Now that hot weather grips the Pacific Northwest, driving and running the air conditioner demand more from cars. Heat is an engine's worst enemy, and thousands of motorists will become stranded because of overheated vehicles.

The last thing you want to deal with is car problems in scorching hot weather, so it's important to keep your car’s hot weather vitals up-to-date. AAA Oregon offers this brief, simple checklist to help prevent a summer burnout:

•Check your cooling system regularly. When the engine is cold, check the radiator to be sure it's filled with an ample mix of antifreeze and water. You can determine the mixture's quality with an inexpensive antifreeze tester available at most auto parts stores. At the same time, check the radiator for rust, impurities or a white scale buildup inside the system. If any of these are present, have the cooling system properly cleaned and refilled with a fresh antifreeze/water mixture.

•While you're under the hood, check all belts and hoses. Replace any that are cracked, hard or worn to avoid cooling system trouble down the road.

•Make sure the air conditioner blows at full strength through the vents. Be sure the hoses are in good condition, the refrigerant at proper levels, and the fuses functional.

•Inspect tires for low air pressure and be sure tread condition is good. If your engine runs but overheats, the following steps will help:

Turn off all accessories—especially the air conditioner.

If in traffic, put the transmission in neutral, turn on the heater fan, and run the engine at a fast idle. This will not solve the problem, but it will draw heat from around the engine, cooling the radiator.

If the engine continues to overheat or the warning light stays on, pull out of traffic, raise the hood to let the engine cool and call for roadside assistance.

Take prompt action to protect yourself and your passengers. Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are down. Even in mild weather, the inside temperature can soar to 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes, placing them at risk for heatstroke. Symptoms of heatstroke include a feeling of weakness, dizziness, and heavy perspiration.

By taking these simple precautions, you will avoid many problems associated with hot weather driving. In addition, your vehicle’s engine will operate more efficiently and burn cleaner.