Heat wave warning for this summer. While temperatures could break new records this year, cars and their passengers will be put to the test again. Before departure and on the way, here are some tips to avoid overheating on board.
Prepare your vehicle and your trip well
First important point: prepare your vehicle well before the big start. A step not to be overlooked, especially if you haven’t had a chance to schedule a garage service in recent weeks.
As a minimum, check the engine oil and coolant level (always with a cold engine), as well as tire wear and pressure. This tire check is crucial. In case of underinflation, the risk of explosion increases, especially on the highway with the friction that generates additional heat.
The recommended pressure for your vehicle’s tires is indicated on the edge of the door, in the glove box or in your vehicle’s maintenance book. It is also advisable to go quite inflated, between +0.2 or 0.3 bars. Do not forget to also check the pressure of the spare tire if you have it, or the presence of a puncture repair kit.
Before your trip, prepare your itinerary, if possible respecting Bison Futé’s advice on departure times to avoid the areas with the highest traffic. It will also settle you down for a good night’s sleep before the big start.
Feel free to provide cold water bottles, which will also benefit from the air conditioning on board so as not to overheat, or even a cooler bag or cooler.
Proper use of air conditioning.
You have to remember to hydrate regularly and possibly cool off with a mist, especially for children. We can also install wet cloths on the windows, in addition to sunscreens.
Parked in the sun, the car can quickly become an oven. It is advisable to open all the doors and the trunk before starting off.
Once outside, you can drive for a few minutes with the windows open to renew the air on board. But with these high temperatures, it is better to favor the air conditioninghowever some simple rules to keep in mindhow to avoid setting too low a temperature.
The ideal is not to exceed 5 or 6 degrees of difference with the outside temperature and, if it is really too hot, not to exceed 10°C of difference.
It is also best to avoid directing the airflow towards your face and the faces of your passengers. By directing it towards the ceiling, the cold spreads better and everyone can enjoy it.
regular breaks
This is advice that applies in all climates, but it should not be overlooked during this summer period.
The rule is quite simple: a break after a maximum driving time of two hours. If you feel fatigue sooner, stop. Briefly, if a passenger can take over at the wheel, or longer if necessary, the opportunity to stretch their legs a bit or take a nap if they find a spot in the shade.
To limit stress, do not set an arrival time at your destination. It is also necessary to spend a good night before the big game, not always easy during a heat wave.
Watch out for vulnerable passengers
Given the high temperatures, care must be taken with the most vulnerable passengers:
“Be very attentive to the most vulnerable passengers, recommends Vinci Autoroutes. In particular, children, the elderly and even the animals that share your trip. Do not leave them alone, even for a few minutes, in your vehicle when it is stopped already. full sun”.
If you see a child alone in a car, call emergency services immediately, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible (even if it means breaking a window, for example, on the driver’s side, to unlock the doors), and refresh and hydrate them as soon as possible, recommends the Ministry of the Interior.
A dedicated page on the ministry’s official website also provides advice on how to limit risks and react to heat stroke, which “can have serious consequences, including death.”
Predict “the worst”
With the high temperatures and the traffic jams, the mechanics are also put to the test, with a more frequent number of breakdowns and various accidents.
If you don’t necessarily think about it when everything is going well, it helps to plan who you’ll need to contact in case of a problem down the road.
“Before each trip with your vehicle, check that the assistance number of your car is actually written on the insurance sticker. If not, slide the number into your glove compartment or save it to your phone before leaving”, remember Europ Assistance for example.
In the event of an accident or breakdown, first make sure you are out of harm’s way by moving behind the safety barrier on the side of the road, for example. If the situation requires it, call the emergency services first. Then the assistance of your car which can trigger the breakdown request.
Source: BFM TV
