SHREVEPORT, La. -- As temperatures climb into the triple digits across Louisiana, mechanics are reminding drivers that extreme heat can put added stress on their vehicles and lead to costly repairs if routine maintenance is ignored.
Dax Ulrich, shop foreman at Southern Automotive Service at 1734 Southern Ave., said one of the biggest concerns during the summer is keeping a vehicle's cooling system in good working order to prevent the engine from overheating.
"We want to watch to make sure cars aren't overheating," Ulrich said. "Most cars, depending on the year, it's like every five years that [the cooling system] should be flushed and changed."
Ulrich said even a small coolant leak can quickly become a major problem. He recalled a recent case involving an employee's wife, who struck debris in the road that punctured her vehicle's cooling system.
The coolant drained before she was able to safely stop the vehicle, causing severe engine damage.
"Something so minor can cause thousands of dollars worth of repairs," Ulrich said.
Drivers can also take steps to reduce the strain on their vehicle's air conditioning system during the summer. Ulrich recommends cracking a window slightly when parked and using a reflective windshield sunshade, especially in dark-colored vehicles, to help lower interior temperatures and reduce heat buildup on the dashboard.
He also advises against using over-the-counter air conditioning recharge kits.
"It has sealer in it, and once that sealer has been put in there, we won't even service it anymore because it messes up our machine," Ulrich said.
Following Tuesday's runaway RV crash in downtown Shreveport, questions arose about whether extreme heat could have contributed to brake failure. Experts say heat-related brake problems are generally limited to vehicles that have been driven for extended periods — typically two hours or more — in mountainous or hilly terrain.
Mechanics say it's not just vehicles that are at risk during extreme heat.
The inside of a parked vehicle can become dangerously hot, and exterior surfaces can also cause burns.
"We're going from hot outside to super hot inside of a car," Ulrich said. "Black cars and stuff this time of year, you've got to be careful not to touch them. They'll burn you."
Ulrich also encourages drivers to have their batteries checked regularly, noting that high temperatures, like freezing weather, can shorten battery life and lead to unexpected failures.