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How to Protect your car from the heat!
Hot weather can wreak havoc on everything in your car, from the dashboard to the tire pressure. It's important that you take steps to protect your car from heat's harmful effects, particularly if you live in an area with scorching summers. 
- First and foremost, make sure your car is regularly and properly maintained. Regular car maintenance will correct small problems before they become major problems, and can help avoid those problems altogether.
- To protect your car's interior from excessive heat and sun damage, apply a vinyl or leather protectant to your car's seats and dashboard. For added sun protection and to block out UV rays, tint your windows.
- Excessive heat can lead to decreased car battery life as a result of excessive fluid evaporation, so be sure to top off your battery with distilled water when necessary. Be sure that your car battery is the kind that requires distilled water before doing so. In addition, during hot summer months, be sure to keep your car's coolant level topped off to help your radiator run correctly and efficiently.
- Excessive heat can lead to incorrect tire pressure. Regularly monitor your car's tire pressure using a quality pressure gauge. High temperatures will always cause an increase in tire pressure, so be sure to check the pressure before you've driven the vehicle and the tires are cool. Consult your owner's manual to find the correct tire pressure for your car and always follow up on any improper pressure readings.
- A clean, shiny car does more than look good; a clean surface protects your car from radiant heat, as well as heat absorbing dirt and oxidation. Clean cars block radiant heat more so than dirty cars.
By taking such steps as applying an interior protectant, protecting your battery from excessive fluid evaporation, topping off the coolant level and keeping an eye on your tire pressure, you can help keep your car running safely and efficiently during the hot summer months.
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UV Safety in the Summer | | |
Summertime means more fun in the sun. Along with taking care to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, don't forget to take care of your eyes. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can lead to the development of various eye disorders, including macular degeneration and cataracts. Acute damage to your eyes can occur even with just one outing on a very bright day. The effect is magnified if you are recreating on sand, snow, or reflective pavement, which can amplify the intensity of the light. The surface of your eye can be burned in a similar way that your  skin burns.
So what should you do to protect your eyes? Your best line of defense is to wear sunglasses whenever you head outdoors. Sunglasses should be labeled as blocking 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. Don't be fooled by the cost of the sunglasses. More expensive glasses do not necessarily block any more rays than their cheaper counterparts, and many inexpensive sunglasses are quite adequate for the task. You also cannot tell if sunglasses are effective by the darkness of the lens. Just because the lens is very dark does not mean it is formulated to block the rays that are especially damaging. Be sure to check the label of any sunglasses you are considering purchasing. |
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Year-round hot weather advice for your pet! Never leave your pets in a parked car. Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85 degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. If you see an animal in distress in a parked car, contact the nearest animal shelter or police. Spread the word about the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars by printing out our Hot Car flyer (PDF) to post in public places and share with your friends, family, and coworkers. |
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