Tips for Driving Your Motability Car This Summer
View our top tips for driving your Motability car this summer to take care of both you and your car.
Driving in the summer is much preferable to driving in the winter. Bright and sunny days provide the best and easiest driving conditions, with dry surfaces for better grip.
But they also present their challenges, requiring you to prepare differently. Read on for our top tips for driving around in your Motability car this summer.
1. Stay hydrated on longer journeys
The summer heat can be overwhelming, and we often get mini heatwaves all of a sudden here in the UK.
Driving in extreme heat can be challenging, even with your air conditioning on full blast or the windows down. You’ll need to stay hydrated to maintain energy, otherwise you might start to feel tired or dizzy, and find it more difficult to concentrate.
When setting off on your journeys this summer, make sure you take a bottle of cold water with you to avoid dehydration. On longer journeys, take regular rest breaks in a shaded area where possible.
2. Check all your car’s essentials
As soon as the sun comes out, it can be tempting to get straight on the road towards your destination. However, we recommend taking some time to check over your car first.
Always make sure you have enough fuel for your journey and top up your oil and coolant levels if needed. These keep the engine lubricated and working optimally, avoiding the risk of breakdowns or overheating.
You should also check your tyres to make sure they have sufficient tread depth (at least 3mm). Remember to top up your windscreen washer fluid as well to make sure you can keep your windscreen clean. Check your wiper blades are in good working order too, as these will come in handy for any unexpected showers or summer storms.
If you notice any hazard warning lights appear on your dashboard, check your user manual or have a technician look over your car.
3. Pack sunglasses and suncream
Wearing sunglasses while driving is recommended to combat increased glare from the sun. It’s important to be able to see clearly and comfortably for both your and other road users’ safety.
You might also think that sunburn only occurs when outside in the sun, but it can also happen inside a car too. The sun’s powerful rays can easily get through the glass, meaning you should wear suncream if you’ll be inside your car for longer during the summer.
4. Use the air conditioning or lower your windows
It’s important not to use both of these at once, as it is far less efficient. To keep yourself cool, either switch on your air conditioning or put your windows down. Everyone has different preferences, so it’s up to you which method you use.
If using the air con, bear in mind that this will use more fuel (or electric range if driving an electric Motability car). To avoid waste, we recommend only using the air con for shorter periods and switching it off once you feel cool enough.
Similarly, it’s good to use your air conditioning sometimes to keep it running smoothly. The system can get clogged up with dirt or debris over time, so you may notice it works less efficiently if it’s been a while. With our summer check packages, you can get an air-con detox to clean out the system for better performance.
5. Check the label on summer medications
If you suffer from hay fever in the summer, you’ll likely be taking antihistamines for relief. It’s important to check the label as some of these medicines can make you feel drowsy as a side effect.
If you do feel drowsy, do not drive your Motability vehicle. For any essential journeys, ask one of your named drivers to drive the vehicle instead, or wait until the drowsiness has subsided.
6. Be vigilant on the roads
Summer often brings more traffic to the roads, as more people make the most of the good weather. When driving your Motability vehicle, exercise more caution on built-up roads with more traffic.
Look out for any motorbikes or cyclists that may appear suddenly and leave them plenty of room. In more rural areas, you may even come across horse riders, where you’ll need to overtake slowly and widely.
Your Motability journey at Vertu Motors
We hope you found this article useful and feel well-prepared for your summer adventures.
Nearing the end of your lease? We have a wide range of fantastic models for you to explore from top manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Honda, Kia, MINI, and more. Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any adaptations you require to make the vehicle suitable for your needs.
Prefer to deal in person? Book an appointment at your local Vertu Motors dealership , where our Motability specialists will be happy to help. Start searching for your new vehicle by clicking the button below.