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After what feels like
an eternity of snow, sleet and sub-zero temperatures, it feels as if
summer has finally arrived! And what better way to celebrate the
arrival of warmer weather than to pack the family into the car and
head off on a summer adventure. Whether you’re planning a few trips
to a local beach or beauty spot, or a longer trip away, it’s
important to make sure that your car is up the task and that you’re
prepared to tackle any problems that summer driving can throw at you.
Follow these five tips to ensure that you and your family stay safe
and comfortable when you’re driving in the summer months.
Looking after the
little people
Though we’re all
praying for some sun this summer, it’s important to remember that
while the temperature outside may be steady and comfortable, the heat
inside the car can quickly climb. If your car’s equipped with air
conditioning, then that’s great for regulating the temperature. But
if you’re travelling with babies and small children, they’ll need
to be shaded from the sunlight.
Mothercare offer a
range of sunshades,
starting from as little as £5.99, in a range of designs and styles
that will keep little ones cool and comfortable in the back seat. It
goes without saying that stocking up on bottled water and juices is a
must when driving in hot weather, especially when travelling with
children. Keep a damp flannel in the car to cool down anyone getting
a little bit agitated from the heat, by holding it on the back of the
neck or against the inside of the wrists.
Safe Tyres
An underinflated tyre
in hot weather can be hazardous. No matter how long your journey is,
always check your tyre pressures before setting off to ensure that
you’re going to stay safe and in control of the vehicle.
Kwik Fit offer detailed
advice on maintaining
your tyres, based on your car make and model, specifying the
pressures and treads that are going to keep you and your loved ones
safe. Tyres with low tread are going to need replaced, and fast!
Not expecting
rain? You still need to check your wipers
After the stresses of
winter weather, you’re windscreen wipers can be in a bit of a sorry
state. Freezing temperatures and frost can leave wipers damaged and
broken, and ineffective at keeping your view of the road clear.
Warmer weather can bring with it the occasional violent storm and
heavy downpour. So making sure that your wipers are up to scratch is
essential to a safe summer journey.
Halfords stock
reasonably priced wipers,
specific to the model of your car – their online service allows you
to enter your car registration which will bring up suitable
replacement blades and they offer fitting for just £2.99.
Making sure the
radiator is in working order
Summer time is
especially strenuous for the inner workings of your car. Long
journeys and sitting in traffic in hot weather can quickly lead to an
engine overheating. In hot weather, your
car’s radiator is most at risk to damage. To see exactly what can
go wrong with your car radiator click here.
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Companies like Advanced
Radiators offer car
radiator repair, which can rectify problems that can occur as a
result of summer driving. Better still, this is much cheaper than
replacing the entire radiator, which is not always necessary. Damaged
and worn parts can be replaced to ensure that your car won’t leave
you stranded at the side of the road.
Keeping an eye on
the weather
Driving late at night
or early in the morning, when the temperatures are going to be lower,
is a clever move when you’re making a long journey. You’ll also
beat the traffic, although you should always ensure that you’ve had
a good night sleep, whatever time you’ll be setting off.
It’s also a good idea
to check the weather before you leave. The
Met Office is a good place to get detailed information about the
weather for the day you’re travelling, and will provide you with
the times of sunrise, sunset and the expected temperatures for the
day.
Above all, take the
time to ensure that your car is roadworthy, that any damage as a
result of the winter months has been rectified and that you’re
fully prepared for the unpredictability of the weather before
embarking on any journey.
Disclosure: this is a sponsored post but that doesn't stop it being fun to read



