Top Items to Keep in Your Car During a Heatwave
Driving in a heatwave can make even a short journey feel like a survival challenge. The steering wheel is too hot to touch, the seatbelt buckle feels like it has been left in an oven, and everyone in the car suddenly becomes very aware of who controls the air conditioning.
While hot weather can be great for beach days, barbecues and sitting in the garden, it can be less enjoyable when you are stuck in traffic or dealing with a car that is already struggling. A little bit of preparation can make a big difference.
Here are some of the best items to keep in your car during a heatwave.
1. Plenty of water
This is the obvious one, but it is also the most important. Keep enough drinking water in the car for everyone travelling. A quick trip can turn into a long wait if you get stuck in traffic, break down, or have to pull over somewhere without a shop nearby. It is also worth carrying extra water if you are travelling with pets. A small travel bowl can be useful too, especially on longer journeys.
Of course, try not to leave the same plastic bottle sitting in the car for weeks. Keep fresh water with you when you travel, especially during very hot weather.
2. Sunglasses
Bright sunlight can make driving uncomfortable and, at times, genuinely difficult. A decent pair of sunglasses can help reduce glare, especially when the sun is low in the sky. Keep a pair in the car so you are not squinting all the way home or trying to use the sun visor at a useless angle. Just make sure the lenses are suitable for driving. Very dark sunglasses may make it harder to see clearly, especially if the light changes suddenly.
3. A windscreen sunshade
A sunshade may not make your car feel like a fridge, but it can help stop the inside from becoming completely unbearable. Using a windscreen sunshade when parked can help keep the steering wheel, dashboard and front seats cooler. It is a small item that folds away easily, but it can make getting back into the car much less unpleasant. It also helps protect the interior from strong sunlight over time, which is useful if you want to keep the car looking decent for as long as possible.
4. A phone charger or power bank
A flat phone is annoying at the best of times. In a heatwave, especially during a long journey or breakdown, it can become a real problem. Keep a phone charging cable in the car, and consider carrying a power bank as a backup. This is especially useful if your car is older and does not support high-speed charging, and you need to use your phone for maps, updates or roadside assistance. If you are using your phone for navigation, try to keep it out of direct sunlight. Phones can overheat too, and the last thing you need is your map disappearing halfway through a journey.
5. A small towel or light blanket
This might sound strange, but a towel or light blanket can be surprisingly useful in hot weather. You can use it to cover hot seats, protect leather upholstery from direct sunlight, or make a seatbelt more comfortable if it has been baking in the sun. It can also be handy if you have been to the beach, taken the dog out, or spilled a drink because everyone is hot and irritated. It is not glamorous, but it earns its place.
6. Sun cream
If you are going to be outside before, during or after your journey, sun cream is worth having with you. This is especially useful for day trips, long drives, school holiday outings, festivals, sports events or anything where the car is part of a bigger day out.
One small warning: don't treat the glove box like a long-term sun cream storage unit. Extreme heat can affect products over time, so it is better to take sun cream with you when you travel rather than leave the same bottle in the car all summer.
7. Snacks that will not melt into sadness
There is a time and place for chocolate. A hot car in July is not it. If you are taking snacks, choose things that can survive the heat. Cereal bars, crackers, nuts or crisps are usually safer options than chocolate, sweets or anything that turns into a sticky mess after half an hour in the sun.
This is not just about comfort. If you are delayed, stuck in traffic or travelling with children, having a few simple snacks can make the journey much less painful.
8. Wet wipes or tissues
Hot weather has a way of making cars messy. Sticky hands, spilled drinks, sun cream, dust, sweat, ice cream and mystery dashboard grime all seem to appear at once. A pack of wet wipes or tissues is one of those things you will barely notice until the exact moment you need it.Keep some in the car and future you will be grateful.
9. An umbrella
If you break down or have to wait outside the car, shade matters. An umbrella can make a difference if you are stuck somewhere exposed. This is especially useful if there is no nearby building, tree or safe shaded area to wait in. You may never need it, but if you do, it will suddenly feel like the best idea you ever had.
10. A basic breakdown kit
Nobody wants to think about breaking down in a heatwave, but hot weather can put extra pressure on tyres, batteries, engines and cooling systems. A basic breakdown kit is always sensible. Useful items include a torch, high-visibility vest, first aid kit and details for your breakdown provider if you have one. It is also worth keeping a note of any important numbers somewhere other than your phone, just in case your battery runs out.
11. Screen wash
Summer driving can make your windscreen filthy. Dust, pollen, insects and dry roads can all leave marks that make glare worse. Make sure your screen wash is topped up before you set off, especially if you are going on a longer journey. A clean windscreen is not the most exciting heatwave essential, but it can make driving much easier when the sun is bright.
12. A bit of common sense
This one does not fit neatly in the boot, but it might be the most useful thing on the list. If the weather is extremely hot, think about whether the journey is really needed. If it is, try to travel earlier or later in the day, allow extra time, and take breaks if you need them. Keep the car ventilated, stay hydrated and do not ignore warning lights, overheating or unusual smells from the engine. A car that is already struggling may find hot weather much harder to cope with.
When your car is the problem
Sometimes, the issue is not what you keep in the car. It is the car itself. If your air conditioning has given up, the engine keeps overheating, or every summer journey feels like a gamble, it may be time to think about whether the car is still worth the hassle. Older cars can be brilliant, but repeated repairs can quickly become expensive. If your car is becoming uncomfortable, unreliable or too costly to keep on the road, selling it may be easier than waiting for the next problem. At Cash For Cars, you can get a free quote for your car and decide whether it is time to move on.
Get your free quote today and see how easy it could be to sell your car with Cash For Cars.