Staying Safe on the Road During Summer Heatwaves

Driving during hot summer weather puts extra strain on you and your vehicle. When heatwaves hit, roadways pose additional safety hazards that all motorists must address. Learn how to spot heat-induced issues, bolster your roadside emergency plan, and protect passengers. Planning ahead and taking preventative action reduces the risks overheated roads present.

Pack Emergency Supplies

Stock an emergency kit designed for summer to sustain all passengers comfortably until help arrives at a breakdown site. Useful items include:

• Drinking water and non-perishable snacks to prevent dehydration
• First aid materials like bandages and medicine
• Battery-powered phone chargers and fans for air circulation
• Umbrellas and sunscreen to block excessive solar radiation
• Paper maps for navigation if GPS fails
• Roadside flares or reflectors to signal stopped vehicles

The experts at Clore Automotive recommend also packing extra coolant and a car battery charger to counter common summer car issues.

Tune Up Car Cooling Systems

Get preventative maintenance checks before road trips when extreme heat is forecasted. Ensure air conditioning, coolant levels, and engine cooling fans operate optimally to avoid summer breakdowns. Have a mechanic test:

• Radiator condition and caps
• Tightness of water pump belts
• Operation of temperature gauges
• Efficiency of airflow to AC condensers

Repair identified problems proactively to keep cooling systems functioning during hot highway travel.

Adjust Driving Speed and Duration

Alter your driving to counteract thermal strain on car components. Highway travel at consistent speeds below 65 mph places less stress on vulnerable engine and transmission parts. Stopping more often prevents accumulated heat damage as well.

• Drive at slower paces to reduce chances of breakdowns
• Take regular rest breaks to let vehicle systems cool

Plan extended trip duration to enable safe speed and sufficient rest stops. Allow ample cool down periods when covering long distances under extreme temperatures.

Watch for Early Warning Signs

Stay vigilant for indicators of heat-induced car issues and stop driving immediately if they occur:

• High temperature warning lights turning on
• Steam releasing from the front hood
• Knocking, pinging or rattling engine noises
• Dimming headlights when idling
• AC blowing weak or warm airflow
• Cracked or loose hoses dripping fluid

Safely pull over if any sign of overheating arises. Do not restart until the system cools to prevent permanent part failures. Contact roadside assistance to avoid stranded breakdowns far from repair shops.

Recognize Hazards of Parked Cars

Avoid leaving passengers in parked vehicles during hot weather even for quick errands. Interior temperatures rapidly exceed 100°F when sitting idle in the sun. This causes health emergencies:

• Heat stress leads to exhaustion or strokes
• Unattended children and pets suffer worst
• Cracking windows open does not prevent hazard
• Metal parts of car interiors burn skin on contact

Monitor back seats constantly if you must wait in a parked vehicle. Both humans and animals left behind have died from extreme parked car heat.

Prepare for Long Waits

If your car overheats or fails mechanically despite precautions, be ready to wait safely for assistance. Pull over rapidly at the first signs of trouble. Engage hazard lights, lift the hood, and tie a white cloth to the antenna signaling a disabled car. Deploy roadside reflectors 100 feet behind the rear bumper to warn approaching traffic away from the scene. Avoid walking along high-speed roads unless absolutely necessary.

Conclusion

Summer heat strains vehicles and challenges drivers more intensely. Stock emergency kits, tune-up cooling systems, adjust travel speeds, quickly address warning signs, avoid parked car dangers, and take steps to wait safely if stranded. Implementing preventative measures and breakdown action plans prepares you for the unique hazards of hot weather road travel. Staying alert to heat factors keeps everyone safer when temperatures peak.