Have you booked to rent a car in dubai 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 tires regularly
As you go along, the air inside your tires 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 sunshades 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 rent a ca dubai customer service who will be happy to assist you.