Beat-the Heat Suggestions for Avoiding Summer Driving Dangers
When drivers flip the calendar to the winter months, they start to anticipate facing the season’s obstacles: snow, ice and cold. On the other hand, summer driving brings its own set of challenges that smart auto owners know they should be aware of and take steps to prepare for. By staying alert for both anticipated and unanticipated dangers, you can overcome them and safely manage your summer drives.
Dangerous Weather
Changing weather conditions may be the number one summer concern; this concern arises because weather comes in many forms and different grades of severity: severe hail; strong winds and rain, rapid lightning or sudden tornadoes. In some cases, you can avoid bad conditions by checking the forecast, but sometimes severe weather pops up unexpectedly. Then you need to find shelter, either by pulling over under an overpass or leaving your car and entering a building. Your safety comes first; you can always fix your car later, seeking hail storm vehicle repair Denver CO or other weather repairs.
Tire Failure
Driving in extreme heat can increase your odds of suffering a tire blowout. The heat causes the air in the car tires to expand, a condition that puts pressure on the sidewalls and also reduces resistance to punctures. To minimize your chances of a flat, check your tires before driving when the ambient temperature is cool; add air to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Also, scan the road for potholes so that you can safely avoid them without swerving at the last minute.
Engine Overheating
An engine can readily overheat during the summer. The cause can come from the following cooling-system conditions: hoses and belts that have cracked and weakened; coolant that has aged past its service life; or a radiator overflow bottle that does not hold a sufficient amount of coolant. Have your mechanic inspect the cooling system and the condition of the coolant before the summer starts, and add the proper mixture of coolant and water if the level drops too low; check your service manual.
Packed Roads
Summer is the most dangerous time to be on the roads. Congestion is greater, inexperienced teens drive more often, construction pops up and more walkers and bicyclists hit the roads. You can work around these obstacles by staying alert, obeying all speed limits, resisting aggressive driving urges and sharing the road with those not in cars.
It is logical to think that winter is a time when you need to take extra driving precautions. However, you should stay attuned to safe-driving strategies during the summer as well. If you do so, you can navigate safely between your air-conditioned destinations.