As Mercury Climbs, Some Steps To Keep Your Car Running Smoothly
By Molly Daly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - With the temperature expected to top out at a humid 90 degrees today, AAA MidAtlantic reminds you to make sure your car is ready for summer driving.
"A lot of people are on the road. In fact, we've projected about 400,000 people from the Philadelphia area traveling this weekend."
And AAA's Jenny Robinson says about 36,000 of them will need to be rescued by the automotive club. But even if you're already away, there are some things you can do to keep your car moving.
"Some of the things you should check are all your fluid levels, especially your radiator and coolant recovery tank, hoses, belts, your air and fuel filters, battery, the tires."
Keep those tires at normal pressure. Soft tires generate heat, which could lead to a blowout, so if you think your tires are riding hard, stop for a few minutes so they can cool down.
And she recommends you check out something that's often overlooked: "Clean the grill area of the car to make sure there's no extra debris such as leaves. You want to make sure the cool air can get through the system."
Also, make sure you have an emergency kit, and, in case you do have car trouble, "Make sure you have some emergency supplies for yourself. If it's hot, you want to have water for yourself to drink, not just to put in the radiator of the car. Make sure you have something to keep yourself cool."
And Robinson says don't forget to charge your cell phone. If you break down, you'll need it to call for help.
