The summer months are extremely common for long road trips and vacations, which can ultimately take a toll on your car. While it is not bad to operate a vehicle during extreme heat, it is important that you pay attention to your car and prepare accordingly to ensure that you are driving in safe conditions. We have pulled together some tips that you should keep in mind as you prepare for driving in extreme heat, so you can ensure that you and your car are safe.
Here Are 6 Tips For Driving In Hot Weather:
1 – Check your tire pressure.
First, check the pressure of each of your tires and ensure that the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure based on the type of car that you own. During the summer months when it is hotter out and you’re driving, your tire pressure can increase greatly and make them more susceptible to blowouts while you are out on the road.
2 – Avoid potholes while you are driving.
During the hotter months, potholes can become more common as the sun warms the road and causes it to expand. While you should always avoid potholes when you are driving to the best of your ability, you should definitely avoid them when it is hot out. When your car is out in the heat, the impact of hitting a pothole can cause your tire to release air over a duration of time.
3 – Make sure you have an emergency kit.
Before heading out on a road trip, make sure that you are properly equipped with everything that you would need in the case of an emergency. Most people tend to keep an emergency kit in their car year-round, however, it is especially important during the hot summer months and in the dead of the winter. An emergency kit should be stored somewhere in your car that can be easily accessed and should include items such as a first-aid kit, extra waters, food items that you know will not go bad such as granola bars or dried fruits, as well as jumper cables, a flashlight, some rags, gloves and extra batteries.
4 – Ensure your fluids are not too low.
Do your best to monitor the fluids in your car regularly so that you can ensure that none of the levels are too low. The fluids in your car that you should be checking on include the brakes, transmission, windshield wiper, motor oil, and especially the coolant during the summer months. If your coolant is too low, it can cause your car to overheat which can become extremely dangerous.
5 – Keep the interior cool.
Make sure that your AC system is running properly in your car, and ensure that you are letting the air cool down the interior of your car before you or anyone else gets in. On an extremely hot day, the interior of your car can get to over 100 degrees which can be unsafe conditions. Ensure that your car is cooled down enough where you know you will feel comfortable driving your vehicle.
6 – Watch for any signs that your car may be overheating.
If you are starting to notice that your car is overheating, be sure to pull over and get out of the vehicle as soon as possible. If you are noticing any steam or smoke, you should move away from the car and call for roadside assistance to get help. If you are not noticing any steam or smoke just yet, try turning off the AC and letting the heat run in your car for a bit while you are pulled over, allowing your engine to get a slight break. Remember to not add any more coolant or any water into the hood of your car if it is still hot.