Las Vegas Vehicle Safety Tips To Get You Through The Summer Heat
The summer is here, and I have a couple of tips that can help you and your vehicle get through this Las Vegas heat.
These are some things that are so very simple that often times, we tend to overlook until it’s too late. Let’s call this preventive maintenance.
As we all know Las Vegas temperatures can reach the mid-to high-triple digits, which means temperatures can double inside your vehicle. It’s very important to pay attention to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule == as well as what’s left inside of your vehicle.
Every year, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) receives reports about dogs, cats, and other animals who have died after being left in hot cars or outside during hot weather. As well as those who have been rescued from the heat.
In the summer of 2021, over 59 animal deaths and over 145 rescues have been reported. Summer of 2022 has just began, and we are already at 18 deaths and 96 rescues. Even things like leaving water bottles in your car can cause severe damage.
According to New York firefighter Jay Symonds, who spoke to a New York TV station, water bottles pose a fire hazard when left in direct sunlight in a vehicle.
“The water and the plastic create a magnifying effect and could essentially set upholstery on fire or a piece of plastic on fire.”
Las Vegas has been setting records this summer with its excessive heat warnings, reaching highs of 110 degrees, and it can be detrimental to a car’s engine.
Victor Botnari, who spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, owner of Universal Motorcars on Spring Mountain Road, explained some of the damages cars can encounter.
“There are a few items that go bad during the heat season, which are the engine cooling system and air conditioning system … fuel pumps — they go bad because they heat up,” said Botnari. The best way to avoid heat damage is regular car maintenance. Also keeping your car cool is very important. parking under a shaded area, a garage and using windshield visors are very helpful, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Other helpful tips are pumping gas early in the morning or in the late evening when temperatures are not as high. Topping off at half of a tank and checking your tire pressure are helpful for your car’s health. Under inflation can cause a blowout in heat. Several of my co-workers and I have already had blowouts, and it’s not fun trying to change a tire in 100 plus degree weather.
