Experts offer 5 tips to avoid car troubles in summer

ORLANDO, Fla. – The heat of summer in Central Florida can lead to premature wear and tear on our vehicles, but experts have provided five basic steps that can be followed to ensure that your car stays in good and safe condition.
“First is a new battery. Heat and batteries don’t mix, also the vibration and the battery. Those are the two biggest enemies,” said Michael Cullen, field insurance manager for AAA.
Check to make sure that your battery is in working order with no signs of corrosion, all the cables are connected and the battery has a tight connection.
“The other simple thing that you can do is, if you’ve had your battery in there for a couple years, make sure you go and have it checked,” said Cullen.
High heat can drain a battery, which may prevent you from getting the full warranty life out it.
Step two has to do with your cooling system.
“In Florida, you want to keep your engine cool. Coolant system is very important. That’s got to keep the engine cool so it stays running,” said Cullen.
New cars can usually get about five years out of a coolant system. Check your auto manual for more specific guidelines.
According to Cullen, “Also, tire inflation is incredibly important. Not only does it affect the vehicles safety and performance, with the heat, heat and rubber don’t mix well. If your tire is under-inflated you’re going to have an increased likelihood of blowouts.“
It’s important to check tire pressure regularly and use the pressure guideline in your manual.
Step four is to make sure your air conditioning is working, too. Driver comfort is important and can help keep emotions cool, reducing road rage.
The fifth and final step is being prepared in case of the worst case scenario. Having some kind of road side assistance is highly recommended, as well as having a safety kit.
“You want to bring along a safety kit. We recommend that every motorist does that,” said Cullen. “First aid materials, jumper cables, road flares.”
Make sure the basics are covered.
It’s also a good idea to keep a bottle of water to beat the heat in the case of an unfortunate event.