Summer in Illinois brings hot days and plenty of sunshine. While we love the warm weather, our cars don't always feel the same way. Understanding how cars are impacted by high heat can help you avoid breakdowns and keep your vehicle running smoothly all season long.
To learn all about how summer weather can affect your vehicle and ways to protect your car, continue reading.
Why Excess Heat Is Hard on Your Car
Your car works harder when temperatures rise. Every part of your vehicle faces extra stress during hot summer days. From your engine to your tires, heat creates challenges that can lead to expensive repairs if you're not careful.
Let's look at some of the main ways summer heat affects your car and what you can do about it.
Does Heat Affect Car Battery Performance?
Yes, heat has a big impact on your car battery. Many people think cold weather is harder on batteries, but hot weather actually causes more damage over time.
How does heat affect car batteries? High temperatures speed up the chemical reactions inside your battery. This might sound good, but it actually makes your battery work too hard. The heat can:
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Cause the battery fluid to evaporate
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Damage internal battery parts
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Shorten your battery's lifespan
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Lead to faster corrosion
If your car battery is more than three years old, summer heat can push it over the edge. That's why many drivers find themselves with dead batteries on the hottest days of the year.
Pro tip: Park in shade when possible and have your battery tested before summer is in full swing. This will help you avoid battery failure when you’re driving during heat waves. Schedule a service appointment with our professionals today!
Can Heat Affect Tire Pressure?
Yes, and this is one of the most common summer car problems. As temperatures rise, the air in your tires expands. For every 10-degree increase in Fahrenheit temperature, tire pressure can go up by about 1 PSI (pounds per square inch).
This might not sound like much, but it adds up quickly. Over-inflated tires can:
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Increase your risk of a blowout
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Wear out faster
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Give you a bumpy ride
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Wear unevenly
Besides ambient temperature, friction from driving, especially on hot pavement, further increases tire temperature and pressure. This means tire pressure can rise even more once you start driving.
Pro tip: Always check your tire pressure regularly during the summer months. Keep a reliable tire gauge in your vehicle at all times. Check tires in the morning before you start your car.
How Hot Summer Weather Causes Car Overheating
A car overheating in hot weather is a big headache, but unfortunately common. Your engine creates heat when it runs, and your cooling system works to keep things at the right temperature. When outside temperatures soar, your cooling system has to work much harder.
Here's what happens when your car overheats:
Your engine gets too hot and can't work properly. Parts can warp, crack, or even melt. This can turn a minor problem into a major engine repair that costs thousands of dollars.
Signs your car might overheat:
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The temperature gauge is climbing toward the red zone
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Steam coming from under the hood
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You notice a burning or sweet smell (could be coolant leaking)
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The radiator warning light or coolant warning light (often a thermometer icon) illuminates, signaling overheating or low coolant
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The engine is making knocking sounds
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Visible coolant leaks
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White smoke is coming from the tailpipe
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The engine idles roughly, stutters, or becomes difficult to restart
Pro tip: If you think your car is about to overheat while driving, pull over immediately. If you’re running the air conditioner, turn it off and turn on the heat until you can pull over. This helps reduce engine strain and draws excess heat away from the engine and into the cabin.
After pulling over and turning off the engine, let your car cool before opening the hood or checking coolant levels. Once the engine has cooled, check the coolant level in the reservoir. If it’s low and you have coolant available, top it off. (Only open the radiator cap if the engine is cool to the touch to avoid injury.)
If the temperature gauge returns to normal and you’ve added coolant, you may cautiously drive to a repair shop, keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge. If the car continues to overheat, call for a tow. Continuing to drive with an overheating engine risks permanent and costly damage.
Other Ways Heat Affects Your Car
Summer heat doesn't just target your battery, tires, and engine. Other car parts can suffer too:
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Air conditioning works overtime: Your AC system faces its biggest challenge during hot weather. Low refrigerant, dirty filters, or worn parts become obvious when temperatures climb.
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Belts and hoses get brittle: Rubber parts under your hood can crack and break in extreme heat. This can lead to leaks, loss of tension, or even complete failure, potentially leaving you stranded if a critical belt or hose breaks.
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Paint and interior suffer: While not a safety issue, heat can fade your car's paint and crack dashboard materials.
Keep Your Car Cool This Summer
Want to protect your vehicle from summer heat? Here are simple steps that make a big difference:
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Check your coolant level regularly
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Replace old coolant before summer starts
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Have your battery checked and replaced if necessary
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Check tire pressure when tires are cool (morning is best)
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Park in shade whenever possible
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Get regular oil changes
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Use sunshades to protect your interior
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Don't ignore warning lights or other signs of an issue, like strange smells or sounds
Summer heat doesn't have to ruin your driving plans. By understanding how cars are impacted by heat, you can take steps to prevent problems before they start.
At Hawk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT, our service team knows how Illinois summers can be tough on vehicles. We're here to help you prepare your car for hot weather and fix any heat-related problems that come up. We even offer Express Lane service to provide efficient service and get you back on the road quickly.
Schedule a summer tune-up today at our service center and drive with confidence all season long! We offer a wide range of vehicle services to keep your car in top shape! Contact us to book a maintenance or repair visit. View our specials page for current coupon deals.