Essential Maintenance for Cars in Hot Weather: Tire, AC, and Engine Care

As summer begins, temperatures in many states reach around 45°C, and cars parked in the sun can heat up to 70°C inside. Prolonged exposure to such heat can cause numerous problems. Sitting in an overheated car can negatively impact your health and incur significant expenses due to potential damages. 

Therefore, it’s crucial to take special care of your car during this season to ensure both your well-being and the vehicle’s longevity.

Common Car Problems in Summer

During the summer, cars face several issues due to extreme heat:

• Fire Risk: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can increase the risk of a car catching fire.
• Tire Blowouts: High temperatures can cause tire pressure to rise, leading to potential blowouts.
• Paint Damage: Intense sunlight can dry out the paint, causing it to fade and lose its luster.
• Engine Overheating: The engine can overheat quickly in the heat, sometimes leading to severe damage.
• Health Hazards: Excessive heat in the car’s cabin can be detrimental to health.

Tips for Effective Car AC Cooling in Summer

To ensure your car’s AC cools effectively during the summer, follow these tips:

• Clean or Replace the Filter: A dirty filter can hinder cooling, so clean it regularly or replace it if it’s old.
• Proper Start Sequence: Start the engine and run the blower for a minute before turning on the AC to enhance cooling efficiency.
• Cool the Condenser: Wash the front of the car, where the AC condenser is located, with cold water to help cool the cabin faster.
• Maintain Cooling Coils: Regularly replace the cooling coils and clean the cabin filter to maintain optimal AC performance.

Summer Engine Maintenance Tips

In summer, engines can overheat quickly, and proper maintenance is crucial. The engine is the heart of your vehicle, and preventing it from overheating requires regular care. Ensure the cooling system is functioning well and the engine oil is adequate and fresh. Neglecting these can lead to engine damage.

Overheating poses a significant risk to the engine, making timely maintenance essential to keep your vehicle running smoothly during the hot season.

Engine Maintenance Tips for Summer

• Check Cooling Levels: Ensure the cooling system is functioning properly and maintain appropriate coolant levels.
• Carry Extra Coolant: Keep an extra bottle of coolant for emergencies, especially on long drives.
• Clean Radiator: A clean radiator prevents rapid engine overheating. Use only the recommended coolant for your car.
• Monitor Engine Oil: Regularly check and change the engine oil to extend engine life.
• Use Appropriate Oil Grade: Select engine oil suited for high summer temperatures to ensure optimal performance.

Maintaining Tire Pressure in Summer

In summer, tires are prone to blowouts due to increased pressure. Regularly check tire pressure to ensure it is neither too low nor too high. Many modern cars come equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which helps monitor tire pressure. 

TPMS can also be purchased separately at auto accessory stores or online for around 2,000 to 3,000 INR. Maintaining proper tire pressure is essential for safety and optimal vehicle performance during hot weather.

Gadgets to Keep Your Car Cool in Summer

1. Solar Power Fan: This fan operates on solar power and can be attached to any window, helping to keep the cabin temperature down.
2. Sunshades: Use sunshades on windshields and windows to block sunlight and reduce interior heat.
3. Car Umbrella: This fits over the car’s roof, providing shade and preventing heat buildup.
4. Water Cooling Cushion Cover: These cushions stay cool and prevent seats from getting too hot.
5. Ventilated Seats: These have built-in fans and connect to the car’s 12V power socket to keep you cool.
6. Cotton Seat Covers: These covers are less expensive and do not get as hot as leather seats in direct sunlight.

Cooling Hacks for Your Car

Trick-1: Gate and Window Technique

First, open the driver’s side gate and start the ignition. Then, open the passenger side window. Next, mimic the motion of a fan by moving the gate on the driver’s side back and forth. Doing this will circulate air inside the car, cooling it down quickly.

Trick-2: Full AC Blast

Before seating yourself in the car, open all four gates and the trunk. Then, turn on the AC to its fullest setting. This will circulate cool air throughout the car’s interior. After 2 to 5 minutes, close all doors, and you’ll feel the cabin cooling down.

Trick-3: Quick Air Exchange

If you’re short on time, open and close all doors in quick succession, allowing fresh air to enter and push out the warm air. This rapid exchange will help in cooling the cabin, and the AC will subsequently work more effectively.

Trick-4: Automatic Climate Control

If your car has automatic climate control, keep it in auto mode. It will adjust the airflow based on the interior temperature, ensuring optimal cooling. If the temperature rises, airflow increases, and if it decreases, airflow decreases accordingly.

Trick-5: Recirculation Mode

When you feel the cabin is sufficiently cool or too cold, switch to recirculation mode. This will stop the AC from drawing in outside air and solely use the already cooled air inside the cabin. It will help in maintaining a consistently cool temperature inside the car.

Expert Advice from Amit Khare: Parking Tips for Hot Weather

Auto expert Amit Khare suggests always parking your car in shaded areas during hot weather. This helps keep the interior cabin temperature 10-15 degrees cooler than outside. If parking in direct sunlight is unavoidable, never enter the vehicle immediately. Instead, open all doors for a while to allow some of the heat to dissipate. 

During summer, roads can become extremely hot, so it’s crucial to maintain tire pressure. Keeping tires properly inflated is important as it prevents them from heating up excessively. Whenever possible, use nitrogen gas in tires instead of regular air as it keeps them cooler and prevents overheating. Additionally, remove any perfumes, deodorants, or aerosol cans from the car during hot weather. This is because they lack safety valves and can explode due to increased temperatures, posing a serious risk.