How to keep your car from breaking down in the triple-digit Nebraska heat
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The extreme heat in Nebraska this week can be hard on cars, and drivers need to be aware of what to do in case of an emergency.
“Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.”
That was the biggest tip Lenny Hernoud, the owner of Century Automotive Repair & Towing, had for drivers during these temperatures.
Oil changes and checking your tires are among the most important things you should do regularly.
SEE ALSO: UNL students head back to class in the scorching heat
And Hernoud said when it’s hot, you shouldn’t let your car get below a quarter tank.
He said the gas left in the tank can overheat, and when it mixes with the cold fuel from a gas pump, it can create problems.
“You could actually kill the fuel pump,” Hernoud said. “We used to see that all the time.”
After people filled up, he said, “You’d have to go get them with a tow truck because their fuel pump quit.”
Your car will be working hard to keep itself cool.
Before you start driving, let the car run for a couple of minutes to get everything moving.
And when you’re on the road, there are some things you can monitor.
“How’s the vehicle acting? Is it sluggish?,” Nebraska State Trooper Charlie Cook. “Is it trying to work too hard to go? Is the air conditioner blowing out hot air? There’s all kinds of different warning signs like that that might indicate that something’s not right with your vehicle and your engine.”
SEE ALSO: Nebraska schools have heat safety guidelines in place as temperatures soar
If you do happen to have car troubles, the Nebraska State Patrol says not to hesitate to call for help.
Cook said sometimes, people don’t want to call 911.
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, I can’t do that; it’s not an emergency,'” Cook said. “Well, it can be in extreme temps like this. It can become an emergency in a hurry.”
Cook said the state patrol gets more calls for roadside assistance during warm spells.
SEE ALSO: Nebraska high school football teams practice before sunrise to beat oppressive heat
He said if your car breaks down, pull off of the road as far as you can.
“Try not to just take off walking,” Cook said. “You get out here on the roads, it can be dangerous, especially with the extreme temps.”
SEE ALSO: Heat in Lincoln this week is comparable to Great Depression
