10 tips for summer driving

Keep your cool: 10 tips for happier summer driving

Proper sunshine is finally upon us, and after what feels like the longest, wettest winter in history (we’re not meteorologists, so don’t quote us), it’s time to hit the road and make the most of the warmer weather.

But before you put pedal to the metal and charge off to your nearest beach, take stock. Summer driving brings its own set of challenges that can send your best laid plans veering off course if you’re not prepared.

Don’t let the sunshine, nice though it is, go straight to your head.

Driving in the heat is very different from tackling the normal British drizzle, particularly if you’re venturing further than your local beach or park.

Before jumping in the driver’s seat to make the most of the good weather, soak in our 10 top tips for summer driving to keep you, and everyone around you, safer in the sun.

1. Cool the car before you begin your journey

Whether you’re driving 20 minutes down the road or heading off on a cross-country adventure, take time to cool your car down before setting off.

Open all the windows and as many doors as possible to release that hot air from the cabin, before turning on the air con to the coldest temperature.

Keep your windows open until you’re happy with the interior temperature, then close them and blast the air con to recirculate the cold air.

If you’re leasing an electric car, this is where you get to feel a bit smug.

Nearly every EV allows you to ‘precondition’ the interior before you get in – whether that’s heating the car in the winter or cooling it down in summer.

Some can only do this when plugged in, but it’s an easy way to ensure you’re not climbing directly into the sun when you open the car door.

2. Plan alternative travel if you’re drinking alcohol

This might sound obvious, but if you’re planning a day-long jolly, or want to make the most of those long, balmy summer evenings in a beer garden, make sure you’ve thought about how to get home.

For drivers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, 35mcg per 100ml of breath, or 107mg per 100ml of urine.

The laws are stricter in Scotland, where the limit is 22mcg per 100ml of breath, 50mg per 100ml of blood, or 67mg per 100ml of urine.

How this translates into units of alcohol varies from person to person based on sex, height and weight. To stay completely safe, it's best to avoid driving after drinking altogether.

According to the NHS, your heart rate speeds up after just 1-2 units, while reaction times can be considerably slower after 8-9 units. These slower reaction times will have an impact on your ability to drive safely, and it’s not worth taking the risk just for a tasty beverage.

3. Staying hydrated – your most important travel companion

Think your trusty GPS is your most important travel companion? Well, while your sat nav might get you where you’re going, staying hydrated will get you there safely.

While you should stay hydrated year-round, it’s even more important to watch your fluid intake during the hot summer months.

In high temperatures, our bodies need more water than usual.

Always carry a water bottle on board, even if you’re only nipping 20 minutes down the road. You never know what might happen, and you don’t want to end up stuck in a hot car without any water.

For longer journeys, schedule regular breaks to stop, stretch your legs and have a drink.

The Highway Code states you should take a 15-minute break every two hours, but always take more if you need it. If regular service stations aren’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of alternative motorway pitstops that can make your journey more interesting.

4. Be considerate of other road users

The UK is full of incredible holiday destinations (we’re lucky enough to enjoy Devon year-round, and we love sharing our county with holidaymakers), and families flock to them in droves over the summer months.

As locals, we have the luxury of knowing nearby roads like the back of our hands. But if you’re driving somewhere new, you likely don’t have that same wealth of knowledge, and might need more time to safely navigate around new places, especially with winding country lanes and weather-battered signs.

Sunny days also mean more people are likely to be out cycling and walking, so you’ll need to be extra vigilant and always check your blind spot.

Stick to the speed limit and be extra considerate of other road users, especially in hotter temperatures when it’s easier to get flustered or agitated.

From our team to yours

As Devon locals, our team has plenty of experience navigating summer holiday traffic.

Our favourite tip?

The early bird catches the worm – setting off before 8am can save you hours of sitting in traffic on popular routes to coastal destinations.

5. Never leave your dog (or kids) in the car

You might only be nipping into the shop for a pint of milk, but never leave your dog or your young children alone in a locked car in the summer.

Especially during a heatwave.

Even with the windows open, temperatures inside a car can rise at an alarming rate. If you see a distressed dog or child inside a car, alert the police.

Forcing entry could be classed as criminal damage, so refrain from doing so, and let the police deal with it.

If you have a Tesla lease, however, you can keep your furry friend safe with Tesla’s Dog Mode. This setting lets you set the cabin temperature, and the car will maintain it until your return.

It also displays a message on the infotainment screen, letting people know your pet is safe, and showing the interior temperature.

6. Increased risk of breakdown

To avoid putting the brakes on your summer adventures, be aware that the hotter weather brings with it an increased breakdown risk.

Not only are you likely to be driving further, with the good weather tempting us to get out and explore our fair isle (which could mean unwanted problems with the change in usage), but high temperatures can also affect your car.

Hot weather can quickly worsen existing tyre damage, so keep an eye on their condition and pressure before heading off on any long journeys. Make sure your coolant and oil levels meet the necessary requirements to keep the engine at the right temperature and prevent overheating.

Don’t forget to check your fuel levels, too.

Getting caught in an unexpected traffic jam can quickly drain your tank, especially with the air con on full blast.

Your summer adventures deserve better than a breakdown by the roadside. Taking just five minutes to make some crucial checks could save you hours of frustration later.

Carparison quick tip

If you’re leasing a vehicle with a maintenance package, summer is the perfect time to make use of it.

Get your car booked in for its service, if it's due one, and take care of all the perishables that have taken a battering over the winter.

Setting yourself up for summer success now could save you an awful lot of headaches later on in the season, when you just want to be sunning yourself on the beach, crisp Diet Coke in hand.

7. Remember it’s hay fever season

Allergies like hay fever abound in warmer months due to higher temperatures.

With pollen floating everywhere, you might be popping hay fever tablets like they’re going out of fashion to prevent itchy eyes and sneezing. However, some prescription allergy medications can cause unwanted side effects like drowsiness.

Always check the labels of anything you’re taking, and take stock of how you’re feeling before getting behind the wheel.

8. Don’t rule out bad weather

As much as we’d love the hot weather to continue for longer than a few days at a time, we live in the UK – heavy rain or a storm is inevitable.

Just as you would over winter, make sure your tyres have sufficient tread and your windscreen wipers are fully functional.

For more tips on driving in heavy rain, check out our guide on how to drive in heavy rain or floods.

9. Be mindful of the driving conditions

Extremely high temperatures can cause road surfaces to soften and become slippery – so remember to hit the brakes and slow down in extreme heat.

Equally, when rain follow prolonged heat, be aware of increased levels of standing water.

Dazzling sunshine can also be more frequent in summer, so sunglasses are an essential accessory to keep in your car, on top of your head, and in your pocket or bag at all times (you can never have too many pairs).

They’re not always sufficient in improving visibility so, so always pull over safely if you become dazzled.

10. Be prepared!

Hot weather is, by virtue of its nature, hot. (Who knew?)

Don’t hop in your lease car and gaily drive off without being prepared.

Make sure your car is stocked with all the essentials, including extra snacks and water, suncream and sunglasses, and even something to keep the kids entertained if you find yourself stuck in traffic.

Which, unfortunately, is almost inevitable in the summer, with crowds gathering in popular tourist spots.

If you find your route getting crowded and your temper fraying, it’s always better to pull over and spend some time in a service station or small town, than risk getting frustrated and overheated – which can lead to worse driving.

Bonus tip for the eco-conscious driver

If you’re environmentally minded, summer is actually the perfect time to consider an electric vehicle lease.

EVs don’t just help the planet – they tend to be more efficient in warm weather than cold, giving you more miles per charge.

Perfect for all those summer road trips.

And while all modern lease cars come packed with the latest tech, this is even truer for electric cars.

They’re some of the most technologically innovative on the road, with their additional features like advanced climate control and cooling seats helping you navigate all the hidden gems the UK has to offer, without the stress of taking a wrong turn.

Plus, with features like pre-conditioning, you’ll never have to step into a sweltering cabin again.

Stay safe – and cool – this summer.

If you’re finding your current car isn’t quite up to the summer challenge (maybe the air con has seen better days, or you’re worried about reliability on longer journeys), our team is ready to help you find the perfect lease deal for all of your adventures.

With transparent pricing and expert advice just a phone call away, we can help you slash the costs without compromising on your driving experience.