Do Cars Need to Wear Masks?
2 Answers
1. Is it necessary for cars to wear masks? Whether a car needs to wear a mask doesn't depend on whether others are doing it, but on whether your car actually needs it. If your beloved car is parked for long periods in areas with a lot of flying debris like willow catkins, wearing this 'mask' is highly necessary. Whether you drive or not, willow catkins will find their way into the car's air intake grille. Additionally, if the roads you frequently drive on are indeed often filled with flying debris like willow catkins, then your car must wear a mask. The reasons will be explained later. If your city has excellent environmental management with minimal flying debris like willow catkins, and you mainly drive within the city, you can skip this odd accessory. Radiator Blockage 2. Why should cars wear masks? As we all know, the car's engine radiator and air conditioning radiator are located behind the grille, made from very delicate cooling materials. Countless cooling holes are distributed across the radiator, allowing it to function efficiently when cooling or heat exchange is needed. However, if these holes get clogged with willow catkins or other debris, the radiator's efficiency will drop sharply, potentially leading to overheating and engine damage under extreme conditions. If the air conditioning radiator's holes are blocked, the cooling effect will be significantly reduced or even fail. Rather than facing expensive repairs, it's much better to maintain your car properly. Some might say, 'If the radiator is clogged, just use a water jet to clean it!' Never do this! The reason for using a car 'mask' is also because the radiator is very fragile and cannot withstand the force of a regular water jet. The pressure can bend the radiator fins, causing a more severe and harder-to-repair blockage. Do you really want to replace the radiator? 3. How to properly maintain the radiator? Actually, besides using a car 'mask,' there are many other ways to maintain the radiator. The most common method is installing an insect screen, which is easily available online. Vehicle-specific screens work best and are simple to install. The basic idea is to place a mesh grille in front of the radiator, which is both easy to install and clean—a long-term solution. The reason I don't recommend this 'mask' is that it's neither aesthetically pleasing nor durable, often falling apart after a few uses and failing to protect the radiator. Worse, if it accidentally covers the license plate, you might get fined by traffic authorities. If you don't have a car 'mask' or an insect screen, take a moment to bend down and inspect the radiator through the grille. The condition of the fins might shock you. Yesterday, due to hot weather, I turned on the AC and noticed poor cooling. Upon checking, I found the radiator covered in willow catkins and dead insects, prompting a thorough cleaning today. 4. How to clean the radiator? There are two methods: an amateur approach you can do yourself and a professional method requiring a repair shop. First, the amateur method. This works for cars where you can directly touch the radiator. Start by lightly wetting the radiator with water—avoid high pressure to prevent damaging the delicate fins. Then, use a soft brush to gently remove surface debris. The professional method involves removing the radiator and treating it with specialized cleaning agents until it's restored to its original condition.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I find this question quite interesting. Cars certainly don't need to wear masks, but just like how we humans use masks to protect our respiratory systems, vehicles have their own protective devices. For example, the cabin air filter is essentially the car's mask, capable of filtering out dust and pollutant particles. Every time I service my vehicle, I make it a point to check this filter. If it's clogged, the air inside the car becomes stuffy and uncomfortable, potentially even affecting health. Some friends who drive in dusty areas find it particularly important to replace the filter regularly. During the pandemic, some people even installed additional car air purifiers to enhance protection. In short, while cars don't wear masks, owners shouldn't neglect the maintenance of these filtration systems to ensure a clean and fresh driving environment.
