As summer approaches, so does the opportunity for road trips! There's nothing quite like piling into the car with your friends or family, grabbing some snacks, and hitting the road. However, with forecasts set to climb high this summer and firies warning about higher fire ratings across the state, Victorians are advised to practice caution if they’re planning to hit the open road during this coming holiday period.
Here’s what you’ll need to know to keep your family and loved ones safe when road tripping over this coming hot summer.
Stay Proactive with Insurance & Vehicle Servicing
Whilst it can be exciting to hit the road right after finishing up with work or school for the year, it’s important to prepare your car for the journey ahead. This means securing car insurance in Victoria (ideally a provider offering statewide coverage) and roadside assistance. The last thing any road tripper wants is to be stranded on a country highway at high noon during a harsh Aussie summer.
Alongside securing insurance and roadside support to reduce your risks of having to foot the cost of a tow truck, drivers should also ensure that their vehicles are serviced by certified auto mechanics in anticipation of their trip. Making sure your vehicle is in good working order is vital to reducing your risks of experiencing a breakdown and being stranded.
Check your Tyre Pressure & Tread
Another vital measure for reducing your risks of breakdowns is simply assessing the health of your tyres. If your tyres are in need of replacement, make sure that this is handled in anticipation of your road trip. Doing so can help you avoid having to conduct an emergency tyre replacement while on the road. Tyres with worn treads are also more susceptible to hydroplaning in wet weather, and as the BOM has predicted above average rainfall and increased humidity this season, you’ll want to make sure your tyres are prepared for some wet weather road conditions.
Tyres can also be just as affected by hot weather as they are by wet roads. At times, a very hot day can result in a tyre blowout as excessive heat causes tyre pressure to increase temporarily. For every 10 degrees of increased temperature, your tyre pressure can increase by 1-2 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure. The recommended ideal tyre pressure range for Australian vehicles is typically between 30 and 35 PSI.
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Basically, low tyre pressure, combined with hot road temperatures, can be the perfect recipe for tyre damage. So ensure that you check your tyre pressure at your local service station before embarking on any long drives across the state or in regional areas this summer.
Prepare your Windshield
Ensure that you clean your windshield before a road trip during the hot summer and remove any dirt, smudges, or blemishes. On a hot summer day, these can cause glare and shadows that can distract you and cause you to lose focus.
Extreme heat can also cause your windshield wipers to dry and degrade prematurely, so you should make sure that you regularly test your wipers so they can work effectively in wet weather, as this summer will be both hot and wet.
Furthermore, don't forget to shade your eyes. Wearing sunglasses when you drive on a hot day is more important than you may have considered. Sunglasses will protect your eyes and help shield them from the glare of the sun, impairing your vision which could lead to an accident due to the glare.
Stock Your Car in Case of an Emergency
Make sure that your car has an emergency repair tool kit and that it is up-to-date and fully stocked. This kit should include some duct tape, a screwdriver, flares, pliers, and spanners. Ensure that you know how to use your vehicle's jack and spare tyre in the case of a flat tyre or puncture.
In addition, an emergency first aid kit is highly recommended to keep in your car. You can buy these pre-made or make one yourself with items from the chemist. Accidents can and do happen, and having a first aid kit is valuable on a hot summer's day if you or someone else needs basic medical attention. You might also want to pack some drinking water, in case you break down and need to hydrate yourself while you wait for assistance.
Car Battery Health
Extremely hot weather, such as a scorching Victorian summer, can damage car batteries. Battery fluid can evaporate in the heat, and a combination of hot weather and vibration can cause battery failure.
Inspect your battery prior to a long drive in hot weather. Look for corrosion or any power drain in the lights, ignition, and air conditioning. Have your battery checked and tested regularly during summer by a licensed and qualified mechanic or auto electrical professional.
Overheating Risk
Several fluids in your car's engine work together to help the vehicle stay cool. The levels of these fluids need to be frequently checked and maintained to prevent overheating, which is vital during the Victorian summer season, as extreme heat can evaporate these fluids.
Ensure that you check the engine oil, brake and transmission fluids, and power steering fluid before a drive. When you are driving, keep an eye on the temperature gauge on your dashboard. If it rises, this may indicate the engine is overheating. If this is the case, you will need to turn your motor off immediately and wait for it to cool down before resuming your trip.
Stay Safe on the Road this Summer in Victoria
As the BOM has predicted, we're likely to see a hot summer, which means you'll need to take this into account when planning your road trips and car travel over the summer period. Based on seasonal forecasts, we can expect above average rainfall for large parts of eastern Australia, including Victoria. We’re also projected to have warmer than average days and nights across the country.
Considering we can expect a good mix of weather conditions across the season, ranging from 40 degree days to torrential rainfall, it’s vital to stay in the loop with daily forecasts to determine when it’s safe to head out on the road. By heeding the advice outlined here and being mindful of road conditions, Victorian drivers can keep themselves safe as they explore the state over this coming hot summer.
