nice-weather-van

How to stay safe when driving in warm weather

If you’re going to be spending long periods of time in your van this summer, whether for work or pleasure, the heat is probably going to be a concern. Some vehicles are better equipped to dealing with the heat than others, and this is particularly true of work vans.

If your van is struggling to deal with the current conditions, you’re in exactly the right place when it comes to the best new vans for sale. Here at Van Discount, we stock a range of new vans including dropside vansLuton vans and lo loaders, so whatever your requirements, you can be sure that we’ve got you covered.

With that in mind, driving in the heat can present you with a unique set of risks and challenges that could pose a danger to your safety, so here are a few tips that we’ve put together to help you stay safe while driving this summer.

Plan ahead

With the summer holidays now in full swing, chances are there’s going to be a lot more traffic on the road, particularly heading towards the coast. So, it’s always a good idea to take some time to assess your route before you set off, to ensure you’ve got the clearest run possible. By doing this you’ll minimise the amount of time you’ll be stuck in traffic, and therefore the amount of time you’ll be stuck in the heat. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in traffic on a warm day, and the punishing heat can easily lead to dehydration, which isn’t ideal if you’re spending a lot of time behind the wheel!

Minimise sun glare

One of the most common causes of accidents on the road is temporary blindness due to sun glare. So, it’s best to try your best to keep your windscreen as clean as possible, as dirt can actually intensify the effects of sun glare, as the dirt scatters sunlight. Before any long journey, give your windshield a quick clean and double check that your washer fluid is topped up, and while you’re on the road, be sure to utilise your sun visor, as this can reduce the amount of glare that gets through to your eyes. As an added tip, it’s always worth investing in a decent pair of sunglasses to further protect your eyes.

Tyre pressure

Hot weather doesn’t just mean hot van interiors, you’ll also be in for your fair share of hot roads.
Heat on the roads can weaken your car tyres, and increase the chances of a puncture, and this is especially true if your tyres are under-inflated or damaged. So, we’d recommend checking your tyres to ensure that they’re properly inflated before undertaking any long journeys. As well as being a safety hazard, they can also take a huge toll on your fuel consumption, and with the current state of fuel prices, you might want to consider this fact given that research by the charity Tyre Safe found that if tyres are under-inflated by 20% (around 6psi), they can use up to 10% more fuel!

Try your best to prevent your vehicle from overheating

With all the added pressure being put on the cooling system of your van due to the heat, you’re far more likely to suffer a breakdown. Prevention is much better than cure when it comes to overheating, especially since once your car overheats, it’s usually too late to do anything about it. To that end, make sure that you’re topped up on coolant fluid, and check your coolant reservoir for any visible damage. As a side note, try not to sit static in your vehicle too long, as letting your engine run unnecessarily can lead to overheating. If you’re not moving, turn your engine off. Small changes do make a difference!

Those are just a few tips of our top tips for taking on the heat this summer. If your van is struggling to cope with the heat, then we can provide you with the best new van deals here at Van Discount. We save our buyers an average of 40% off the recommended retail price of a new van – which often equates to thousands of pounds! So, if you’ve got any more specific questions or you need any advice, feel free to ask our experts! We’ve got decades of experience behind us, making us the perfect people to tell you anything you need to know about the best van deals. Feel free to get in touch with us directly by calling 01282 872 530. Our team will be more than happy to answer your questions!