Record temperatures are expected in France over the next few days and this will not spare many motorists on the way to the holidays. As of this Wednesday, July 13, Bison Futé effectively expects heavy traffic throughout the country.
In these conditions, the duo of heat and congestion can test the nerves of some drivers. Here are some tips to face the heat dome with peace of mind.
Prepare your vehicle well
More than ever, it’s highly recommended to take a quick tour of your vehicle before you leave, especially if you haven’t had a chance to check it out at a garage recently.
At a minimum, check engine oil level Y coolant (engine always cold) as well as wear and tire pressure.
This tire check It’s crucial. In case of insufficient inflation, the risk of explosion increases, especially on highways with the friction that generates additional heat.
The recommended pressure for your vehicle’s tires is listed on the door sill, in the glove box, or in your vehicle’s maintenance book. It is also advisable to ride quite overinflated, between +0.2 or 0.3 bar.
Do not forget to also check the pressure of the spare wheel if it has one, or the presence of an anti-puncture kit on board.
Organize your departure, without stress for arrival
Prepare your itinerary, if possible respecting Bison Futé’s advice on departure times to avoid high-traffic areas. It will also calm you down for a good night’s sleep before the big start.
Don’t hesitate to plan fresh water bottles, who will also benefit from air conditioning on board so as not to overheat, or even from a thermal bag or a cooler. A mist can also be a pleasant ally to regularly refresh the face.
to provide you sun visors as the side windows can be well appreciated by the rear passengers while driving, as well as a large windshield sunshade for stops.
Do not set an arrival time at your destination, as this can cause unnecessary stress and increase the risk of accidents. It is also necessary to spend a good night before the big game, It’s not always easy during a heat wave.
Make good use of your air conditioner
With so much heat, we can only wish that you have air conditioning on board. Admittedly, this leads to unwanted overconsumption in times of high fuel prices, but it’s (almost) a matter of survival!
However, if the temperature in the vehicle is already high, avoid setting the air conditioning directly to minimum when leaving. Although this can be quite tempting, it puts pressure on the ventilation system and leads to high consumption.
better at first ventilate the vehicles a little, open all the doors and the trunk before (re)getting out, and drive a little with the windows open to cool down the cabin during the first few kilometres. Once the temperature has dropped or when you hit the highways, you can close the windows and turn on the air conditioning.
But the idea is not to transform your car into a fridge, or hello to die for a good part of the holidays! It is generally recommended not to have a difference greater than 5 to 7°C with the outside temperature. It’s also best to avoid directing the airflow toward your face and the faces of your passengers. By directing it towards the ceiling, the cold diffuses better and everyone can enjoy it.
If this is advice that applies in all climates, the driver must more than ever stay fit. The rule: a break after a maximum driving time of two hours. And if you feel tired before, stop! Briefly, if another passenger can take over at the wheel, or more if necessary. The opportunity to stretch your legs a bit or take a nap if you find a place in the shade.
For the little ones, beware of heat stroke
“To avoid a child’s heat stroke in the car, it is advisable to dress your child in loose, cotton, light-colored clothing. If possible, wear a t-shirt instead of overalls, which will absorb perspiration and allow air to circulate. Another reflex to limit the heat stroke of children in the car: it is also recommended to install a cotton terry cover on the car seat“, recommends the Ministry of the Interior.
It is also recommended, throughout the journey, have your child drink regularly and, if the vehicle does not have air conditioning, cool it using fans and foggers.
In the event of a stop, everyone gets off.
Even during a short break, do not leave anyone in the vehicle. A piece of advice that may seem obvious, but tragedies occur every year with children left behind in a vehicle.
If you see a child alone in a car: immediately call the emergency services (fire department at 18 (or 112, European emergency number), Samu at 15 or if you are deaf or hard of hearing, by SMS at 114), get the child out of the vehicle faster (if necessary at break a window) and cool and hydrate it as quickly as possible. Then, you should not hesitate to transport her to a cool place, undress her as much as possible, put her to bed, place cold, wet towels all over her body, insisting on her face, and ventilate her (careful, no ice water, it can be dangerous).
“If the victim is conscious et ne vomit pas, faites‐lui boire de l’eau fraîche (mais pas glacée), if the victim has lost connaissance, placez‐la in position latérale de sécurité (sur le côté), en attendant les bailing out”. Advice that can be found on this page of the Ministry of the Interior.
Source: BFM TV
