What Hot Weather Does to Your Car—And How to Protect It

All Canadians can relate to the fact that after all those cold months, we eagerly await the start of summer! Summer is the perfect time to rejuvenate ourselves and enjoy quality time with our families, cruising around our favourite routes while exploring new ones. But as much as you wait for summer all year long, do you know that excessive heat has a downside to it, too, and it seriously affects the functioning of your vehicle? From battery failures to tire blowouts, extreme summer temperatures can push your vehicle’s systems to the limit. However, fortunately, there are some simple and proven ways to protect your car in the summer and ensure it runs smoothly all season long. Read on to learn about these tips and enjoy a stress-free summer ride with your loved ones. 

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How Hot Weather Affects Your Car

Extreme temperatures can put stress on many of your car’s systems, leading to faster wear, decreased efficiency and sometimes unexpected breakdowns. Some of the key ways through which hot weather affects your vehicle include:

• Battery strain: During the summer, heat accelerates the evaporation of battery fluid, causing damage to the internal components and affecting battery life.

• Engine overheating: This is a common issue experienced in the summer, as high temperatures often overwhelm the car’s cooling system, especially when coolant levels are low, and strain the engine, resulting in overheating. 

• Fluctuations in tire pressure: In the summer, you have a higher risk of tire blowouts, as hot pavements and air temperatures can cause the tire pressure to rise. 

• Faster fluid breakdown: During extreme weather conditions, engine oil, brake fluid, and transmission fluid tend to degrade more quickly, reducing their effectiveness. 

Top Tips for Auto Care in Hot Weather

Wonder how to protect your car from these breakdowns and damages? Here are a few tips that you can keep in mind to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly all summer long:

• Regularly inspect your vehicle’s engine oil, brake fluid and coolant. Top up the fluids if needed to enjoy a smooth, stress-free drive. 
• Keep an eye on your car’s battery, especially if you haven’t tested it in over three years. If there are any traces of corrosion around the terminals, ensure that they are cleaned and mounted correctly. 
• Check tire pressures weekly, as hot temperatures can cause the air in the tires to expand and increase pressure. Also, don’t forget to look for signs of cracks, bald spots, and wear and fix them as soon as possible.
• Try to park your car in the shade or a covered area, as this will help limit excessive sunlight exposure, protecting the windshield and interior from damage and fading. 

Get Your Car Summer Ready with Terra Nova Buick GMC 

Need help to keep your car in top shape all summer long? Bring it into Terra Nova Buick GMC’s state-of-the-art service centre and let our experienced technicians do their magic. Our team of excellent technicians use OEM recommendations and adheres to industry standards to ensure your vehicles keep running smoothly for longer. To book a service appointment, simply call us at 709-364-4130, today!