DRIVERS are staying cool this summer and avoiding breakdowns by following one simple driving tip.
As the thermometer reaches record-high temperatures across the country, making sure your car's air conditioning is working is no longer only about comfort – it can be a matter of safety.
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Heatwaves are amongst the most deadly environmental disasters for both people and entire ecosystems and can lead to a host of other problems.
This summer's heatwave has heated up Europe and the US and already claimed dozens of lives.
The simmering heat also affects vehicles, most commonly AC systems and batteries, according to an AAA spokesman.
But you can stay safe from the heat this summer by keeping your car's AC in tip-top shape, Shawn Steward, a representative of AAA Kansas, told local news station KSNW.
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Checking your car's fluids – especially the coolant – is where to start.
"It's important to make sure that you have good coolant in your radiator at this time of year, just to make sure that the cooling system is going to work correctly," Steward said.
And its also a good idea to check out your tubes to ensure that there are no leaks.
“Make sure that you check hoses and belts," he said.
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"We see a lot of failures with those as well your radiator, hoses, your belts that control your engine and run AC and alternator,” Steward told viewers.
If your AC is not running as strong as it used to, that is a sign that there could be a problem.
Steward also suggested that drivers always keep an emergency kit in their car so that they can quickly respond to small problems themselves.
And he highly recommends that drivers always travel with some bottled water during this time of year so that they will have something to drink if they are stranded on the road.
Local mechanics in Wichita told KSNW reporters that they can usually take care of an AC tune-up within a day.
They recommend planning ahead for long trips, however, as travel intensifies throughout the vacation period.
