Driving in summer

Most drivers are aware of the dangers of winter driving and the need for careful preparation, but how many drivers consider that it might be just as important to prepare for summer driving?

OK, you won't freeze to death in the summer, but lack of preparation could lead to you being stuck after an accident or breakdown – perhaps totally ruining a holiday …

The tips on these pages will help you to prepare your car
and prepare yourself

Preparing your car for summer driving

Many drivers embark on long summer trips, often abroad, without making even the most basic vehicle checks. When you consider that your car might be covering many miles at a constant high cruising speed for hours on end, it's easy to see preparation is important.

Regular servicing should ensure that your car is in good condition but it's worth taking a little time to check the following items.

Engine cooling system: The biggest cause of summer breakdown is overheating.

Hot weather and high speeds make your car work harder – but traffic jams can also take their toll. It's quite common to see cars pulled in with overheated engines in hot traffic jams. To avoid this, ensure that your coolant level is OK by making regular weekly checks – check daily if you are touring.

Checking coolant hoses and drive belts before setting out on a long journey could help you to avoid frustrating (and dangerous) roadside breakdowns. It may be a good idea to get your car serviced before embarking on a holiday.
Make sure your garage checks the coolant strength (anti-freeze) and flushes out the cooling system in line with manufacturer's recommendation.

It might seem odd to talk about anti-freeze when discussing summer motoring, however, the antifreeze solution does more than just stop the water in your engine from freezing, it also acts as a rust inhibitor – at least when it's at the correct strength (old antifreeze solution can actually corrode your cooling system).

Caution: If your engine does overheat, do not remove the radiator or coolant tank cap until it has cooled down for an hour or so – there is a danger of being scalded by super-heated steam. See Overheated Engine for more details.

Fans and air-conditioning:

The chances are that you don't 'chill' the car with cool air fans or air-con much in the winter! Make sure that the systems are working properly and that vents have not become blocked. And it's not just the ventilation systems – if you are running the fans at full blast they will be putting an extra load on your electrical system.

Windscreen and wipers:

Summer thunderstorms can put a lot of strain on the wipers. Check for perished or damaged wiper blades – not forgetting the rear wipers! Also give the blades a wipe at least every time you wash the car. If you have an older car wear in the springs and joints of the wiper arms can affect their performance.

It goes without saying that you should always have a clean windscreen, this is especially the case in bright sunlight where dazzle can be fatal. With this in mind, ensure that you check your washer fluid level regularly, especially on long journeys where you may be constantly washing dead insects from the screen. Avoid using your wipers on a dry windscreen, the dust and grit that settles in the summer can cause tiny scratches that add to the dazzle.

Plastics used in car manufacturer, and air conditioning, can leave a haze on the inside of the windscreen – this will often be worse in hot weather. Use a proprietary screen cleaner and newspaper to keep your windows clean (newspaper is the best thing ever for cleaning car windows!). Warning: Don't use car polish or polishing cloths to clean the windows; this can leave streaks and smears and affect vision.

Wheels and tyres:

The small footprint of your tyres is the only thing between you and the road. Many drivers do not pay enough attention to the tyres in the winter – after all, who wants to poke around dirty muddy wheels on a cold wet morning …

Check tyre pressures weekly (as a minimum) and follow the manufacturers recommended pressure – in the event of an accident insurers might take a dim view of tyres that had existing damage or that were incorrectly inflated (the long arm of law might well take an interest too!). Under or over inflated tyres affect the cars handling, grip on the road and fuel economy – there is nothing to be gained by adding an extra couple of pounds pressure for luck!

Check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold (unless your handbook stated otherwise).

Remember to check the spare tyre as well! If your car uses different tyre pressure front and back, or when fully loaded, inflate the spare tyre to the highest pressure that your car uses; by doing this you can deflate the tyre to the required pressure.

The law requires that tyre tread depth is at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference; having said that, it is often wise to change tyres before they reach the legal minimum. In addition to checking the tread depth, check the sides for cuts or other damage.
Damage to the tyre walls can cause the tyres flex too much and overheat – possibly resulting in a blow-out.

BE CAREFUL when running your hands around the tyres to check the tread or the inside tyre walls – there could be tiny bits of glass or other debris that could cause injury.

Every time you get new tyres, or once a year as part of the cars service routine, it's well worth checking the wheel alignment – this can help prevent unnecessary tyre wear. If you encounter a vibration in the steering at certain speeds the chances are that you have one or more wheels that are not correctly balanced – get it checked! It is only a five minute job at a tyre specialist.

Lights:

With long summer days you might be less likely to notice failed bulbs – all the more reason to include all the lights in your weekly car check.

Keep a set of spare bulbs and make sure you know how to change them. While some modern cars need tools to change bulbs (in some it's even a garage job!), most bulbs can be changed by releasing a couple of spring clips.

Prepare yourself and your family!

It's not only engines that get overheated in the summer… It's drivers too! Take at look at the SmartDriving advice for avoiding road rage.

If your job does not involve driving you might find that you do a lot more motorway driving or long journeys in the summer. Plan your driving to include plenty of breaks – especially if you have children in the car. Do you know all the motorway rules and regulations if you are not sure read about motorway driving.

Night-time: Some people start their holiday with a night time journey to avoid traffic jams; this is a great idea, however, you must remember that tiredness is very dangerous behind the wheel. It's easy to become tired, especially at night when driving abroad in a warm climate. Many accidents happen between 1am and 5am.

Day-time: If travelling in the day make sure you get a good night's sleep before setting out. It's also advisable to avoid heavy meals before driving, and of course, drinking alcohol and driving is a stupid idea at any time of year.

Breaks: Taking breaks every couple of hours keeps the driver alert by promoting blood circulation, makes the trip more pleasant for passengers and lets the vehicle cool down. If you do get tired ALWAYS take a break – even if you are near your destination. Arrive alive!

Kids: If you have kids in the car make sure that they have something to keep them occupied and that they are comfortable. It's also a good idea to have drinks and snack handy in the car. Make a rule that says 'Don't distract the driver'. Generally the accident risk increases when you are carrying passengers. And under no circumstances should you allow passengers of any age to travel without a seat belt or appropriate restraint.

Parking: When parking in the summer NEVER leave animals or children alone in the car. The temperature can rise rapidly and this has sadly led to the deaths of young children and animals in cars. LEAVING THE WINDOWS HALF OPEN IS NOT ENOUGH! Stationary cars do not have enough air circulation to keep the temperature down.

Clothing: Are you dressed to kill? Loose fitting sandals or bare feet will affect your ability to control the car, especially in an emergency. Don't put fashion first when choosing sunglasses for driving – fashionable sunglasses might be fine, but make sure that they allow you to see OK; for example, some glasses that darken in strong light might not be suitable.

Medication: Did you know that many hay fever and other medications can drastically affect your ability to drive. Check with your doctor first.

Driving abroad? Make sure that you inform your car insurance company and that you know the basic rules and requirements – take a look at http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/ for info (external web site). Some countries require that you carry certain items by law, for example, warning triangles, first aid kit, spare spectacles or lenses, etc.

Problems

Sunlight: Bright sunlight can dazzle, especially on a wet road surface. Slow down

Rain: Summer showers can leave the road as slippery as ice. You have been warned!

Idiots! be prepared for 'Idiots' - and don't be one yourself! You are going to get there even if it's not as early as you hoped. Have you noticed that the idiots only come out when you are late – and all the lights are red as well. Plan your journey well, leaving plenty of time for rest breaks, and you will find that the idiots stay at home!

Loads: When your car is fully loaded it will respond differently - this can seem strange at first, so take the car around the block to ensure that everything is OK before you start your journey.

Loose or heavy items in the passenger compartment can move about when you are braking or cornering - this can distract the driver or even worse, things can roll about and jam the pedals. If you have a roof rack or trailer, make sure that it is fully secure. Make sure that the car is balanced with heavy items near the centre of the car rather than to one side.

Rear view: By law you must be able to see behind - ensure that you have a clear view through the mirrors - fit extension mirrors when towing a caravan or large trailer. Also remember that different speed limits apply if you are towing.

Keep a summer motoring kit in the car

It's a good idea to keep a basic 'summer driving' kit in your car in case of problems ...

• Normal conscientious driver kit:
  
• Mobile phone
  
• Sunscreen for body and lips - and kids
  
• Sunglasses and a hat
  
• Bottled water
  
• A first aid kit
  
• A properly inflated spare tyre, jack and tools
  
• Warning triangle
  
• Rubbish bag
  
• Cards, games, and/or puzzles to help pass the time
  
• Emergency cash – (rather than credit card)
  
• Atlas and/or satellite navigation
  
• Hand cleaner (dishwashing liquid works well, as it contains a de-greaser) and paper towels
  
• Empty fuel can
  
• Hi visibility jacket
  
• Tyre pressure gauge
  
• Necessary medication
  
• Spare bulb kit
  

Real 'driving anorak' kit - As above with following extras:

• Jump leads
  
• Spare fuses
  
• Cable ties
  
• Rope
  
• Notebook with pen or pencil;
  
• Engine coolant
  
• Engine oil
  
• A large flashlight and batteries
  
• Some blankets and/or sleeping bags
  
• Swiss army type multi-tool pocket knife
  
• Small toolkit that includes pliers, adjustable spanner and screwdriver

Driving nerd kit - As above but with extras for classic car enthusiasts!

• Fan belt,
  
• Radiator hoses,
  
• Points,
  
• A condenser,
  
• Pair of spark plugs
  
• Roll of insulting tape