Summer Road Trip: A Must-Have Preparedness Guide
Summer, Sundays, or during school holidays, hitting the road with your beloved car, newly “freed” kids, and your hardworking spouse to enjoy nature is the happiest thing for many road-trippers. However, in seasons of high temperatures and frequent thunderstorms, driving safety requires even more attention than usual. A reporter interviewed the head of a well-known self-driving club called “Jiaqi,” who offered tips to ensure a safe journey for travelers this summer.
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Key Points for Summer Road Trips:
Prevent High-Temperature Tire Blowouts
Summer is the peak season for tire blowouts. Road surface temperatures are often higher than the actual air temperature, and prolonged high-speed driving can cause the internal tire pressure to rise rapidly with the heat, leading to a higher risk of blowouts. Therefore, the first rule is to inflate tires to the manufacturer's recommended pressure to avoid both underinflation and overinflation. Additionally, frequently stop at service areas during the drive to check the tires. If you notice excessively high tire temperature or pressure, find a shaded area to rest until the tires cool down naturally before continuing. Be aware that when cooling tires, let them cool down on their own—do not pour cold water on them, as this can shorten their lifespan.
Tire Safety in High Temperatures
Usage Tips:
1. Regularly replace your tires. No matter how durable a set of tires is, they won’t last forever. As the tread wears down, the steel belts fatigue, and the rubber ages, performance will inevitably decline.
2. Pay attention to the tire’s load capacity. Do not overload, and do not use regular road tires for off-roading or racing.
3. Watch for signs of an impending blowout, such as sudden abnormal steering wheel movements or smoke from the tires.
4. If a blowout occurs, do not stop immediately. Keep control of the steering wheel, ease off the accelerator, and gradually shift to lower gears to use engine braking to slow down until you can safely stop. When steering to maintain balance, avoid overcorrecting—just enough to counteract the deviation caused by the blowout. Turn on hazard lights, assess the road behind you, and pull over to the side. If a rear tire blows out while turning, the rear of the vehicle may swing outward—steady and continuous steering adjustments are crucial.
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Eight Safety Rules
First, drivers accustomed to city roads may be unfamiliar with areas outside urban zones. Installing a car GPS navigation system is a smart choice—it greatly reduces the stress of route selection. Traveling with a friend who knows the route and road conditions is also a good option.
Second, keep essential items for in-car cooling handy: towels, Ren Dan (a traditional Chinese heat relief medicine), essential oils like Fengyoujing, drinking water, etc. A good pair of sunglasses to combat the summer glare is also a must. However, avoid overly dark lenses, as they delay the time it takes for your eyes to send images to the brain, potentially causing misjudgment and accidents.
Third, the summer heat can easily lead to fatigue and drowsiness—never drive while tired. If you experience symptoms of heatstroke such as dizziness, bitter taste, or weakness, stop immediately to rest. For road trips crossing provinces or covering over 400 km one way, it’s best to have two or more drivers taking turns. If driving solo, follow the rule: “Look at the scenery when stopped, drive when moving,” to prevent accidents.
Fourth, summer weather is highly changeable—heavy rain reduces visibility, strong winds can knock down trees or power poles, and during thunderstorms, it’s safest to take shelter at the nearest service area.
Fifth, when passing through rural roads, pay extra attention to children, whose safety awareness is generally weaker than urban kids. Avoid sudden braking on roads where farmers dry grain or lay crop stalks to prevent skidding, and inspect your undercarriage afterward to ensure no stalks are tangled, which could be dangerous.
Sixth, do not use gas lighters inside the car, and a fire extinguisher is an essential “weapon” for road trips. In the summer heat, some drivers have the habit of smoking to relieve fatigue. After lighting a cigarette, casually placing the gas lighter on the hood is extremely dangerous. The plastic container of disposable gas lighters, when subjected to impact or temperatures above 40°C, can cause the trapped gas to expand. The plastic shell may then explode due to the heat or impact, sparking a fire.
Seventh, use air conditioning wisely. Using it appropriately is healthier and more comfortable than running it all day. Before setting off, clean the AC system to eliminate any “hidden” bacteria. Roll down the windows during early mornings and evenings to enjoy natural air, and even open them occasionally at noon to help keep the interior air fresh.
Eighth, regularly check your dashboard—it’s your car’s best “doctor.” In hot summer conditions, ensure the fuel tank is full and monitor the water temperature gauge. When driving in mountainous areas, watch for signs of engine overheating.
Essential Onboard Equipment
1. Multi-purpose Battery
A multi-purpose battery is a great helper for road trips. It combines multiple functions such as outdoor lighting, tire pressure detection, air pumping, and emergency power supply. It is compact, versatile, and very practical. You can get one for just a few hundred yuan.
2. Universal Charger
On road trips, digital gadgets like MP3 players, digital cameras, and camcorders are essential. Carrying multiple chargers for each can be a hassle. A universal charger looks similar to a regular one but has two slots—one for charging digital cameras and camcorders, and another for AA and AAA rechargeable batteries. It charges faster than standard chargers and can also connect to your car’s power outlet. This makes packing much lighter.
3. GPS Satellite Navigator
GPS satellite navigators are nothing new and have practically become a standard item for road-trippers. (To be honest, I’d say my road-trip game is pretty advanced. I remember the days of driving my old Jetta with a paper map in hand. Let me share an embarrassing story: my first road trip, I discovered I was basically map-blind—I couldn’t read a map even when holding one. My travel buddy could make sense of it somewhat, but even he got confused at critical moments. Luckily, we met a beautiful girl who helped us out. Turns out she was a tour guide!!! She gave us a fantastic rundown of the sights, though I wasn’t really listening—I was too distracted by her. To be fair, she was genuinely kind and beautiful. Now whenever I hear the words ‘travel agency,’ I wonder if anyone knows about this ‘Blue Holiday’ travel agency—maybe I’ll run into that lovely lady again!! And if I could travel with her... that would be a dream come true!) On road trips, especially on unfamiliar routes, having a built-in GPS navigation system can pinpoint destinations within 10 meters—that means even someone as directionally challenged as me doesn’t have to worry about getting lost.
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4. Car Escort Gauge
Car Escort Dashboard: Unsure about the slope gradient when driving on inclines? Wondering about the current inside and outside temperatures? Need to know your vehicle’s exact coordinates or direction of travel? Most travelers or road-trippers have questions like these. With the Car Escort Dashboard, all your concerns can be "left behind." It’s easy to install—just plug it into the cigarette lighter and you’re good to go.
5. Camping Gear
Most friends who drive for trips often prepare to camp outdoors. Under the sunny sky, you can cook a variety of meals: stir-fries, barbecues, boil water, or cook rice. Everyone can sit together, eat, chat, and enjoy the beautiful scenery—a triple win. Such camping experiences also add a lot of fun to your trip. The camping gear includes: large sun umbrellas, foldable tables and chairs, insulated water bottles, moisture-proof mats, barbecue grills (here I recommend a solar-powered portable cooker. Its compact size makes it easy to carry. The stove has a built-in thermometer to help you control the temperature, and excess solar energy can be stored as electricity for later use or on cloudy days. Its flexible frame setup can handle almost any cooking task.), tents, and sleeping bags. These items allow you to rest when you’re tired from all the fun.
6. Professional DSLR Camera with Video Recording Function
A DSLR camera is also an essential piece of gear for seasoned travelers. Those stunning landscapes and precious moments are beyond the capability of ordinary point-and-shoot cameras. Beyond photos, there are always beautiful moments along the way—especially dynamic scenes—that, if recorded, can be proudly shared with friends upon returning. It’s a truly delightful experience.
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7. Two-Way Radios
Don’t assume that a mobile phone is all you need to get around. In areas without network coverage, a phone is as good as a brick. Moreover, most trips take you to unfamiliar places. When traveling, using two-way radios to stay in touch with your companions can save you a lot on roaming charges. (Here, I recommend a solar-powered multi-functional two-way radio. It charges during the day and stores power for use at night or in poor weather conditions, free from battery limitations. This way, you don’t have to worry about it running out of power halfway through. Additionally, this solar-powered two-way radio can receive signals within a 5-kilometer range. We’ve all seen news reports of travelers getting lost, stranded, or in danger due to poor or no phone signal. With this device, you can stay connected and won’t be left helpless. Plus, it aligns with today’s low-carbon, eco-friendly values.) Whether from a practical or economic standpoint, two-way radios are becoming increasingly important for road trips.
With the above gear, not only is your trip safer, but it’s also more enjoyable.
Travel Tips
Whenever possible, buy quality items for your trip—don’t skimp for the sake of cheapness, as reliable gear makes travel much easier. Road tripping is different from backpacking; your car has plenty of space. So, pack as much as you can think of—don’t worry about the extra fuel consumption. Getting stranded or dealing with unexpected issues will cost you far more time and money than a bit of extra gas. Don’t wait for the low fuel warning light to show up before looking for a gas station—fill up whenever you see one. Also, pay attention to fuel quality; it’s best to refuel at reputable, large gas stations with high-octane gasoline. Low-quality fuel can damage your engine system and, in severe cases, even clog the catalytic converter.