Summer in India isn’t just hot; it’s scorching, sweat-dripping, car-melting hot! If you’ve ever felt like your steering wheel could fry an egg or your AC just quit out of exhaustion, welcome to Indian summers. But the heat isn’t just about discomfort; it can also mess with your car and your safety in ways you never imagined.
So, let’s talk about 5 completely wrong ways to drive in summer—things you might be doing (or ignoring) that could leave you stranded, sweating, or worse, starring in your own road rage reality show.
1. Treating Car Maintenance Like an Optional Luxury
Why It’s a Big No-No:
Your car is your best friend in summer (well, unless it decides to overheat and ghost you). The heat amplifies mechanical issues, and ignoring basic maintenance can mean poof! —your car is now a metal oven on wheels. Skipping maintenance not only shortens your car’s lifespan but also increases the chances of a breakdown in the middle of nowhere.
What Could Go Wrong?
Engine Overheating: The cooling system works harder in extreme heat, and without proper coolant levels, your engine can overheat, leaving you stranded. If ignored, this could lead to expensive repairs or even engine failure.
Battery Tantrums: Summer heat speeds up the chemical reactions inside your car battery, leading to quicker fluid evaporation and ultimately a shorter battery lifespan. A dead battery in peak heat is a nightmare, especially in remote areas.
Tire Blowouts: Road temperatures can exceed 60°C, causing tire pressure to rise and increasing the risk of a blowout. Worn-out tires are even more vulnerable, making regular inspections a must.
AC Failure: A neglected AC system can suddenly stop working, leaving you sweating in unbearable conditions. Dirty filters and low refrigerant levels are common causes of AC failure in hot weather.
Worn-out Brake Fluid: Heat causes brake fluid to thin, reducing braking efficiency and making it harder to stop in emergencies. Old fluid can also lead to vapor lock, rendering your brakes useless.
Cracked Hoses & Belts: Extreme heat weakens rubber components, leading to cracks and breakages. A snapped belt can cause engine failure, while a burst hose can lead to overheating and coolant leaks.
Pro Tips:
Check coolant levels regularly, as overheating is the number one cause of summer breakdowns. Low coolant levels can damage your engine and result in expensive repairs.
Inspect your battery for corrosion and weak connections, ensuring it has enough charge for the season. Keeping battery terminals clean prevents sudden power loss.
Monitor tire pressure before every trip, as both overinflated and underinflated tires are dangerous in extreme heat. Use the manufacturer’s recommended PSI for best results.
Service your AC before summer hits to avoid sweating in traffic jams. Clean filters and refrigerant refills keep the system running efficiently.
Replace worn-out belts and hoses at regular intervals to prevent sudden failures. Keeping spare hoses in the trunk can be a lifesaver in case of emergencies.
Top up brake fluid with heat-resistant options to maintain braking efficiency. Regularly bleeding brakes also ensures optimal performance in hot conditions.
2. Sun? What Sun? Ignoring Sun Protection Like a Champ
Why It’s a Recipe for Disaster:
If your summer driving strategy is just cranking up the AC, you’re doing it wrong. That blazing sun can do more damage than you think—to you and your car. Sun exposure while driving causes dehydration, fatigue, and serious long-term health risks like skin damage.
How It Can Ruin Your Day:
Heatstroke & Dehydration: Sitting in a car with poor ventilation or without proper hydration can cause dizziness, nausea, and even fainting. Severe cases may require hospitalization.
Sunburns Galore: Glass windows do not block all UV rays, meaning prolonged exposure can leave you with painful burns. Repeated sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
Blinding Glare: Direct sunlight creates harsh glare, reducing visibility and increasing the chances of accidents. Without proper eye protection, long drives can be exhausting and dangerous.
Car Interior BBQ: Prolonged exposure to sunlight makes seats, dashboards, and steering wheels unbearably hot. High temperatures also cause dashboard materials to crack and upholstery to fade over time.
Pro Tips:
Use a sunshade when parked to reduce interior temperatures. Sunshades help block UV rays and keep your car cooler when you return.
Wear sunglasses with UV protection to reduce glare and eye strain. Polarized lenses work best for reducing reflections from the road.
Apply sunscreen even when driving, as UV rays penetrate windows. A high-SPF sunscreen prevents burns and long-term skin damage.
Stay hydrated by always keeping a bottle of water in your car. Dehydration can cause fatigue, dizziness, and poor decision-making while driving.
Use legal window tints to block excess heat without violating regulations. Proper tints reduce interior temperatures and protect against harmful UV rays.
Keep a damp cloth handy to cool down quickly by placing it on your forehead or neck. This simple trick helps regulate body temperature in extreme heat.
Ventilate your car before turning on the AC to let out trapped hot air. Opening windows for a minute before using AC improves cooling efficiency.
3. Driving Like It’s Winter (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not)
Why It’s a Bad Idea:
Some habits don’t translate well in summer. Driving aggressively, braking suddenly, and flooring it at every signal? Nope, that’s a recipe for disaster in the heat. Hot weather affects both the driver and the car, leading to performance issues and increased accident risks.
The Hidden Dangers:
Overworked Engine: Speed demons beware—your engine works harder in hot temperatures. Excessive revving and rapid acceleration generate more heat, which can push your engine to its limit.
Low Fuel Efficiency: Running the AC on full blast while driving aggressively burns fuel at an alarming rate. This results in frequent refuelling, which is both costly and inefficient.
Brake Fade: Continuous braking on heated roads causes brake fluid to overheat, making your brakes less responsive. In an emergency, delayed braking can be life-threatening.
Driver Fatigue: High temperatures drain your energy faster, leading to drowsiness and delayed reflexes. A tired driver is more prone to making mistakes and poor judgment calls.
Extra Wear on Transmission: Stop-and-go traffic in extreme heat stresses your car’s transmission system. This results in overheating and increased wear and tear over time.
Pro Tips:
Go easy on acceleration and braking to reduce engine and brake stress. Smooth driving leads to better fuel economy and longer engine life.
Drive at a moderate speed to prevent excessive heat buildup in the engine and brakes. High speeds make your car work harder than necessary.
Don’t idle unnecessarily because it wastes fuel and adds heat to an already hot engine. If stopped for long, turn off the engine to avoid unnecessary stress.
Take breaks in shaded areas to cool off and reduce fatigue. Driving in extreme heat for long periods can lead to exhaustion and decreased focus.
Wear lightweight, breathable clothing to stay cool and comfortable. Dark and tight-fitting clothes absorb more heat and make driving uncomfortable.
Use cruise control on highways to maintain a steady speed and reduce unnecessary acceleration and braking. This helps optimize fuel efficiency.
4. Packing Like You’re Moving Houses
Why It’s a Terrible Idea:
Planning a road trip? Great. Bringing everything but the kitchen sink? Not so great. Overloading your car is an instant fuel guzzler and a mechanical nightmare. Carrying excessive weight increases stress on multiple vehicle components and makes driving more dangerous.
The Downside of Overloading:
Bad Handling: Too much weight makes steering difficult and reduces your control over the vehicle. Overloaded cars are harder to maneuver, making sharp turns risky.
Braking Issues: Excessive weight increases stopping distance, meaning your brakes must work harder. This raises the risk of brake failure, especially on slopes.
Increased Fuel Consumption: A heavy car requires more power to move, meaning more fuel consumption. If you’re looking to save on gas, overloading is your worst enemy.
Risk of Overheating: More load means more strain on the engine, making it overheat faster. High temperatures already stress the cooling system, and extra weight makes it worse.
Suspension Damage: The suspension system absorbs shocks from the road, but excessive weight puts extra stress on it. This leads to premature wear and costly repairs.
Pro Tips:
Pack only essentials and avoid unnecessary baggage that adds extra weight to your vehicle. Less weight means better handling and fuel efficiency.
Distribute weight evenly to maintain balance and stability. An uneven load can affect the car’s alignment and make steering unpredictable.
Check your vehicle’s load capacity before loading it to the max. Every vehicle has a weight limit that should not be exceeded.
Ensure tire pressure is adjusted to accommodate the additional load. Underinflated tires under stress are more likely to burst.
Use a roof rack or trailer if extra storage is necessary. This keeps excess weight off the main cabin and prevents congestion inside the vehicle.
5. Picking the Absolute Worst Time to Drive
Why It’s a Disaster:
If you love driving at high noon, you must also love suffering. Driving during peak summer hours means higher risks, hotter tempers, and melting tires. The extreme heat affects everything from your car’s performance to your patience behind the wheel.
Why It Sucks:
Unbearable Heat: The temperature inside a parked car can shoot up to 70°C, making it an actual oven. Driving under the midday sun only adds to the discomfort and fatigue.
Traffic Jams: More people are on the road in peak hours, causing congestion and unnecessary delays. Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic in extreme heat is a miserable experience.
Melting Roads: Some Indian roads, especially asphalt ones, soften and get sticky in high temperatures. This increases tire wear and makes driving hazardous.
Air Pollution Peaks: Heat and pollution combine to create thick smog, making breathing harder. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues.
Pro Tips:
Start early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid peak temperatures. Driving when the sun is lower makes for a much more pleasant journey.
Take breaks in shaded areas when on long drives. This prevents driver fatigue and helps keep the engine from overheating.
Use navigation apps to avoid congested routes. Real-time traffic updates can help you find quicker, less crowded alternatives.
Keep a cooling towel in your car to help regulate body temperature. A damp cloth around your neck works wonders in extreme heat.
Roll down the windows before turning on the AC to let out trapped hot air. This helps your AC cool the car faster and more efficiently.
Final Words
Driving in India’s summer isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving. Avoid these 5 totally wrong ways to drive, and you’ll not only keep your car happy but also enjoy a smooth, sweat-free ride.
Stay cool, drive smart, and don’t let the heat win!
