What Causes High Temperature in Cars During Summer?
3 Answers
High temperature in cars is caused by the radiator fan not rotating, poor radiator heat dissipation, and insufficient coolant. The details are as follows: Radiator fan not rotating: The simplest way to check if the radiator fan is functioning properly is to turn on the vehicle's air conditioning cooling system. If the air conditioning compressor is running but the fan is still not rotating, then the fan must be faulty. Poor radiator heat dissipation: This situation often occurs during April and May when there is a lot of willow catkins and cotton fluff. To check, simply open the engine hood and observe if there is excessive debris in the radiator located behind the bumper. If the radiator is severely clogged, it needs to be cleaned at a repair shop. Insufficient coolant: This is a relatively easy condition to observe. Just open the engine compartment and check if the coolant level meets the requirements. Poor water pump performance: The water pump belt may sometimes slip or idle due to prolonged use. When this problem occurs, the main characteristic is that it returns to normal after pressing the accelerator and maintaining it for a while.
Summer car overheating is primarily caused by several factors. First is intense solar radiation: sunlight penetrates the windows and heats up the dashboard, seats, and other interior surfaces, but the heat is trapped inside due to the greenhouse effect created by the windows, causing temperatures to rise rapidly. Car color is another key factor; darker paint absorbs more solar heat, leading to more intense temperature increases. Poor ventilation exacerbates the problem: when parked, the sealed space lacks airflow, trapping hot air inside. External high temperatures also contribute, such as heat reflected from asphalt roads raising the surrounding temperature. To mitigate this, park in shaded areas or use a windshield sunshade; open windows for a few minutes before driving to release trapped heat; maintain clean and efficient air conditioning; choose light-colored interiors to reduce heat absorption; install solar-powered ventilators to aid cooling; these simple steps can significantly improve comfort.
Every time I drive in summer, the car feels like a big furnace, mostly because of poor parking choices. Parking directly under the sun allows sunlight to easily penetrate the glass, trapping heat inside and pushing temperatures above 50°C. Dark-colored cars get even hotter because their paint absorbs heat more efficiently. The situation worsens when the air conditioning is weak—slow cooling or clogged fans hinder temperature reduction. My advice is to park under a tree or in a shaded garage—don’t cut corners for convenience. Before getting in, open the doors and windows to let hot air escape. After starting the AC, begin with high fan speed instead of immediately setting a low temperature to avoid inefficiency. Make it a habit to use sunshades on the windshield and check refrigerant and filters during seasonal changes—this saves fuel and ensures comfort.
