Your car isn't ready for Europe's deadly heatwaves, warns expert
As millions of holidaymakers head to Europe for the summer, many fail to consider the risks extreme heat poses on both vehicles and passengers. While heatwaves across the UK and EU are causing vehicles to overheat and a surge of heat-related incidents that are leaving drivers scrambling.
Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Tollwayr and European road travel expert, warns that traditional road trip preparation is insufficient during heatwave conditions. According to Mattijs: "We're seeing temperatures that would have been considered exceptional just a decade ago becoming the new summer norm across Europe."
"Drivers who've completed the same routes in previous years are finding themselves in genuinely dangerous situations because the rules have fundamentally changed," he explains.
When temperatures exceed 35C, even well-maintained cars face increased risk of overheating, as well tire blowouts and electrical system failures. Air conditioning systems can also fail at these times when they are most needed.
Extreme heat also affects road surfaces, making asphalt soft and unstable, which increases stopping distances and reduces tyre grip. Some motorways have even experienced dangerous surface cracking and rutting.
Car passengers and drivers are also not immune to the dangers of extreme heat. Heat exhaustion and dehydration impair driver judgment and reaction times, with studies showing cognitive performance declining at temperatures above 27C inside vehicles, well before drivers recognise the symptoms.
To ensure you and your vehicle are heatwave ready, ensure to test your cooling system and tire pressure before long journeys. You should reduce your tire pressure by 2-3 PSI below manufacturer recommendations to prevent dangerous blowouts caused by dramatically increased tire temperatures on hot road surfaces. That said, tire pressures should remain within safe operating limits.
In addition to a standard emergency kit, you should also pack electrolyte replacement drinks, cooling towels, a battery-powered fan, emergency shade materials, and additional water reserves (minimum 4 litres per person).
To avoid getting stuck in traffic under the sun, avoid driving during peak heat hours (11am to 4pm) and try to stick to coastal and higher-altitude routes which provide 5-10°C temperature relief compared to inland valley routes.
"Heatwaves are no longer exceptional weather events—they're becoming the standard European summer experience. Drivers who approach summer road trips with the same preparation they used five years ago are genuinely putting themselves and their families at risk," says Mattijs.
'Successful heatwave road trips require the same level of preparation as winter mountain driving—different hazards, but equally serious consequences for the unprepared.
"The difference is that heat-related vehicle failures often occur in remote areas with limited mobile coverage, making self-sufficiency absolutely critical," he concludes.
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