Australia can get hot, scorching hot, and people know they need to take that into consideration in the course of their daily lives. One situation where the oppressive heat can create real problems is while driving. Sometimes it’s simply necessary to drive in hot weather, but by taking some precautions you can keep cool, avoid heat-related breakdowns, and stay safe if something does go wrong.
Sun Protection – If you are going to be out driving on a hot day put on some sunscreen and wear a hat, the windshield protects you from some UV radiation, but not all! If you are going to leave the car parked for a period of time try for a shady parking spot, and have front and side window shades ready to deploy so you don’t come back to an oven!
Stay Hydrated – Always carry enough drinking water for you, your passengers, and your pets! If you are planning on a long drive then bring a few extra litres along to be safe! Try not to consume a lot of caffeinated drinks, they can help keep you alert, but they are diuretics that can make your body lose water quickly.
Everybody Out! – Never, ever leave children or pets alone in a parked car, it can lead to their deaths and it is against the law! The rising temperatures inside a parked car can kill someone even with the windows rolled down!
Emergency Essentials – The high heat can lead to breakdowns so always have a well-stocked emergency kit on hand. A good kit should contain extra drinking water, a non-perishable food source like energy bars, a torch and extra batteries, road warning triangles and emergency beacons, spare tyre, some basic car tools, a length of sturdy rope, and a first aid kit. A foldable tarp that you can place over the car during a roadside stranding can help keep the sun off while you wait for help! Always keep your mobile phone fully charged and keep some emergency cash on hand.
Fuel Up – Always make sure your fuel tank is full before a long day of driving in hot weather, running out on the way can lead to big problems! If you are crossing the outback always have a full spare fuel tank at the ready!
Coolants And Fluids – It’s very important that your radiator coolant be clean and full. If you need to add more fluid while on a drive be aware that the proper safety measures must be taken, the hot fluid under pressure can be dangerous if the cap is opened incorrectly! Wait for it to cool down for as long as possible before attempting to add more coolant. Driving in hot weather is also demanding on other engine fluids, be sure to check that your transmission fluid, engine oil, brake fluid, and power steering fluid are all at their recommended levels.
Hot weather is hard on your car and hard on you, so try to avoid it as much as possible, but if you must, then drive safe and prepare to feel that heat!
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