Heat takes toll on cars, too

This weather is tough on cars as well as people.

The AAA New York said Friday that calls for road service on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the 13-county area it covers were 28 percent higher than on the same dates last year, at 6,300.

"Our director of automotive services says it's got to be the heat," AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair said. About a third of the vehicles had to be towed.

The AAA and other reliable experts offer these tips to keep your vehicle running:

Check the coolant reservoir level in the engine compartment -- it's usually of translucent plastic -- and make sure the antifreeze / water mix is at the "full" line.

While you're under there, look for cracks in the hoses that carry coolant to and from the car's radiator. They must withstand higher pressure in hotter weather.

After a trip, look for drips of coolant on the ground under the car but don't mistake water dripping normally from the air conditioner for leaking coolant.

Check tire pressure, especially before long trips with heavy loads of passengers or cargo; underinflated tires flex more and run hotter and, so, are more prone to blowouts. And their added rolling resistance puts extra strain on engines and transmissions, making them run hotter, too. Check pressure when tires are cold; heat expands the air in them and raises the pressure.

Check engine oil and transmission fluid; too little will make the engine and tranny run hotter.

Check your battery's fluid level if it's the type that has to be topped off. Hot weather, not cold, is what causes batteries to deteriorate, although dead batteries are more common in winter because cold slows the chemical reaction in them.

If the car has a coolant temperature gauge, watch it as you drive for significantly above-normal readings indicating that the engine is about to overheat. Don't ignore a "check engine" light, which can indicate, among other things, that an electric fan helping to cool the engine isn't working properly.

Sources: AAA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, The Car Care Council