What Hot Weather Does to Your Car, And How to Protect It
Every Canadian knows that summer is short, so it’s important to make the most of it. Road trips, long weekends, and cottage getaways are great ways to enjoy the fleeting season. However, while you may love the heat, your vehicle is quietly absorbing it.
Learn what could happen in your vehicle when it gets too hot and what an automotive technician can catch before a small issue leaves your car out of commission.
Your Cooling System Is Working Overtime
Your vehicle’s cooling system keeps the engine within its optimal operating temperature range. Extreme heat strains the system, and if coolant levels are low or the fluid has degraded, the system can’t compensate.Leaking hoses and a faulty cooling fan can further strain your cooling system during periods of high heat.
It’s important to know that degraded coolant not only places extra demand on the cooling system, but it can also become corrosive. In this situation, a full coolant flush—instead of a top-up—is necessary to protect the entire system.
Never wait to address these concerns. Regular cooling system maintenance includes a comprehensive pressure test of the system by a certified automotive technician. The process can catch any leaks or coolant contamination issues early to prevent the engine overheating.
Heat Is Hard on Your Battery—Possibly Harder Than Winter
Extreme cold can deplete battery levels and often causes your vehicle to become unresponsive on a particularly frosty winter morning. But summer heat can also take a toll on your battery’s health.
High temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions inside lead-acid batteries, speeding up self-dischargeand causing internal corrosion. Heat can also cause battery fluid to evaporate quickly in some battery types. Over time, your battery can run out of charge, and you won’t be able to start your vehicle.
Batteries at least three years old are especially vulnerable, and one particularly hot day could be the tipping point. Consider taking your vehicle in for a professional battery inspection to help catch any issues before they leave you stranded before your next summer road trip.
Your Fluids Are Under More Pressure Than Usual
Hot weather can harm engine oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid. Heat speeds up fluid oxidation, causing deposits and sludge to form. Over time, this can cause build-up in your vehicle’s systems and change how your vehicle runs.
Lighter compounds within the fluids can also evaporate, leaving behind a thicker solution that has a harder time protecting different components. If your fluids are already overdue for a change, this can become a genuine liability in the summer heat.
During your seasonal vehicle inspection, your certified technician will assess your current fluid levels and conditions to determine whether a full fluid flush and swap is needed. They’ll also be able to inspect whether any damage has occurred if fluids degrade, and they’ll explain the next steps to keep your vehicle running.
Tires Also Feel the Heat
Heat causes the air inside your tires to expand, which can increase pressure. Over-inflated tires becomevulnerable to tire blowouts, which can pose a serious safety issue.
On the other hand, a tire that’s under-inflated runs hotter due to increased road friction, which can accelerate wear and tear.
If your winter tires are still on at the peak of the summer heat, the softer rubber compound will degrade significantly faster. This not only means you’ll have to replace your set of winter tires sooner than expected, but it also increases your risk of a blowout.
Always follow the 7-for-7 rule when deciding whether it’s time to book your seasonal tire swap at your local NAPA AUTOPRO location. In other words, once the temperature remains above 7˚C for seven consecutive days, switch out your tires.
Your certified technician will remove and store your winter tires, as well as complete a thorough tire pressure and tread inspection.
The Exterior Takes a Hit
UV radiation and heat will slowly break down your paint’s protective clear coat, leading to fading and oxidation. Heat also causes paint and metal to expand. Repeated expansion and contraction cycles between summer and winter can create stress cracks in your vehicle’s body.
Rubber components, including door seals, wiper blades, and hoses, are also vulnerable to the summer heat. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures will cause the rubber to degrade and crack. This is the main reason your wiper blades may streak rather than provide a clear view after being left on your vehicle for a full summer.
If you notice any signs of wear and tear in your rubber components, mention this to your technician so they can complete a full inspection during your next service visit.
Your A/C Carries a Bigger Load
During periods of extreme heat, your A/C is working overtime to keep you cool. This extra load places more demand on the A/C system’s critical components, including the compressor and refrigerant circuit.
The compressor circulates refrigerant through your A/C system in a closed loop. Low refrigerant levels indicate a leak, which needs to be repaired. Left unchecked, the leak can damage the compressor, which is the most expensive component in the system to replace.
If you notice your A/C has weak airflow, is pushing out warm air, or is making unusual sounds, then book anA/C maintenance service to find the root of the problem.
Summer heat affects nearly every system in your vehicle simultaneously, causing many of these issues to compound. The best protection against any breakdowns is a summer maintenance visit before temperatures reach extreme levels.
Before you depart on your next summer adventure, book an appointment at your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre.