How hot weather effects your car and what can you do about it?
As we are approaching the summer months, temperatures across the UK are beginning to rise to highs of 30 degrees. When the sun is blazing down, your car can suffer in more ways than you may realise. As well as making driving uncomfortable, it can strain vital systems in your vehicle, increase wear and tear and even lead to breakdowns. Here’s how heat effects your car and what you can do to prevent problems.
Engine overheating:
Why it happens – High temperatures make it more difficult for the engine’s cooling system to maintain the safe operating temperature.
What to watch for – The temperature gauge may rise, there may be steam from under the bonnet or maybe dashboard warning lights.
What to do – Make sure to keep an eye on the coolant levels and ensure the radiator and fans function properly. If your engine does overheat, consider pulling over and letting it cool down.
Battery Strain:
Why it happens – Heat accelerates chemical reactions in the battery. It can boost performance; however, it can also speed up degradation and corrosion.
What to do – You can test your battery if it is over 3 years old. Check for corrosion on terminals and make sure it is securely mounted.
Fluids Break Down Faster:
Affected Fluids – Engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid and brake fluid.
Why it matters – These fluids are crucial in lubrication and temperature regulation. Heat can cause them to thin or evaporate too fast.
What to do – You can follow the manufacturers service schedule for fluid checks and replacement.
Tyre Pressure Increases:
Why it happens – Tyre pressure rises approximately 1 PSI for every 10 degrees increase in temperature.
Risks – Overinflated tyres reduce grip, wear unevenly, and increase the risk of a blowout.
What to do – Check tyre pressure when tyres are cold and adjust if needed.
Air Conditioning Strain:
Why it matters – The A/C system has to work much harder when it is hot to cool down the vehicle.
Signs of trouble – Reduced cooling performance and strange smells.
What to do – Make sure you’re A/C serviced regularly and that refrigerant levels are right.
Engine performance drops:
Why it happens – Hot air is less dense, this means the engine gets less oxygen.
Effect – Reduced power output, especially in turbocharged engines.
What to do – If the vehicle is tuned, you could ask for performance upgrades like better intercoolers.
Interior Damage:
What happens – Prolonged exposure to sunlight and heat can warp the plastics, fade the upholstery and crack your dashboards.
What to do – Use sunshades, apply UV- protectant sprays, or invest in window tints.
Final Thoughts:
While the sun can hugely impact the health of your car, it is important to note that it isn’t a guarantee that any of these will happen to your vehicle. This blog post is to inform people of the potential risks and what could happen so if you choose to you can take action to prevent these things from happening. It is important to be careful in the heatwaves and protect your car.
