Safe Driving in Texas Heat

Shop Inventory Service Contact Us

Guide to Driving Safely in Texas During the Summer

The heat of Texas summers takes a toll on drivers and vehicles alike. We’ve all experienced the dreadful moment when opening the door to your vehicle feels more like opening an oven and your gorgeous leather upholstery turns into the sizzling bottom of a frying pan. Driving in such conditions are as dangerous as they are uncomfortable. In addition to the oven in the cabin of your vehicle, the sun’s heat can cause damage to the roadways as well increasing the number of potholes and possibly construction sites as well. You’re also more likely to see motorcyclists and pedestrians during the summer. Here are seven quick tips you can put to use to keep you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road safe this summer.

Keep the Cabin Cool

The inside of your Hyundai Tucson shouldn’t feel like a sauna. Keep it cool with reflective windshield covers and window visors. Invest in seat covers if needed and take advantage of features like Hyundai Bluelink® to remote start your vehicle and preset the climate control temperature before you climb inside.

Share the Road

Hyundai SmartSense the brand’s suite of safety and driver assistance features includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which can help you share the road safety. This and other safety features are especially necessary during the summer months when there are more cyclists, motorcycles, and pedestrians out and about.

Watch for Construction and Potholes

You’ll likely notice more road crews during the summer months than you did in the winter. It’s important that you keep an eye out for workers and adhere to the construction zone speed limits. Not doing so can put you and road workers at risk and may result in a hefty fine as well. Some of the road crews you see will likely be repairing potholes formed during the spring. However, they’re unlikely to get to them all so you should be on the lookout. Always assume that the potholes are bigger than they appear to be and, when possible, slow down and drive around them to avoid damaging your tires or your chassis.

Check Your Fluid Levels

An interesting and frightening fact about Texas is that 30 percent of fire fatalities occur in a vehicle. Many of them can be prevented with proper vehicle maintenance. To keep your engine from overheating, make sure all of the fluids in your vehicle are fresh, clean, and at the proper level. Regularly check the condition of your car’s oil, and make sure your radiator is in good shape as well. There are several fluids in your vehicle some that you should keep an eye on include:

• Transmission Fluid
• Engine Oil
• Coolant /Antifreeze
• Brake Fluid
• Differential Fluid
• Transfer Case Fluid

Prevent Blowouts with Tire Care

Changes in temperature can affect tire pressure. The cool air of winter can cause air to contract while hot summers cause it to expand which means your tire pressure goes up during the summer. You should regularly check your tire pressure as well as the tread and general wear and tear of your tires. Before a long summer trip make sure your tires are properly balanced and the wheels are aligned.

Maintain Your AC

Speaking of climate control, make sure your air conditioning system is working properly. If you notice that it isn’t operating at full capacity, schedule an appointment with our service center team for diagnostics auto air conditioning service. It could be that your internal airflow filter is clogged which can make your engine work harder to circulate air. The team at Red McCombs Hyundai Northwest will help you keep your vehicle in top condition so every summer road trip is safe, cool, and comfortable.