Heat can corrode parts of your car as they melt or crack under the scorching sun. On a national level, the summer of 2012 has been one of the hottest in history. The east coast has been baked under record-breaking temperatures, and people everywhere are retreating to air-conditioned houses or swimming pools with icy drinks in hand. What you may not know is that your vehicle is at a higher risk to break down when the weather is hot. Unexpected car malfunctions can happen anywhere, including en route on the roads. If you are worried about the possibility of a dysfunctional car, follow these simple steps to reduce the possibility of a car catastrophe.

One of the first car parts to go in the hot summer weather is your battery. According to AOL Autos, you should try and replace this battery every three years as a matter of preventative maintenance. In extreme temperatures, your car battery might become stressed and break down. This is the same concept as a phone that overheats and loses battery life, or an electronic that won’t work in triple-digit weather. Between age and the heat, you may end up stuck on the side of the road if your car battery isn’t fresh and new.

Also, you may want to have your cooling service checked by a mechanic this summer. If you haven’t had a car maintenance worker look at the cooling system within the past two years, it’s time for a check-up. You need to try and keep the engine cool, especially on hot days. An overheated engine can provide all sorts of issues while you are out on the road. The cooling system not only regulates the temperature of your engine, but the air conditioning system in your car. No one wants to drive around in the heat without air conditioning, so you will want to make sure that this function of your car is working properly. By keeping the climate in your car cool you will be more comfortable and the car will operate better. Eliminating air conditioning can cause the car to malfunction, and may put you at risk to debilitating dangers like heatstroke.

In the summer, you need to be aware of the temperature light on your car’s dashboard. If this little warning light illuminates, then you need to turn off the air conditioning and roll down the windows right away. Your car is at risk to overheating. This normally happens when you are in traffic, because the car is simply baking in the sun without much movement to kick on the air conditioning. Cars that are idle normally don’t produce cold air. If you have a temperature selector on your car, turn it to the hottest setting when the temperature warning light comes on.

This will help to distribute what cooling air is left. When the light persists, you should pull to the side of the road and contact a roadside assistance service. It’s not safe to drive in an overheated car. Combustion could even cause a fire or explosion. If the light goes off, you are safe to continue driving but stop by a mechanic at your convenience to make sure the car is in good shape. Take good care of your radiator during the summer. Provide fresh coolant at the start of the summer months, and make sure to check the radiator for any dangerous corrosion.

It is also important that you make sure your tires are in tip-top shape. In the summer, the heat causes the asphalt to heat up to temperatures that aren’t even tolerable for our bare feet. The hot roads that would give our feet blisters can also hurt your tires in a way that will cause them to crack. Eventually, the heat might erode your tires so much that they pop, which can cause crashes, roll-overs, and skids. By taking the precautions necessary, you will be able to have a safe travels in your vehicle this summer and avoid terrible accidents that could harm your vehicle, you, or your loved ones. Talk to a car accident attorney today if you were harmed in an accident.