Summer Driving Myths Debunked

We’re debunking common summer driving myths

Unless you recently got your license, you’ve likely heard your fair share of summer driving myths over the years. While some myths have partial truths to them, others are downright false, which is why it’s important that you know what is real and what isn’t.

Air conditioning burns more fuel

There’s long been a debate over whether air conditioning uses more gas than rolling down your window. The truth of the matter is that it really depends on how fast you’re going.
At slower speeds, rolling down your window is more economical. However, air conditioning is actually more fuel efficient at faster speeds, such as on the highway, since opening your windows tends to increase aerodynamic drag.

Driving barefoot is illegal

Contrary to popular belief, there is no actual law in-place in Ontario that prohibits motorists from driving barefoot. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.
Driving with wet feet can be extremely dangerous, as it can affect your ability to brake properly.
While driving with sandals is also not illegal, it can also be quite dangerous, especially if one falls off your feet and gets jammed under one of the pedals.

It’s OK to leave your pet in the car if the sun isn’t out

Many people believe it’s fine to leave their dog in the car on a summer day as long as the sun isn’t out. There are also motorists who believe their dog will be fine if their car is left in the shade and the windows are open.
Even if the temperature seems relatively cool outside, that doesn’t mean the inside of your car won’t be significantly hotter. Do not leave your dog in your car in the summer, even for a few minutes.

You can’t get sun burnt if your windows are up

Just because your windows are up doesn’t mean you’re free from getting a sunburn. That’s because windows don’t fully protect you from UVA radiation. If you’re in your car long enough, you could still end up burning.

There’s nothing you can do if your vehicle overheats

While it’s true that there’s very little you can do if your vehicle begins to overheat, one thing you can try is to turn your heat on. This may sound completely counterintuitive, but turning on the heat will help to draw it away from your engine.
This is not a foolproof solution, however, and your best bet is still to pull to the side of the road and wait for it to cool down or call roadside assistance.

You should fill up your gas in the morning

There are still a number of people who believe that they should fill up in the morning as they think the cooler temperature outside will mean the gas is colder and will burn more efficiently.
However, since gasoline is stored underground, the outside temperature will actually have little-to-no effect on how efficiently the fuel burns.
Safe travels this summer!