TIPS FOR MOTORISTS IN SUMMER HEAT

To the editor:

As it was in the summer of 1996, I once again find myself driving a car without an air conditioner. In May of this year, I replaced the Freon which I lost summer and had a dye added to my Freon so that if I lost it again this year the dye would show under a black light where my Freon leaked out. Thus the problem would be solved forever, right?

In six weeks my Freon was completely depleted. And the dye? No trace of it could be found with the black light. In light of this, an in speaking with so many others who have found themselves without air conditioning this year, I offer some tips on survival while driving a car without an air conditioner:

-- Avoid driving between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Nevertheless, if you must, the following shall apply.

-- Remember that 3 p.m. is suicide hour, which has no resemblance to happy hour, I might add.

-- Keep windows down while driving. Your hair will survive. So what if the dog jumps out of the car.

-- Do not leave foodstuff in the car, unless you're preparing it on the car dash for your evening meal. I should mention that doing this will save you money and will avoid heating up the kitchen with your range.

-- Limit the passenger load to no more than two people. This helps avoid additional body heat and unpleasant odors. You know what I mean.

-- Do not smoke while driving. It will be hard enough to breathe as it is.

-- Plan your trips in advance. There is no such thing as joyriding in an car that isn't air conditioned.

In conclusion, just use good common sense. And remember these words by Henry David Thoreau: "It is not worthwhile to go 'round the world to count the cats in Zanzibar."

RON FARROW

Cape Girardeau