You’re planning a holiday road trip? Do not make these classic summer errors

Nothing beats the promise of an idyllic summer vacation, does it? There’s nothing like the promise of a summer getaway, is there?

But as anyone who’s spent hours on the hard shoulder waiting for a tow truck will tell you—summer is peak season for car cock-ups. If you know what to watch out for, most car accidents are avoidable.

So, here are the four summer driving mistakes even the most seasoned road-trippers keep making – and how to steer clear:

The air conditioner should be turned off immediately

You’re familiar with the procedure. As you slide into your vehicle, it feels like a furnace. You turn on the air conditioner before you have even fastened your seatbelt. It may feel great at first but the compressor of your air conditioner is screaming for mercy. This habit doesn’t just use more fuel – it’ll also knacker the system sooner or later.
You can do this instead: open the windows for one minute to let out the hot air. then pop the air con on, ideally set somewhere between 22–24°C. Your car will thank and you could save a few dollars at the pump.

Running on fumes because you ‘know your car’

We have all taken the risk. ‘I can make it to the next town,’ you say, eyeing that flashing fuel warning. What about running out of fuel in the summer? Big mistake. All that muck at the bottom of the tank gets sucked into your engine—great if you enjoy paying for new filters or injectors.
Fill up your tank before you leave, especially if the weather is hot. You should always keep at least one quarter of the tank full. No one wants a hot day in the sun with only boiled sweets to keep them company.

Ride the clutch in traffic

If you have ever slogged through Spanish traffic, you will know how tempting it is to keep your foot on the clutch. Trouble is, it wears out the clutch way faster than you’d think—and that’s not a cheap fix.
A better habit: Only use the clutch when changing gear. Rest your feet somewhere else. You’ll be glad you did (and so will your wallet and mechanic).

Ignoring tire pressure (especially when boot is rammed).

Car packed to the rafters = road trip. But have you checked the tyres yet? A combination of extra weight and under-inflated tires can cause blowouts. Especially when the asphalt is hot enough for an egg to be fried.
Take 5 minutes to check your tyres and find the recommended pressures. Before you begin, please read the following: you set off—and don’t forget the spare.

Bonus tipIt is important to do a quick check before you go on a long trip. A quick service is all that’s needed. Check the basic things: brakes and lights, oil, coolant. The majority of garages are willing to do this for peanuts. Trust me, it is much cheaper than waiting on rescue at the A-7.

Summer roadtrips should be all about the seaside, not car meltdowns. Take five, give the car some TLC and leave breakdowns to someone else’s story.