Our area is about to experience a heat wave, where temperatures are over 90 degrees for more than three straight days.
Keeping ourselves cool is important, but AAA officials also remind commuters it's important to keep your vehicles safe from the summer heat.
AAA's website this week reminds you to check engine coolant, tires and batteries from being exposed to damaging heat before you take any extended commutes. Some of these tips include:
- Have the system flushed and the coolant replaced periodically as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Inspect hoses and drive belts for cracking soft spots, or other signs of poor condition.
- 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 vehicle’s battery is more than three years old, get it tested by a trained technician to determine how much more life it has.
- Check all vehicle fluids including coolant, 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.
More access to safety and maintenance tips from AAA of Georgia can be found on their website, here.
