What are the effects of high temperature on a car?
4 Answers
The effects of high temperature on a car are: 1. Engine overheating can easily cause carbon deposits, engine knocking, radiator boiling, etc., increasing engine wear and reducing engine lifespan; 2. Fuel system issues may occur, leading to vapor lock and high-speed misfiring; 3. It may cause tire blowouts, posing a hidden danger to driving safety; 4. High battery temperature can easily cause unstable power supply, accelerated electrode oxidation, reduced battery capacity, and leakage; 5. It may lead to air conditioning failure to cool, with slower radiator cooling speed reducing air conditioning efficiency; 6. It can damage the car paint, accelerating its aging, potentially causing cracks, water marks, and corrosion marks; 7. The interior is prone to aging, leading to cracking and brittleness; 8. High temperature in the braking system can easily cause vapor lock in the pipelines, affecting driving safety.
Last time I encountered a coolant temperature warning while driving, I was so scared that I immediately pulled over. Engine overheating is no joke - piston rings can seize up and cause cylinder scoring, the head gasket can burn through in minutes, with white smoke billowing out. When that red warning light on the dashboard comes on, you must stop immediately. Continuing to drive could result in repair costs worth half a car's value, and in severe cases may even cause spontaneous combustion! I remember a friend's turbocharged car once overheated, warping the entire intake manifold - cost over 8,000 yuan to replace the parts. Never open the radiator cap when it's boiling, as the high-pressure steam can scald you. Always wait until the engine cools completely before adding coolant.
High temperatures wreak havoc on vehicles in all aspects. Rubber hoses are prone to bulging and bursting under heat—my old Jetta once had a hose explode, spraying coolant all over the engine bay. Engine oil thins out when temperatures exceed 120°C, leaving crankshaft bearings unprotected and prone to dry friction. Electrical systems also suffer; if the ECU overheats and crashes, throttle and brake functions may fail. The biggest loss is the catalytic converter, which gets sintered at temperatures over a thousand degrees and becomes scrap—replacing an OEM one starts at 5,000 yuan. During summer road trips, remember to frequently check the coolant temperature gauge, as the condenser faces greater cooling pressure when the AC is on.
When the red thermometer icon appears on the dashboard, the engine has entered the danger zone. High temperatures can deform aluminum cylinder heads, and a blown head gasket means engine overhaul. Older cars require extra vigilance – clogged radiators, faulty fans, or water pump failures can all lead to breakdowns. I once had a stuck thermostat that caused coolant temperature to spike to 130°C instantly, melting the insulation on engine wiring harnesses. The mechanic later said another ten minutes would have fused the pistons to the cylinder block. Keeping distilled water in the trunk is essential – it's safer than mineral water for emergency use.
