3 Hot Arizona Car Tips To Help Beat The Heat This Summer

Being prepared for the Arizona Summer extreme heat is key to not getting burned.

As residents in Arizona, we all know that we have some cool months. Fortunately, we are not forced to shovel our vehicles out of snow in order to drive. However, we all know about the summer months which bring heat, and lots of it. When the temperature soars, it is important to keep in mind that there are certain things you must remember in order to make sure you and your vehicle stay safe in the blasting heat this upcoming summer.

1. Never leave a passenger in your vehicle without the air on

First, always be sure to never leave a passenger in your vehicle without the air on. Two minutes away from your vehicle is too long, as the temperature can escalate quickly when the car is off. General Motors Canada solidified this by engaging in a study that proved that inside a previously air-conditioned car, the temperature inside the car can surpass 122 degrees in the span of twenty minutes on a ninety-five degree day. They later proved that within forty minutes, the temperature inside the vehicle can exceed 150 degrees. Small children have felt the effects of being left in vehicles that have been turned off while the guardian runs in to do a quick errand or stop to pick up something from the grocery store. 126 deaths have resulted from this, (Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles) as parents do not think of the harmful effects of leaving children inside a vehicle while the temperature can range from mild to scorching. A tip to avoid a tragic accident like this from occurring is to ALWAYS take your children with you if you have to get out of the car, as a parked vehicle is no place for a child.

2. Always be prepared for a breakdown

A second tip is to make sure that you’re always prepared for a breakdown. Breakdowns can happen when we least expect them, and it is always better to be safe than sorry. For when those summer breakdowns occur, try to keep an emergency kit. This emergency kit should include: water, snacks, a flashlight, batteries, jumper cables, a first aid kit and anything else you see fit. Companies such as AAA have reasonably priced emergency plans, which they offer for breakdowns and towing as well.

3. Keep your cooling system in check

One last tip is to keep your cooling system in check. As the driver of a car with a combustion engine, your job is to try to keep the cooling system cool. In order to ensure your engine is cold, do the following check on it, or take it to a mechanic and they can do the check for you.

Check to see if the fan belt is cracked or glazing. If either of these conditions are seen, the fan belt should be replaced as soon as possible.
Check the tension of the fan belt. Tighten it as you feel necessary. One last check is that when the fan belt is pushed between the alternator and the pulley of the crankshaft, it should move about a half an inch.
Look at your water pump for any signs of water leakage.
Check that the rubber of the pressure cap is flexible and not cracked.