How Does Hot Weather Affect Your Car?
Summer in British Columbia is finally here! And while many of us look forward to the hot weather that BC brings, some of us are dreading it. Why? Because how the hot weather affects your car can be nerve racking when you’re driving an older vehicle. Moreover, if your car has a high number of kilometres on it, it may also be at risk for a breakdown this summer simply because of extreme heat exposure.
So many things can happen to an older vehicle when the temperature rises. The Lower Mainland is notorious for having 40 degrees Celsius + temperatures every summer. Combine that with thick smoke brought in by any of our constant forest fires, and you have a recipe for something to clog, overheat, or simply seize.
This blog post describes some of the hot weather car issues you might encounter over the course of the summer. And if you do encounter these problem and need reliable and professional scrap car removal services, More Cash For Scrap can help. We will be happy to buy your scrap car for MORE cash than anyone in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, no matter what mechanical issues it may have!
Is Hot Weather Bad for Your Car?
One of the most common problems vehicle owners incur during the hot summer weather is a breakdown due to their vehicle overheating. No matter how much we maintain our car, and check our fluids, something unexpected can always happen. An unexpected leak, a malfunctioning component, or damage caused to engine parts after an accident that goes unseen.
That’s why it’s so critical that you have routine maintenance performed by a professional at the start of the summer season. Did you know that it’s 50% more likely that your vehicle will overheat in warm weather?
While most newer vehicles are built to withstand extreme temperatures, the exposure to excessive hot or cold weather takes its toll on vehicles.
And when your vehicle is older, you’re asking for problems if you don’t take proactive measures to ensure your car is ready for the heat.
What Parts of Your Car Get Damaged By Hot Weather?
Cars are complex pieces of machinery. They have many moving parts, electrical systems, and various other vital components that run optimally at certain temperatures. However, when they are exposed to extreme heat, not only do they not operate the best, but they also run the risk of getting damaged and malfunctioning. Below are the most likely areas where your car will take a hit during the British Columbia heat waves that we experience every summer (including this one!).
The Engine
If you’re Canadian, you know that winter has always been famous for being rough on us. However, over the past few years, wildfires have taken their toll on our country. Particularly in British Columbia and Alberta (the Westcoast).
While some of them were caused by campfires and haphazardly discarded cigarettes, many were just the result of extreme heat, which brought with it extreme dryness. Now, if a British Columbia heat wave can quite literally ignite a fire on dry grass, fallen trees, and underbrush, imagine what that heat is doing to your car’s engine.
Having proper coolant levels, oil levels, and even automatic transmission fluid (ATF) levels in your car is critical to combat the effects that our Lower Mainland summer weather can have on your vehicle’s engine. Since it is a delicate but complicated system of moving parts, lubrication is essential to prevent friction, which will help prevent your engine from overheating and possible engine fires this summer.
Check Your Coolant Levels Regularly
Moreover, having proper coolant levels also ensure that your vehicle’s engine is being cooled properly, which would be extremely important when climbing big hills in late August like the ones near your home in North Vancouver. Or perhaps the one’s at your mother-in-laws home in New Westminster. Or even when heading out to the beach in Belcarra… You get the point.
As a professional scrap car removal company that has been buying scrap cars since 2005, we see more vehicles get scrapped in the BC summer months due to failed engines, overheated engines, and engine fires than anything. Fortunately, Lower Mainland residents are lucky to get MORE cash for cars with dead engines when they choose the scrap car removal services of More Cash For Scrap.
Signs Your Car Engine Is Overheating
1. Hot Hood – Your vehicle is always warmer after running. However, if the hood is especially hot and after running for only a short time, it could be a sign that your engine is overheating.
2. Smoke or Steam – This one is kind of obvious, but still, we felt it important to put it on the list. If your vehicle has any kind of smoke, steam, or vapors billowing out from under your hood, your car is overheating.
3. Poor Performance in Hot Weather – If you notice that your gas mileage is getting worse during the summer months, along with slow or sluggish acceleration, or any kind of hesitation when shifting, it could be that your engine is overheating.
4. Smells Hot – Did we just say, “smells hot”? Yes, yes, we did. You wouldn’t think something could “smell hot” as heat is a temperature, not an odor, but you can. There are certain smells associated with an engine overheating, and if you smell them, it’s something you need to address.
The smells may resemble burning plastic or rubber, hot grease, or a distinctive burning oil smell. If you notice any unusual scents coming from under your hood in hot weather, your engine overheating may be the culprit.
5. Loud Thumping or Other Engine Noises – This one is a bit tricky because engine noises don’t specifically distinguish cooling problems. However, if you’re noticing new sounds alongside of some of the other mentioned symptoms above, it could mean trouble for your cooling system.
6. Your Check Engine Light is on – Another obvious indicator is that your check engine light is on. Also, much like the unusual engine noises, it isn’t a symptom just by itself. However, if it’s coupled with any of the other signs and symptoms, your engine is likely overheating.
An overheating engine can give subtle indications prior to overheating. However, it can also simply hit suddenly and without warning. The important thing is to know what to do when you vehicle overheats, so that you can help contain any potential fire.
What Do I Do If My Car Engine Overheats?
If you’re driving when you notice that your vehicle is overheating, find a safe place to pull over and shut your car off immediately. Since most engines overheat in hot weather, many people have the air conditioning running when it does. If your A/C is on, shut it off.
In addition to shutting the car off, make sure that you leave it turned completely off for at least 15 minutes.
Even though it may be hot, and you’ll be tempted to have it turned on to auxiliary while waiting, don’t. The car must be completely powered down to cool it efficiently to its maximum level.
Carefully and slowly, open your hood. Then, check your coolant levels (do this carefully as your engine is burning hot presently) and if they are low, add some. If you don’t have any coolant on hand, using water will suffice.
The Battery
Do you notice that starting your car in the winter months is usually harder than in warmer months? That’s because the battery’s chemicals are altered by extreme temperatures, whether it’s cold and especially when it’s hot.
Vancouverites know that our cars go through a lot with our drastic, sudden, and unpredictable weather changes. From harsh winters at –20 degrees Celsius, to smoldering hot summer months where temperatures climb above 42 degrees Celsius. While your car may be harder to start in the winter, it can also have other issues due to temperature changes in the summer.
Why? Because warm weather causes changes to how the chemical within your battery operates. Additionally, the load applied to your battery is greatly increased due to the increased use of accessories like air conditioning, fans, power windows, etc. Make sure your battery is in good working order before the summer weather hits.
Moreover, have your local mechanic check for any potential voltage issues. The battery works in unison with the alternator, and both can succumb to hot weather. As a scrap car removal company that buys scrap cars all over the Lower Mainland, we see our fair share of cars with alternator and battery issues. And what you might think isn’t a major repair, can become one quickly due to heat exposure. Electrical problems are the #1 reason people scrap their cars for cash with us!
The Tires
Rubber and heat have historically never been a good combination. When you heat up rubber, it gets softer and more pliable. This can cause a host of problems when you’re driving on hot pavement, in hot weather, during a Metro Vancouver heat wave in August.
Moreover, if you’re heading out to campsites, lakes, and logging roads regularly this summer, you’ll want to make sure that your tires are in peak condition. Furthermore, you’ll definitely want to make sure that you’ve had your winter tires removed so that you have optimal stopping power during long weekend commutes home to Vancouver.
The Fluids
One thing in particular that is one of the most important things to keep your vehicle running at its best during hot weather, is one that often gets overlooked; checking your fluids. Particularly things like oil and coolant.
You should always have your car serviced at the start of the summer by a professional, like our friends at Ian’s Auto Service. When you use a licensed mechanic, they will always check your fluids after every oil change or routine service appointment.
It’s important to have your oil changed and topped up and to have your coolant checked. Also, you’ll want to ensure that you have washer fluid to keep your windshield free and clear of debris like all the bugs you’ll hit on your road trips this summer. The last one may not impact your vehicle’s performance, but it does make for an unpleasant view!
Air Conditioning
You may think that having your air conditioning serviced is simply for your own comfort throughout the summer months, but there’s more to it than that. Air conditioners require minimal, but regular maintenance to keep them performing at their best.
When you don’t tend to your A/C system, it can get clogged which hinders how well it operates. This in turn, affects the amount of drain on your battery. So, ultimately, you could be hot, AND stranded on the side of the road if you don’t take care of it beforehand.
Aside from the added strain of a clogged A/C system component, there are many other working parts that all work together with your heating and cooling system. What might start out as a miniscule clog, can quickly turn into something that breeds an engine fire.
Many local Vancouver residents have sold us their vehicles after experiencing an engine fire. Moreover, they’ve scrapped thousands of cars with us because their engine overheated and it caused catastrophic damage. Fortunately, we always pay MORE cash for scrap cars than any other local scrap car removal company in the Lower Mainland area. We always pay MORE!
What You Should Do to Protect Your Car from Summer Weather
1. Get Your Oil Changed
The best thing you can do to help protect your vehicle from extreme summer temperatures is to perform routine seasonal maintenance. The first thing on that list is to ensure that you’ve had a recent oil change and aren’t due for one.
Oil is an integral part of how your engine performs, and lubrication prevents friction. Preventing friction lowers your risk for engine malfunctions and fires.
2. Check Your Tires
Many of us drive on all season tires down here in the Lower Mainland. But if you live in places like the Fraser Valley or up in the mountains where winter weather can be harsh, you may drive on winter tires in the winter months.
Make sure to change your tires at the start of the warmer weather as hot temperatures increase the risk for punctures and blow-outs. Also, make sure that your tires don’t suffer from any slow leaks, don’t have any blisters or bulging, and are properly inflated.
3. Check Your Fluids
Fluids are an essential part of how your car performs at its best. This includes coolant. While most of us regularly check our oil, washer fluid, antifreeze, etc, we often forget the coolant.
However, if you have your vehicle serviced regularly at the dealership or local mechanic, this is something they will check. That’s why getting your vehicle serviced at the start of the summer season is so vital. Nothing will make a vehicle overheat faster than a lack of coolant.
4. Check Your Battery
Checking your batter isn’t as complicated as you might think. All that’s involved it looking at when you last purchased it. Most batteries only have a certain shelf life. Alternately, you can purchase a voltage meter to see how much voltage your vehicle is running. If there’s a discrepancy, it could either be because you need a new battery, or potentially have a faulty alternator.
5. Service Your Air Conditioning
Every vehicle needs an air conditioning recharge every now and then. There’s only a specific amount of time your A/C will be effective if you don’t replace the gas that is responsible for providing the cooling capabilities. Take your vehicle to a professional mechanic to have your air conditioning serviced properly.
There are quick fix replacements offered at local vehicle supply stores, but if you don’t know exactly how to replace it, you could end up with a bigger repair bill than anticipated.
What If My Car is Dead or Damaged from Hot Weather Conditions?
If your vehicle has already been a victim to the hot weather that the Lower Mainland brings every summer, don’t worry. More Cash For Scrap offers MORE cash for cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans that have extreme heat damage, dead engines, and failed transmissions.
- Dead engine?
- Transmission toast?
- Head gasket blown?
- Need an alternator replacement?
- Interior/exterior/engine damaged due to a fire?
- Air conditioner issues that are worth more than your car to fix?
- Complete brake job on the horizon?
No problem! More Cash For Scrap buys vehicles in ANY condition, with ANY issues. We specialize in paying MORE cash for damaged cars, while providing free towing from anywhere in the Lower Mainland. So, even if your camping in Squamish when your vehicle dies, but live in Coquitlam, we’ll come pick up your car for free, and pay you MORE cash for it than the other guys!
How Can I Sell My Scrap Car in Metro Vancouver?
Simply call, text, or email our scrap car removal team today. We’ll get some basic details about the vehicle you’re scrapping, then present you with an INSTANT cash offer right over the phone.
Let us know the make, model, year, and location of your car. If you can, also provide us with the number of kilometres it has on it, and the general condition its in. Then, our scrap car buying team will make you an offer right then and there.
If you accept our offer, we’ll arrange for our free junk car towing service to come collect your car. They’ll load up your vehicle and leave you with cash in hand before driving away with your junk car. It’s that simple!
Contact us today to find out why we are Metro Vancouver’s favourite scrap car removal company and have been since 2005. No other scrap car buyer will offer you MORE cash for scrap cars than More Cash For Scrap!
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