LeasePlan’s top tips for driving in the summer heat

Usually, when we publish tips for drivers, they deal with coping with extremes of weather, such as torrential rainfall or snowy and icy roads, so it makes a change to go to the other extreme. With the latest prolonged spell of hot weather, and temperatures forecast to surpass 30°, It is important that drivers are informed about the hazards the heat can bring especially as there are currently over 36.7 million vehicles on the road. To make things simple, LeasePlan UK have created an easy to follow checklist for when it heats up in the summer months.

1. Never leave the young, elderly or vulnerable person alone in a car. Even with the window left open the temperature inside the car can end up being double the outside temperature.
2. Even with a sun-visor and window open, you should not leave your pet locked in a vehicle. As with children, dogs can suffer from heatstroke, which leaves them unable to cool themselves, and can be fatal.
3. Always check the temperature of your children’s car seat. The uncovered buckles of car seats can reach such high temperatures they can cause second degree burns to young children.
4. Dehydration is as deadly as alcohol. Severe symptoms can cause dizziness, fainting and pose a risk to drivers. During summer there is a 146 per cent increase in driver errors due to dehydration.

As well as personal safety and health, LeasePlan also has simple tips to keep your car summer fit:

1. Check your tyres regularly, as the day and road heats up so does the air in your tyres. Put a reminder on your phone to check pressures.
2. Avoid overheating and damaging your engine by checking your car fluids are at the correct level. If the liquid doesn’t reach the full line on the coolant reservoir, add a 50/50 mix of water and coolant until it does.
3. If your car battery was changed longer than 5 years ago, make sure it is replaced or tested as the heat takes a heavy toll on batteries.
4. In case of a breakdown, be sure to have an emergency kit in your car that includes items such as water bottle, warning triangle, jump leads as well as a reflective emergency blanket that can be used for shade.
5. Read your vehicle service schedule – and stick to it – in extreme heat belts and hoses, which provide air-conditioning, can crack and blister. And pay close attention to engine warning lights.

Matt Dyer, managing director at LeasePlan UK has commented; “The hot summer weather can bring a lot of potential unseen hazards to drivers and their passengers. It’s crucial for drivers to be aware of the temperatures of the inside of your car, it can be almost double the outside temperature even left under the shade, which can be fatal to dogs and children. As long as drivers are aware and vigilant with their regular maintenance and checks, they should have no additional worries and be able to enjoy the summer without any avoidable events”