Hot summer temperatures can be as brutal on a poorly maintained auto as the most chilling winter weather, says AAA/Connecticut Motor Club.

When temperatures rise above 90 degrees, motorists should be aware that vehicles with weak batteries may have difficulty starting, air conditioning systems can fail, cracked belts and worn hoses can snap and burst, and poorly maintained cooling systems can leak and overheat.

To keep vehicles free from heat-related problems, AAA recommends motorists — at a minimum — have the following maintenance items checked:

*Make sure anti-freeze/coolant level has the proper 50/50 mixture of water and coolant.

*Replace worn, blistered, or cracked belts and hoses.

*Have a car’s battery tested by a professional technician. Make sure the connections are clean and free of corrosion because extremes in temperature — both hot and cold — can compromise battery performance. Replace weakened batteries if necessary.

And because temperatures inside parked cars can quickly soar to 200 degrees, AAA also suggests motorists:

*Use a windshield cover to minimize heat buildup inside a vehicle.

*Open doors to cool a vehicle before entering it.

*Cover metal and plastic parts on safety belts and child safety seats to prevent burns.

*Don’t leave children or animals unattended in a park car — even for a short time.

The Connecticut Motor Club, an AAA affiliate, provides comprehensive travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services to more than 500,000 members in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties.