Is your vehicle broken down? We are here 24 hours a day, call Belleville Towing and Recovery in Belleville Illinois now 618-234-1111 !

5 Hot Tips to Keep the Heat from Beating your Vehicle

No matter if it’s hot or cold, extreme temperatures can definitely take a toll on your vehicle. Here in the Midwest, we experience the whole weather spectrum. Even though summer is almost over, we most likely have more hot days ahead of us.  Belleville Towing and Recovery’s Owner Keith wanted to share some important vehicle summer maintenance tips to minimize and alleviate the stress and reduce the chance of an emergency breakdown.

The most common automotive issues with summer heat are overheating problems. The excessive heat can cause enough stress to create internal engine failure and possibly ruin your engine.

Get your oil and oil filter changed.

One of the most simple preventative measures to help combat overheating is to regularly maintain your oil change intervals. Some people don’t realize that the oil inside of your engine is also used to scavenge heat away from internal parts just as much as it is purposed for lubrication.

Double-check your fluid levels.
Besides ensuring that your coolant level is not low, also be mindful of the quality of the coolant that is in the car. If you rarely flush your coolant, over time it gets dirty and therefore less effective. The radiator does the actual job of cooling the coolant and can become degraded with dirt, bugs, and other debris….ultimately leading to an overheated engine.

Check and monitor your tire pressure.

As the temperature soars, the road becomes hotter, and checking your tire pressure becomes more important. An inexpensive tire gauge can be bought online. Tire pressure increases approximately one pound per square inch (psi) with every 10 degrees Fahrenheit increase in temperature.

An increase in tire pressure can cause the tires to become overinflated. This excess air pressure can deform the shape of the tire, reducing the amount of tread that is in contact with the road. This can cause excessive wear along the center of the tire, and in extremely hot temperatures, it is possible that the rubber can disintegrate.

Test your battery.
During the summer months, we have seen an increase in alternator or charging system failure. Batteries typically fail in extreme cold but also do not perform very well when they are hot either. This makes more work for the charging system (alternator). When the battery isn’t storing the power very efficiently, the alternator has to compensate for the higher electric consumption from electric fans and ac running.

On a very hot day, a battery can reach internal temperatures above 140 degrees, far above the ideal operating temperature of 80 degrees. For every 15 degrees Fahrenheit the ambient temperature increases cuts the battery’s life cycle by nearly half.

Inspect The Belts And Hoses.
Hot weather can cause belts and hoses to lose their flexibility, crack, or fail completely. This can be easily inspected while the engine is switched off. Look for any cracks, fraying, nicks, or bulges. The radiator hose should feel firm, but pliant. Any hose or belt that is showing visual signs of wear should be replaced as soon as possible.

Additional Safety Tips For Driving In Hot Weather

Be Prepared and Plan Ahead
If you’re expecting a spell of extreme heat or traveling a long distance, it’s always a good idea to keep a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle. This should include some first aid supplies, water, snacks, a flashlight, sunscreen, some basic tools, and jumper cables.

Clean your windshield if necessary, check that your phone is charged, and know where the rest areas and gas stations are located if you need to pull over during your journey.

If your car does break down, following a plan that you’ve already prepared can make managing a stressful situation easier. Store the number for your preferred mechanic and local towing service in your phone, and learn how to perform some basic jobs like jump-starting a car and changing a tire so you can get moving again fast. If you are located in Belleville, IL please remember that we are here 24 hours a day, call Belleville Towing and Recovery now at 618-234-1111

Keep Hydrated
We often don’t recognize that we’re overheating until after it’s happened. A drink bottle that has been pre-chilled is a great way to ensure you have enough cold water at hand.

External Links:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/search?q=jumper+cables
https://www.repairsmith.com/i/blog/car-battery-dead-heres-what-to-do/
https://www.oreillyauto.com/search?q=tire+gauge
https://www.repairsmith.com/i/estimates/vehicle-electrical-lighting/tire-pressure-sensor-replacement/

Stuck and need a tow truck near you right away? Call Belleville Towing and Recovery now 618-234-1111!

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration estimates that 6,283 pedestrians died in traffic accidents that occurred on public roads in 2018. 79% were in urban settings, 74% were out on the open road, and 76% occurred at night.

It is vital that you call an experienced towing service professional to help if your vehicle breaks down. Belleville Towing and Recovery provides 24-hour emergency roadside service in Belleville, Illinois and the surrounding areas of St. Clair County, Illinois.

Belleville Towing and Recovery’s Owner Keith has some quick and valuable emergency roadside safety tips to remember the next time your vehicle breaks down.

• Pull over to the side of the road right away using any momentum your vehicle has left. If possible, always use the side of the road that has the shoulder.
• Call the police immediately if you suddenly breakdown on a bridge or an overpass, and your vehicle cannot move.
• Ignore your flat tire and keep driving cautiously until the road provides a safe shoulder area. Your life is worth more than the vehicle’s wheel and rim. Your tire is already flat and ruined.
• Call a 24-hour flatbed tow truck right away. Tell them which side of the road you are on; especially if you are broken down in the middle lane of traffic.
• Stay in your vehicle until the tow truck driver arrives. DO NOT get out unless your vehicle is smoking or has caught on fire. If you must get out, use the doors away from traffic.
• NEVER EVER stand in front of your vehicle or in the lane next to traffic.

  

• Locate your vehicle’s keys or fob, and the wheel lock key while the tow truck driver is on their way. Hand it directly to the tow truck driver when they arrive or set them inside your vehicle’s console.
• If you are not the stranded motorist but see someone who is. Please remember to move over and slow down for any first responders including the tow truck drivers! A Federal law enacted in 2002, there are substantial penalties for violation. Most importantly, you’re putting others’ lives at risk, including your own.

In 2019, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers found that from 2011 to 2016, the motor vehicle towing industry had a 15 times higher death rate compared to all the other private U.S. industries combined.

Remember, safety for everyone involved is the number one priority. Handling a vehicle breakdown without an emergency towing and roadside service professional is not worth the risk.

External Sources-

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/research-rounds/resroundsv4n8.html

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/pedestrians/

https://www.transportation.gov/connections/move-over-its-law#:~:text=Every%20driver%20has%20a%20part,them%20space%20to%20stay%20safe

Is your vehicle broken down? We are here 24 hours a day, call Belleville Towing and Recovery in Belleville Illinois now 618-234-1111!

In the Midwest, winter weather is incredibly unpredictable. The morning can feel like a sunny tropical paradise and by the afternoon it is sleeting, and you need a coat. Even though we have passed the New Year, we all know winter is far from over. Belleville Towing and Recovery’s Owner Keith wanted to share some important vehicle winterization tips. To minimize and alleviate the stress and chance of an emergency breakdown.

• Prepare an Emergency Safety Kit– The options here are endless, but you want to have some prepackaged food (energy or granola bars), bottles of water, hand sanitizer, gloves, blankets, flashlight with batteries, ice scraper, jumper cables, and a spare phone charger. If you are heading out of town, it would be a good idea to also have a printed map of the travel routes.
• Test your Vehicle’s Battery Life- If you cannot remember the last time your battery life was checked, do that right away! Simply stop into an Auto Zone or an O’Reilly and ask them to test it for you. The battery life could even be at 40% and still potentially fail during cold weather temperatures. Most vehicle batteries have an average lifespan of 3.5 years.
• Check the Coolant- You want to make sure your coolant levels are at the right spot and the fluid is fresh. Cold weather puts an added stress on your vehicle’s engine. The last thing you want is for your car to overheat. Always ask the car dealer or your maintenance tech to check this prior to winter and perform a coolant flush if necessary.
• Investigate your Vehicle’s Tire Condition- When you get your vehicle serviced for maintenance, make sure they also check the condition of your tires. This is critical prior to winter since you want the best traction possible. Dry rotted or worn-down tires are a safety hazard especially on wet or icy surfaces.
• Test the Tire Pressure- Before and after the temperature drops,

  

  ALWAYS check the pressure in your vehicle’s tires. Cold weather makes the air contract causing them to potentially go flat. You want to make sure all four tires are at the recommended air pressure levels: for the sake of your own safety, gas mileage efficiency, and the general lifespan of your tires. If your car does not have a built-in smart sensor alerting you of the air pressure levels, a pressure gauge can be purchased at any local auto, convenience store, or gas station.

If you do experience a vehicle breakdown, remember Belleville Towing and Recovery offers 24-hour emergency roadside assistance in Belleville Illinois and throughout the entire St. Clair County Illinois area. Simply call us 618-234-1111.

External Sources-
https://www.ready.gov/car
https://www.topgearbox.com/cars/your-car/7-ways-to-extend-the-life-of-your-car-battery/