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Several regions of India, particularly the northwest and central regions, are experiencing extreme heat. Not only are ourselves, but also our vehicles, challenged by the hot sun. Parking in the sun, being stuck in slow-moving traffic on a sunny day, or failing to take pre-summer precautions can all harm your vehicle. In the long run, exposure to extreme temperatures can harm your vehicle and hasten its ageing process.
As a result, it's critical to take a few extra precautions to protect your car's longevity and dependability in hot weather. The majority of these issues can be resolved at authorised repair centres or dealers, as well as independent garages.
Extreme heat can harm vehicles, causing damage to plastic and rubber parts as well as vital fluids. Here are some suggestions for keeping your car healthy this summer.
So here are a few locations where a car owner's full attention is required:
Maintaining the cabin's temperature
When possible, park in the shade, but if that isn't possible, leaving the windows slightly down helps with cross-ventilation and draining warm air from the cabin. Obviously, make sure the window isn't slid down too far; this can be a security issue.
When parked in the sun, covering your windows with a sun shade is one of the most effective ways to keep the heat out. Remember to put a sunshade on your back window as well, especially if you'll be parking for more than an hour. It is prohibited to have these visors on while driving, therefore only use them when parked.
Get your air conditioner serviced
On a hot day, the AC in a car bears the brunt of the load. As we all know, air conditioning systems require a lot of maintenance. To safeguard the compressor, it must be pumped up on a regular basis. Coolant leaks are common, and dust and grime can cause the system to overheat and malfunction. As a result, have your car's air conditioning unit tested by a trained mechanic before summer arrives.
Car owners frequently complain that their air conditioner takes too long to cool down the cabin during the summer. Irrespective of how powerful your AC unit is, it takes time due to all the heat retained in the car, especially while parked under direct sunshine. To avoid this, roll down the windows initially as you get in the car to allow some of the heat out. Wait a few minutes after switching to the highest fan setting. Roll up the windows and turn on the AC when the car's interior temperature matches the outside temperature.
Check your tyre pressure
Despite their importance on the road, tyres are one of the most overlooked components of a vehicle. Unfortunately, several owners are unaware of the proper pressure levels. This is especially dangerous during the summer, when low pressure can quickly destroy a car's tyres.
On a hot day, poor tyre pressure management could harm your sidewall because the softer rubber is more susceptible to damage. This could even cause the tyres to explode on bad roads. So, during the summer, make sure to boost your tyre pressure by 3-5 psi and monitor your tyres closely.
Check the condition and air pressure of your spare tyre, since it may come in handy on a hot summer day. Have your tyres properly aligned and balanced to minimise excessive tyre wear.
Fill up your coolant and have your radiator serviced
Everyone and everything needed a steady supply of fluids during the heat. A good grade coolant is one of the most important fluids for your car to make it through the summer. In fact, one of the most common causes of car failures during the summer is engine overheating owing to low coolant levels.
If your car is older than three years, have the radiator serviced before the summer heat sets in, and check for any leaks while you're at it. Also, make certain you're using the proper coolant. Using a less expensive one may appear appealing at first, but it may pose problems in the long run.
Check the transmission and engine fluids
You'll burn through engine oil like it's going out of style in the heat. Nothing degrades engine oil faster than heat, which is especially true if your car's oil is old and partially degraded. Check your engine oil levels on a regular basis and replace it with the proper oil. You might alternatively drain the engine oil and replace it with a more heat-resistant grade that is designed to maintain viscosity and decrease wear and tear under high running circumstances. Check the fluid levels in the power steering, braking, and gearbox components as well, as these could be weak points.
Belts and hoses
The engine bay of the car reaches extremely high temperatures while being driven. It is critical to replace parts once they have reached a certain amount of wear and tear. They won't be able to sustain the high working temperatures if they don't. Parts comprised of rubber compounds, such as hoses and belts, are particularly vulnerable. When a rubber hose becomes hardened, it's only a matter of time before it ruptures. In this instance, a physical examination is really effective. Check all clamps and clips as well, and remember that a loose clamp could be the result of frequent pressure build-up.
Battery maintenance
Excessive heat shortens the life of a battery by forcing the fluid within to evaporate faster. It even accelerates the chemical reaction within a battery, resulting in overcharging. Examine the battery to see if it's charging at the proper rate. Check the battery terminals for corrosion, make sure they're clean, and make sure any cable connections are secure. Most new automobiles come with maintenance-free batteries; however, if your car's battery requires regular distilled water top-ups, check fluid levels more frequently during the summer.
Polish protection
A good coat of wax or polish is usually associated with something purely cosmetic. This is false; a proper polish will go a long way toward keeping your car's paint from overheating. This is because it leaves a protective wax layer on the paint that reflects a large percentage of the sun's heat. So, before summer arrives, clean your automobile and, if feasible, choose a polish that also offers a layer of protection to your paint.
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