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NEWS FOR YOU…. from the Iowa Department of Transportation

Hot Weather Driving Tips

By Debra Carney
Driver’s License Supervisor
Driver’s License Services office
Davenport, IA

Summertime is the most heavily traveled time of the year, with months when temperatures strain not only you but your vehicle. You can reduce the risk of breakdowns and enjoy a comfortable trip by taking a few simple precautions.

Check (or have your mechanic check) the basics:

• Oil

• Transmission fluid

• Windshield washer fluid

• Battery strength

• Cooling system

• Belts and hoses

• Emergency kit

While on the road it’s particularly important to keep an eye on the lights and gauges.

If your temperature gauge moves up, turn off the air conditioner and turn on the vehicle’s heater. Though it will be uncomfortable, it will help pull some heat away from the engine.

Should your temperature light go on, or the temperature gauge enters the red zone, pull off immediately and turn off the car. (Driving with an overheated engine can cause serious and costly damage to the engine.) Take steps to cool the engine and call for help if needed.

Plan long trips for evening or early morning when temperatures will be lower and less taxing to both you and your car’s engine.

Remember to never leave children, dependent persons or pets unattended for any length of time in a car. A closed car can heat up to well over one hundred degrees in a very short period of time.

As always, wear your seat belt, drive the speed limit and be alert.

Have a safe and happy summer!!