Impact of Summer Heat on Your Car

Whether taking your car on a road trip or just getting around town, the summer heat can make things difficult. It’s important to understand how it can affect your car and take steps to prevent damage. Cooling systems have to work extra hard during extreme temperatures to keep your engine at a safe temperature. It can lead to issues like overheating and failure.

Damaged Upholstery

Upholstered furniture, one of your car’s most crucial parts, must be handled carefully to preserve its sturdiness and lifespan. Upholstery can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays, spills, soil, and other factors. Aside from the UV rays, the summer heat can damage your upholstery by drying out fabric and leather. Keeping your upholstered furniture in an area with consistent, warm temperatures will help prevent this damage. Spilled drinks are another common cause of upholstered upholstery damage, especially liquids that don’t have caps or a capless bottle. Additionally, vehicle accidents can cause shards of auto glass to puncture your upholstered seats. The amount of glass that breaks after an accident can be reduced or held in place by vehicle window tinting.

Faded Paint

Even if you keep your automobile in a garage, the summer heat can damage it. The paint may fade and dry out due to UV rays from the sun, becoming dull and powdery in appearance. The good news is that you can slow down this process with some simple habits. For instance, parking indoors whenever possible and getting regular car detailing can help rejuvenate your car’s paint. Air pollution is another aspect that might cause fading. The harmful chemicals in the air – sulfur and nitrogen dioxide – can wear away at your vehicle’s paint.

Moreover, the sun’s UV rays can also cause oxidation. Any chemical process involving an element’s interaction with oxygen is known as oxidation. Window tinting can offer a few safety and security advantages besides preventing UVA rays. 

Overheating

Summer heat is no joke and can cause several problems for your car. The good news is that preparing your car for warmer weather involves a few simple steps.

Regularly checking your coolant level is one of the most crucial things you should do. Your engine may overheat and become damaged if your coolant levels are too low. Your car’s cooling system must work harder in hot weather to prevent overheating. It is why it’s important always to have your coolant tank topped up and check for leaks or damage to your radiator. Plastic and rubber cooling system components also deteriorate in extreme heat, so replacing them when they show signs of wear is important. Also, inspect your hoses and drive belts for cracks, bulges or other signs of poor condition.

Failing Sensors

Summer weather can have a huge impact on your vehicle. It makes you sweat more, and the warmer temperatures can also affect your engine and cause various problems. One of the most common problems caused by heat is failing sensors. It includes temperature and oxygen sensors, which are often exposed to harmful elements from the exhaust. Oxygen sensors are especially vulnerable to this problem because they must rely on hot exhaust gas to reach their operating temperature. They can also become contaminated by leaded fuel or residue from faulty gaskets. Failing oxygen sensors can lead to various issues, including engine misfiring, rough idle and stalling. It is crucial to immediately fix any of these problems if you are currently dealing with them.

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