More than 80,000 vehicle breakdowns expected this week as heatwave hits the UK – how you can avoid boiling over
MORE than 80,000 Brits are expected to breakdown on the road this week as temperatures soar across the country. But there are some simple ways you can prepare your motor for the sweltering conditions. Roadside assistance experts Green Flag estimate over 81,000 vehicles will breakdown this week as thousands of families escape for summer holidays. […]
MORE than 80,000 Brits are expected to breakdown on the road this week as temperatures soar across the country.
But there are some simple ways you can prepare your motor for the sweltering conditions.
Roadside assistance experts Green Flag estimate over 81,000 vehicles will breakdown this week as thousands of families escape for summer holidays.
Shockingly, this equates to 14 incidents every minute on the road, an almost 20 per cent increase on the number of regular breakdowns.
Like freezing conditions, sweltering temperatures can put a lot of stress on important parts of your car and could cause them to shutdown.
In some cases, your engine could even completely fail and leave you stranded on the side of the road.
How to avoid boiling over in the heat
Battery: Your car battery is dangerous as it is composed of acid and water. The water within the battery will evaporate faster in soaring temperatures leaving lead plates exposed. When the weather turns cold again, your battery may no longer have the charge to start the car.
Tyres: The rubber of a car tyre can seriously disintegrate in hot temperatures and even more so if the tyre is of the wrong pressure. Heat can cause them to dry out and lead to a blow-out.
Coolant: An engine with no coolant is like a person with no water – it won’t survive and will die. Always keep an eye on your car’s temperature gauge.
Oil: An engine when fully running in heat needs all the lubrication it can get, so making sure you change the oil when necessary is important in the summer months. More frequent changes to your oil will be beneficial to a car’s engine and performance.
Fuel: Fuel evaporates quicker in a hot car than it does in a cold one. Keeping your car in a shaded area and less used in hot temperatures will save on accelerated fuel consumption.
Coastal and other tourist routes are likely to become hotspots for breakdowns this week, according to the RAC, including North Devon, North Wales, Pembrokshire, Canterbury and North York Moors.
The amount of coolant your car uses is likely to increase as temperatures rise, so top it up before taking off.
It’s also essential to inflate your tyres to the correct level and check they’re in good condition as the rubber can disintegrate during hot temperatures and cause a blow-out.
You should double check you have enough fuel, oil and water before taking off in case of an emergency.
Simon Henrick, a spokesman for Green Flag, said: “With the nation set to bake in hot temperatures and schools across the UK closing for summer, there will undoubtedly be increased traffic on the roads, as people take time off to enjoy the sunshine.
“However, it’s important to be aware of the strain that the heat can put on the car’s key components, as well as on the road itself.
“Green Flag wants to ensure motorists can enjoy the sunshine by staying safe whilst driving.
“However, many of the problems that drivers are likely to encounter are preventable if vehicles are inspected before a long journey.”
your guide to car maintenance
Ben Aldous, RAC patrol of the year, said: “Vehicles can suffer all sorts of problems when the mercury climbs, but it’s really those that are older or haven’t been as well looked after that run the risk of getting into the most trouble.
“We also know from previous years that it’s roads to the beaches and other beauty spots like the moors, Lake District and highlands that see the largest numbers of stranded drivers.
“Yet checking simple things like coolant and oil levels, as well as tyre tread and pressure, can stack the odds of a smooth journey in every driver’s favour and prevent a breakdown happening in the first place.
“Put simply – spending just moments checking things before you drive off could save you hours stuck in the heat at the roadside not doing what you set out to do.”