No snow, no ice and rarely rain: summer makes life easy for drivers in many ways. But it also has pitfalls.
Since air conditioning became popular in cars, driving a car in summer is no longer a sweaty affair. Nevertheless, great and continuous heat makes special demands. Five tips to get through the hot season well.
Choosing the right sunglasses:
Not everything that looks good on the nose is suitable for driving. The best are brown, gray and gray-green glasses, while blue glasses water down the perception of the colors red and yellow. The degree of tint is also important. Drivers must pay attention to the so-called anti-glare levels: levels 0 to 92 are ok at the wheel - they absorb up to XNUMX percent of the light. Even darker glasses - such as those worn by mountaineering glasses - are not suitable for road traffic. The following applies to the fit: The glasses should fit as close as possible to the forehead and nose and have wide temples to prevent stray light.
Use sun protection when parking:
If you park your car in the blazing sun, you not only have to reckon with hot air and glowing seat belts, but in extreme cases also with electronic damage. The components are designed for temperatures between minus 40 and plus 85 degrees - a value that can definitely be achieved in midsummer. The thermal expansion and subsequent cooling in the airstream can cause hairline cracks to form in the circuit boards. Then there is a risk of control units failing and the vehicle breaking down. If you can't find a parking space in the shade, you should at least put a sunscreen behind the windshield that reflects the sun's rays and keeps the dashboard and steering wheel cool. If you take children with you in the car, you should also cover the rear windows so that the child seats don't get too hot.
Set the air conditioning correctly:
Beyond the classic car class, almost every car today has air conditioning. But it also needs to be properly served: Before starting your journey, you should first ventilate well with the doors and windows open so that the pent-up heat can escape. Only then is the system switched on, initially to circulating air. The car cools down faster because no hot air is supplied from the outside. The air outlet nozzles should only be aimed at parts of the body that are clothed. If the air, which is up to four degrees cold, hits bare skin directly, there is a risk of colds and muscle strains. In general, the difference between inside and outside temperature should not be too great. Otherwise there may be a heat shock when getting out of the vehicle. Experts recommend a maximum difference of six degrees.
Drink enough:
Even those who sit in an air-conditioned car and do not sweat should drink a lot in summer. Because the system draws moisture from the air, so that mucous membranes in the nose and eyes dry out. A lack of fluids leads to headaches and poor concentration, which increases the risk of accidents. Experts recommend mineral-rich mineral water for drivers, which in addition to the liquid also supplies important minerals and trace elements. Sweet lemonades are not recommended. The sugar provides energy in the short term, but afterwards it drops body and mind into a performance hole.
Choose the right clothes:
Light clothing makes it easier to endure the summer heat while driving. If you want, you can also sit in a car in a bikini or swimming trunks, but if you drive completely naked or as a topless woman, you risk an announcement due to the excitement of public annoyance. In addition, largely undressed driving is not pleasant, especially in cars with leather seats: the upholstery heats up extremely in the sun, making skin contact painful. When sitting, an unpleasant sweat film forms between the leather and skin. The following also applies to footwear: Not everything that is allowed also makes sense. Flip-flops or bare feet are not prohibited, but they are still not safe to drive - for example in the event of sudden braking maneuvers. If an accident occurs, you may face a fine, and the insurance company can also cause trouble.