EV Driving Tips for The Summer
There are a few healthy habits to get into when taking your EV on summer trips.
Summer road trips and family holidays can create some of the best, most long-lasting memories. If you’re getting ready for your holiday adventures in an EV, it’s best to get a few simple checks done to improve your electric range, maintain battery health and avoid any those precious memories including the hard shoulder of the M1.
Park your car in the shade
EVs have fantastic thermal management systems that protect their batteries from extreme temperatures – however, its good practice to try and avoid high temperatures in the summer by parking in the shade.
Not only does this prevent the battery overheating and let it cool while you’re away from the car, but it will let the car’s interior cool down too, meaning less charge used up on air conditioning later.
Precondition the cabin before you set off
Related to the last point, preconditioning the car’s cabin before you begin your journey is always a good idea, especially if the car is still plugged in while you’re doing it.
Pre-conditioning while on charge allows the cabin to reach a comfortable temperature without decreasing your driving range – some models even allow you to do this remotely from your phone, so it's worth double checking.
Check your tyres
Another good habit to build is to check your tyres around once a month, and especially before longer trips – as EVs usually weigh more than petrol and diesel vehicles, it can be even more important to ensure the tyres aren’t underinflated.
Low tyre pressure not only reduces your driving range, but massively increases your risk of blowing out a tyre, especially in hotter weather. It is best to stay on the safe side and get to know your car’s correct tyre pressure, and how to inflate them.
Check your wiper blades
Along with regularly checking your tyres, it’s important to check up on your windscreen wipers – you may think they wouldn't deteriorate when they're not being hammered my brain, sleet and snow, but warmer weather can cause the rubber to crack and degrade.
Check to make sure the rubber is still intact, and that the blade itself is clean and adhering to the window well – signs that you may need a replacement include squeaking and juddering, streaks and smears, as well as missed spots while wiping.
Use eco mode
A great way to maximise your range, particularly during hot weather, is using the car’s eco mode setting, limiting the amount of power and using the charge you have in the most efficient way possible.
This can make a noticeable difference in the heat, and can help you in getting to your planned stops, whether it is stopping at a family member’s house or simply your favourite service stations.
How to Change Your Wiper Blades
Changing your wiper blades is a quick and cost-effective way towards safer summer driving.
Better still, fitting wiper blades is simple and stress-free. Don't be fooled by brands that suggest you need a trained mechanic to replace your wiper blades, Wiperblades.co.uk has everything you need to complete the job in seconds.
You can use easy-to-follow instructions on the box to guide you every step of the way, or you can scan the QR code to go straight to a video tutorial showing exactly what you need to do. It's that simple.
How Do I Know Which Wiper Blades to Buy?
It couldn’t be simpler to find the perfect wiper blades for your vehicle.
Say goodbye to scratching your head in the shops as you search shelves for complex codes on boxes, just head to Wiperblades.co.uk, input your registration plate details and get the exact blades you need for your vehicle.
We’ll offer up a selection of different blades from various brands, including Bosch, Michelin and Lucas, all at competitive prices, so you can make your choice, safe in the knowledge that when they arrive, they are guaranteed to fit.
Why go to the effort of heading to a store and pondering if you made the right choice, when you can get it all done with no mistake in the comfort of your home in minutes?
