Texas SpeedDiva
08-07-2011, 02:49 PM
Here are some tips from AAA to keep your car running in the heat. AAA and Firestone are in agreement on what you need to watch out for:
--heat zaps batteries
--check car fluids
--check A.C.
--under inflated tires
- Here at KFDM we've talked a lot about the importance of drinking water and finding shade in this extreme heat. That's just common sense and you might be asking yourself why we're telling you something you already know. But how many of you are aware your car can also fall victim to the heat? And that there are things you can do to prevent that from happening?
There are some tips that can save you a trip to the mechanic and the cost of sometimes expensive repairs.
Opening your car door. It's something you do several times a day between work and running errands. But just getting into the car in nearly 100 degree temperatures is a challenge.
"It's very hot," one man told us. "You have to wait a few seconds before you can even drive off," said a man getting into his car in a Beaumont parking lot.
The temperature can climb past the boiling point while your vehicle bakes in the sun all day.
We wanted to learn exactly how hot cars can get that sit in the sun all day. So we pointed a thermal imaging camera at a truck that had been sitting in a parking spot for just two hours. When we looked into the camera nearly half of the truck was a dark blue color. This means that those parts of the truck measured over 150 degrees.
Glen Johnson owns a service station in Beaumont. He's seen first hand what happens when vehicles heat up.
"The battery, your cooling system, your tires. You need to keep them inflated. It's just as important in the summer as it is in the winter," said Glen Johnson.
The heat can also cause some damage to the equipment under your hood.
"As you notice under the hood, everything is plastic. That's got to start deteriorating in the heat that we've been having."
Johnson says there are several things you can do to make sure the heat doesn't damage your vehicle.
"When you get in the car, crack the window. Then turn on the air. It will help push all the hot air out."
Johnson also recommends mini inspections on your car. Check under the hood and for heat cracks on your tires. He says there's one other thing you can do.
"When you are sitting in traffic, give yourself space between you and the car in front of you. That way, you can get some fresh air instead of picking up the heat from the car in front of you."
Advice that will serve you and your vehicle well in the extreme heat.
An interesting note: the dashboard of your vehicle is one of the hottest places inside your car. It can reach almost 200 degrees.
Read more: http://www.kfdm.com/articles/extreme-44130-heat-kfdm.html#ixzz1UNUgekDp
--heat zaps batteries
--check car fluids
--check A.C.
--under inflated tires
- Here at KFDM we've talked a lot about the importance of drinking water and finding shade in this extreme heat. That's just common sense and you might be asking yourself why we're telling you something you already know. But how many of you are aware your car can also fall victim to the heat? And that there are things you can do to prevent that from happening?
There are some tips that can save you a trip to the mechanic and the cost of sometimes expensive repairs.
Opening your car door. It's something you do several times a day between work and running errands. But just getting into the car in nearly 100 degree temperatures is a challenge.
"It's very hot," one man told us. "You have to wait a few seconds before you can even drive off," said a man getting into his car in a Beaumont parking lot.
The temperature can climb past the boiling point while your vehicle bakes in the sun all day.
We wanted to learn exactly how hot cars can get that sit in the sun all day. So we pointed a thermal imaging camera at a truck that had been sitting in a parking spot for just two hours. When we looked into the camera nearly half of the truck was a dark blue color. This means that those parts of the truck measured over 150 degrees.
Glen Johnson owns a service station in Beaumont. He's seen first hand what happens when vehicles heat up.
"The battery, your cooling system, your tires. You need to keep them inflated. It's just as important in the summer as it is in the winter," said Glen Johnson.
The heat can also cause some damage to the equipment under your hood.
"As you notice under the hood, everything is plastic. That's got to start deteriorating in the heat that we've been having."
Johnson says there are several things you can do to make sure the heat doesn't damage your vehicle.
"When you get in the car, crack the window. Then turn on the air. It will help push all the hot air out."
Johnson also recommends mini inspections on your car. Check under the hood and for heat cracks on your tires. He says there's one other thing you can do.
"When you are sitting in traffic, give yourself space between you and the car in front of you. That way, you can get some fresh air instead of picking up the heat from the car in front of you."
Advice that will serve you and your vehicle well in the extreme heat.
An interesting note: the dashboard of your vehicle is one of the hottest places inside your car. It can reach almost 200 degrees.
Read more: http://www.kfdm.com/articles/extreme-44130-heat-kfdm.html#ixzz1UNUgekDp