Generally speaking, temperatures tend to rise as the warmer months get closer. When a season changes, especially in summer, you’ll need to know how to reduce heat in your car.
Heat will inevitably impact vehicles because most people leave their vehicles parked outside, on the street, or in garages exposed to heat. You may minimize unnecessary wear and tear during summer and save money.
You can do this by considering the components of your car that are most vulnerable to heat and getting it examined by a professional mechanic.
Keep reading to learn more about how to reduce heat in your car:
How the Summer Heat Can Affect Your Vehicle
1. Battery
The harsh winter is when many people get concerned about their vehicle battery, but the humid summer may be just as damaging. The chemical reactions in your car’s battery might be disrupted by intense heat, which can cause charge loss and malfunction.
In the summer, battery fluid might as well evaporate more quickly. Therefore, ensure there is no damage or corrosion by frequently checking your battery’s charge.
2. Fluids and Oils
Although keeping an eye on your car’s fluid levels is always critical, it becomes more vital in the summer. In the same manner that individuals should stay hydrated during summer, so should cars! What’s particularly crucial is coolant.
During summer, your engine works harder than usual. Low coolant levels could kill your engine. It also needs to be kept cool to run at its peak performance, much like you do when it’s hot outside.
The cooling system has the responsibility of preventing overheating of the engine. Over time, the protective chemicals in engine coolant diminish as well. Coolant replacement and system flushing should be done regularly, especially in the summer.
Check the overflow reservoir between flushes to ensure the coolant is at the correct levels. If necessary, fill the tank with an equal mixture of water and the type of coolant advised by the manufacturer.
Your engine’s temperature can increase due to coolant leaks caused by damaged radiators or worn hoses. Make sure you frequently have an auto repair expert check the following additional fluids:
- Car oil
- Power-steering fluid
- Brake fluid
- Transmission fluid
- Fluid for windshield wipers
Since the loss of all these fluids naturally occurs in hot weather, you can take measures to stop it, such as parking in shady and cool spots.
3. Belts and Hoses
Regarding the condition of your car’s hoses and belts, you should speak with an auto repair professional. Your car needs to have these critical components in good condition to continue operating safely and effectively.
An overheated engine or radiator failure that might cause a breakdown can all be caused by a damaged or leaking hose or belt. Studies have found that over 20% of cars on the road contain worn belts which should be replaced and that almost 15% have outdated hoses.
If your automobile has more than 85,000 mileage, belt wear is considerably more likely. Belts and hoses can break and blister under extreme heat.
Have a car repair professional look for the following things throughout the summer:
- All belts exhibit start to wear and crack
- The belt tensioner’s capabilities
- Idler pulley performance
- Hoses with soft places where the reinforcement could be failing
4. Tires
It’s a great idea to get the pressure on your tire checked each time you stop at the gas station in the summer.
It would even be worthwhile to invest in a tire pressure tester so you can check it yourself, or you could bring it to your neighborhood car mechanic. This is because the asphalt that you’re driving on absorbs heat during the hot season, and tires swell when subjected to heat.
The temperature has an impact on tire pressure. Therefore, ensure your pressure is maintained at the level specified by the door jamb pressure gauge, which manufacturers typically provide.
If you don’t, you’ll be wearing them out too quickly and need to change them faster, whereas tire blowouts may be expensive and dangerous.
Rubber generally tends to degrade when exposed to heat. The rubber used to make tires is natural and synthetic, and it contains a lot of lubricants to keep it flexible.
Friction and heat from the road can age tires, drying up the oils and making the rubber brittle. Before a hot weather season, it’s good to have an automobile service specialist change your tires if they are worn out.
5. How to Reduce Heat in your Car Using Air Conditioning
Since cold air is denser and can hold more oxygen, vehicles tend to perform better when it is present. Since most individuals use their car’s air conditioner daily to cool down their cabin throughout the summer, this can impact how well it performs.
By changing your cabin air filter, you can maintain a clean and clear airflow in your vehicle. Getting a mechanic check for you can quickly solve the issue if you’ve discovered the air quality isn’t as good as it should be.
Can Heat Damage a Vehicle?
According to AAA, extreme temperatures can influence tire pressure, leading to uneven tire wear. That makes a blowout more likely, especially when the pavement temperature is high.
The heat can also make it difficult for your automobile to start since a hot engine cannot circulate fuel properly.
Does Heat Have Any Impact on the Engine?
Heat can quickly degrade motor oil, resulting in deposits on the inlet valves that obstruct airflow in the engine that worsen combustion chamber sealing. Rough idling, misfiring, and decreased power and fuel efficiency might result from this.
The reason for this is that summer heat reduces air density, which reduces the amount of gas you get for your money.
Does Heat Slow Down Your Car?
Yes. Acceleration may appear slower, and responses may not be as sharp as they were over the winter.
Why Does the Power in My Car Reduce in Hot Weather?
The work of a cooling system is to keep the engine running at a certain temperature. When the system becomes overloaded and heating, it forces the cooling fan to work harder in incredibly hot conditions, draining power from the engine and lowering performance levels.
Final Thoughts
You are now better equipped with some helpful tips on how to reduce heat in your car during the summer heat.
Remember to monitor your tire pressure and fluid levels closely, and park the car under a shade to avoid the sun’s UV rays.
Good luck!