Guide To Summer Driving — Hot Summers Equal Challenging Driving Conditions: Here Are A Few Tips & Tricks
In the UAE, Summers are exceptionally hot. The highest temperature ever recorded in the UAE was a scorching 52.1 degrees Celsius and this was back in July 2002. While it is true that temperatures haven’t hit this figure in over two decades, it is also true that it is constantly getting hotter compared to the vast majority of the other countries across the globe.
The UAE’s neighbouring countries and almost all GCC nations face a similar sort of Summer heatwave every year. As and when weather conditions move to any extreme end of the scale, one must always exercise more caution behind the wheel. Here are a few tips & tricks that will help you have a better driving experience during the Summer season.?
Regular Car Maintenance Is Key
Having a mechanically sound car is incredibly important during the Summer months. The engine of your car usually produces heat and then there’s the additional heat of the summer. With so much heat around, mechanical components that are on the verge of a breakdown will surely give way.?
To avoid this, one must perform maintenance tasks and part replacement at regular intervals. Regular maintenance includes checking the following and replacing them if necessary:
Tyre Life Matters
Tyres are among the components that are usually overlooked. One expects tyres to last long and perform well irrespective of the weather conditions outside. In most cases, they do. However, one must always keep in mind that the tyres are your car’s only point of contact with the road. The road surface gets incredibly hot in the summer and the friction with the tyres leads to a drastic increase in tyre temperatures.
As a result, over a span of time, tyres lose their durability and could form cracks and/or bulges. At this point they become dangerous and are just a disaster waiting to happen. A tyre explosion at higher speeds could be devastating. Reports reveal that 81 people were killed and over 940 were injured in accidents on UAE roads caused by tyre blasts during the summer months of 2021.??
Tyre blasts are one of the biggest causes of accidents in the UAE. So, check your car’s tyres every single day for cracks & bulges. If you find them, get the tyres replaced immediately.
领英推荐
Keep Cool With An Efficient Air Conditioning System
During the summer months, it is nearly impossible to drive without air-conditioning. Every single car in the UAE comes with air conditioning as standard. However, not every car has the most efficient or properly functioning air conditioning.?
It is imperative to get the air conditioning system checked before the start of every summer. The functioning of the compressor and the condition of the belts that drive it must be looked at. In addition, a refill of the refrigerant gas in the car must be considered every summer.
In-Car Habits & Driving Behaviour
There are a couple of things one can do to make the driving experience better even before pulling out of the parking lot. Firstly, set the air-conditioning temperature and fan speed to the necessary level. Secondly, one needs to start using good-quality sunglasses in order to avoid glare while also avoiding hampering vision.
Most importantly, one needs to drink lots of water. It is incredibly easy to get dehydrated during the summer. Stocking up a couple of bottles of water in the car is always helpful and taking a couple of sips every few minutes keeps you hydrated and alert.
Always keep in mind that a dehydrated person will be drowsy and it could also lead to accidents occurring. Car drivers must also be extra cautious with pedestrians & motorcycle riders. During the summer. While driving, watch out for debris on the road.
To read the full detailed article about driving in the summer, click here.
Also Read: