Guide to Keeping Your Taxi Cool in the Hot Weather
If you’re a taxi driver, the summer months can be more difficult when stuck in your cab for hours in hot weather. Here’s how both you and your cab can stay cool this summer.
We love the summer, but we don’t often enjoy the wave of warmth that hits us when stepping into our vehicles on a hot day.
As a taxi driver, you don’t really have a choice. No matter how extreme the weather, people have places to go and things to do - and it’s your job to get them there.
That’s why we’ve put together some helpful tips and advice for staying cool in your taxi this summer.
Table of Contents
1. Checking your Taxi's Air Con
2. Reviewing your Taxi's Brakes
7. Check your Taxi's Electrical System
8. Tips for Driving Safe in Hot Weather
Check the air-con works in your taxi
Possibly the first thing you’ll do on a scorching day is put the air conditioning on.
That blissful cool breeze through your air vents is what helps you get comfortable before starting your journey. So, it’s important to make sure the system is fully functional in your taxi. If you think it's not as cold as it should be, then your air-con system may need servicing.
It also helps your passengers experience a more enjoyable, comfortable journey in your taxi.
If you decide to use the air-con, make sure your windows are closed as this is wasteful and will use more fuel.
You can also open windows and doors for a minute or two before entering your taxi to let the heat out.
Check the brakes on your taxi
When driving in extreme temperatures, it’s important to make sure the brakes on your taxi are working effectively.
If you notice anything different, you should have your taxi checked over immediately by a qualified technician. Brakes can fail in exceedingly hot temperatures due to lack of friction, so it’s vital to keep an eye out for any signs of wear.
Check the engine oil in your taxi
Engine oil is responsible for lubricating the engine to ensure minimum friction and maximum power retention. This helps your engine to run more effectively, giving you a smoother drive for your passengers.
If you’re driving around in your taxi in the hot weather for long periods, it may be worth checking your engine oil levels from time to time to make sure things are in order.
If you have insufficient engine oil, this could cause you to break down or a multitude of other safety issues.
Check your taxi’s tyres
Your taxi’s tyres are the most important point of contact between you and the road. They ensure maximum grip so you can drive safely at varying speeds and absorb road impact effectively.
In hot weather, the air in your taxi tyres may wear out faster. So, it’s important to regularly check your air pressure before and after long workdays.
Check the coolant levels in your taxi
Insufficient engine coolant in your taxi is one of the most common reasons for engine overheating.
Engine coolant helps to regulate the temperature of your engine so that it doesn’t overheat. If there is a low amount of coolant, your engine will be at risk of overheating and damage – which is also a risk to your safety.
As with your oil levels, make sure your engine coolant is topped up correctly. Both fluids should show between the minimum and maximum markings – no more, no less.
Check you have enough fuel for the journey
This goes without saying, but you should make sure you have enough fuel for the work day ahead.
When sitting in heavy traffic during warm weather, your taxi may use more fuel than normal to cope with the heat.
Check your taxi’s electric systems are working
Making sure your windscreen wipers and lights are all working is another way to keep yourself safe when driving your taxi in extreme heat.
You should also check your windscreen washer fluid is topped up so you can regularly clean your windscreen. This comes in handy in the summer with more dirt, dust, or debris coming into contact with your taxi.
Helpful tips for driving taxis safely in hot weather
There are also a few general good practices you can follow to keep yourself and your cab safe in the heat:
- Avoid causing any additional strain, wear, or tear on your vehicle through bad driving, such as coasting, harsh braking, or aggressively accelerating. Your taxi will already be working hard enough in warmer temperatures, so make sure you don’t add to the load with any aggressive, erratic mannerisms.
- Remember to complete checks on your taxi before long working periods in the warm weather.
- Ensure your brakes, coolant systems and tyres are in working order.
- Other checks you can make include your battery level, as this can be affected during longer periods in warmer temperatures
Now you know how to keep your taxi and yourself safer when driving in the hot weather, why not explore our selection of new taxis for sale, LEVC taxis and used taxis for sale?
We offer great new taxis with exceptional air con systems including the all-new Toyota Corolla Hybrid Estate, Nissan Qashqai E-Power and the KIA Niro Hybrid 2.
We also stock taxis from leading manufacturers including Skoda, Toyota, KIA, Volkswagen and so many more for you to explore online today.
If you are looking to explore our different finance options to purchase your taxi, why not browse our finance explained page for more information or call us today on 0330 012 8959.