It’s been a bit hot, hasn’t it?! We’re starting to feel like we do one of these every year now – and it looks like extremely hot weather events are the new normal. Unfortunately, the new normal has come quicker than we can all prepare for, and everything from infrastructure to our cars have been absolutely pummeled by the recent heatwaves that have gripped the UK and Europe.
That’s because in England, our stuff isn’t really equipped for prolonged hot weather, and that includes our cars – which have been dropping like flies since the hot weather began back in June. Yes, that’s right; we’ve had two full months of extreme heat with barely any rain, and the endless summer looks to continue in September!
So, what’s going on with all these breakdowns?
Well, the RAC has reported that car breakdowns are up 20% during heatwaves due to tyres, batteries and engines suffering in the extreme heat. But drivers and occupants are suffering, too – and breaking down on an isolated, sun-parched road is a serious danger, especially when help could be delayed by the surge in demand.
So, let’s help you understand what you can do to prevent a breakdown during the UK’s heatwaves, and what you need to keep in your car should the worst happen.
HEATWAVE CAR BREAKDOWNS: CAUSES AND HOW TO STOP THEM
OVERHEATING
Yep – it was obvious, wasn’t it?! Coolant systems work much harder in high temperatures, as the heat can’t be dumped out fast enough. This is why car air con can lose efficiency in extreme heat, too.
So, how do you avoid your engine overheating?
Check your coolant levels regularly, and top it up whenever needed. Well-maintained drive bets can also improve efficiency and reduce the risk of overheating. And as hard as it may be to bear, consider not using the air con, and running the vents without it with the windows open.
AC puts an extra mechanical load on the engine, and its condenser sits directly in front of the radiator – dumping out additional heat. A healthy cooling system can cope, but if your car hasn’t had a service in a while, this could push it over the edge. If in doubt, get a coolant checkup and car air con service before taking any major journeys.
BATTERIES
Remember our post about batteries dying in extreme cold? Well, the same is true for extreme heat. If your car has been harder to start in the hot weather, it’s because the battery is struggling. This can happen for a number of reasons, including ionised water evaporating in older units, or the chemistry in the battery being impacted by unusual temperatures beyond its operating range.
A battery checker can help you nip this in the bud before you make a long journey.
TYRES
Heat hates rubber, and tyres that are already slightly damaged or underinflated can become worse in high temperatures. As the rubber softens, small cracks or nicks in the tyre can become magnified – resulting in a flat if you’re lucky, and a blowout if you’re not. The heat generated by friction as the car dives along can cause the temperatures to get even higher, compounding the problem.
Don’t roll the dice with your tyres. They’re all that stand between your car and the road. Check them properly for any damage, make sure they’re properly inflated for the car’s load – and if in doubt, head to your local garage.
Read more: How Long Do Car Tyres Last?
CLUTCH
The heat can wear your clutch down faster, and you might notice stuttering or shuddering as you engage it, or slippage on hill starts and while in higher gears. If that’s the case, you need to get to your mechanic ASAP for replacement clutch plates before you do any serious damage to the drivetrain or flywheel.
OIL
Engine oil gets much thinner and runnier in hot weather, which means that the critical parts of your engine that would normally be coated in a healthy film of oil are drier on start. This can cause seizing and more wear.
To avoid thai being a problem, check your oil level regularly in a heatwave, and top it up as regularly as is needed using the correct formula for your engine.
Read more: Why Does Engine Oil Need Topping Up?
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN IN THE HEAT
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
Pack an emergency breakdown kit, with first aid, hi vis vests for everyone in the car, and a warning triangle. Don’t forget the sun cream!
Take a cool box full of cold drinks and snacks. And if you don’t need them in an emergency, then you’ve got a lovely little treat when you arrive! Pack lots of water, because driving in hot weather causes dehydration, which affects your concentration levels and coordination.
Keep a phone battery pack charger to call for help. The same heat that affects your car battery can impact your phone as well – so make sure you’ve got a backup for emergencies if the car’s battery is out of action for charging devices..
Keep a spare phone charger in your vehicle. Many modern cars have USB sockets, which allows you to charge your phone while on the move
WHEN YOU’RE BROKEN DOWN
We’ve written a full blog post about How to Survive a Car Breakdown, which also covers breaking down on motorways and smart motorways. We recommend brushing up on this before you set off on a long summer drive or holiday – and if you haven’t had a car service in a while, make sure you book one as soon as possible.
BOOK YOUR CAR SERVICE
Master Tech Autos is a garage in Eastleigh that carries out car servicing to keep you prepared for extreme weather. Give us a call on 023 8061 1161 or contact us to book your next car service before another big weather event!