How heat affects the car and passengers

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Poor vehicle maintenance and excessive heat can cause car breakdown and dizziness, dehydration and fatigue for those in it.

Heat waves occur throughout July. With thermometers hovering around or above 40 degrees during the holiday season in much of Spain, it is advisable not to stop paying attention to both the vehicle and passengers as traveling under these conditions can cause more than one problem.

Poor vehicle maintenance and excessive heat can cause car breakdown and dizziness, dehydration and fatigue for those in it.

From the National Association of Driving Schools ANAES, they provide us with a set of basic recommendations to consider when driving in blistering heat.

High temperatures have a very negative effect when we are driving. With a temperature in the passenger compartment above 35º, the driver stops sensing 20% ​​of the signals and increases his errors by 30%, which in turn increases the chance of an accident by up to 20%. In addition, heat increases dehydration, causes irritability and the feeling of fatigue in the driver can lead to a decrease in attention span behind the wheel and an increase in the driver’s reaction time to unforeseen events.

For their part, the rest of the passengers may also be affected. The most common symptoms are drowsiness, muscle cramps, drop in blood pressure and exhaustion, so the symptoms should not be ignored. Water, as a source of hydration, is essential as carbonated drinks or coffee raise blood pressure and thus body temperature.

Vehicles can also suffer from excess heat, so at the moment it is also useful to have maintenance run as optimally as possible.

In the summer review of our vehicle, it is essential not to overlook the following elements, due to its high sensitivity to heat:

• Radiator. It is essential to keep the radiators clean and with a good coolant level. If the vehicle’s cooling circuit is not in perfect condition, the vehicle can lose up to 15% of its power.

• Oil level. Above 40ºC outside, the engine oil evaporates faster, so in the summer this element is checked more often to prevent more serious engine problems.

• Ties. High temperatures expand the tires, making them more prone to punctures or blowouts. Maintaining the pressure specified by the manufacturers is essential.

• Another element to consider is the brake fluid, as it reacts to heat, just like brake discs. They need more meters to brake when the heat builds up, so it is very necessary that the level remains constant at all times.

• Air conditioning. Abusing the air conditioning, pushing it to its limits, increases fuel consumption by 20% and affects the engine’s power delivery. In addition, it can cause malfunctions of the alternator and battery. Using it for a long time while the vehicle is stationary may end its duration. Keeping it at a constant temperature between 22-24ºC contributes to a good ventilation system that cools the environment without compromising the proper functioning of other elements of the vehicle.

In these circumstances, it is recommended to ventilate the vehicle before driving and lower the car windows to ventilate the interior.

Then connect the air to a temperature -10º than the ambient temperature of the cabin and once it has dropped enough, set the thermometer back to an average temperature between 22-24ºC.

Avoid driving in the hottest hours. Better plan your trips early in the morning. Park or stop in shady areas or under cover. Never leave children, the elderly or animals alone in a vehicle. When parking, protect your car with sun visors or tinted windows so that as little sunlight as possible enters the interior of the passenger compartment when the car is parked outside.

Travel with comfortable and fresh clothes and suitable footwear. Choose comfortable clothing that promotes your movements and does not give you heat. Do not wear flip flops and do not drive barefoot, this is dangerous. Choose a shoe that fits well on the foot but that you can master the pedals well.

Rest every 200 km or every 2 hours to rehydrate, walk and air the vehicle. This helps reduce fatigue or sleepiness at the wheel.

Bring cool non-alcoholic drinks in the vehicle and drink regularly without waiting to get thirsty. It is best to drink water or natural juices. Avoid large meals before driving as they can have a drowsy effect. Choose a light diet, rich in proteins and vitamins and low in fat.

If you are going on long journeys, remember to be careful and patient behind the wheel of your luggage. Keeping calm at all times, especially when we are driving, is essential to avoid fear behind the wheel and reduce the chance of an accident.

Source: La Verdad

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