Tips About Cars during Summer (hot weather)

Consider these tips about you and your vehicle(s):
1. NEVER LEAVE THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN OR PETS IN A PARKED VEHICLE

• A parked car with the windows up can reach temperatures up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celcius) within a half an hour in the summer heat.
• It is dangerous and illegal to leave children and pets unattended for even a few minutes.

2. PARK IN THE SHADE

• Walk a few extra steps, if necessary, to take advantage of a nearby tree. Be aware, however, that trees mean birds, and you may have debris or bird droppings on your car when you return.
• If you can't park in the shade, pick the best direction. If it is late afternoon, which is the best way to park? The sun sets in the west, so park facing the opposite direction.
• Leave your windows cracked just enough to allow heat to escape.

3. WINDOW TINTING/SUNSHADES

• Mitigate some of the effects of the sun by having your windows tinted.
• If window tinting isn't in your budget right now, buy a windshield sunshade. This prevents the sun from beating on your dashboard and steering wheel. Dashboards will fade and crack and hot steering wheels can cause unsafe driving when you can't really grip the wheel.

4. SERVICE YOUR VEHICLE

• Frequent oil changes and belt checks are a must.
• Have the air conditioning system checked.
• Batteries die faster than you think, particularly in hotter climates. Maintain proper fluid levels.
• Check tire pressure - heat plus incorrect pressures will shorten a tire’s life and may lead to a blowout.

5. ITEMS YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR CAR

• Extra water, for drinking and/or for the car - at least a gallon for each (1 US liquid gallon = approx. 4 litres).
• Steering wheel cover. A cloth cover (not leather) will allow you to comfortably handle the steering wheel after the vehicle has been standing in the sun. You can also use a small towel or handkerchief.
• If you don't have a windshield sunshade, place the small towel on a leather seat before you leave the car so you can get in and sit down when you return.
• Snacks, such as granola bars or small bags of crackers.
• Cooler or insulated shopping bag. This will to keep those frozen items from melting, or that fresh fish safe, on the trip home - especially if you have a lot of errands.
• Cell phone, so you can call if you get lost or get into trouble.
• First aid kit. You can purchase first aid kits at any drug store for your personal vehicle.
• Emergency kit - flashlight, jumper cables, blanket, extra clothes, gloves, paper towels, and some basic tools like wrenches, a ratchet and sockets, screwdrivers and pliers are also a great idea..

6. ITEMS YOU SHOULD NOT LEAVE IN YOUR CAR

• Chocolate or other soft candies.
• Milk and other dairy products.
• Anything packaged under pressure, like hair spray or soda pop.
• Tapes, CDs, DVDs or a Laptop.
• Sunscreen in a bottle. (Buy little packets or towelettes).
• Crayons, candy, gum, lipstick.
• Credit cards or other cards with magnetic strips on plastic.
• Cleaning solutions with alcohol or ammonia.
• Anything that didn't have a decent smell before it reached 115 isn't going to smell any better after it's been left exposed in direct sunlight all day.
• After shopping, check your trunk carefully to make sure nothing has fallen out of the grocery bags. (You really don't want to find those eggs or that salami a week later).
• Again, NEVER leave the elderly, children or pets in a parked vehicle.