When temperatures soar past 30°C in the UK, your car is more than a parked oven—it’s a potential breakdown waiting to happen.
With no warning lights, no safety nets, just sudden failures.
But a little prep goes a long way. Here are seven essential steps to keep you cool—and your car running smoothly—through that scorcher.
1. Double-Check Coolant Levels & Radiator Health
High heat puts stress on your engine’s cooling system.
Low coolant or corrosion can lead to overheating—a costly repair.
How to check:
With the engine cold, open the reservoir and top up to the ‘max’ mark with a 50/50 coolant mixture.
Inspect radiator hoses for cracks or swelling—heat tends to make weak points fail suddenly.
2. Inspect Tyres for Pressure & Wear
Heat increases tyre pressure dramatically—up to 10 psi more in hot weather.
Over-inflated tyres can blow out, while worn ones risk grip loss.
What to do:
- Test pressure cold using the recommended PSI.
- Inspect tread depth and look out for excessive bulging or cracking. Replace any tyres under 3mm tread to avoid heat-induced failure.
3. Test Your Air Conditioning
Nothing ruins a long drive in the heat like a failing A/C.
Especially important here, where few cars are built for summer extremes.
Do this:
Run it at full blast before your journey. If it feels warm or the airflow is weak, recharge the system or book a check.
Even minor servicing now prevents a meltdown mid-trip.
4. Swap to Summer-Grade Oil
In extreme heat, lightweight or old oil thins out, reducing its ability to protect your engine.
Check your handbook:
If you’re overdue for an oil change, switch to a summer-grade option (e.g. 5W‑30).
Visiting a trusted garage now is cheaper than a new engine later.
5. Keep Sunshades & Cool Packs Handy
UV rays damage dashboards and cause overheating.
Use reflective dash covers and park in shade or under a shade cloth when possible.
Bonus hack:
Stow cooling gel packs wrapped in a towel.
Keep them in a cooler bag while driving—the bio-friendly version of a portable A/C for hot seats and kids.
6. Remember to Check the Windscreen Wash Fluid
High heat evaporates washer fluid fast—and dust kicks up more on dry roads.
Action:
Keep the reservoir topped up with summer-grade, bug-dissolving fluid to maintain visibility—and keep calm during peak dust season.
7. Assemble a Heatwave Emergency Kit
Breakdowns rise in heat. Be ready with:
- Bottles of cool water (for radiator top-up and emergencies)
- Light sunscreen, snacks, and a micro-umbrella for shade
- Battery booster
- Torch—UK roadside assistance often arrives faster when drivers can point to a breakdown kit
Your Heat-Test Summary in Two Minutes
Here’s a table for you to understand your car’s maintenance:
| Task | Why It Matters |
| Coolant & radiator | Prevents engine overheating during peak temperature |
| Tyres & pressure | Reduces risk of blowouts & improves safety |
| Air conditioning | Keeps cabin comfortable & avoids heat shock |
| Engine oil | Protects engine under extreme heat |
| Sunshades & cool packs | Protects interior & keeps temperatures bearable |
| Washer fluid | Ensures visibility on dusty roads |
| Emergency kit | Keeps you safe in unexpected hot breakdowns |
Keep Your Cool, Stay Safe
We might laugh off British summers as mild, but 2022 proved the heat can—and will—bite hard.
Roads melted, trains stopped, and yes, thousands of cars broke down for reasons that were entirely avoidable.
Most people only prep their cars for winter, forgetting that heat can be just as cruel to your vehicle.
Overheating engines, tyre blowouts, A/C failures—they don’t give you a warning. They just happen.
And in the middle of nowhere, under a 35°C sun, they’re not just inconvenient—they’re dangerous.
Prepping your car isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being one step ahead.
So, before the next wave of heat hits, check your coolant, sort your tyres, and toss an emergency kit in the boot.
You’ll thank yourself when you’re breezing down the M25 while everyone else is sweating in the breakdown lane.
Simple prep. Huge payoff.
