Using hot weather driving tips can help ensure safety

With summer's arrival on June 21, can overheated cars be far behind?

"Hot weather brings unique challenges," Ray Palermo, the director of public relations for Response Insurance, a national car insurer, said. "It can present dangerous conditions for both the vehicle and its occupants."

Each summer, more than 7 million cars break down on the road, but Palermo suggested that most breakdowns can easily be avoided, a statement from the insurance agency said.

Before heading out, be sure to check the basics, including oil, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, battery level and strength, tire pressure (including the spare), cooling system (which should be flushed and refilled at least every two years), belts and hoses, and a well-equipped emergency kit and tool box, the statement said.

"Drivers need to stay cool as well," Palermo said. "Our national driving habits surveys have shown that 75 percent of drivers are fearful of encountering road rage and 37 percent said they had personally experienced it in the previous six months."

Motorists should not escalate aggression on the road by responding to it. Drivers should take along moist towelettes and water to refresh themselves periodically, and to stretch and relax, the statement said.

The insurance company offers the following precautions for drivers and their cars during hot summer weather:

* When driving in hot weather, it is particularly important to keep an eye on the car's lights and gauges. If the temperature gauge moves up, turn off the air conditioner and turn on the heater to it's highest and hottest setting. It will be uncomfortable, but it will help draw some of the heat away from the engine.

* Drivers who are stopped in traffic should put the car in "park" and lightly step on the accelerator to help circulate coolant.

* If the temperature light goes on or if the gauge enters the red zone, immediately pull off the road to a safe spot, a good distance from traffic. Do not drive any further -- not even to the nearest exit. Driving with an overheated engine can cause serious damage to the car's engine.

* Don't attempt to remove the radiator cap itself. The hot pressurized coolant will spray out with great force. Do not pour water over the radiator or engine, since a dramatic change in temperature could cause damage. After the engine cools, add a 50-50 mix of coolant and water to the reservoir to bring it up to its proper level.

* Even when not stranded due to a breakdown, summer heat can still pose dangers. Never leave a child or pet in a parked car. Even an outside temperature in the 80s can quickly bring a car interior to lethal levels.

* Bring a cell phone for emergency calls, but do not use it while driving.

For more information on hot weather driving and other travel topics, visit the company's Internet site at www.response.com/safety.