Summer in the UAE is extremely hot. And when the temperature hits the highs of 40 degrees Celsius, you know it is time to look after your car. High temperature can wreck your car. The hot and humid weather can have lasting impact on your car’s overall state.
Studies suggest that the temperature inside a car that is parked directly under the sun can shoot up dangerously in a matter of minutes. The heat inside a closed car can reach up to nearly 90 degrees Celsius – a temperature our car cannot survive. Neither can we!
This harshness of the heat can impact a car many ways, such as damage to the car’s bodywork and evaporation of car fluids.
Additionally, excessively high temperature is bad for your health as well. The heated interiors can burn your hands, back, and posterior. The spiked temperature is also known to release chemicals, such as Benzene, from the plastics inside the car, which causes cancer.
However, with proper care and maintenance, it is possible to protect your car from UAE’s scorching summer and avoid its dangerous impacts. Here are some basic summer car care tips and methods that can ensure your and your car’s safety.
Examine the car’s cooling system
Travelling in a car with dysfunctional air conditioning during summers can be dreadful. It is not just uncomfortable but may also have effects on the health of those inside the car.
The overheating of the car may also cause the air conditioning to be non-functional. It is important to perform a thorough examination of your car’s cooling system and conduct preventative maintenance.
Check the coolant fluid levels of the car, filter change requirements, and any signs of leakage of the coolant under the hood. Also, check if the debris-free radiator fins and other filters are clean or not. Get the air conditioning system of the car checked and serviced for immediate damage control and repair.
Checking the tire pressure
The heated sun rays can have an adverse impact on not just the car but also the pavements and roads it runs on. This can cause the tire to face a higher damage risk from exposed overheating.
The summer heat increases the tire temperature and pressure. Driving with an under-inflated tire can cause great harm. It can even cause the tire to blow out, if not paid attention to at the right time.
Hence, tire maintain is vital during summer. Follow the owner’s manual for the right tire pressure recommendation. Make certain that the tires have adequate pressure at least once a month.
Checking the fluid levels
A car runs on several fluids. These fluids work as coolant and lubricant. To be specific, they help reduce friction and heat from various parts of the car for proper and convenient functioning.
Periodically checking the level of all fluids – including brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and motor oil – is vital. This will make sure that the car runs well without getting affected by the scorching heat outside.
It is ideal to maintain and follow a car maintenance schedule to keep a check on the appropriate fluid levels and facilitate oil change and oil replacements.
Protecting the exteriors
The heat from the sun can cause damage to the car’s paintwork and body too. To save your car from such possibilities, park your car indoors or in shades.
Avoid exposing the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended hours. If shade parking is not available, use a car cover suitable for your car model.
Check the air filters
The heat also increases the amount of dirt and dust in the air. Debric caused by dust and dirt pollute the air filter units in your car.
To ensure continuous cooling and air circulation, check the condition of air filters once or twice every month.
Moreover, for proper visibility while driving, ascertain that wipers are functioning properly. Invest in specialized windscreen with reflective coating. Such a windscreen will block out heat and harmful UV rays and save the interiors from sun damage.
Checking the battery
To keep your car summer-ready, the health of car battery is cannot be overlooked. A rise in temperature can increase chemical reactions in the car battery which may have an effect on its life and the on and off mechanisms of your car.
This can also reduce the span of the battery. The summer heat can also boost the rate of evaporation of fluid in the car battery. This may result in the creation of a build-up of corrosion in the cable clamps, battery terminals, and other connections.
The intense summer heat and an improperly fixated battery unit in the car can lead to breakdown and sometimes, a complete failure. Perform regular checks for any leakage and take proper care to prevent oxidation from any fluid leakage or heat in the unit.
Replace the battery in time.
Additional measures
Various additional measures can be taken to cool down the car and ensure safety and comfort in the scorching heat of the UAE.
- Leave the windows open by about an inch instead of closing them tight. It will allow the flow of air through the cabin and lead to lower temperature inside comparatively. However, you do not do this when there is a prediction of sandstorm.
- If you find your car sweltering hot, before you enter the car, leave the door open for 15 to 20 seconds. This will let the hot air trapped inside the car escape faster.
- Always keep a small bottle of water and a thick cotton hand towel in the car. Once you enter the car, wet a portion of the hand towel and wipe the gear knob and steering wheel with it. This will cause the wet towel to absorb the heat from the plastic or metal surfaces and make it easier for you to touch them.
- Always start driving with the window still a few inches down and keep the air conditioning in recirculation mode. This will make sure that the AC does not work harder to cool down the hot air it sucks in from the outside but instead works on the cooler air that’s already inside and circulates it.
A little care and maintenance can keep your car in a good condition to drive comfortably even on a hot summer day. Always hire the right service and maintenance service provider – after all it is for the wellbeing of your car.
Vehpal One is the first online portal for automobile services in the UAE that seamlessly connects automobile users with the best repair and service solutions for their vehicles at the most economical prices. Vehpal One operates with a unique mobile app and an online interface that allows the customers to track the work in progress, seek clarifications, report issues, and make hassle-free and paperless payments.
