Summer temperatures across Arizona can range from the low 80s to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme heat can degrade crucial components of your vehicle, such as the tires, belts, and hoses. It can also increase the risk of your engine overheating, a failed battery, and electrical system damage. If your car breaks down, overheats, or you suffer a tire blowout in the summer, especially in a remote area, it’s important to have a plan in place for how to handle the situation quickly and safely. Barnett’s Towing offers 24-hour emergency towing in Arizona, and we’ll make sure you and your vehicle get to a service station as quickly as possible. Here are our tips for what to do if your car breaks down in extreme summer heat.
Prepare for a Breakdown Ahead of Time
Before heading out in extreme summer heat, whether you’re going to work, on a quick errand, or for a longer road trip, you should make a plan for how you would handle a breakdown in a remote area. We recommend that you:
- Have the phone number for a Barnett’s Towing Company in your phone
- Keep water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses in your vehicle
- Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in the car
- Make sure you have emergency supplies like a vehicle jack, spare tire, flares or reflective triangles, jumper cables, and a flashlight
Move to Safety
Should your vehicle break down, immediately move to safety, if possible. Drive or push your vehicle to the shoulder of the highway, a parking lot, or other safe space out of traffic. Put your hazard lights on and try to determine the cause of the breakdown.
Determine Whether to Stay in Your Vehicle or Exit
Next, determine whether it will be safer to stay in your vehicle or exit. If your AC is working and you’re out of traffic, you should stay in your car. If you can’t use the AC or your vehicle is parked in a potentially dangerous area, you should exit and find shade. Stay far away from the roadway, preferably behind a safety barrier.
Call an Emergency Towing Service
Then call an emergency towing service. Explain the problem in as much detail as you can and provide them with your exact location. Get an ETA for the tow truck—if it will take more than one hour, consider contacting a friend to bring you water or let you shelter in their vehicle while you wait. You can also try sheltering at a nearby business.
Stay Hydrated
Stay hydrated while you wait and remain in the shade as much as possible. Wear a hat and sunglasses and apply sunscreen.
Call Barnett’s Towing if Your Car’s Overheating in Arizona
Barnett’s Towing has been providing emergency towing services throughout Arizona for decades. Our team has the experience and equipment needed to safely extract and tow vehicles from any environment, no matter how extreme or remote. If your car is overheating or you have broken down in the summer heat, we can help. Call us today at (800) 722-2302 or contact us online to schedule 24-hour emergency towing services in Tucson, Phoenix, and throughout Arizona.