Texas road travelers are advised to take extra precautions due to the ongoing heatwave.
Experts with the American Automobile Association (AAA) Texas have shared some useful tips for staying weather safe on road trips through the state this summer.
Some of the tips can potentially be life-saving in the event of an emergency, especially given the triple-digit temperatures parts of Texas have been seeing lately.
The scorching weather shows no sign of abating anytime soon, with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth recently issuing an extended excessive heat warning for North and Central Texas and a wildfire warning.
Alongside the health risks posed by extreme temperatures, AAA Texas warned that high temperatures can also impact vehicles, which can lead to potentially dangerous situations for people traversing the open road.
“Extreme heat can push a car past its limits, and that can lead to some drivers finding themselves stranded at the roadside,” wrote Daniel Armbruster, corporate spokesman for AAA Texas, in a news release.
As such, the organization has indicated a number of ways that road trippers can prepare themselves and their vehicles for the summer heat.
Measures include keeping proper fluid levels, keeping the engine cool, maintaining a comfortable environment within the car, and ensuring that the car battery is in good condition. Heat exposure actually presents more of a threat to the condition of a car’s battery than freezing temperatures.
“Heat and vibration are a battery’s worst enemies, leading to internal breakdown and eventual failure,” wrote Armbruster. “While you can’t do much about the heat, you can make sure your battery is securely mounted to minimize vibration.”
Batteries are not the only car parts vulnerable to heat.
Armbruster recently told My San Antonio that summer is known as “blowout season” for tires.
“Underinflated tires, on a hot, or an excessively hot day like we’re seeing, generate more friction, so it causes more heat. It can then eventually lead to the failure of that tire and result in a blowout,” advised Armbruster.
Road trippers should check their tires while they are cool to ensure they have the correct tire pressure. AAA Texas also noted the importance of keeping certain supplies handy, such as water, to avoid dehydration in the event of a breakdown.
“Even if you do everything right, you can still find yourself stranded,” Armbruster told My San Antonio.