There are some sure signs that summer is here: the shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops come out, the media start talking about hose-pipe bans – and the roads begin to melt.

This last one reminds a lot of us that it’s time to take a road trip to the beach, so high must the temperatures be. But melting tarmac can also make such trips rather sticky affairs – and more importantly perhaps, such conditions can make road surfaces uneven.

In the recent heat wave, Bristol was highlighted as likely to be affected by gooey tarmac, with temperatures hitting 32 Celsius.

But aside from the roads, such extreme heat can adversely affect your car, too.

Here are some tips for dealing with hotter driving conditions:

* Check your coolant levels and ensure your cooling system is operating properly.

* If your car starts overheating, you might be able to address the problem temporarily by turning up the heating system and putting the air-conditioning on.

* Check the pressure and condition of your tyres before you drive – since the heat can make any problems worse.

* Look out for areas of melting tarmac - and drive on solid surfaces if possible.  The melted tar can be difficult to get off your tyres.

* Ensure you, your passengers and any pets are well hydrated. Take a break every three hours.

* Keep abreast of changing weather conditions and any traffic problems with local radio or mobile Internet.

* Keep your breakdown insurance cover details handy. And if you don’t have any cover – why not get a quote from startrescue.co.uk today?

* If a thunderstorm appears on the horizon, be ready for flash flooding. Drive slowly through any bodies of water that may arise.