Guide To Summer Driving — Hot Summers Equal Challenging Driving Conditions: Here Are A Few Tips & Tricks

In the UAE, Summers are exceptionally hot. The highest temperature ever recorded in the UAE was a scorching 52.1 degrees Celsius and this was back in July 2002. While it is true that temperatures haven’t hit this figure in over two decades, it is also true that it is constantly getting hotter compared to the vast majority of the other countries across the globe.

The UAE’s neighbouring countries and almost all GCC nations face a similar sort of Summer heatwave every year. As and when weather conditions move to any extreme end of the scale, one must always exercise more caution behind the wheel. Here are a few tips & tricks that will help you have a better driving experience during the Summer season.

Regular Car Maintenance Is Key

Having a mechanically sound car is incredibly important during the Summer months. The engine of your car usually produces heat and then there’s the additional heat of the summer. With so much heat around, mechanical components that are on the verge of a breakdown will surely give way.

To avoid this, one must perform maintenance tasks and part replacement at regular intervals. Regular maintenance includes checking the following and replacing them if necessary:

Coolant
Engine Oil
Thermostat
Wheel Bearings
Fire Extinguisher

Tyre Life Matters

Tyres are among the components that are usually overlooked. One expects tyres to last long and perform well irrespective of the weather conditions outside. In most cases, they do. However, one must always keep in mind that the tyres are your car’s only point of contact with the road. The road surface gets incredibly hot in the summer and the friction with the tyres leads to a drastic increase in tyre temperatures.

As a result, over a span of time, tyres lose their durability and could form cracks and/or bulges. At this point they become dangerous and are just a disaster waiting to happen. A tyre explosion at higher speeds could be devastating. Reports reveal that 81 people were killed and over 940 were injured in accidents on UAE roads caused by tyre blasts during the summer months of 2021.

Tyre blasts are one of the biggest causes of accidents in the UAE. So, check your car’s tyres every single day for cracks & bulges. If you find them, get the tyres replaced immediately.

Keep Cool With An Efficient Air Conditioning System

During the summer months, it is nearly impossible to drive without air-conditioning. Every single car in the UAE comes with air conditioning as standard. However, not every car has the most efficient or properly functioning air conditioning.

It is imperative to get the air conditioning system checked before the start of every summer. The functioning of the compressor and the condition of the belts that drive it must be looked at. In addition, a refill of the refrigerant gas in the car must be considered every summer.

In-Car Habits & Driving Behaviour

There are a couple of things one can do to make the driving experience better even before pulling out of the parking lot. Firstly, set the air-conditioning temperature and fan speed to the necessary level. Secondly, one needs to start using good-quality sunglasses in order to avoid glare while also avoiding hampering vision.

Most importantly, one needs to drink lots of water. It is incredibly easy to get dehydrated during the summer. Stocking up a couple of bottles of water in the car is always helpful and taking a couple of sips every few minutes keeps you hydrated and alert.

Always keep in mind that a dehydrated person will be drowsy and it could also lead to accidents occurring. Car drivers must also be extra cautious with pedestrians & motorcycle riders. During the summer. While driving, watch out for debris on the road.

Parking During The Summer

Parking under a shade is the most recommended way of parking your car during summer. However, it isn’t really always possible to fully shield your car from the sun. Firstly, using some window blinds/shades is most recommended. It is very easy to source reflective sun shades and they aren’t too expensive either. They protect your car’s interior from UV rays and direct sunlight.

Secondly, never leave behind items that have the potential to explode when exposed to high temperatures. Lighters, lighter fluid canisters, deodorants, and body sprays are great examples of everyday goods that could be dangerous when exposed to high temperatures.

Experts also suggest leaving one or two of the windows slightly open to allow for a bit of ventilation. However, given that the UAE sometimes experiences sand storms and that dust could enter the cabin, we’ll leave this one to your discretion. In addition to all this, one must never leave behind children or pets in a car parked under the sun. It could lead to life-threatening levels of dehydration & suffocation.

Beware Of Harmful & Toxic Gases

The first type of harmful gases comes from a superheated cabin. When you close your car’s doors and leave it under the sun for a few hours, the cabin turns into a hotbox. The excessive heat results in the emission of harmful gases from the resins & glues used to stick some parts of your car together. This isn’t life-threatening but is best avoided. Hence, it is suggested to turn the air-conditioning on and open all the doors to let the old hot gases out, before driving away.

The second type of gas could be life-threatening. During the summer, many are often found inside their car with the engine and the air conditioning turned on. If this is done in an open space, it is alright.

However, if one is in an enclosed space like a basement parking lot with the engine turned on, he/she could be breathing in toxic Carbon Monoxide. This is a gas that can kill a person. Since it is odorless and colourless, the victims won’t even see it coming. The Dubai Police issues a warning about this ‘Silent Killer’ every summer.

Hot Surfaces Everywhere

This is an obvious one but still worth mentioning. The excessive heat from the sun increases temperatures to an extent where all the metal parts in your car are extremely hot. Given that about 70 percent of the average car is made up of metal components, it is quite obvious that your car is out to burn you, not literally. But you get the point. Be cautious, even while trying to wear your seatbelt.