On top of having one of the hottest heatwaves in history, British drivers also have to contend with the risks of fines relating to driving mistakes which can result in fines of up to £5,000 and £1,000 accordingly.
All motorists should be made aware of the following Highway Code rule 237, which states drivers must keep their cars “well ventilated”. This ruling is to advise drivers that they should avoid drowsiness at all times when they are in control of a vehicle. Failing to adhere to this rule could result in a whopping fine in the most severe cases.
Drivers risk facing a fine of up to £1,000 for failing to be in control of their vehicle if affected by heat-related issues.
The UK is currently having unprecedented weather conditions, which are reaching unbearable levels on Monday and Tuesday, so it’s advisable when hitting the roads to make sure you carry out the following checks;
Hydration
One of the biggest risks is putting you and your passengers at risk by not drinking enough fluids during the extreme heatwave, so it’s a good idea to ensure you have enough liquid in your vehicle for you and your passengers. Failing to do so as the driver of your vehicle may result in dehydration symptoms such as dizziness, loss of focus, headaches, fatigue, and nausea.
Your body needs water in order to maintain the overall healthy functionality of all vital organs in the body. It’s recommended you drink around six to eight glasses of water a day. Dehydration can affect the very young and elderly more seriously if not kept hydrated.
Regularly check coolant levels
It’s highly advisable to carry out some simple checks before setting out in your vehicle, especially on long journeys. This unprecedented summer is nothing like the UK has ever seen before, so more checks and peace of mind will be required to keep you and your passengers safe as much as possible. Most coolant levels can easily be checked just by opening your bonnet and looking out for a small, normally clear container that has indicators on the outside to give you a guide as to what the coolant level is in your car. If you can’t see it, refer to your owner’s manual or just type in your vehicle’s make and model on YouTube and search for the appropriate media which can assist you. It’s also wise to check your windscreen wiper washer liquid while you’re at it.
Check oil on a weekly basis
In extreme temperatures such as the UK is currently experiencing, oil in your vehicle needs to be checked regularly, at least once a week. With the high temperatures, the UK is currently experiencing, the oil in your vehicle becomes thinner thus making it harder for the oil to lubricate the engine. This occurrence can have a detrimental effect on certain engine parts which could eventually result in a breakdown.
To help avoid this, it’s recommended that you use good quality car oil that has a thick coat, maintaining thickness during the hot weather.
Keep an eye on your air-con maintenance
The last thing you want to experience inside your car now is air-con failure due to it requiring re-gassing. This is a crucial time for you now to check and get your air-con gas topped up, and the air filters need to be checked regularly at least every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. This feature in your car will play a vital role in keeping you and your passengers cool, safe, and comfortable inside your car.
Remember also, when entering your car in extreme weather, open all your vehicle’s windows to release the hot air, and then after a few minutes, close all windows and start up the air-con. This gives the air-con less work to reach its full temperature setting with less strain on your air-con and fuel economy.
Get a tyre gauge
This summer’s heatwave can also cause the over-inflation of tyres as the surface of the rubber generates more friction on the hot surface roads. Keep tabs on your tyres’ pressure by simply doing quick and regular checks with a tyre gauge or any drive to your nearest service station.
Parking in the shade
The easiest way to combat your vehicle overheating is simply to park it in the shade. Any shade will do because you can bet that every motorist will be thinking the same thing. Even under a tree, regardless of how many birds are using it as a public toilet, these are the measures that have to be considered, in order for the well-being of you and your passengers’ comfort and safety.
If you want to be the one to think outside the box, buy a windscreen sunshade. These are designed to block the heat from your car’s interior. Handy also for keeping your front seats from being hotter than the surface of the sun, and also keeping things like your steering wheel, and gear stick at bearable temperatures.
No air-con?
There is no better time than now to start considering upgrading your current car if you’re not fortunate enough to have air-con as a feature. Why? Because it’s been forecast that these types of extreme weather conditions will become more and more common. The likelihood of these types of extremely hot weather conditions will be with us in the UK for the foreseeable future.
At WOO Carz, based in Southampton we stock only quality used cars which range from used SUVs, used MPVs, used saloons, used hatchbacks, used 4WDs, used hybrids, and used electric cars. If you are the owner of a car which does not have air-con, we’ll be happy to take it off your hands with our very competitive part-exchange promise and even help settle any outstanding car finance on your old car.
As a well-established, family-owned used car dealership, we will also deliver your chosen car to your door or place of work and collect your old car if you have used it for part exchange. All used cars we sell are HPI clear, fully inspected and come with a full warranty. Even if you can’t find the car you are looking for, WOO Carz offer a free sourcing service to ensure we can try every avenue of acquiring your chosen used car.
To find out more about our current deals and latest offers, call us now on 02382 543 928 and speak to one of our friendly advisors or if you are seeking a decision for car finance, click here to get approval within an hour.
WOO Carz Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 626798.