Summer is always in full swing and comes along with lots of fun. Regardless of where you are, you can agree that summer is the best season for outdoor hangout. As the sun heats up, some people would like to go on hiking, camping or even relaxing on the beach.
In all these hangouts, most people will significantly rely on their cars more than ever for every trip they make. That being said, summer can be the harshest season for your vehicle as it will operate in extreme temperatures beyond average working temperatures. And this might be problematic to your car if not checked and prepared early.
For you to have a blast in your next summer, here are common car issues resulting from the excessive heat that you need to know.
1. Short Battery life
Besides overcharging, a hot environment can also shorten battery life. A battery’s ideal temperature is 80 degrees. But on a hot day, its internal temperature can rise to 140 degrees, which is above its operating temperature range. And in every increase in temperature by 15 degrees Fahrenheit, it reduces a battery’s life by half.
Consequently, hot weather can lead to the evaporation of the electrolyte solution in the battery, thus exposing lead plates, which might lead to corrosion, reducing the cell’s ability to hold a charge. The heat also reduces the battery’s capacity to produce power for starting an engine.
Additionally, the increase in power demand from the car’s cooling systems and air conditioning leads to a constant drain to the battery.
2. Increased tire pressure
An increase in temperature leads to increased pressure on the tires. The subsequent surge in tire pressure and the extreme heat might lead to the over-inflation of tires. The excess weight can distort the tire’s shape, therefore reducing the contact surface of the tread on the road.
Moreover, the pressure will lead to excessive wear along the tire center and or rubber disintegration in extreme temperature extremes.
3. Abnormal Gas flow
In cars, there is the part that retains the gas required for cars’ locomotion. The gas may be kept separately or in the fuel part, and it helps the car engine ignite and function properly. However, this condition of the burning of fuel and the gas may be affected by the hot weather or excess heat. For instance, if the car is put in an environment with excessive heat conditions, the gas fuel becomes hotter. In this way, the gas molecules start moving faster than normal and may cause bubbles in the engine’s gas outlets.
After a while, the airspeed may increase, and they may move uniformly, causing partitions or distances inside the gas tubes. The final gas that reaches the motor or ignition part is always less dense. As a result, both gas and the fuel mix and burn prematurely even before the spark plug’s normal ignition. What results from this activity is the production of knocking or pinging sound by the engine. Since the spark plug is not doing its actual work, it may get damaged or break pistons get destroyed, which requires replacement.
4. Stress on the cooling system
In your car, some parts require cooling effects such as the moving parts of tires, pistons, and the engine. The cooling systems for your car comprise the water pumps found, especially in the engine, hoses, thermostat, coolant, and radiators. When these cooling parts are exposed to more heat, especially from outside the car, they fail to do their work they are intended to perform. Their purpose is to cool the heating parts of the car, and if they are heated, already it means the whole system of the car will not get the required cooling conditions. As a result, the engine system may fail to function.
Conclusion
Extreme heating on your car can cause problems on it, and finally, if the condition is not well managed, the car may stop moving and result in more expense when repairing it. Your car needs a good tire, battery, gas fuel, cooling systems, and other requirements to give you the best services. Proper care of your car should be considered, such as not exposing your car to excess heat as it will damage the mentioned parts of your car.
