Sweltering heat expected to last

THORNHILL, ON, July 28, 2015 /CNW/ - Forecasters are calling for two more days of above 30 degrees temperatures across southern Ontario. The scorching sun and rising humidity may cause your vehicle to breakdown due to overheating. This season, avoid being left on the side of the road with the following preventative measures:

• Flush your cooling system with fresh coolant periodically. It can deteriorate over time and can become acidic. This acidity can eat away at hoses and seals, cause damage and overheat your engine.

• If your vehicle's air conditioning is not maintaining the interior temperature as well as it once did, it may mean the refrigerant level is low. Have your air conditioning system inspected by a certified technician.

• Extreme heat can weaken a vehicle battery and shorten its lifespan. It's best to have a charging system test performed to check, not only the battery, but the entire electrical system of your vehicle. The average lifespan of a vehicle battery is 3 - 5 years.

• Driving with improperly inflated tires affects the handling and braking of a vehicle, it can also cause tires to overheat and increase the chance of a blowout. Tire pressure should be checked when the car has not been driven recently and should be inflated to the manufacturer's recommendations.

• Performing regularly scheduled maintenance, such as oil changes, or having a full mechanical inspection is recommended as the seasons change.

The summer months are typically the second busiest time of the year for CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO). The auto club experiences a spike in battery-related calls and lockout service requests during July and August.

CAA SCO is reminding members to be prepared for higher than normal call volumes and longer than normal wait times due to the heat and humidity. On an average summer day, CAA SCO services approximately 3,000 - 3,500 roadside calls.

Our top priority is always safety. We service high priority calls first – those drivers stranded in the heat and humidity – prior to those in the comfort and safety of their homes.

CAA SCO is encouraging members to download the CAA App and use CAA Service Tracker to track the status and estimated time of arrival of their road service call.

SOURCE CAA South Central Ontario

Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Consultant, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].