The temperatures in parked cars increase rapidly to life threatening levels for pets and children. Never leave your pets or children alone in a car.

After a rough winter, many of us look forward to a spring and summer full of outdoor fun and excitement. In many cases, those plans include our dogs. And, apparently, our dogs are just as happy as we are to get out of the house – if you’re judging by the excited reaction and tail wagging when you jangle the car keys and ask who wants to go for a ride.

But taking your pooch with you whether it’s a short visit to the dog park  or for a week-long road trip can turn from pleasure to tragedy if you don’t take precautions. One such precaution is to never leave your dog (or cat or iguana or whatever pet you have) locked alone in a car.

“Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. We’ve heard the excuses: ‘Oh, it will just be a few minutes while I go into the store,’ or ‘But I cracked the windows…’ These excuses don’t amount to much if your pet becomes seriously ill or dies from being left in a vehicle,” according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

It’s a warning that most pet owners – and parents – have heard before. But it can be easy to forget or even ignore if the outside temperature isn’t “really hot.” Wichita’s high temperatures this coming week are estimated to be in the high 70 – a bit low in part because of the cooling effect of thunderstorms that are predicted.

Temperatures in the 70s don’t seem particularly high or dangerous, but the AVMA points out one study that showed the “temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F…and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that’s 110 degrees inside your vehicle!”

The AVMA adds, “This study also found that cracking the windows had very little effect on the temperature rise inside the vehicle.”

But, what if you leave the auto air conditioner running?

Well, yes, it can help. But your auto a/c needs to be in good working condition. Even then, your dog (or child) might not be safe.

Preventivevet.com explains, “Air conditioner compressors and car engines fail, and dogs knock into and inadvertently press and hit buttons and switches. Sadly there are plenty of cases of dogs dying when the car air conditioner failed or a dog bumped into and switched off the air conditioner.

“When air conditioner compressors fail, the air blowing into the car from the vents often turns from cool too hot, greatly speeding up the temperature rise within the car.

“So while leaving your car air conditioner running can help to protect your dog from heat stroke, it can also provide a false sense of security and it can even backfire.”

Even if you’re not leaving your dog or child alone in the car, you do want to make sure your auto air conditioner is in good working order so you, and your passengers, are comfortable and safe while driving.

If your auto air conditioner isn’t working well, or if it needs a check up, you need to consult with the Wichita auto repair technicians at Tracy’s Automotive.

Tracy’s Automotive is here to help you. If you don’t have time or feel you can take your car to the shop, Tracy’s Automotive will pick it up at your home or work. Then, after your car is serviced or repaired, Tracy’s Automotive will bring it back to you thoroughly cleaned.

Tracy’s passion for a better tire buying, auto care and auto repair experience drove us to develop the model of Tracy’s Automotive Tire Pros. Tracy’s has turned hard work and inspiration into a booming tire and auto repair provider. Now Tracy’s has three locations and serves customers all over Wichita and Goddard. Tracy’s is thrilled to be a part of your family’s trusted brands for all auto repair and tire needs.

Tracy’s Automotive is a proud dealer for Jasper Engines and Vogue Performance Exhaust systems.

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