As temperatures soar, motorists, their passengers and their pets are at greater risk. AAA call volume tends to increase each day as the effects of extreme weather on a vehicle’s battery and tires is cumulative.

AAA Emergency Roadside Service crews make every effort to respond to our Members as quickly and safely as possible but it is critical that all motorists take extra precautions to minimize the risk of a breakdown, which can be extremely dangerous. When temperatures outside top 80 degrees Fahrenheit, temperatures inside the vehicle can quickly top 180 degrees Fahrenheit, a potentially life-threatening situation especially for young children or seniors.

AAA Fleet Drivers arrive with water on hand to take care of our Members as well as their vehicles.  We recommend that motorists keep extra water, non-perishable foods and medicines available so everyone can stay safe and comfortable while waiting for help to arrive.

During any heat wave, AAA also recommends that, if possible, drivers stay home and stay safe. If you must be on the road…

Here are FOUR tips to avoid heat-related car troubles:

1. Make sure your battery is in good working order - Most batteries last 3-5 years, and each day of extreme weather pushes a battery closer to its end.

Battery Warning Signs

• The starter motor cranks the engine slowly.
• Battery/charging warning lamp illuminates on the dashboard.
• In older models, dim incandescent headlights, particularly when the car is idling, indicate a weak battery.

AAA Members can request a AAA Roadside Service Technician to come to them and test their battery free of charge. Should the battery need replacement, the technician can usually replace it on location.

For more information on the AAA Mobile Battery Service, visit AAA.com/Battery.

2. Make sure your tires are properly inflated - Driving on underinflated tires can cause them to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout.

Tires should be checked when the car has not been driven recently, and they should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer – not the number molded into the tire sidewall.

Recommended tire pressures can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker normally located on the driver’s door jamb or the inside of the glove compartment door. Some vehicles use different pressures for the front and rear tires.

While checking the tire pressures - including the spare - drivers also should inspect the tire treads for adequate depth and any signs of uneven wear that might indicate a suspension or alignment problem. 

3. Check all fluids - When fluid levels are low, the possibility of overheating increases.

Drivers should check all vehicle fluids, including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid, to ensure they are filled to the appropriate levels. If any fluids need to be topped off, be sure to use the type of fluid specified in the owner’s manual.

4. Stock a summer emergency kit - Even with proper preventive maintenance, summer breakdowns can still occur. AAA recommends all drivers keep a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle to ensure everyone’s safety while they’re waiting for help to arrive.

AAA says the summer emergency kit should include the following:

• Fully charged cellphone and car charger
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Road flares or an emergency beacon
• Basic hand tools
• First aid kit
• Water and non-perishable food items
• Extra medicines

Keep your children and your pets safe

Children and pets should never be left in hot vehicles, not even for a minute. It only takes just 15 minutes for a child left inside a hot vehicle to suffer life-threatening brain, liver and kidney injuries.

According to KidsandCars.org, on average, almost 40 children die each year after being left in a hot car.

To avoid such a tragedy AAA recommends that parents and caregivers:

1. Always remember to LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK. Make it a habit to check the entire vehicle. Leave something you will miss immediately in the back seat with the child – such as a shoe, purse or cellphone.
2. Lock your vehicle and keep the keys in a safe place – out of the reach of children so they cannot get in to unattended vehicles
3. Act – if you do see a child locked in a hot car, do what you can to get them out immediately and call 911.

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For More information and local interviews:

Connecticut – Tracy Noble, TNoble@aaamidatlantic.com

Delaware – Jana Tidwell, JTidwell@aaamidatlantic.com

Indiana – Kara Hitchens, khitchens@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Kansas – Shawn Steward, ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Kentucky – Lori Weaver Hawkins, lweaverhawkins@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Maryland – Ragina Ali, RAli@aaamidatlantic.com

New Jersey – Tracy Noble, TNoble@aaamidatlantic.com

Ohio – Kara Hitchens, khitchens@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Oklahoma – Leslie Gamble, Leslie.Gamble@aaaok.org

Pennsylvania – Jana Tidwell, JTidwell@aaamidatlantic.com

South Dakota – Shawn Steward, ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Virginia – Morgan Dean, Morgan MDean@aaamidatlantic.com

Washington, DC – Ragina Ali, RAli@aaamidatlantic.com

West Virginia – Lori Weaver Hawkins, lweaverhawkins@aaa-alliedgroup.com