Can Heat Damage My Car This Summer?

We all love summer and warm weather, however, is it as good for our cars as it is for us? Most people would assume that we deal with more car damage throughout winter months, due to freezing, grit causing paint problems, and the increase in road accidents, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Summer can be just as bad if not worse when it comes to car damage. Heat can impact cars in all kinds of ways, and furthermore, when we are dealing with repairs during summer, the heat can actually make these jobs more difficult for ourselves, too.

So, here are a few ways that heat can cause damage to our cars and how you can take extra care this summer.

Batteries can become damaged

Any sort of extreme weather, no matter if this is boiling or freezing temperatures, can be damaging and take impact on your car battery. Without a fully functioning battery, your car will not work, which is why we want to encourage you to be extra careful this summer and know what unusual signs to look out for that could be caused by heat.

Warmth will actually help car batteries to function, however it is when it gets too hot that problems will arise. Too much heat can actually cause fluids within the battery to evaporate, causing damage to its internal structure and preventing it from being able to do the job. Furthermore, when it is too hot during summer, this sometimes results in internal damage to the battery that will stop it from functioning, cause a loss of power and leave long lasting damage.

Be aware of your tyres drying out

The summer months can really take their toll on your tyres. This is because the heat can dry them out and cause them to start wearing away. Furthermore, when it is really hot and humid, this can increase the air pressure and cause the rubber to expand. As a result, the over-inflation will cause complications when driving and cause the centre of the tyres to wear much quicker than the rest, potentially leading to uneven wear.

Cars are more difficult to repair in the heat

Paint repair service is affected as when hot and sunny we have to ensure that the paint and primer we mix is applied immediately so as not to be dried out by the sun or change the texture. As well as this, when we apply paint to any car, the surface must be cool in order to allow the paint to settle properly. In the summer, if a car is out in direct sunlight, this will make it very hot to touch and therefore dry out the paint as soon as it is applied, therefore preventing it from developing correctly. Instead, this could leave the paint with lumps.

What you can do to help prevent damage to your car this summer

Heat during summer is unavoidable, especially for cars that are outdoors and in direct sunlight for the majority of their time. However, there are definitely actions you can take in order to minimise the risk of any damage to your car when it’s hot outside. This can be as simple as making a conscious effort to keep it in shaded areas when it is parked up. Little things like this that prevent your car from being exposed to too much sunlight and heat will lower risk of heat damage. Furthermore, if you have a garage that you can park your car in, use it! This will keep your car nice and cool when it is not being used.

Another way to prevent damage to your car over summer is to look out for anything unusual. Noticing things early often lowers the extent of the damage or prevents it from turning into something worse. If you notice something unusual, you should get your car checked as soon as possible, whether this is through a warning light, unusual noises, or a noticeable difference when you are driving. The one thing that we urge you to do is seek professional help and advice, as this is the best way to look after your car and keep it safe and in good condition.

For more information or if you would like to speak to us about a bodywork repair, simply get in touch with us via our contact page and we will be more than happy to help!