How to keep cool when driving in summer heat

Keeping yourself and your car cool is vital for safe and reliable driving. Here is how to stay chilled when the temperature heats up.

Driving in summer heat

We’re finally getting towards summer, with temperatures on the rise across the UK. The hot weather is great news for ice cream vendors, but less so for drivers.

Keeping yourself and your car cool can be difficult in on a hot day – but it’s vital in order to arrive at your destination safely and reliably.

Following these tips should prevent a meltdown when the temperature creeps up.

Keep your cool

Keeping cool in hot weather

Heat-shielding sun shades

The real winners during a heatwave are those who leave a reflective sun shade in their windscreen. These are great for bouncing back solar energy away from your car’s interior.

You’ll be especially thankful for one if your vehicle has leather seats (and you like wearing shorts).

Air conditioning

Highway Code rule 237 states: ‘Keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness’.

At lower speeds, open a window to keep fresh air flowing through the car. You can keep the air conditioning on, too – otherwise the outside air will soon make the cabin scorching hot – but having a window ajar will prevent it from drying out. Also, heat rises, so a slightly open window will let the warmest air out first. 

What about the extra fuel cost? It will be negligible around town – and the air conditioning will already be working hard. At speed, however, keep the windows up and air-con on to avoid causing drag and wasting petrol, diesel or electricity.

Classic Pepsi Ford Transit

Stay hydrated

Your body is reasonably able to sweat itself cool. Perspiration does use up water, though, so perhaps the most important thing on a hot day is to keep drinking. 

When driving, make sure there’s plenty of water in the car for all passengers. Remember: you can still get dehydrated if using the air conditioning. 

Wear sunglasses

Wear a pair of sunglasses to avoid being dazzled, particularly by low morning or evening sun. It’s less of a factor in the summer, but those commuting out of hours will still benefit.

Indeed, sunglasses can be essential at any time of year. Your car’s sun visors can only do so much, and you never know when you’ll be caught out by glare in a reflected car windscreen or shopfront.

A decent pair of sunglasses might even help you look cooler, or so we’re told.  

Keep your car cool

5. Plan ahead

So, that’s you feeling chilled – now for your car. The following tips will help prevent a breakdown caused by the engine overheating.

Check your car

Your first line of defence is preparation. Make sure your car is regularly serviced and topped up with fluids, including screenwash for clearing those summer bugs from the windscreen.

Check the oil and water temperature gauges regularly while driving (if fitted), and be alert for any dashboard warning lights. Slow down and stop as soon as safely possible if the car appears to be overheating.

Plan ahead

This applies to you and your car. Planning ahead and taking a journey at the right time can improve your chances of getting there. Cooler hours of the day and less traffic are a win-win. 

It’s also worth noting that hot weather can affect public transport. So if you’re travelling by bus or train, check ahead of time for weather-related disruption. 

Staying cool in hot weather

Keep water on-board for your car

Your car needs water as well. Being able to top up the cooling system on the go is invaluable, should the need arise.

If the temperature gauge is edging towards the red zone, pull over when safe and switch off the engine. However, don’t top up the water straight away. The system will still be under pressure and you could scald yourself if you open the cap and boiling water sprays out. Allow the car to cool fully first.

Turn the heating on… yes, really

If your car is getting too hot in heavy traffic, consider switching the heating on. This will help evacuate some of that unwanted heat from the engine bay. Just try to aim the air vents out of the windows first.

After you have arrived

7. At your destination

When you arrive, avoid leaving pets in the car. Animals can die in hot cars and the emergency services won’t hesitate to break your windows to free them.

Remember those winning people with sun shades from earlier in the article? A shade in a windscreen also makes for a cooler cabin.

Some cars let you open the windows remotely by holding down the unlock button on the key fob, which can help in high temperatures.

After the heat subsides

Highway Code rule 237 also states: ‘If it rains after a dry spell [the road surface] may become slippery. These conditions could affect your steering and braking’.

This is the UK, after all, so expect some summer showers. When they come, remember that dust-covered roads will be even less grippy than in typical wet conditions.

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Motoring Research team
Motoring Research team
News, reviews, advice and features from the award-winning Motoring Resarch editorial team.

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