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How summer can affect our vehicles by Thomas R. Buff The summer season has begun and the scorching temperatures are upon us. Time to hit the pool or relax in the comfort of our air conditioned home. But have you ever thought about how the high temperatures affect our vehicles? From the tires to driving conditions, the heat can be brutal on us as well as our mode of transportation. • Tires – Many studies have been conducted concerning the effects of road temperatures on stopping distances and found that drivers should expect shorter stops on cooler road surfaces. In one test, a test car took 134 feet to stop from 60 mph on a dry track at 35 degrees F. When the track was at a scorching 119 F it took nine more feet to stop. So if you are a close driver (I hope you are not), you should add more distance from the car in front of you. In general, 10 feet would be sufficient on a hot day. Also remember that heat is the enemy of tire life. The greater amount of heat they are subjected to, the shorter the tires tread wear and structural life. High speed combined with high load and high outside temperatures can create extreme circumstances and cause sudden tire failure. So check your tires tread depth and for proper air pressure at least monthly in the summer season. • Cooling System – The automotive cooling system is designed to rely on certain conditions to work properly. High temperatures, long drives, and the use of air conditioning make the cooling system work very hard. If your cooling system is not up to par, it will overheat and cause possible engine damage.
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By keeping your cooling system clean and filled with the proper coolant and all hoses and belts in good condition, your car will “breeze” through the summer season. • Battery – The automotive battery is one of the top components most likely to fail in the summer heat. The cold, believe it or not, is kinder on the battery than 100 degree heat. When it is 90 degrees outside the temperature under the hood is 140 degrees and up. This extreme heat can make the electrolyte in the battery evaporate and loose its electrical potential. Any additions such as GPS systems and portable DVD players can add to the stress on the battery. • Brakes – The automotive braking system works on two basic principles – friction and heat. So is more heat better? Absolutely not, if the brake pads and rotors overheat they can fail. Chances of your brakes overheating on the average can are slim unless you like to ride the brake pedal. But some of us may go on a summer vacation and pull a trailer or tag along which will add weight. In turn the brake pads or shoes can get extremely hot especially on a downhill grade. The more brake pad or lining material remaining, the less chance of them overheating. The bottom line is to have your brakes checked thoroughly before pulling that trailer. Use your gears and proper driving techniques and the summer heat will not affect your ability to stop in all conditions. • Interior – The summer heat can take its toll on the interior of our vehicles which can have an effect on our safety especially children and pets. When it is hot, heat coming through the windows is absorbed by the interior and the glass acts as an insulator. On an extremely hot day the temperature in your car can exceed a whopping 200 degrees depending on the type of vehicle you have, and yes, the color of the interior. Many studies have shown that cracking the windows do not drop the temperatures drastically. Parking in the shade and using a sun shade for the windows will keep it cooler. Cover leather steering wheels and seats with a towel to prevent burns. Take the usual precautions to prevent disaster. Do not leave children or pets in a closed car! Relax, drive and enjoy the summer driving season. Remember the summer heat can only affect our cars if we fail to take care of a few precautions. Otherwise we will have a safe and breakdown free summer. Happy Motoring!