Top 5 Tips to Protect Your Car from Extreme Summer Heat – Car News

It is the middle of May and the summer sun is beating down hard on us. But it is not just the living creatures like us, our favourite machines on wheels also face the excruciating heat. With temperatures reaching beyond 50 degree celsius in certain parts of the country, it becomes very important to take good care of your cars.

Here are the top 5 tips on how to protect your car from the extreme heat this summer

Air Conditioner

First and foremost, during the summer months, your car’s air conditioner often works harder than even the engine’s pistons. If your vehicle is a few years old or has clocked significant mileage, now is the ideal time to check the AC system. Common issues like weak cooling, unpleasant odors, or a failing compressor can crop up unexpectedly.

Considering that cabin temperatures can soar up to 60°C when parked under direct sunlight, discovering that your AC needs servicing or a refrigerant top-up on the first hot day can be both inconvenient and time-consuming. Proactive maintenance can save you the hassle.

Tyre Pressure

As we know, hot air expands—and this principle directly affects your car’s tyres. When driving on heated surfaces like tarmac or concrete, tyre temperatures rise significantly, increasing internal pressure and stressing the tyre walls. If the rubber already has cracks or weak spots, this added pressure can lead to a dangerous tyre burst, especially at high speeds on highways, potentially causing serious accidents.

To avoid such risks, maintaining the correct tyre pressure during summer is crucial. Valve caps help retain pressure, while overinflated tyres are more vulnerable to heat-related stress. Using nitrogen instead of regular air can offer more stable pressure regardless of temperature or driving conditions.

Coolant

If the engine is the heart of your car, it relies on two essential fluids for smooth operation—engine oil and coolant. While oil keeps the engine lubricated, coolant plays a crucial role in regulating engine temperature, a task that becomes even more critical during the hot summer months.

To avoid overheating, make it a habit to check the coolant level regularly by popping the bonnet and inspecting the marked level on the coolant reservoir. If it’s below the recommended mark, simply top it up with distilled water to bring it back to the optimal level.

Wax Polish

Just like sunscreen shields your skin from harmful UV rays, a good coat of wax polish protects your car’s paint and metal surfaces from the damaging effects of prolonged sun exposure. This not only helps maintain the paint’s shine but also safeguards the underlying metal panels from premature aging, contributing to the vehicle’s overall structural durability.

In addition, plastic components—like the lower body cladding found on many SUVs—are particularly vulnerable to heat-related wear and dryness during summer. Regular application of plastic polish helps preserve their appearance, keeping them looking fresh and well-maintained for years to come.

Tints, cover covers, and sunshades

If your car is parked outdoors for extended periods during summer, using a car cover can help shield the paint and metal surfaces from harmful UV rays. When a cover isn’t an option, sunshades for the windshield and windows are a practical alternative to minimize interior heat and sun damage.

While it’s unsafe to use window shades while driving, opting for window tinting can offer sun protection. However, be mindful of legal limits—under the Motor Vehicle Act in India, tints must allow at least 70% visual light transmission (VLT) for front and rear windshields, and 50% for side windows to remain compliant.