Help Your Customers Avoid Heat Exhaustion this Long Weekend

With the Labour Day weekend fast approaching, many Canadians will be getting behind the wheel to enjoy the fleeting days of summer. Aftermarket professionals should ensure car owners are aware of the importance of proper maintenance in keeping travels happy.

As one of the busiest times of the year for motorist travel, ensuring that a vehicle is performing at its maximum potential is critical, according to Marc Brazeau, [resident, Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada.

“People are eager to enjoy the long weekend, but they also need to factor in time to have their vehicles serviced,” said Brazeau. “After the record-setting temperatures we’ve seen this summer, your vehicle may be suffering from heat exhaustion, which negatively affects tires, batteries and fluid levels.”

To educate consumers on the benefits of regular maintenance and repairs, the AIA implemented the Be Car Care Aware program – a not-for-profit campaign that provides Canadians with a variety of resources and tools to improve vehicle safety.

For example, the program includes resources on how to prepare for winter driving conditions and how to create a DIY emergency kit. It also explores the benefits of regular maintenance and repairs not only to motorist safety, but also for the economic value of a vehicle and associated environmental benefits, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The importance of vehicle maintenance continues to grow as Canadians drive their vehicles longer. According to the 2011 Canadian Automotive Demand Study, produced by AIA in cooperation with DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, nearly 42% of vehicles on Canadian roads are between six and 12 years old, and are under-maintained by an average of $239.

“There is a need to reach out to Canadians and let them know that, as they drive their cars longer, this investment in maintenance will improve their safety on the road, and their vehicle’s economic and environmental performance,” said Brazeau. “We are driving our vehicles longer than ever before, so this is a new learning curve for consumers.”

Resources and tips on vehicle maintenance and repair can be accessed at www.becarcareaware.ca