Can Heat Affect Vehicle Performance?As the temperature outside rises, so do certain aspects of your car’s performance. Heat impacts many integral parts of a vehicle, especially when considering its relationship with air and liquids. Because of this, it is always a good idea to get your car checked out when the weather changes to mitigate and prevent potential issues.
Tires
First, the air in tires expands when exposed to higher temperatures. This results in uneven tire pressure, which can significantly shorten their lifespan. It also increases chances of blowouts, which can be extremely dangerous when driving at high speeds and hazardous to other drivers. To prevent this, have your tire pressure checked regularly. If you’d like to do this yourself, you can use a gauge, just make sure the PSI stays close to the recommended number for your vehicle, which can typically be found on a sticker inside the driver’s door. If that’s not your style, don’t worry- we provide this as an express service here at Wyoming Automotive!
Battery
Second, you may have noticed an increase in having to replace your car’s battery when it’s been hot out. This is due to the corrosive effects that happen when your battery fluid evaporates faster than normal. Heat causes this reaction. In addition, running the air conditioning system causes more strain on the battery making it die faster. Hot weather is actually more detrimental to your battery than cold, and a mechanic can test the connections for leakage before it gets to a point where the battery is no longer working. The last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere because your car won’t start, so get your car serviced soon so this doesn’t happen to you!
Oil & Fluids
Lastly, heat causes oil to become thinner and fluids to evaporate more quickly. This is important because it influences the type of oils you should be using in hot climates to maximize engine performance. It also means you should have essential fluids checked and topped off more frequently when the temperature rises. Though these may seem more minor issues, it is important as a car owner to be aware of specific preventative measures to take when the seasons change each year. In the long run, it will save you money and keep you safe.
Contact Us
In addition to parking in cooler places, the best course of action to keep your car running smoothly is to come see us at Wyoming Automotive! Our experienced mechanics will take great care of you.