Heat wave driving tips
Mar 23, 2020

The UK has been sweltering in temperatures above the 30C mark since Sunday.

Brize Norton in Oxford registered a high of 33.5C yesterday, whilst in London the mercury had struck 32C by midday in St James’s Park.

And although the Met Office has warned that heavy showers are predicted in parts of the country this week, the warm weather is set to stay for the weekend.

Whilst the mercury is high, the following tips should help protect you and your car in the heat of the un-British weather.

Stay Safe

1. It would be wise to check that your vehicle’s air conditioning components are in working order. This includes the air-conditioning compressor condenser, evaporator and receiver-dryer. Please be advises, these components should be checked annually.

2. Radiator transmissions are vulnerable to overheat in the warm weather. Therefore, for this reason, we recommend that the transmission fluid should be changed every 15,000 miles or at least once per year.

3. Another way to ensure maximum safety is to check the tyre pressure. Tyres tend to be very heat sensitive – so maintaining the correct pressure point is a must in the summer months to prevent heat stress and to get the best mileage possible.

Off-roaders who head towards the hills in their Chelsea Truck Company Jeep Wranglers will find that their tyre pressure has been reduced. However, it is important to declare, that one should re-inflating their tyres upon returning from a gruelling expedition. Not doing so can be very dangerous.

4. Cars are highly susceptible to overheating in warm weather conditions, so make sure that your radiator is working properly by frequently double checking coolant levels.

5. Last but not least, it is imperative that one plans ahead in terms of long distance trips. Set off early in the morning and either drive off late evening, or make sure you get a good night sleep and then set off the next day. The cooler morning and late evening weather is beneficial for your vehicle’s engine.

Keeping Yourself And Your Passengers Safe

1. Wear appropriate clothing. Light coloured clothing made of natural fabrics will increase breathability and keep you cooler for longer. Also, if you like driving with the windows down, apply sun cream as you may be exposed to the sun for extended amounts of time.

2. Take plenty of drinks with you because dehydration can be very dangerous. Should you have a built in fridge you must fill it, but keep away from sugary drinks, stick to water and pure fruit juice.

3. Nowadays, everyone seems to have an i phone and a charger to hand. Therefore, unless you have a standard mobile phone, remember to keep your phone charged. It is always useful to have a mobile phone ready to go in case of an emergency.

4. Window shades in the rear windows are a must to protect small children in hot weather. Children can be particularly vulnerable to severe temperatures, therefore the need to take extra precautions are imperative.

5. This is a very serious issue, never leave children or animals unattended in the car.

There have been many heatstroke- related deaths of children in recent years and pets can suffer brain damage or even die of a heatstroke after only 15 minutes of exposure.

So there you go, follow these tips to ensure you enjoy a safe summer of driving.