Follow These Essential Tips When Driving In Hot Weather

When the temperatures start rising and reach close to triple digits, you might enjoy being in your vehicle, blasting the air conditioner. However, it is important to note that even when it feels nice and cool inside, it might be a completely different story under the hood. Make sure you follow these important tips any time you are planning on driving in hot weather.

Know the Condition of the Cooling System

It is essential that you are completely aware of the current condition of your vehicle's cooling system. If you are already low on coolant or antifreeze, you could be dealing with a major overheating issue while driving in triple-digit weather. Make sure you keep an eye on the coolant level on a regular basis. When the weather is hot, you want to check the coolant and water level more often than usual. Also make sure there are no coolant leaks, which you will notice by the level dropping rapidly or seeing antifreeze under your vehicle when it is parked. Check the condition of the water reservoir and radiator, but only do this when the car is completely cool.

Have a New Battery Installed

If it has been a while since you have gotten a new car battery, now is a good time to get one. You want your battery to be in top condition in hot weather, as high temperatures can be brutal for a car battery. If you plant o keep your current battery, check the terminals for any signs of corrosion that need to be addressed. Also make sure it is firmly mounted. With a wet cell battery, you need to maintain it regularly by checking the fluid levels.

Pack Emergency Provisions

You also need to make sure there are enough supplies in your vehicle in case an emergency occurs. For example, if there is a major accident on the highway, you may be stuck in your car while it is parked for a long time while in triple-digit heat. You need to keep your family safe with plenty of bottled water to keep them from dehydrating.

Also be prepared for vehicle-related emergencies, such as with a spare tire and equipment to change the tire, extra fluids like oil and coolant, and flares in case you need to alert a tow truck like one from Jenwar Towing & Recovery if you break down. It is also a good idea to have a fully-charged cell phone in the car just in case yours is dead if you break down. You don't want to spend any unnecessary time on the side of the road with extreme heat.