The summer is here and although the sun has been a little shy to appear, the weather – and your car or van and its passengers – this week has been heating up.
With this in mind, Supervan Ltd shares its top tips on keeping safe, cool and comfortable when driving in hot weather.
Most modern vehicles come with air conditioning as standard; Supervan Ltd’s wide range of quality vans and quality cars all have air conditioning, meaning that you can revel in a cool blast of air whenever the temperature becomes too much to bear. But remember that despite air con, very hot weather can result in irritability, drowsiness and dehydration so it is always worthwhile taking along some cold drinks in a cool-bag for you and your passengers if you’re planning any longer trips.
Unfortunately, air conditioning can’t lower the temperature of an overheating vehicle, so make sure you check the water levels and ensure that your radiator’s coolant is topped up before setting off. Your tyres should also be checked as air expands when hot and your tyre pressure can change. Check the pressure and inflate when your tyres are cold. And don’t fill your fuel tank up to the brim as expansion from the heat can cause a leak.
Sunny weather in the UK and traffic jams often go hand in hand, as half the population flock to the coast for a bit of sun, sea and sand. To avoid roasting in a standstill queue for hours, ask a passenger to check real time UK traffic updates in order to avoid traffic jam hotspots.
You may be planning a longer journey and want to break it up with a couple of stops. However, please remember to think before you park. Leave your vehicle in the strong sunshine and you will return to the equivalent of an oven on wheels, so always try to find a shaded area. Plus, pets should never be left in a car during hot weather; we have sadly heard of many cases of pets dying of heat exhaustion and dehydration in hot cars. Please ensure that if you are taking your pet with you, you provide them with plenty of ventilation and water, and plan for regular exercise breaks during your trip.
You may automatically assume that you will be using your windscreen wipers and screen wash more in the winter to ward off rain and snow, but in reality, the hot weather brings its own visibility challenges. How often have you been driving in the summer and ended up with a windscreen full of squished insects? Always keep your screen wash topped up and check your wiper blades for splits or damage before you travel.
Located in Brentwood, Essex, Supervan Ltd ensures that all of our vehicles – whether vans, cars or motorbikes – are fully maintained and serviced, ready for summer or winter. If you are planning a journey and are considering hiring a high quality, affordable vehicle, then contact us here Supervan Ltd today on 01277 366602.
