If you're adventuring in a hot desert climate, the harsh conditions can wear down your car quickly. If you don't have a spare tire or some means of breakdown assistance, one small problem could turn a day's adventure into a very dangerous situation. Here are some tips to help keep you safe when driving in extreme heat:
Of course, it's ideal to prepare your automobile to reduce the risk of a breakdown, but it's also a good idea to be prepared in any case. In this article, we'll go over some driving safety tips for when the weather is scorching.
1. Car Maintenance is Key
It's a smart idea to frequently check your car's fluids, such as brake fluid, oil, and antifreeze. If any of these liquids get too low, they can damage your engine. Checking your fluids should be part of your regular car maintenance routine.
In instances of extreme heat, these fluids must be maintained at the proper levels, especially coolant. Your engine must be cold enough to operate without overheating. The cooling system keeps your car's engine cool even when outside temperatures are high. An overheated engine on a hot day might leave you stranded on the side of the road for hours.
In both hot and cold weather, your battery can lose power without any notice. Always check your battery before long journeys to prevent being stranded.
Before hitting the open road on a hot day, it is also a good idea to make sure your air conditioner is in good working order. Even if you're driving with the windows open, the inside of an automobile can quickly get hot if you aren't moving. Air conditioning will be even more important when transporting pets or children. Pets and kids will overheat faster than adults, even if the heat is not overly uncomfortable.
2. Take a Look at Your Tires
You can't necessarily do anything about the fact that your car's door handles get too hot to touch on sunny days, but you can take steps to prevent your tires from being damaged by the heat.
Tire pressure should be checked before you go out so that your car's tires can withstand the heat. Under-inflated tires will get hotter while you drive, whereas those with the correct air pressure will not. If the air in the tires gets too hot, it will expand, possibly causing a blowout. Even if that doesn't happen, under-inflated tires are more prone to going flat on you unexpectedly. Make sure your tire pressure is adequate before leaving home.
3. Emergency Measures
When driving in extremely hot weather, you'll need to bring many things with you in your car to safeguard yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle.
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Emergency Kit or First Aid Kit: This should not only include first aid supplies like bandages, antiseptics, and painkillers but also have enough drinking water for everyone in the car and non-perishable food items.
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Spare Tire and a Complete Jack Set: Before embarking on your journey, take a glance at your spare tire to ensure it is in working order. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the jack and how to change the tire--just in case of an emergency.
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Coolant or Water for the Engine: A few gallons of water or extra coolant can save you from being stranded if your car overheats.
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Window Shades: By utilizing shades to block out the sun’s rays, you can keep your car significantly cooler.
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A Blanket: A blanket-based tent may protect you from getting heat stroke. The desert rapidly cools down once the sun goes down. You can use the blanket to stay warm.
Dealing with Hot Cars and Hot Weather in Your Liv Community
We, the proprietors of your Liv community, are well aware of how harmful the heat can be. We make certain that our landscaped grounds provide ample shade while also keeping a lovely pool, which is always a fantastic way to beat the heat. Of course, you may always stay inside and take advantage of our central air conditioning system if you must travel in the heat of the desert. We recommend that you follow the steps outlined above to keep yourself safe if you must travel in this area.
To learn more about the advantages of living in a Liv community, contact us today.
