Heat Waves Are Doing Weird Things To Your Car

Jun 01, 2023

The ongoing heat wave is reportedly causing odd malfunctions to vehicles, including disintegrated wiper blades.

The month of July has been record-breaking for Austin, Texas. Except, it’s not quite a reason to celebrate. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or more were recorded for 10 days in a row. This beats the city’s record set in 1923.

Clearly, then, things are getting hot. Where it would normally have been the time for pool days, barbecues, popsicles, and the like, extreme temperatures are making sure that this is a time to stay well within the confines of your home.

Aside from curtailing outdoor activities, however, the current heat wave is also having unintended consequences on your car’s health. According to a report by KXAN, vehicle specialists are recording unusual complications.

While issues like dead car batteries are considered the norm for the summer, more vehicle owners are coming forward with problems like deflated tires and the components of their wiper blades completely disintegrating.

All the information in this article has been sourced from reliable sites like KXAN and statesman.

According to Doc Watson, a national training manager with Bosch Diagnostics, “People don’t stop to think about wiper blades — they don’t need them until it rains, right?” The point he’s trying to make is that while, yes, wiper blades only really get used during the rains, they’re perfectly capable of withstanding the summer heat without breaking to bits. This, however, as we mentioned earlier, is no ordinary summer heat.

What’s unusual is that cars are being driven around in temperatures exceeding 105 degrees. With the heat reflecting off the glass, the rubber components of a wiper blade tend to break down. The regular wiper blades you install tend to have a lifespan of anywhere between 12 and 18 months. This time period can drastically reduce in conditions of extreme heat or humidity, however.

He goes on to say, "With these extreme temperatures that you’re seeing, it’s the plastic breaking down of the wiper blade itself, and people not realizing that that’s happened until it’s too late. The wiper blade breaks, and then you’ve got this metal arm scratching the glass.” Wiper blade malfunctions, however, are only the beginning.

There have also been reports of brakes fading prematurely. While extreme outdoor temperatures can rise above 100 degrees, temperatures under the hood of vehicles during the summer can reach up to 230 degrees.

As a result of this, brake fluids inside the cylinder can absorb moisture, with the heat under the hood causing that moisture to expand within the fluid. What this results in is a longer brake pedal, giving drivers less stopping power.

Tires deflating are another big cause for concern. With surface temperatures rising rapidly, tires are more prone to losing pressure. Maintaining tire pressure has always been very important, but under the influence of a heat wave like this, it’s even more critical.

If your vehicle is usually parked out on the street, there’s good reason to wheel it into your garage. Or, at the very least, throw a car cover on it. Under the direct sun, it’s been reported that a number of cars have had their dashboard plastics melt. Needless to say, getting this fixed will be an ordeal and likely an expensive one, at that. Even your car’s leather seats won’t fare well under direct sunlight.

Another direct consequence of the severe heat is that your vehicle’s cooling systems take a hit. These systems help regulate a car battery’s temperatures. However, when this coolant evaporates, car batteries suffer. Moreover, when a car’s engine is too hot, the fuel doesn’t circulate as efficiently as it should. This will lead to issues with the engine starting properly, if at all.

The heat wave may seem like it’s overbearing, but there are things within your control that you can put into action to protect your car. It’s often said that regular maintenance is the key to keeping your car’s value up. In this case, however, regular maintenance of your car’s vitals will be crucial to keep it running safely.

To start, maintaining your tire pressure is more important than ever. If the norm was to keep track of your tire pressures before a road trip or a long journey, you’d do well to keep tabs on them before you set out every day.

Keeping a pressure gauge and a portable air compressor handy will help, too. This will eliminate the need to find a gas station with a functioning air pump. If not regularly done, the combination of low tire pressures and hot asphalt can very easily lead to blowouts.

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Next up, keep an eye out for the engine temperature. The readout on your instrument cluster has never been more important. A good practice to keep in mind is pulling over by the side of the road if you notice the temperature spiking. Wait for it to come back to a normal level and then set off. If you notice it happening frequently, head straight to your trusted mechanic.

Your battery also needs as much attention. High temperatures can drastically reduce your battery’s lifespan, so ensure there’s no corrosion. If it’s been a while since you bothered checking your battery’s health, it might be a good option to swap it out for a new one altogether.

Keeping your car’s fluids topped up is also crucial. This includes engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and the windshield washer. Granted, you might not need your windshield washer topped up all the time since it’s not raining, but it never hurts to have it ready when you eventually need it.

As we mentioned earlier, pull your car out of the direct sun. Aside from the damage to your dashboard’s plastics, the wiper blades, and the interiors, there’s a very real concern about the direct sun’s effect on your paint. Prolonged exposure will lead to fading and dulling of the luster. If a garage isn’t an option, invest in a car cover.

Getting into a hot car can be agonizing. And while the temptation will be to immediately crank the air conditioning to the maximum, try and avoid that.

Instead, roll down your windows and set off. This will enable some of the hot air to escape as you get going, and while you’re at it, set your car’s air conditioning system to ventilation mode. This will lower the strain on your air conditioner and draw in outside air without cooling it, helping to push out the hot air even more.

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Once this is done, roll up your windows, gradually turn up the air conditioner in your car, and set it to recirculation mode. This will cool the air being circulated inside the car more efficiently.

Source: KXAN, Austin American Statesman

Raunak's love for putting pen to paper is legendary, even if he's the only one who says so. Loves anything to do with four wheels and is only too glad to write about it.