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SUMMER DRIVING TIPS

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Summer Driving Tips Summer Changes Vehicle Checks Protect Yourself and Loved
Ones Before You Go Year-Round Safety


Summer Driving Tips
 * 
 * Summer Changes
 * Vehicle Checks
 * Protect Yourself and Loved Ones
 * Before You Go
 * Year-Round Safety




 

For many of us, summertime usually means vacations and summer road trips. Now is
a good time to review these summer driving safety tips. A little planning and
some safety checks might spare you from dealing with the consequences of a
breakdown — or worse, a highway crash.





SUMMER CHANGES


AIR CONDITIONING

As the temperature rises, your A/C has to work harder to keep your vehicle cool.
Check A/C performance before traveling. A lack of air conditioning on a hot
summer day affects everyone, but is particularly dangerous for people who are in
poor health or who are sensitive to heat, such as children and older adults.


HEATSTROKE

The summertime months have proven to be especially deadly for children when it
comes to vehicular heatstroke. Heatstroke in vehicles often occurs when a child
is left unattended in a parked vehicle or managers to get into an unattended
vehicle. Never leave children alone in the car—not even for a few minutes.
Vehicles heat up quickly. Even if the outside temperature is in the 70s and the
windows are cracked, the temperature in a vehicle can rapidly reach deadly
levels. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an
adult’s.

Visit NHTSA.gov/Heatstroke to learn more tips and reminders to prevent
heatstroke.


BELTS AND HOSES

High summer temperatures accelerate the rate at which rubber belts and hoses
degrade. Look under the hood and inspect all belts and hoses to make sure there
are no signs of bulges, blisters, cracks or cuts in the rubber. It’s best to
replace them now if they show signs of obvious wear. While you’re at it, make
sure all hose connections are secure.


VEHICLE CHECKS


CHECK FOR RECALLS

NHTSA's Recalls Look-up Tool lets you enter your vehicle identification number
(VIN) to quickly learn if your vehicle has a critical safety issue that has not
been repaired, and how to get that repair done for free. You can also download
NHTSA’s SaferCar app and enter your vehicle and equipment information. If a
recall is issued, you’ll get an alert on your phone.



Check Your Tires



612 total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in tire-related crashes in 2019.
Learn how to check your tires before you go.



Watch the video


TIRES

Make sure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended
inflation pressure, which is listed in your owner’s manual and on a placard
located on the driver’s side door frame, and don’t forget to check your spare if
your vehicle is equipped with one. Do not inflate your tires to the pressure
listed on the tire itself. That number is the maximum pressure the tire can
hold, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle. A tire doesn’t have to be
punctured to lose air. All tires naturally lose some air over time. In fact,
underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure.

Some other tips:

 * Inspect your tires at least once a month and before long road trips.
 * Look closely at your tread and replace tires that have uneven wear or
   insufficient tread.
 * Tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch or greater on all tires. Look for
   the built-in wear bar indicators or use the penny test to determine when it’s
   time to replace your tires. Place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head
   upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your vehicle needs new
   tires.
 * If you find uneven wear across the tires’ tread, it means your tires need
   rotation and/or your wheels need to be aligned before you travel.
 * Check each tire’s age. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tires
   every six years regardless of use.
 * Tires for electric vehicles are heavier, but all tires require the same
   maintenance. Low-rolling-resistance tires for conventional vehicles could
   also have lower tread life.

An inspection is not just about checking tire pressure and age. Remember to
check:

 * for any damage or conditions that may need attention;
 * the tread and sidewalls for any cuts, punctures, bulges, scrapes, cracks, or
   bumps. The tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch or greater on all tires;
   and
 * your spare tire.

If you find tire damage, take your vehicle to a tire professional. 


COOLING SYSTEM

Make sure you have enough coolant in your vehicle, and that the coolant meets
the manufacturer’s specifications. See your vehicle owner’s manual for specific
recommendations on coolant. You or a mechanic should check the cooling system
for leaks, test the coolant, and drain or replace old coolant as needed.


FLUID LEVEL

Check your vehicle’s oil level periodically. As with coolant, if it’s time or
even nearly time to have the oil changed, now would be a good time to do it.
Also check the following fluid levels: 

 * brake
 * automatic transmission or clutch
 * power steering 
 * windshield washer 

Make sure each reservoir is full; if you see any signs of fluid leakage, take
your vehicle in to be serviced.

    


BATTERIES

Have a mechanic check your battery, charging system, and have them make any
necessary repairs or replacements. For hybrid-electric vehicles, keep gasoline
in the tank to support the gasoline engine.


LIGHTS

Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and
interior lights. Be sure to also check your trailer brake lights and turn
signals, if necessary.


WIPER BLADES

After the heavy toll imposed by winter storms and spring rains, windshield wiper
blades may need to be replaced. Like rubber belts and hoses, wiper blades are
vulnerable to the summer heat. Examine your blades for signs of wear and tear on
both sides. The blades can also deform and fail to work properly in both
directions. If they aren’t in top condition, invest in new ones before you go.


FLOOR MATS

Improperly installed floor mats in your vehicle may interfere with the operation
of the accelerator or brake pedal, increasing the risk of a crash. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for mat installation and use retention clips to
secure the mat. Always use mats that are the correct size and fit for your
vehicle.


PROTECT YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES


SEAT BELTS

Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. Ensure that everyone else in your vehicle is
buckled up in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, or seat belts.


CAR SEATS

 * Remember that all children under age 13 should always ride properly buckled
   in the back seat.
 * Make sure car seats and booster seats are properly installed and that any
   children riding with you are in the right seat for their ages and sizes. See
 * NHTSA’s child passenger safety recommendations to find the right seat for
   your child’s age and size.
 * Visit NHTSA’s Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator to find a free car
   seat inspection station near you or to get information on virtual
   inspections.
 * Never leave your child unattended in or around a vehicle.
 * Always remember to lock your vehicle and to keep your keys out of reach so
   children do not play or get trapped inside.


BACKING OUT/PARKING

Before you back out of a driveway or parking spot, prevent backovers by walking
around your vehicle to check for children running and playing. When using a
backup camera, remember that kids, pets, and objects may be out of view but
still in the path of your vehicle. When children play, they are often oblivious
to cars and trucks around them. They may believe that motorists will watch out
for them. Furthermore, every vehicle has a blind zone. As the size and height of
a vehicle increases, so does the “blind zone” area. Large vehicles, trucks,
SUVs, RVs, and vans are more likely than cars to be involved in backovers.



Summer Driving Tips



Before you head out for your road trip, take the time to review these summer
travel safety tips. A little preparation can go a long way.



Watch the video


BEFORE YOU GO


STOCK YOUR VEHICLE

Even a well-maintained vehicle can break down, so it’s advisable to put together
an emergency roadside kit to carry with you. A cell phone tops the list of
suggested emergency kit contents since it allows you to call for help when and
where you need it. Recommended emergency roadside kit contents include:

 * Cell phone and charger
 * First aid kit
 * Flashlight
 * Flares and a white flag
 * Jumper cables
 * Tire pressure gauge
 * Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire
 * Work gloves and a change of clothes
 * Basic repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak)
 * Water and paper towels for cleaning up
 * Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines
 * Extra windshield washer fluid
 * Maps
 * Emergency blankets, towels and coats


PLAN YOUR ROUTE

Before heading out, make sure to check the weather, road conditions, and
traffic. Don’t rush through your trip; allow plenty of time to get to your
destination safely. And always familiarize yourself with directions and maps
before you go, even if you use a GPS, and let others know your route and
anticipated arrival time.


YEAR-ROUND SAFETY


STAY ALERT

Keep your gas tank close to full whenever possible. For longer trips, plan
enough time to stop to stretch, get something to eat, return calls or text
messages, and change drivers or rest if you feel drowsy.


AVOID RISKY BEHAVIORS

You know the rules: Do not text or drive distracted; obey posted speed limits;
and always drive sober. Both alcohol and drugs whether legal or illicit can
cause impairment. It is illegal to drive impaired by any substance in all states
– no exceptions. Alcohol and drugs can impair the skills critical for safe and
responsible driving such as coordination, judgment, perception, and reaction
time.


DRIVER ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES

Driver assistance technologies not only help protect you and your passengers,
but also other drivers and pedestrians around you. Some of these technologies
are designed to warn you if you’re at risk of an impending crash, while others
are designed to take action to avoid a crash. Make sure you understand what
driver assistance technologies you have and how they work. Detailed information
can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

For more information on driver assistance technologies, visit
NHTSA.gov/DriverTech.



SUMMER DRIVING TIPS



Save or print these essential Summer Driving Tips so you can refer to them on
the go.



Download

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