The weather in Las Vegas is heating up, with a few days of 100-degree weather already in the books. Things are only going to get hotter in the coming months, which is why you should prepare your car now in order to avoid a car accident later. To make sure that your vehicle is ready for a torrid summer, the Las Vegas car accident lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys offers a guide on summer car prep.
Why It’s Important to Get Your Car Ready For the Summer
Hot weather can be taxing on your car’s engine, tires, HVAC system, and more. In desert climates like Las Vegas, where days in excess of 100 degrees and evenings in excess of 80 degrees are the norm, weather conditions can be brutal on your vehicle.
Hot roads can wear your tires down to the point where steering becomes more difficult. Having your air conditioning fail during the day can endanger your health and the health of your passengers. With situations like that in mind, proper summer car prep can ensure that you’re able to drive comfortably and, more importantly, safely.
4 Steps to Get Your Car Ready For the Las Vegas Summer
There are many simple steps you can take to make sure that your vehicle can tackle the Las Vegas heat. Spending a little time and possibly a little money now can help make sure that you avoid summer car accidents. To maximize your safety, our Las Vegas injury lawyers recommend the four following steps.
Inspect Your Air Conditioning
Your car’s HVAC system is vital to your comfort. While that might sound trivial, driver comfort is an important element of driver safety. Additionally, it’s an important factor in keeping your passengers comfortable. If the AC breaks down, it can lead to distracted driving. The intense heat can cause you to take your hands off of the steering wheel to wipe away sweat, while high temperatures can cause passengers to become unruly, which can take your focus off of driving.
If you’re driving for an extended period of time without air conditioning then you may suffer from heat stroke and other heat illnesses. While they can be harmful on their own, suffering from the effects of heat illness while driving can lead to catastrophic injuries. You can avoid a potentially deadly situation by making sure that your vehicle’s air conditioning system is ready for the rigors of the summer.
Check Your Fluid Levels
Checking your car’s fluids is important before any major weather change, but especially important before the summer months. High temperatures can take an intense toll on your vehicle, especially if it uses an internal combustion engine. Make sure that your car’s coolant, transmission, brake, and washer fluid levels are at proper levels. Naturally, having the right amount of coolant is vital to keeping your engine running at safe temperatures.
Check Your Tires
There are nearly 11,000 car accidents and 700 deaths every year because of tire-related issues, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many of these accidents happen in the summertime, when blowouts become more common due to high temperatures. Be sure to check your air pressure and tire treads before the heat arrives in full force.
In addition to desert summers being extremely hot, desert winters can be quite cold. This is important to keep in mind since air pressure increases with heat. If your tires were inflated to the ideal pressure during the winter, there’s a fair chance that they’re overinflated now. Overinflated tires are one of the biggest causes of blowouts. Additionally, high temperatures and hot roads take a greater toll on your tire treads. Tires with low treads are also more prone to blowouts.
Pay Close Attention to Rubber Parts
Lastly, pay close attention or ask your mechanic to pay close attention to any rubber parts on your vehicle. Rubber breaks down faster in high temperatures and cars have a number of rubber parts. Whether it’s hoses, belts, gaskets, or windshield wipers, give them a close look to make sure that they’re ready for the summer and replace parts as needed.
Windshield wipers are especially important during Las Vegas monsoon season, which typically begins in July. Driving with worn wipers during a monsoon can limit your vision and lead to a car accident.
Contact a Summer Car Accident Lawyer
The staff at ER Injury Attorneys hopes that you found this summer car prep guide useful. Please share it with your family and friends to help keep them safe on the road. Should you get into a summer car accident due to the negligence or recklessness of another party then contact us for immediate assistance.
You can reach ER Injury Attorneys 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone at 702-878-7878 or online through LiveChat or secure contact form. Our injury lawyers represent accident victims throughout Nevada, including Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Pahrump, Boulder City, Laughlin, and more. When you want a Southern Nevada injury lawyer with a proven track record of winning superior settlements and a sterling reputation for customer care then contact ER Injury Attorneys.