Warm weather can be hard on both drivers and vehicles. On 28 May 2026, UK drivers were still dealing with late-May heat and the knock-on risk of summer breakdowns. RAC summer breakdown guidance warns that heat can be tough on cars, while National Highways advises drivers to carry essential summer supplies and plan journeys carefully during hot weather.
The best time to reduce the risk is before you set off. A short check in the morning can help you spot tyre, coolant, visibility and cabin-safety issues before they become problems on a busy road or during a delay.
Check tyres before the road gets hot
Tyres work harder in warm weather, especially when the car is loaded with passengers, shopping, tools or luggage. Check tyre pressure while the tyres are cool, using the pressure shown in the vehicle handbook or door-frame label. Look for visible cuts, bulges, uneven wear and anything lodged in the tread.
If you notice vibration, pulling to one side or a tyre warning light, do not ignore it. Heat, speed and underinflation are a bad combination. Sorting a tyre issue before a journey is far safer than dealing with it on the hard shoulder or a narrow A road.
Watch coolant, oil and battery strain
Hot weather can expose weaknesses in cooling systems and older batteries. Check coolant only when the engine is cool and follow your vehicle manual. If the temperature gauge moves outside its normal range, or a warning light appears, stop somewhere safe and let the vehicle cool. Do not open a hot cooling system.
Air conditioning, fans, phones, dash cameras and stop-start traffic can all add load. If the car has been slow to start, or the battery is old, consider getting it checked before a longer journey.
Pack for delays, not just the drive
A hot-weather delay is easier to manage when the essentials are already inside the cabin. Keep water, a phone charger or power bank, a torch, sunglasses, any essential medication and a high-visibility vest where you can reach them. If you carry children, older passengers or pets, plan more water and more breaks than you think you need.
A compact car escape tool also belongs in the cabin rather than under luggage in the boot. The JUFO car window breaker combines a spring-loaded window breaker with a seatbelt cutter, making it a practical addition to a car emergency kit. Keep it in a door pocket, centre console or secure mount so it is reachable from the front seats.
Recommended JUFO tools for hot-weather driving
Keep your escape tool inside the cabin, not buried in the boot. For family cars, front and rear access can matter.
JUFO 2 Pack Car Escape Tool
Best for keeping one tool in the front and one near rear passengers, or covering two cars at home.
From £16.99
JUFO Two-in-one Window Breaker
A compact single-car option for drivers who want a simple window breaker and seatbelt cutter close to hand.
From £8.95
Before you leave
Give yourself time, check traffic, and avoid the hottest part of the day where possible. If a warning light appears, the car smells unusual or you hear a new noise, pause the journey and investigate. A simple pre-drive check can save a long wait in the sun.
Sources checked: RAC summer breakdown guidance and National Highways extreme heat travel advice, reviewed on 28 May 2026.
