What Are the Effects of High Temperatures on Cars?
3 Answers
High temperatures can have several effects on cars: 1. Interior Cracking: Interior materials can age over time, losing their flexibility and becoming brittle. Exposure to sunlight and UV rays can lead to cracking or breaking. 2. Emission of Toxic Substances: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the interior materials to degrade, releasing harmful substances like formaldehyde, which affects the cabin environment. 3. Air Conditioning Failure: In summer, blockages caused by insects and dust can reduce cooling efficiency. 4. Increased Risk of Tire Blowouts: High tire pressure combined with hot road surfaces can cause the air inside the tire to expand, leading to blowouts. 5. Engine Overheating: High ambient temperatures and long drives can cause the engine to overheat. 6. Paint Damage: UV rays from the sun can accelerate the oxidation of car paint. 7. Brake Failure: Brake fluid can evaporate in high temperatures, creating vapor lock in the brake lines, and brake pads can overheat, leading to brake failure.
The impact of high temperatures on cars is actually quite significant. When tires are driven on hot road surfaces, the tire pressure will increase significantly, raising the risk of a blowout, especially for old tires with severely worn treads, which are even more dangerous. Excessive temperature in the engine compartment can cause a sharp increase in pressure in the cooling system, potentially leading to coolant boiling or even hose bursts. In high-temperature environments, the electrolyte in the battery evaporates faster, greatly shortening its lifespan. Prolonged exposure to sunlight accelerates the oxidation and fading of car paint, especially for dark-colored paint, where the surface temperature can reach over 70 degrees Celsius. Rubber components like wiper blades and sealing strips are prone to hardening and cracking. After being exposed to the sun, the dashboard and leather seats not only become too hot to touch but also release harmful gases. It is recommended to park in shaded areas as much as possible during summer, regularly check tire pressure and coolant levels, and periodically wax the car paint to form a protective layer and slow down aging.
My car had overheating issues last summer, so now I pay extra attention to these details. That engine overheating alarm really scared me—I later learned insufficient coolant reduces cooling efficiency. The AC's cooling performance noticeably declines on hot days, forcing the compressor to work harder, which not only increases fuel consumption but also risks burning out the electromagnetic clutch. After continuous braking, overheated brake pads lengthen stopping distances. Engine oil thins at high temperatures, diminishing lubrication and accelerating engine wear. I’ve developed a habit of rolling down windows to ventilate the cabin before turning on the AC in summer. I check tire conditions monthly and replace coolant every three years. Also, I never leave lighters or other flammables in the car—last year, a car in our neighborhood caught fire when a perfume bottle on the dashboard combusted under direct sunlight.
