replacement. Visit us at Nutley Auto Kia’s service station for windshield wiper fluids and blade replacements.

  

Bottom line, a hot car is a dangerous car.

We hope these must-have tips keep you, your passengers and your car running safely this Summer.

Are you planning on purchasing a car?

We hope you will visit our Nutley Auto Kia family at our Nutley, NJ dealership.

We are always around the lot looking to talk to you about your new or preowned car needs.

Visit our website to see our available car options: https://www.nutleykia.net/

Sources:

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/hot-car-fatalities-year-round-threat-to-children-pets-heat-stroke/

https://exchange.aaa.com/car-care/repair-maintenance/seasonal-car-maintenance/summer-tips-to-help-your-car/#.XJPpT0RKii4

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/prepare-your-car-for-the-summer-heat

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