By Blair Qualey
Summertime for car lovers means hitting the road for trips and enjoying the weather, along with some of the most breathtaking scenery that can be found anywhere. However, as our summer weather patterns become more extreme, it can also pose significant challenges for drivers. Not only do you need to ensure your vehicle is ready for the weather, but ensuring that you and your passengers stay cool and comfortable while driving in the heat is crucial for your comfort and for your safety.
One of the most important aspects of staying cool while driving is maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature. Before you hit the road and start driving, take a few minutes to ventilate your car by opening the windows and doors to let the hot air escape.
Of course, nothing beats the icy blast from your car’s AC unit. Start by ensuring your vehicle’s air conditioning system is in top shape. As with anything auto-related, regular maintenance checks with your local dealership can prevent unexpected breakdowns and guarantee cooling when you need it the most.
Always set the AC to “recirculate mode” (the circular arrow symbol). This stops hot air from outside the vehicle from interfering and maintains the temperature by cycling the cold air from inside the car. If you’re driving an older model that doesn’t have reliable AC, simply clipping a portable battery or USB powered fan to the dash can provide some relief.
Keeping the interior of your car as cool as possible in between trips is also a great way to keep the temperature in your car from getting extreme, and the first step is simple: find the right parking spot. Where possible, try to park in the shade, whether it’s under a tree, near a building, or in a covered or underground parking structure. Another solid investment are sunshades, which are a simple and effective way to keep your car cooler by blocking the heat and UV rays from the sun.
Aside from keeping the interior of the vehicle cool, just as you winterize your car, it’s crucial to ready it for hot weather.
Ensure your tires are summer-ready by swapping out winter tires for all-seasons or summer tires and consider rotating them. Heat also expands gases, so make sure to keep a close eye on your tire pressure, as rising temperatures can affect it significantly. Replace filters to maintain clean airflow to your engine and cabin, and check fluid levels, especially coolant, to prevent overheating. Consider protecting your car’s exterior with specialized UV wax to prevent sun damage.
And don’t forget that even during a heat wave, flash storms and rain can still surprise you, so regularly replace worn wiper blades for clear visibility in case of summer rain. Equipping a road trip emergency kit is a good idea during any season, and this also goes for roadside assistance coverage to ensure peace of mind on long summer drives. Finally, keep those driving habits and skills sharp for summer conditions, including increased long-weekend traffic and an increase in motorcycles, bikers, and pedestrians out on the roads.
For Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), consider using ‘ECO’ mode to save energy, along with charging the battery only to 80% to prevent overheating. Try to avoid charging immediately after driving, park in the shade to protect the battery, use preconditioning to cool the cabin before driving, and minimize the use of background applications to conserve battery life.
Please remember that during fire season, before embarking on any road trip,
go to https://www.drivebc.ca/ to check conditions.
By following these tips, you can ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience this summer. Stay cool and drive safe!
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
