Home > Safeguard Your Money > Driving in Extreme Temperatures

Driving in Extreme Temperatures

By: Ray Prince - Updated: 5 Aug 2015 | comments*Discuss
 
Driving Engine Emergency Air Pressure

Cruising your vehicle along the road singing to radio tunes is a privilege, not a right. Just as operating a vehicle is a privilege given by your license authority. What better way to enjoy this privilege than by making sure you get to enjoy it in the first place? By learning how to drive safely in extreme hot and cold climates, you will be best equipped to crank those tunes along the Interstate.

Driving in Cold Climates

Cold climates present plenty of potential driving hazards, so it's important to take precautions. First and foremost, your car must be in optimum condition come wintertime. Take your car for a tune up, maintain proper antifreeze levels, check to see if your tyre treads are up to par, and have emergency gear handy. Emergency equipment stashed in the trunk speaks volumes over accident prevention. Keep your ordinary torch, ice scrapers, shovels to dig yourself out of snow, plenty of warm blankets, and reflectors if a highway stop occurs. A bona fide rule of thumb: keep some extra sand handy if possible. This allows for tyre traction when it is lacking.

Try to avoid driving on snow at all costs. For devastating storms, inform your loved ones of your exact route and ask them to notify the police if you don't arrive. Drive slowly but surely and always keep your eyes ahead. If snow grips your tyres like pliers in a rut, clear your exhaust pipes every so often and keep warm with blankets. Never leave your windows fully closed. Quick heat will pamper the interior, leaving you suffocated - so keeping your windows open a few centimetres is a fresh idea.

Driving in Hot Temperatures

Unbeknownst to many, hot weather can also cause potential hazards while driving. Drivers are more likely to pre-inspect their cars more acutely than normally required when temperatures soar. Tyres are hot weather's primary victims, so pay close attention to them. Check for right air pressure and check the tyres for overheating every 100 miles or so in 90 degree + weather. Keep enough engine oil handy, which lubricates and keeps the engine cool. Invest in an oil temperature gauge if you don't already have one. Your engine cooling system should also be primed to prevent blow out. Water and antifreeze should saturate it otherwise engine fires and breakdown could result.

High Speed Driving

Avoid driving at high speeds in both hot and cold weather. High speeds overheat tyres and can cause blow out to engines as well. Cold, snowy climates are unsafe to speed in for obvious reasons. Using these precautionary measures and survival tips in case push comes to shove, you will be ready to handle any climate causing disaster your car may face in the future.

You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
welshmam - Your Question:
We are driving to Montenegro for a family holiday but cant find anyone to insure us for Bosnia and Montenegro. Also cant find a cost for Green Card. Any ideas/suggestions etc?

Our Response:
You might have to find a specialist broker. Sometimes the online sources are set up to deal with the most straightfoward of scenarios. A broker will also be able to provide you with cost for a Green Card.The Motor Insurer's Bureau could help
SafeTravel - 6-Aug-15 @ 11:34 AM
We are driving to Montenegro for a family holiday but cant find anyone to insure us for Bosnia and Montenegro. Also cant find a cost for Green Card. Any ideas/suggestions etc?
welshmam - 5-Aug-15 @ 4:13 PM
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice...
Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics