INDEPENDENT DEALER

   Saint George, UT | (208) 589-4660

OUR BLOG

09/19/2022
TenEyck Distributing in Saint George has several tips to help you prepare your car for the summer heat. Thus, this post focuses on some factors you should know to reduce the risk of car accidents during heat waves.

If you want to learn more about additives that boost engine performance or need more advice on keeping your engine operating correctly, call an AMSOIL professional at (208) 589-4660. The experts at TenEyck Distributing in Saint George will be happy to help if you find the best synthetic oil formula for your car.

Although this fact tends to be overlooked, high temperatures increase the risk of having an accident. This weather can also trigger heat sickness, fatigue, and drowsiness, reducing your attention and increasing the chances of an accident. So, below you'll find a few tips to travel safer this summer. At this time of year, a series of factors make driving more complicated. Traffic increases due to the following factors:
  • The stress generated by traveling as a family
  • The ever-increasing gasoline expenses
  • The heat, the anxiety about getting to your destination safely
  • Listening to constant "are we there yet?" type of questions coming from the back seat
  • The sun on your face
All the latter are details that increase the probability of having an accident these days, but there are other factors you should consider to avoid car accidents during heat waves.

Heat Is a Risk Factor in Itself

In winter, the lack of heat increases the chances of an accident, but that's due to external factors, such as snow, ice, and driving with excessively thick warm clothing that limits movements. However, the excess heat causes another series of problems when driving, most related to you and the vehicle.

Synthetic oil formulas will deliver more power than mineral oils to withstand extreme heat. The professionals at TenEyck Distributing in Saint George will be happy to help you find the right oil for your car, so don't hesitate to call them at (208) 589-4660 or stop by their online shop to discover the benefits of their products.

Human Body Responses

Cold-blooded animals, such as sharks and lizards, need the heat of the environment for their blood to circulate properly. That's why they love to be in the sun. The more reasonable heat levels are, the better their body works. However, humans are warm-blooded, making their bodies generate heat to function competently. Yet, humans don't have an infinite capacity to maintain a healthy temperature, and trouble will ensue when it goes above or below that healthy margin. Muscles go numb, and you'll start shivering due to the cold, whereas, in the heat, your body knows that it has to do everything possible to keep it from reaching its temperature limit. That's when you'll start sweating or dozing off; these two go hand in hand with dehydration and sleep, the two primary human responses to prevent environmental temperatures above 86ºF. It's important to remember that falling asleep while driving in the heat is easier, even as your reaction time increases under that weather.

Keys to Avoiding Accidents in Summer

Here are the most important aspects to take into account to avoid car accidents during heat waves:

Increase the Safety Distance

Since your reaction time is more extensive, the goal is that you leave more margin to react to a problem.

Stay Hydrated

It's essential to keep your body well hydrated, so have a few cold beverages to hydrate your body and replenish the fluids it loses through sweat. You lose water when you sweat, and your blood becomes thicker troubling circulation, which is why you could become lethargic while you drive.

Keep the Car Cool

Ventilate the car a bit before you get in. If you don't have air conditioning, roll down the front left and rear right windows or vice versa. Please don't open the four windows simultaneously; you don't favor the airflow inside the car; it's more efficient to cause the wind to go through the vehicle with this tactic than to try to get all the air as possible inside the cabin. When you open all the windows while driving, hardly any air will enter the car, and the noise will be deafening. If your vehicle has an air conditioning system, turn it on between 70 and 77ºF.

Whenever you have doubts about vehicle maintenance, know you can always speak to a professional at TenEyck Distributing in Saint George. Feel free to ask away, and don't forget to inquire about their products like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil that will protect your engine over the summer months. For information on the benefits of a synthetic oil change. Give them a call at (208) 589-4660 to place an order.