SACRAMENTO, Calif — With more triple-digit temperatures in store this week, it's important to keep an eye on your car. The extreme heat can contribute to a number of problems, including tire blowouts and engine troubles.
AAA said when there is a heat wave more vehicle breakdowns tend to happen.
Extreme heat can affect your batteries and engine, which may make it difficult to start your car. It can also affect tire pressure and increase the possibility of a blowout.
"Anytime you have an overheating situation, we recommend that you do not drive the vehicle, have it towed somewhere," said Traci Peters, general manager of Paul's Automotive in Sacramento. "By continuing to drive a vehicle while it's overheated, it could cause damage to your engine."
There are some ways you can avoid a breakdown. Peters said it starts with proper maintenance of your vehicle.
"We're going to check tires, we're going to check oil and we're going to check coolant," she said.
She said make sure your tires are filled up to the manufacturer's recommended pressure. Also, check that your engine and batteries are in good working order before you head out on long trips. AAA recommends battery tests twice a year.
If you do get stuck on the road, Peters said get to a safe place.
"You want to pull over to the shoulder as far as you can off the road to make sure, number one, a car doesn't hit you or number two, you don't get hit when you exit your vehicle," she said.
Also, people should put on their hazard lights to make sure other vehicles can see them.
In case an unexpected breakdown happens, she said it is good to always keep a reflective warning triangle in your car.
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