Man in sunglasses lloking out of a car window

Summer driving tips

Warm weather can make driving less comfortable for you, but it can also place more stress on your car. It’s important that you’re prepared for the summer months.

Read our tips to help you drive safely during the British summertime.

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Summer maintenance checks

Tyres

The heat of summer can increase the risk of blowouts. Make sure you check your tyre pressure regularly, as well as monitoring wear and tear. If you’re planning a trip where you’ll be carrying heavy loads, you may need to adjust your tyre pressure before you set off.

Screen wash

Insect debris and dust from the road can build up on your windscreen over time. To maintain good visibility, keep your screen wash topped up.

Alternator

Battery fatigue can also place extra strain on your car’s alternator, which is more expensive and time consuming to fix if anything goes wrong. To prevent issues, make sure you keep up with your vehicle’s recommended servicing schedule.  

Your car battery

Using air conditioning and charging multiple devices can drain your battery. Even slow-moving traffic can cause issues, as your car’s electrical system replenishes battery charge through motion. Batteries typically last 3-5 years, so is it time for a replacement before your next trip?

Cooling systems

As well as making travel more comfortable for you in the hottest months, having an effective cooling system can prevent your car from overheating. If you notice small puddles of water under your car after a journey, it could be condensed fluid from your air conditioning system. That isn’t usually anything to worry about.

Clutch

Slow moving traffic, driving in unfamiliar areas and towing trailers or caravans can all cause wear to your vehicle’s clutch. As well as maintaining the condition of your car, it can help to avoid heavy traffic. Also, familiarise yourself with the area you’re travelling to, and make sure you understand the towing capacity of your vehicle.

Lights

It’s always important to make sure your lights are functional, replacing any bulbs that stop working. As well as helping you to see, lights make sure you’re visible to other drivers.

Oil

Check your engine oil levels regularly to keep things running smoothly.

Other things to consider

  • How to combat overheating

    Hot weather can affect your car, as well as its passengers. It’s worth knowing how to lower the temperature when the summer sun is shining.

    • When you’re parked, use sun shields on the windows to deflect some of the sun’s heat.
    • Although you’ll face competition, try to park in the shade whenever possible.
    • Carry water wherever you go – it’s important to keep passengers refreshed and hydrated.
    • Driving with your air conditioning on will help to reduce the internal temperature of your car.
    • If you don’t have air conditioning, opening your car windows is the next best thing.

    Never leave children or pets in the car on a hot day, even with the windows open. Cars can heat faster and retain high temperatures for longer than the surrounding environment, which could result in heatstroke, or worse.

  • Driving safely in warm conditions

    • Allow extra time for each journey, especially during busy times of the day and accounting for school holiday traffic.
    • Keep sunglasses handy and your windscreen clear to combat any glare from the sun.
    • During the summer months, you may be more likely to encounter cyclists and pedestrians on the roads. Stay vigilant and follow all guidance provided in the Highway Code.
    • If you suffer from hay fever, get someone else to drive wherever possible. Otherwise, make sure any medication you’re taking doesn’t cause drowsiness, and keep windows and air vents closed to limit the amount of pollen.
       

    Taking a long trip? Many accidents are caused by fatigue, so make sure you get an early night before you travel. Aim to take 15-minute breaks every 2 hours, or whenever you start to feel tired.

    Do you smoke? You should never throw cigarette butts or flick ash out of the window, as dry grass on the roadside could ignite, causing both destruction and delays. Fire risks aside, littering is also a criminal offense.

  • Whatever the time of year

    • Make sure you have enough fuel or battery charge for your journey, accounting for any unexpected delays.
    • Keep your distance from other cars – at least 3 seconds behind the car ahead of you.
    • Keep your windscreen clean and keep your windscreen wash topped up. Police can issue fines and points if your visibility is impaired.
    • Maintain your focus on the road and keep both hands on the steering wheel.
    • Keep calm. Stress isn’t going to help you, or anyone else using the road.
    • If you break down, switch on your hazard lights, then exit the car using the left-hand doors where possible. Ideally, leave pets inside the vehicle. Once you’ve called for assistance, wait by the roadside at a safe distance. Wear a high-vis vest or jacket if you can. Attempting repairs may be dangerous, so it’s advised to call and wait for professional assistance.

Keep up with car servicing

To keep your car running safely, it’s important to have it serviced in line with the manufacturer’s advice. This is usually every 12,000 miles, or annually – whichever comes first.

A service will usually include a survey of your car’s engine, oil filter, lights, tyres, bodywork, exhaust, brakes, steering, coolant levels, suspension, and battery. In short, all the essentials.

By servicing your car, you’ll:

  • maintain the performance of your car, extending its lifespan
  • reduce the risk of your car breaking down
  • enhance fuel economy.

Check your car’s logbook if you need a reminder of when your car was last serviced. If you’re overdue, your local dealership or garage should be able to help.

Before any long trip

The acronym 'COVERS’ offers a handy reminder of things to check before you travel:

Coolant – this maintains the temperature of your engine, so check that it’s between the min and max levels. You can top it up yourself, but if the level changes often, it may indicate there’s an issue.

Oil – to prevent engine damage and overheating, check your oil levels and top up whenever necessary.

Visibility – to maintain good windscreen visibility, it’s essential to keep your screen wash topped up and water jets clear. The police can issue fines and points if your visibility is impaired.

Electrics – from lights and indicators to windows and wipers, it’s important that the electrics in your car are fully functional, ensuring safety.

Rubber – tyres should each have at least 3mm of tread and be inflated to the right pressure. Check that your windscreen wiper blades are also in good condition.

Supplies - you’ll use more fuel or battery charge in start/stop traffic, so make sure your reserves are filled and ready for the journey you’re undertaking.

Pack a car survival kit

Below are some essentials that should make summer driving safer:

  • a fully charged mobile phone and charger/power pack
  • a torch and spare batteries
  • Sat-nav or a road atlas
  • cool or iced water
  • an empty fuel can
  • a first aid kit
  • sunglasses
  • sun cream.

In case of a breakdown, make sure you’ve also got:

  • a high-vis fluorescent jacket/vest
  • warm and waterproof clothing
  • a sleeping bag or foil blankets
  • reflective warning triangles
  • snacks and drinks
  • jump-start leads
  • sensible shoes.

Insurance and breakdown cover

In the event of an accident or breakdown, you’ll be glad to have suitable cover in place. You can purchase breakdown cover independently, or even as part of your insurance policy.

Browse Lloyds Bank Car Insurance

Why choose Lloyds Bank Car Insurance?

Our standard cover provides:

Our comprehensive cover comes with these extra features:

Enhance your cover with optional extras:

Our standard cover provides:

  • A 24-hour emergency claims helpline.
  • Access to My Account to manage your policy online.
  • 60 Days of European Union cover at the level you have at home.

Third Party and Third Party, Fire and Theft offer a basic level of cover.

Our comprehensive cover comes with these extra features:

  • 3 year guarantee on approved claims repairs.
  • 24-hour emergency windscreen helpline.
  • New car replacement – if a car you bought new in the last 12 months is stolen and not recovered.
  • Vandalism cover – so if your car is damaged maliciously, you're still protected.
  • Courtesy car – whilst your car is at one of our approved repairers. Subject to availability and eligibility.

Enhance your cover with optional extras:

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply to all car insurance benefits. Refer to the relevant Insurance Product Information Document for details. In the event of a claim normal excess applies and your no claims discount may also be affected. 

For more information, please refer to the relevant insurance information document:

Third Party (PDF, 210KB)

Third Party Fire and Theft (PDF, 209KB)

Comprehensive (PDF, 210KB)

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