The Heat Is Taking Its Toll On Vehicles

Towing companies have been swamped with overheated cars. The News on 6 talked to a mechanic about what you can do to help prevent problems. Chris Shew at Firestone says during the summer, your car's

Wednesday, July 19th 2006, 10:28 am

By: News On 6

Towing companies have been swamped with overheated cars. The News on 6 talked to a mechanic about what you can do to help prevent problems. Chris Shew at Firestone says during the summer, your car's biggest vulnerability is its tires. The heat can cause fluctuations in tire pressure.

But it's not just what's in the tires, it's what's on them too. "Make sure they have tread on them. Tread helps keep the tire cool, keeps it from overheating and blowing out, and no one wants to be on the side of the road changing a tire in this sort of heat."

Along with your tires, Chris says the heat can wear out belts and hoses. Car batteries are also weakened by temperature changes.

Plus, make sure car's coolant is topped off.