Summer offers the perfect backdrop for memorable road trips, where the open road invites adventure and exploration. However, the unique challenges of summer driving require vigilant preparation and thoughtful planning.
From ensuring your vehicle is in top shape to adjusting your driving habits for the season’s particular demands, there’s much to consider for a safe and enjoyable journey.
With more electric vehicles on the road, summer can bring extended battery range, but it also brings new challenges related to keeping cool. We also cover this.
Understanding the impact of elevated temperatures and vibrant sunlight on your vehicle and driving experience is crucial. If unaddressed, common summer-related issues, such as overheating engines and increased sun glare, can threaten your travel plans.
Road conditions, like dusty surfaces and sun-drenched routes, require adjustments in driving techniques to maintain safety.
These summer driving tips provide comprehensive tips to enhance your summer driving experience, from vehicle preparation to route planning and comfort strategies.
To ensure a seamless summer adventure, you’ll learn to adjust to seasonal conditions, plan routes effectively, and prepare for emergencies.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Summer
Summer brings the pleasures of road trips and long drives, but also presents unique challenges for drivers and their vehicles. As temperatures soar, motorists must diligently prepare their cars to handle the heat.
This includes regular maintenance checks and awareness of potential issues that could disrupt your travel plans. From ensuring your air conditioning is functioning to checking fluid levels, a few routine checks can help prevent breakdowns and make your summer driving experience enjoyable.
Essential Pre-Journey Checks
Conducting basic checks on your vehicle before setting out on any journey, particularly during the summer months, is crucial, especially if you want to avoid that dreaded holiday breakdown on the way to the airport.
Here’s some quick pre-journey checks:
- Check Your Fuel, Battery Charge, and Battery Health: Ensure you have enough fuel (or battery charge), as cars consume more fuel in congested conditions, often in warm weather. Double-check your battery health, too, and make sure you don’t forget to plug in your home charger overnight and increase the battery range if you’re going on a long journey the next day. This will help you avoid battery issues in your electric vehicle at the worst time.
- Check Oil Levels: Check your oil levels regularly to prevent engine damage, which can lead to potential breakdowns.
- Check Your Lights: Verify the functionality of all vehicle lights, including headlights, brake lights and all indicator lights; longer daylight hours and hot temperatures do not negate the need for this safety measure.
- Check Your Car Insurance: It’s also wise to review your car insurance policy to confirm it is current and provides necessary coverage, like breakdown assistance, especially when planning extensive road trips.
- Double-Check Your Wipers: Check your widescreen wipers and screenwash to ensure you’re prepared if you encounter any heavy summer storms that are more frequent in the UK now during the summer months.
- Check Your Tyres: Ensure your tyre pressure is optimal, as underinflated tyres are more susceptible to blowouts in hotter temperatures. Ensure you have a tyre repair kit in the vehicle too (because you never know what the next pothole might do!).
Common Summer Vehicle Issues
Summer heat and dry weather can strain your vehicle’s systems, leading to issues if not adequately addressed.
One common problem is overheating, a risk heightened by soaring temperatures that stress your car’s cooling system, which takes a bit of a beating if you get caught in busy summer traffic jams.
Regular checks of coolant levels and the cooling system’s health can help mitigate this risk. Additionally, sun glare may impair visibility, underlining the importance of a clear windscreen and functioning wiper blades.
Rising temperatures and hot summer days can also cause fluctuations in tyre pressure, necessitating frequent checks to maintain stability and safety on the road.
Tyre blowouts can also occur during the summer months due to higher temperatures, which can also happen on caravans and trailers. Dry weather can impact the rubber in the tyres over time, so visual inspections are always a good idea.
It’s normal to notice water pooling under your vehicle from air conditioning condensation during hot weather, but always watch for unusual leaks that could indicate a problem.
Children should never be left unattended in vehicles, as the risk of heatstroke increases significantly in summer. Children’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s.
Ensuring these preparations and checks are in place can help you enjoy a hassle-free summer driving experience.
Adjusting to Summer Driving
Summer months bring longer days, making it a perfect time for road trips. However, driving during the summer demands some adjustments to traditional driving habits due to variables like heat, bright sunlight, and increased traffic.
Ensuring a safe summer drive involves keeping your vehicle in good condition while slightly modifying your driving behaviour. This will also help prevent you from becoming a victim of common summer breakdowns.
Regular cleaning and replacing the cabin air filter can improve air quality and help manage hayfever symptoms, allowing you to stay focused on the road.
Meticulously planning your route can diminish stress levels and help avoid unexpected detours, which are common during summer roadworks. With the roads bustling with more pedestrians and cyclists, careful driving is paramount.
Sunglasses are your best companion against bright sunlight; they block glare, enhance visibility, and mitigate the risk of accidents, especially during intense sunshine.
When confronted with a sneeze due to pollen grains or other irritants, slowing down and increasing the following distance is prudent to ensure complete vehicle control.
Ensure you allow plenty of time to reduce the stress of meeting an arrival time. If you’re travelling a long way, perhaps allow up to 30 minutes to factor in potential traffic issues and also any additional charges you might have to make in your EV.
Not allowing enough time raises stress levels and can reduce the fun of driving over some of the best months of the year.
Adapting to Increased Sun Glare
Bright sunlight during summer driving can challenge even the most seasoned drivers, making it difficult to accurately detect hazards and read road signs.
Keeping your windscreen pristine inside and out is essential to combating the adverse effects of sun glare. It minimises glare and maintains clear vision. Polarised sunglasses with 100% UV protection can also significantly reduce glare, protecting your eyes from harmful rays while enhancing contrast.
However, please refrain from using category four sunglasses while driving; their extremely dark lenses can obstruct your view, making them unsuitable for road use.
Don’t forget the sun visor, an underappreciated tool in every vehicle. Properly adjusted, it can effectively block harsh sunlight when driving directly into the sun, thus improving your visibility and overall driving safety.
Driving Safely on Dusty Roads
Summer is synonymous with dry, dusty roads, especially in rural areas, which can pose unique challenges for drivers. The increased traffic during this season includes more tractors and caravans, requiring extra vigilance.
Defensive driving becomes indispensable, especially with the higher presence of cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists.
To maintain a clear view, regularly clean your windscreen and ensure plenty of windscreen washer fluid is available to combat sun glare amplified by dust.
Planning your route is advisable; poor network signals on dusty country lanes might mislead your sat nav, causing unexpected delays.
Regular tyre condition and pressure checks are vital, especially if your vehicle is carrying a heavy load.
These precautions help ensure a safe journey on potentially rough roads that can contribute to wear and tear during the summer.
Summertime travelling often means navigating hot, sun-drenched routes. The sun’s intensity can cause discomfort and create potentially hazardous driving conditions through glare.
Therefore, regularly cleaning your windshield and replacing worn wipers is crucial to prevent sun glare and ensure clear visibility. While sunglasses are a popular choice, it’s important to remember that category four sunglasses are too dark for driving.
Instead, opt for pairs that effectively block out heavy sunlight without hindering visibility. In addition to sunglasses, sun shields on back windows significantly reduce heat exposure, making long drives more comfortable for passengers.
Parking in the shade or using a windshield shade when parked in direct sunlight prevents your car from heating excessively, safeguarding your vehicle’s interior.
Keeping iced water on hand is another simple yet effective way to ensure everyone in the car stays hydrated and comfortable during these warmer weather drives.
Planning Your Route
Embarking on a summer road trip can be an exciting adventure. However, meticulous route planning is essential to avoid potential breakdowns, busy driving times or delays, enhancing the driving experience during the warm weather season.
Pre-planning ensures a clear path to your destination, allowing plenty of time, reducing stress and allowing you to enjoy the journey more. As the sunniest season also signals extensive roadwork, being aware of traffic updates will help you navigate detours and construction zones efficiently.
While satellite navigation systems offer convenience, they might not function effectively in rural areas with poor signals. A physical map is a reliable backup.
Driving during cooler parts of the day can make your trip more comfortable, reducing wear on your vehicle and helping maintain a vehicle’s calm environment.
Avoiding Heavy Traffic Times and Areas
Avoiding heavy traffic during the summer months requires strategic timing and regular monitoring of traffic conditions. Advance planning can help you dodge congestion, ensuring a smoother drive.
Drive during cooler parts of the day to sidestep peak times, which are typically busier and more stressful. This approach helps reduce travel discomfort and minimises stress levels associated with heavy traffic.
Traffic updates, accessed through apps or radios, are invaluable in identifying less busy routes. Be particularly vigilant about roadwork and construction updates, which can lead to unexpected detours.
Reducing driving stress is crucial, especially in hotter weather, when road rage may be more prevalent. Incorporate scheduled breaks into your journey to ensure a more relaxed experience and allow you the necessary respite from potential traffic bottlenecks.
Incorporating Rest Stops for Long Journeys
Long summer drives require regular breaks to maintain vigilance and ensure a safer driving experience. Fatigue can set in quickly, increasing the risk of accidents, so taking breaks is crucial. If you drive an electric vehicle, carefully planned charging stops can be advantageous.
Rest stops offer the opportunity to stretch and refresh, aiming to keep you more alert and prevent stress build-up. Use these breaks to check key vehicle components like tyre pressure, fluid levels, and air conditioning systems.
This proactive maintenance can prevent potential breakdowns and ensure the vehicle’s continued performance throughout the journey.
Hydration is another vital aspect of summer road trips. Hot weather can rapidly deplete your body’s water levels, leading to dehydration and increased stress during the drive. Ensure you have plenty of water and drink regularly at each rest stop.
Stepping out of the vehicle helps alleviate discomfort from pollen grains and dust, which are common during summer months, minimising allergy symptoms that can otherwise become overwhelming in a contained space.
Finally, plan your rest stops in alignment with your overall journey. Account for road construction and potential traffic, ensuring these pauses do not detract from your schedule but rather enhance the safety and comfort of your travels.
This foresight allows for a calm and enjoyable trip, free from the risks of unforeseen delays and discomforts associated with summer driving.
Ensuring Comfort and Safety
As summer brings warmer weather, driving in hotter conditions requires increased attention to vehicle maintenance and personal comfort.
Ensuring your air conditioning system is functioning is crucial for maintaining a cool and comfortable vehicle environment.
Proper route planning can help avoid heavy traffic and reduce stress levels, making journeys more pleasant. Additionally, wearing sturdy, closed-toe footwear instead of summer sandals provides better control over vehicle pedals.
Regular checks on tyre pressure and condition are essential for preventing blowouts and maintaining safety. Carrying plenty of water keeps drivers and passengers comfortable, especially in case of potential breakdowns or extended time in direct sunlight.
Staying Hydrated During Trips
Staying hydrated is vital during summer road trips, particularly with the increased risk of dehydration in hot weather. Pack plenty of cold water, especially with passengers, and consider using insulated bottles to keep drinks cool.
If you are caught in traffic under bright sunshine, a sufficient water supply will help prevent dehydration. It’s wise to carry extra water beyond your immediate needs to handle unexpected delays, ensuring everyone in the vehicle remains refreshed and healthy during long journeys.
Wearing Suitable Footwear
Choosing the proper footwear can significantly impact your driving safety. While flip-flops and sandals are popular in summer, they can slip off or become lodged under pedals, posing a hazard.
Sturdy, closed-toe footwear allows for better pedal control, enhancing driving safety. Once you’ve safely parked, you can switch to more casual footwear like flip-flops.
This simple change ensures a secure grip on the pedals and can prevent accidents, helping you enjoy your summer adventures worry-free.
Heat Protection for the Vehicle’s Interior
Keeping your vehicle cool in hot weather is crucial to summer driving. Sunshades over the rear windows can protect passengers from direct sunlight, while reflective sunshades on the windscreen can help maintain a comfortable interior temperature.
Parking in shaded areas can also prevent the vehicle from heating up when stationary. Remember, temperatures inside parked cars can soar quickly, so never leave children or pets unattended.
These precautions can significantly reduce the risks associated with hotter weather and make stepping back into your vehicle far more pleasant.
Effective Cabin Ventilation
Efficient cabin ventilation is key to dealing with hot weather while driving. Open the windows to let hot air escape before using the air conditioning.
Direct the air vents towards the ceiling for enhanced circulation, and ensure your cabin air filter is clean for optimal air conditioning performance.
Proper utilisation of your vehicle’s ventilation system keeps the interior cool and increases comfort levels for drivers and passengers.
By prioritising ventilation, you can prevent the car from overheating, allowing for a safer and more comfortable driving experience throughout the summer months.
Handling External Factors
Summer brings a variety of external factors that can impact driving safety and vehicle integrity. During these warmer months, the roads become busier, and drivers must be more aware of their surroundings.
Increased traffic, both vehicular and foot, and road maintenance activities demand heightened concentration. Ensuring that your vehicle is in optimal condition is essential. This involves regularly checking oil levels, tyre pressure, and fluid levels to prevent potential breakdowns.
Bright sunlight and hot weather can affect visibility and driver comfort, making it crucial to manage the air conditioning effectively and keep the vehicle cool.
Bright sunshine can complicate the perception of pedestrians and cyclists, demanding extra vigilance. Let’s delve deeper into how best to navigate these external factors for a safer driving experience.
Being Vigilant of Pedestrians and Cyclists
With the arrival of summer, the number of pedestrians and cyclists on the road usually increases significantly, especially in areas close to beaches, parks, and other popular outdoor destinations.
It’s a critical time for drivers to maintain heightened awareness and readiness to react to the unexpected actions of these more vulnerable road users.
Effective handling of these situations begins with maintaining a safe speed and minimising distractions, ensuring drivers can adequately respond to sudden environmental changes.
Particularly under bright sunshine, which can impair visibility, it’s vital to use aids such as sun visors and sunglasses to improve clarity and reaction time.
Giving cyclists and pedestrians plenty of distance is not only a legal requirement but a practical necessity that can prevent accidents. In addition, maintaining focus is crucial, as factors such as pollen grains can disrupt concentration.
Regularly replacing the cabin air filter can improve air quality, reducing allergy symptoms and stress.
Managing Unexpected Road Obstructions
During summer, road maintenance activities often include repairs involving tar and loose chippings. These conditions require drivers to adjust their habits to avoid vehicle damage.
Loose chippings can be particularly challenging, as they can crack headlamps and windscreens and degrade paintwork if approached aggressively. Respecting temporary speed limits and maintaining plenty of distance from other vehicles is crucial to avoid being hit by debris thrown up by others.
The key to managing these situations lies in defensive driving, which encompasses an awareness of temporary road repairs and a keen attention to changes in road surfaces.
Avoiding overtaking in such areas is wise, as it reduces the risk of sudden encounters with unexpected conditions. Additionally, understanding and respecting road signage during maintenance activities can help preempt potentially damaging obstacles.
Regularly checking the condition of your vehicle after driving through these areas can help quickly address any signs of wear, ensuring your car remains safe and roadworthy.
Emergency Preparation
Summer drives offer the perfect opportunity to explore new destinations and experience the joy of travel. However, hot weather and heavy traffic can often lead to unexpected challenges on the road. Preparedness is crucial to maximising safety and comfort during these summer months.
A packed summer emergency kit and regular vehicle checks can significantly reduce potential breakdowns and road stress. Equipping yourself and your vehicle appropriately allows you to turn any summer journey into a smooth adventure, even when facing direct sunlight and heavy traffic.
Equipping Your Car with a Summer Emergency Kit
As the temperatures rise, having a well-equipped summer emergency kit becomes essential for any driver. Start by including sun cream and a reflective sunshade to protect your skin and keep the interior of the car cooler.
A sun shield for the back windows can also help maintain a comfortable cabin temperature. Including a torch, a mobile phone charger, and a basic first-aid kit will prepare you for unexpected situations.
A paper map can be a lifesaver in case of map app failures or adventurous detours. Remember to pack plenty of water for hydration and snacks to keep energy levels up during long rides or delays.
Non-perishable food items, drinking water, and necessary medicines can provide relief if you face lengthy traffic jams or unexpected stops. With these essentials stored in your car, you’ll be ready for anything summer roads throw your way.
Dealing with Summer Allergies
For many people, the summer months can bring the challenge of managing allergies, with hay fever being a common issue. Pollen grains, especially prevalent in warmer weather, can infiltrate your vehicle through open windows and air vents. While driving, this can become a distraction and affect your comfort.
To combat these allergens, keep windows closed when driving through heavily pollinated areas and utilise air conditioning to maintain a cooler, pollen-free environment inside the vehicle.
Regularly cleaning air filters can also help reduce allergy symptoms by removing pollen and dust. Wearing a pair of sunglasses protects against bright sunlight and acts as an additional barrier against airborne allergens.
Ensuring you have antihistamines or other necessary allergy medications is also advisable during summer road trips.
These precautions will help manage your stress levels and maintain comfort while navigating the vibrant, albeit allergen-heavy, summer landscape.
Summer Driving Tips for Electric Vehicle Owners
As EV adoption continues to rise, it’s important to remember that electric vehicles have their own unique considerations during the warmer months.
Here are 8 summer-specific tips to help EV drivers stay safe, efficient, and comfortable on the road:
1) Plan Charging Stops Ahead:
Hot weather can impact battery performance and increase demand at charging stations during peak travel times. Use apps like Zap-Map, PlugShare, or your in-car navigation to plan charging points—especially if you’re heading somewhere remote or during a holiday rush.
2) Precondition the Cabin While Plugged In:
Use your app or vehicle settings to cool the cabin before you start your journey, while the vehicle is still plugged in. This prevents battery drain to cool the car and helps preserve your driving range.
3) Avoid 100% Charges in Extreme Heat:
While a full charge may seem tempting before a long trip, charging to 80–90% (unless you need the full range) is better for long-term battery health, especially during heat waves.
4) Monitor Tyre Pressure:
Like petrol vehicles, tyre pressure increases with heat. Overinflated tyres can reduce traction and increase wear. Check pressures regularly to stay within the manufacturer’s recommendations.
5) Use Eco Mode and Regenerative Braking Wisely:
Eco-driving modes can help extend range when air conditioning is running more often. Regenerative braking can also be more efficient in stop-start summer traffic, especially in town centres or coastal routes.
6) Park in the Shade or use a Sunshade:
Battery packs and infotainment systems can heat up quickly. Parking in shaded areas or using a reflective windshield sunshade helps protect your interior and reduces the cooling needed once you’re back on the road.
7) Keep Cables and Chargers Cool:
Heat can degrade charging cables over time. Store them out of direct sunlight and ensure public chargers aren’t overheating before use—some rapid chargers may throttle speed in high heat.
8) Stay Informed with Software Updates:
Manufacturers often release software tweaks to improve thermal management and charging efficiency, especially in summer. Ensure your EV is up to date to benefit from the latest optimisations and navigation updates.
Final Considerations
As the summer months approach, driving conditions often shift, with the likelihood of longer road trips and hotter weather increasing.
It becomes paramount to ensure good visibility while driving, which involves keeping your windscreen clean and checking that the wiper blades are in good condition to mitigate glare from the bright sunlight.
It’s also a good idea to confirm that your car insurance is current, particularly ensuring it includes breakdown cover for peace of mind on extended journeys.
As you plan your summer road trips, it’s essential to assess the health of your tyres and check tread depth. Tyres are crucial when covering more miles on varied terrain.
The brighter, longer days shouldn’t be a reason to neglect your vehicle’s lights; regular checks of the headlights, brake lights, and indicators maintain optimal safety. With the increase in travel and social activities, maintaining a safe transportation plan is vital, especially in avoiding drunk driving.
Checking Your Insurance Policy for Summer Needs
During the summer months, many of us embark on longer drives and road trips, making it essential to review your car insurance to ensure it meets your current travel needs.
With more time on the road, there’s an increased chance you might find yourself in unfamiliar or remote locations. Therefore, ensuring your policy includes breakdown cover can save you from a potential headache should your vehicle encounter a problem.
Verifying that your current insurance policy is crucial, adding an extra layer of assurance as you plan those adventurous summer routes.
Reviewing your insurance policy for coverage suitability caters to unforeseen events and offers peace of mind. Knowing you are well covered when travelling further afield during the summer can help alleviate stress and enhance your overall travel experience.
Increased traffic and travel distances can pose additional risks, making it wise to evaluate any potential gaps in your coverage. By doing so, you are better prepared to manage and mitigate any unforeseen incidents that could arise on the open road this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about summer driving tips, which might help you further:
Why Summer Tyres?
Summer tyres are designed to perform optimally in warmer weather, typically above 7°C. Thanks to their firmer rubber compound and tread pattern, they offer superior grip, handling, and braking performance on dry and wet roads.
Unlike winter, summer tyres don’t soften in the heat, delivering better fuel efficiency, more responsive steering, and a quieter, smoother ride during the warmer months.
Switching to summer tyres is highly recommended if you want the best driving experience and safety throughout spring and summer.
Driving Tips in Hot Weather
Stay hydrated, check your coolant and tyre pressure regularly, avoid leaving electronics or pets in the car, use sunshades to protect interiors, and plan journeys to avoid peak heat. These are the best advice when driving and travelling in hot weather.
Driving Tips in the Rain
Driving in the rain requires extra caution to stay safe, especially in a summer downpour.
Here are some essential tips:
- Slow Down: Wet roads reduce tyre grip, increasing stopping distances. Reduce your speed to maintain better control.
- Increase Following Distance: Leave more space between you and the car in front—ideally at least 4 seconds—to give yourself extra time to react.
- Use Headlights, Not High Beams: Low beams help improve visibility in the rain without causing glare for other drivers.
- Avoid Sudden Movements: Brake, accelerate, and steer gently to avoid skidding or hydroplaning.
- Watch for Standing Water: Puddles can cause aquaplaning or hide potholes. If unavoidable, drive through slowly and steadily.
- Check Tyres and Wipers: Ensure your tyres have sufficient tread and your wipers are in good condition for optimal road contact and visibility.
- Beware of Reduced Visibility: Fogging inside the car is common in wet weather. Use your defroster or air conditioner to clear the windows quickly.
Taking these precautions helps reduce risk and ensures a smoother, safer journey during wet conditions.
Key Takeaways
Summer driving offers a unique blend of excitement and responsibility. While the warm weather and longer days create the perfect setting for road trips, they also demand heightened preparedness.
By maintaining your vehicle, adapting your driving habits to seasonal conditions, and planning routes carefully, you can reduce the risk of breakdowns and enjoy safer, more comfortable journeys.
Whether navigating sun-drenched roads, managing dusty rural lanes, or ensuring your electric vehicle is summer-ready, these summer driving tips will ensure your peace of mind.
Combine practical checks with thoughtful planning—like staying hydrated, wearing suitable footwear, and using sun protection—and you’ll be well-equipped for whatever the summer roads have.
