AUTOMOTIVE
Beat the Heat: Summer Car Maintenance Tips
Hot weather affects your vehicle’s performance and lifespan, so here’s what to watch out for.
By Wendy Helfenbaum | Illustrations by Mike Ellis
The sun, the heat, the clear blue sky… yes, summer is here, and you might be hearing the call of the open road. Or at least a road that’s free of ice, snow and slush. But just as you need to make sure you’re prepared with sunscreen and hydration before you step outdoors, your vehicle needs the same kind of consideration. Read on for some essential warm-weather vehicle tips.
Keep your engine happy Extreme summer temperatures can cause your engine to run hotter. Because hot air is less dense than cold air, your engine could get less of the oxygen required for combustion, which can lead to decreased power and acceleration. Although engines run best between about 90.5°C and 104°C, your car’s cooling system works harder to carry heat from the combustion chamber in hot conditions. With high external temperatures, there’s less air volume flowing through your radiator, so it cannot release heat from a hot engine as efficiently. As long as your radiator is working at peak efficiency, this is not a problem. But it’s a good reason to keep an eye on your dashboard (see below). High temperatures also increase fuel evaporation, which can cause vapour lock. This occurs when fuel becomes vapour before it reaches the engine, disrupting fuel delivery and resulting in rough idling or stalling. If the engine overheats, that may damage components or lead to engine failure. To optimize your engine’s performance and efficiency, park in the shade and always maintain the appropriate engine oil and coolant levels according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep an eye on your dashboard
If any of the following lights come on, pull over safely, turn off the air conditioning to reduce engine load and crank up the heater so the blower will draw heat away from the engine — it will basically act as a second radiator. If the temperature does not go down after a minute or two, turn off the engine and seek roadside assistance.
- The red or yellow engine coolant temperature light — shaped like a thermometer — indicates your coolant level is dangerously low or that the engine is overheating.
- If the temperature gauge needle is in the red or H zone, your engine is running too hot.
- Flashing blue or red lights might mean an electrical fault in your cooling system.
- Warning messages such as Check Coolant Level or Engine Overheating indicate the need for attention right away.
Car battery basics for summer
Like extreme cold, sweltering heat takes its toll on your battery. Make sure your car starts all summer long by:
- Inspecting your battery regularly, making sure the terminals are tight with no signs of corrosion — this may look like white or blue-green powder
- Cleaning terminals with a water-and-baking-soda mixture
- Limiting short trips, which can strain your battery
- Preserving your battery’s charge by turning off electronics once the engine is off
- Parking indoors to reduce heat stress on your battery
- Getting your battery tested before hitting the road — take advantage of CAA’s Mobile Battery Service where available
Protect your tires
Road surfaces heat up under the sun, impacting tire pressure, performance and lifespan. A 5°C to 6°C increase in temperature boosts tire pressure by one pound per square inch (PSI). Over-inflation can unevenly wear a tire’s tread, reducing traction and affecting braking and handling. When driving long distances, check tire pressure every few hours. If your PSI is too high, let some air out. You’ll get better fuel economy when tires are inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Hot pavement accelerates tire wear, so be sure to ask your mechanic to rotate tires regularly. High temperatures can also speed up the aging of the tire’s rubber compounds, which can cause cracking or weak sidewalls, increasing the risk of blowouts. The hotter the asphalt, the harder your tires work, so reduce your speed and avoid overloading your vehicle to decrease the strain on your tires’ internal structure.
Visit Otto for tire service right in your driveway. (Within the Halifax Regional Municipality.)
Smart fuel management Fuel formulas change in the spring. Butane, which helps cars start faster in cold temperatures, is replaced with alkylates, which burn cleaner. Because summer fuel is more expensive to produce, maximizing your vehicle’s fuel efficiency is key. Towing heavy loads, driving on hilly roads, quick acceleration, hard stops, dirty filters and unbalanced tires can all reduce fuel efficiency. Do this instead:
- Avoid idling and stop-and-go driving
- Accelerate gently and use cruise control to regulate your speed
- Remove excess weight, such as rooftop carriers or bike racks, when not needed
- Maintain proper tire pressure, which reduces friction
- Change your oil regularly
- Swap out air filters and replace spark plugs annually
- Save 3 cents per litre* on fuel at participating Shell stations
- Consider electric for your next vehicle and avoid fuel issues entirely
AC and fuel economy
Flipping on the AC makes your engine work harder to power the compressor, condenser and evaporator that pressurize and circulate the heat-absorbing refrigerant cooling down your car. Fuel consumption goes up more during city driving, and turning on the AC can lower fuel mileage by about 20 percent.
UV protection
You’re not the only one who needs sunscreen — your car takes a beating from the sun’s UV rays, which can damage the paint and clear coat and lead to dry or cracked plastic or rubber trim. Park in the shade, toss on a UV-reflective car cover and maintain your vehicle by washing with pH-balanced products containing a built-in wax. Products such as ceramic spray coatings, sealants and interior protectants can also help reduce the damage from UV rays.
Heavy loads and fuel economy The heavier your haul, the more fuel and energy (if you have an EV) is consumed. And it all adds up, whether you’re carrying passengers, cargo or towing a boat or trailer. Outboard carrying devices, such as a bike rack, increase air resistance and drag; opt for a rear rack if possible. Efficiency decreases about two percent for every 45 kilograms of extra weight. A study by Natural Resources Canada found that for every 100-kilogram reduction in load, the combined city/highway fuel consumption could decrease by about 0.4 l/100 km for cars and about 0.5 l/100 km for light trucks. Also, check your brakes. If brakes don’t release all the way due to extra weight, that can add resistance. Be sure to get your brakes checked before setting out.
Don’t forget, when hitting the road this summer...
- drinking water and snacks
- sunscreen
- reflective windshield sunshade
- charged portable power bank
- tire repair kit
- tire pressure gauge
- jumper cables or battery pack
- road flares or reflective triangles
- basic first aid kit
- fire extinguisher
- extra coolant and motor oil
- spare car key
- mat or towel in case you need to change a tire
- wet wipes
- duct tape
- flashlight