Cars and occupants at risk from higher summer temperatures

BOISE - Summer's nearly two-thirds over, but AAA says there's still plenty of time for a couple million more roadside assistance calls, many resulting from sweltering seasonal heat.

A year ago, AAA responded to approximately 7 million roadside assistance calls during the summer months alone. The nation's largest motor club said about half of the calls this summer will be serious enough to require a tow.

At risk: premature battery failure, boiling radiators, failed cooling systems and more.

"We know that service calls go up when the mercury rises," says AAA Idaho Director of Public and Government Affairs Dave Carlson. "But our concern extends to a vehicle's occupants, who can become easy targets for heat stroke or heat exhaustion when a car breaks down."

Carlson said more media attention is now being paid to leaving children and pets unattended in cars during the summer months. "But when a vehicle breaks down, say, along an interstate during the heat of the day," passenger risks suddenly rise, too."

Recounting a summer vacation when his own children were young, Carlson said a failed water pump near Ontario, Oregon, occurred in hundred-degree heat. Without quick-acting assistance from a towing contractor, that type of event could have been potentially life-threatening.

Children are particularly vulnerable when temperatures inside a car exceed 130 degrees.

Cars overheat for a variety of reasons: driving in slow-moving traffic during hot weather, with air conditioning running; driving up long, steep hills; loose or broken fan belts; a broken water pump or burst hose; insufficient coolant or antifreeze; a stuck or broken thermostat or a clogged radiator.

"Summer heat accelerates the rate of fluid loss and resulting oxidation of battery components," according to Earl Baker, coordinator for AAA Oregon/Idaho's Approved Auto Repair partners. "Most drivers know that the cold is rough on car batteries, but most don't realize that heat is the number one cause of battery failure and reduced battery life."

Preventive Medicine

Older, poorly maintained vehicles are particularly vulnerable to overheating or battery failure, but any vehicle is susceptible to a breakdown once the mercury begins to rise. AAA recommends motorists check:

Antifreeze/Coolant - Check the level and condition, making certain the proper 50/50 mixture of water and coolant is present.

Air Conditioning - If needed have the system serviced by a qualified technician using the proper refrigerant.

Battery - Hot weather takes a toll on older batteries, or those whose fluid levels are low. Weak or older batteries should be tested by a technician and replaced if necessary.

Engine Oil - Hot temperatures and towing a heavy trailer can be tough on your oil. Check the owner's manual for specific recommendations, and be sure to check the oil level often.

Safety Tips for Occupants

Heat stroke is an immediate danger marked by weakness, dizziness and profuse sweating. Children and pets can die from heat stroke in a matter of minutes. Never leave a child or pet unattended.

Open the doors and lower the windows to allow a car's interior to cool before entering it. A sun shield used to cover the windshield will minimize heat buildup.

Always carry plenty of drinking water.

If your engine overheats, AAA recommends you follow these steps to minimize danger to a car's occupants:

Turn off all accessories, especially the air conditioner.

If you are stopped in traffic, turn on the heater fan, put the transmission in neutral and run the engine at fast idle. This will not solve the problem, but it will draw heat from the engine block and cool the radiator.

If the temperature gauge continues to show hot or the warning light stays on, signal and pull off the road. Raise the hood, let the engine cool and call for emergency road service.

If there is no steam or smoke coming from the engine, carefully open the hood (wear gloves to protect your hands). Look for such problems as a broken hose or belt. Note whether the radiator overflow tank is empty, but do not touch the radiator.

When the engine has cooled completely, check the fluid in the radiator overflow tank again. If low, add coolant and water in a 50/50 mix. Using cold water could crack the engine block. Start the engine and let it run at idle speed as you add the coolant.

Carlson reminds motorists to call or contact any AAA Idaho office to get a free copy of the brochure, What to Do When the Heat is On. It includes tips to avoid engine overheating and what to do to protect a vehicle's occupants in the case of a breakdown.