Summer is coming and hot temperatures can be expected in Portland and the Pacific Northwest. Extreme heat can create troublesome travel. Be prepared to help reduce your risk of heat-related issues.
When the temperature increases, decrease your risk on – and off – the road with these safety tips:
- Check those tires. You’re already checking your tire pressure every month, right? Even if you are (most of us don’t), keep a closer eye on your tires during the warm months. Heat can increase tire pressure rapidly.
- Keep cool under the hood and inside your car. If you don’t remember the last time you had your engine coolant checked and flushed (mechanics recommend flushing and refilling every two years), now is probably a good time – before you hit the road. Give your air conditioning a test run, too. If it’s not cooling you down, get it serviced.
- Act quickly if your car starts to overheat. When your car’s temperature moves above the halfway mark on the dashboard, try turning off the air conditioning and turning on the heat to give your engine a break. Pull over if it’s safe to do so and give your engine even more of a break. Call for roadside assistance if there’s steam or smoke and get away from the car if it’s smoke. More of a do-it-yourselfer? Be careful opening the hood of an overheated car, and don’t add coolant or water until the car cools down.
- See to the comfort – and safety – of your passengers. Within just 10 minutes of parking your car on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can hit 110 degrees. Don’t leave kids or pets in a parked car, even for just a few minutes, and bring plenty of water for the trip. The back seats and cargo areas of many cars don’t get as much air as the fronts seats, so make sure your kids, both human and furry, stay hydrated.
- Emergency kits are for summer travel too. Look at your emergency kit. For summer make sure the kit includes a flashlight with working batteries, protein bars and water, toilet paper, roadside visibility reflectors, sunscreen, a hat, and an umbrella even if you don’t plan to be in the sun. An umbrella can provide needed shade on a scorching day. For longer trips it is always great to pack a cooler with cold water and food.
- Proceed with caution in an electric car. Hot temperatures (and cold ones, too) can reduce the charge of your battery, sometimes by as much as 40 percent. You’ll want to take that into account when planning a trip.
Different seasons bring different car maintenance needs in the Pacific Northwest. Follow these tips to help make sure both you and your car stay cool in the heat.
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