As the summer months approach, many families will be hitting the roads for vacations and getaways. While summer travel can be exciting, it’s important to keep safety in mind when driving in hot weather conditions. The team at Bucks County Transport (BCT) would like to share some summer driving tips to help you stay safe on your journeys.
Check Your Vehicle Before any long summer road trip, it’s wise to have your vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic. They can check fluid levels, tire pressure, wiper blades, air conditioning systems and more to ensure your car is ready to handle hot weather driving conditions.
Watch Your Wheels Extremely hot roadways can cause tires to lose air pressure over time or experience excessive wear and damage like bulges or blisters. Inspect your tires regularly and replace any that are excessively worn.
Stay Cool Mechanical failures are more likely to occur when engines overheat. Make sure your cooling system is flushed and filled before summer and that coolant levels are checked regularly. Running the air conditioning also puts extra strain on the engine, so use it sparingly when possible.
Pack an Emergency Kit Assemble an emergency kit to keep in your vehicle with items like water, non-perishable snacks, jumper cables, a flashlight, and basic tools. This can be a lifesaver if you experience a breakdown or delay.
Avoid Excessive Idling Idling gets zero miles per gallon and just lets hot air into the cabin of your vehicle. It’s better to turn off your engine if you’ll be stopped for more than a couple minutes.
Stay Focused Summer is packed with distractions like phone calls, texting, eating and drinking. Pull over if you need to take care of non-driving activities to avoid accidents.
BCT hopes these tips help make your summer driving safer and less stressful. Drive carefully and make sure to stay hydrated in the hot summer months. Safe travels!