Summer Driving Tips: Make Sure Your Vehicle is Ready for the Road

Summer means vacations and day trips, meaning more people are on the roads and many of them are towing recreational vehicles or trailers without any training. Combine that with crowded roadways and you have a recipe for disaster!

Here are some important summer driving tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

Vehicle Safety Checks

It’s important to make sure your vehicle is in good shape so you don’t have car trouble somewhere on the way to that campground or family reunion in the middle of nowhere.

Air Conditioning. As the temperature rises, your car air conditioning has to work harder to keep your vehicle cool. Check its performance before traveling. Does it have enough refrigerant? It needs to be checked periodically to make sure it’s working.

Heat Stroke. Summer heat in arid areas of the country can be deadly, especially for children and pets. Heatstroke often occurs when a child or a pet is left unattended in a vehicle for as little as 10 minutes. A parked vehicle can heat up quickly and a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s.

Belts and Hoses. High summer temperatures and long trips accelerate the rate at which rubber belts and hoses degrade. Look under the hood and inspect all belts and hoses to make sure there are no signs of bulges, blisters, cracks or cuts in the rubber. It’s best to replace them now if they show signs of obvious wear. While you’re at it, make sure all hose connections are secure.

Tires. Check all tires for proper inflation and tread life. Tires low on air are more susceptible to going flat and it’s difficult to control a vehicle when the tires are low on pressure. Always follow the recommended pressure. Overinflated tires are a danger, too, since when tires heat up they expand, and if already overinflated, they could blow out, causing a sudden loss of control and sending the car into a ditch!

Cooling System. The summer heat affects your car’s cooling system, too. Before you leave on your trip make sure you have adequate coolant in your radiator and it meets the manufacturer’s specifications. If the coolant hasn’t been changed in a while it’s a good idea to have that done.

Batteries. If you have a gas engine, make sure that the battery is charged and will hold that charge. For hybrid-electric vehicles, keep gas in the tank for the gas engine and make sure your hybrid batteries are charged up before the drive. Although charging stations are becoming more abundant in urban areas, once out in the country you might have trouble finding a recharging station, so map it out in advance.

Lights. Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and emergency flashers. And if you’re towing a trailer, check those lights, too. With no lights at night, you cannot be seen by approaching traffic.

Wiper Blades. You never know when the skies will open up and the rainfall makes it difficult to see. If you have worn-out windshield wipers it might it very difficult to see the road or the traffic around you. If they look worn or warped from exposure to sun and rain, it’s best to replace them.

Floor Mats. Yes, even floor mats can be a hazard. Improperly installed floor mats can interfere with the operation of the gas and/or brake pedals, increasing the possibility of an accident. Always use the correct size mats in your car.

Plan Your Route. Before you leave, check the weather forecast, any road construction, and potential traffic problems. If you’re going to a new place, make sure you familiarize yourself with the route and use GPS, if possible. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination and don’t drive drowsy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If you follow these tips you should arrive safely at your destination, whether it’s across town or across the country!

Call SAV-ON Insurance at 888-867-2866 to make sure your auto insurance will cover you adequately during your trip, or visit us online at https://sav-on.com