Our Top 10 Safety Tips For Driving In The Summer
Have you booked a car with Kohistan Car Rental and are getting ready for a road trip? Or have you just relocated to the
UAE and are facing your first summer of city commuting in Dubai? In this part
of the world, the temperatures in the summer months can be extreme. To help you
with this, we’ve brought up our top 10 safety tips for driving in the summer.
Whatever you’re doing and wherever you’re heading, these should help you to
stay cool even when the thermometer hits the 40s°C.
1. Don’t
let your car overheat
Most cars can cope quite easily with the
summer temperatures, with fans that kick in to keep the engine cool and of
course, a radiator that is essential to the smooth running of any vehicle. However,
if your radiator runs dry or your engine fan does not have enough power to keep
your car cool, it may overheat. If this happens, you can do a lot of damage to
the engine if you don't lower the temperature quickly. If possible, park in a
safe place and let the car cool down. Take them all out and only in a shady
place in case of fire, and whatever you do, do not loosen the radiator cap
until the engine is completely cool.
2. Check your tyres regularly
As you go along, the air inside your tyres
gets hot and can change the air pressure levels. Make sure your tires are under
the right pressure and are not damaged by driving on unusually hot asphalt
surfaces.
3. Find a shaded parking space
It’s no fun getting into a roasting hot
car at the end of a busy day, and if you do leave your car in direct sunlight
all day long the heat can start to cause damage to the interior. Try to park in
a shady spot, or in an underground car parking, to keep the sun out and the temperature in the cabin down.
4. Have an
emergency kit onboard
This is a useful tip at any time of the
year, but during the summer boost up your emergency kit with
weather-appropriate extras such as good quality sunglasses to protect your
eyes, and plenty of bottled water (avoid anything that’s plastic grade one that
might be damaged by heat). Also include sunscreen products and good quality
sunscreen to protect your skin while driving.
5. Avoid
driving in the desert in high summer
Temperatures in the desert can soar to
50°C. So if you are planning a desert activity like desert boarding, choose a
trip early in the day or try a night session instead.
6. Never
leave pets or children in the car
The temperature in a locked car can be
more than 20°C higher than outside, so never ever leave animals or children in
a locked car, even for a few minutes.
7. Don’t
leave pressurized canisters in the car (even in the boot)
Lighters, bottles of perfume or even cans
of fizzy drinks can explode in extreme heat, so never leave them in your car
unless you want an extra detailing bill!
8. Try and
avoid sitting in a heavy rush hour traffic
The longer you sit in traffic, the greater
the chance of your car overheating. If possible, try to surprise your travels
so you don't get stuck in the morning or evening rush hour.
9. Keep up to date with your services
At Kohistan Car Rental we always make sure
that every vehicle in our fleet is properly maintained and regularly serviced. Don't
forget that your car may need additional maintenance checks during the summer
months, especially over-charged air conditioners, cooling systems and
batteries.
10. Get
windshield and car window sunshades
Adding windshield and car window sun shades can make a huge difference to your comfort (and that of your passengers) during the hot summer months. So, make sure you always have something to reduce the heat in the car. Want to learn more about driving in the UAE during the summer? Talk to a representative of Kohistan Rent A Car customer service who will be happy to assist you.
