Summer Car Preparation Tips to Stay Safe in the Heat
Summer is a busy time on the road. Families take road trips, teens are out of school and have more time to drive, friends drive to barbecues, and more. With increased driving activity throughout the season, summer car preparation is vital to safety. To help you and your family avoid a summer car accident, Patterson Legal Group presents tips on how to get your car ready for the coming months.
Check Your Tires
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are nearly 11,000 traffic accidents and 700 deaths every year because of tire-related issues. Many of these accidents occur in the summer, when high temperatures lead to blowouts. Before the heat comes out in full force, it’s important to check your air pressure and tire condition.
As the temperature heats up, your tire pressure will increase. If your tires were at the ideal air pressure range before the heat then they could be overinflated when temperatures rise. Overinflated tires are one of the top causes of blowouts. Additionally, heat and sunlight increase treadwear. Bald tires or ones with low treads are more prone to blow out in the summer, which could lead to a car crash that could have easily been avoided.
Check Your Fluid Levels Is Vital for Summer Car Preparation
Checking your coolant, transmission, brake, and washer fluid levels is another integral part of summer car preparation. Summer heat is especially hard on internal combustion engines and it’s essential to have the proper amount of fluids, especially coolant. Low fluid levels could cause your engine or brakes to fail, which could lead to a traffic accident.
Inspect Any Rubber Parts
As you know, heat is the enemy of rubber, accelerating wear. Cars have a number of rubber parts, including hoses, belts, and windshield wipers. While these parts may have been in good condition prior to the summer, the heat could cause them to wear out rapidly. Be sure to inspect and replace them as needed.
While rubber parts in the engine are certainly important, don’t dismiss how vital windshield wipers can be. You don’t want to be caught in a storm with worn wipers; old or defective wipers can limit your visibility and lead to a car crash.
Get Your Air Conditioning Checked
One obvious, but often forgotten, aspect of summer car preparation is getting your air conditioner checked. Most car manufacturers advise getting your air conditioner checked every two to six years, depending on model. At the very least, you should replace your ventilation system’s air filter every two years. Don’t underestimate the importance of driver comfort when it comes to safety. In many cases, a driver in a cool and comfortable car will be able to concentrate better on the road better than a driver in a hot car full of dirty air.
Additionally, having comfortable passengers helps drivers focus on the road. This is especially true when it comes to younger passengers. If the kids are cool and content in the back seat then they’re much less likely to become a cause of distracted driving. Whether it’s about your comfort or that of your passengers, having a well-functioning AC is important to summer driving safety.
Proper Summer Car Preparation Can Help Avoid Accidents
Patterson Legal Group hopes that you follow the summer car preparation tips above and share them with your friends. While summertime normally has more car accidents than the other three seasons, many of these accidents can be avoided with strong preparation. That said, our team understands that some accidents will happen no matter how safe you’ve been. If you get into a summer car accident then contact our team immediately.q
Patterson Legal Group is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call at (888) 687-2400, connect with a LiveChat representative, or submit your inquiry using our secure contact form for a free consultation. Remember, our team works on a “no win, no fee” basis and winning your case is our highest priority.
The information on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as legal advice for an individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship nor does viewing this material constitute an attorney-client relationship.
