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Seasonal Advice

Summer driving advice

The high temperatures and busy holiday routes of summer put extra demands on both car and driver.

With a little planning and preparation though you should be able to reduce the risk of a breakdown and keep stress levels to a minimum

Summer Breakdowns

	High temperatures aggravate any existing damage to the rubber. Under-inflation adds to the problem causing friction and more heat which can prove too much for weak spots, causing punctures and blow-outs.
	Check tyre condition and pressures, adjusting for extra load if appropriate.
	High temperatures can aggravate cooling system problems too. Low coolant level, leaking hoses and broken electric cooling fans can all result in overheating and expensive damage.
	If the fan's broken it will soon become apparent when you meet slow moving traffic and engine temperature soars.
	Check the coolant reservoir level regularly
	Look out for wet or white staining on coolant hoses
	Check the fan by running the car to normal temperature and allowing the engine to idle for five to 10 minutes - the cooling fan should cut in automatically.

Summer Fuel Saving

	If you have to carry luggage on the roof, use a roof box to reduce drag. Alternatively load luggage on a roof rack as low as possible and wrap tightly in plastic sheeting.
	If you are staying in one place for your holiday, take the roof rack or box off when you get there - you'll save fuel on day trips.
	Open windows cause extra drag. Try air vents first particularly on a motorway or highways.
	Once air conditioning has cooled the inside of the car, you may be able to turn it down or off.
	Don't start the air conditioning if doors or windows are open.
	Increase tyre pressures if carrying extra passengers or heavy luggage (Check the handbook).
	Using a windscreen shade and opening up the car as soon as you get back to it will help to cool the inside. Opening windows while you drive out of a car park will lower the inside temperature before you start the air conditioning.

Fatigue

	Break a journey over 3 hours with a 20 minute break. On longer journeys, take a break every two hours or so
	Frequent short stops (of at least 20 minutes) are better than one long stop
	Remember that it's illegal to stop on the motorway hard shoulder, except in an emergency

Glare

	Sun glare causes many accidents, particularly under clear skies at dawn or dusk.
	Keep a clean and unscratched pair of sunglasses handy
	Avoid lenses which darken in strong sunlight - the windscreen filters out UV light so the glasses will change only slowly.
	Clean the windscreen regularly, inside and out, to remove smears, which will catch sunlight and impair vision.
	Renew worn or damaged wiper blades will also help to improve vision