Top Car Problems in Indian Summer and How to Prevent Them

Indian summers are no joke. As the temperatures in most regions of the country rise above 40 degrees, your car gets a severe beating on a daily basis. It begins with overworking engines to tyres that bulge due to the heat on hot roads, and the cascade of issues most drivers realise is too late.

The following is a glimpse into the most prevalent issues in cars during Indian summers and what you can do to keep on top of them.

1. Engine Overheating

This is most likely the most frequent complaint in summer. With the temperatures outside being extreme already, your engine must work much harder to keep cool. When you have a low coolant level, the radiator is not clean or the cooling fan is not functioning properly, the temperature gauge may spike quickly.

Prevention: Make sure to check the level of your coolant and refill it when necessary. Have your radiator flushed in front of the high summer months. Check that the cooling fan is on and monitor your temperature gauge when driving, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.

2. Battery Failure

Car batteries are in fact more heat-sensitive than cold. When the battery is subjected to high temperatures, the fluid within the battery evaporates, thus weakening the internal structure of the battery with time. A battery which has been batting in a hot summer usually dies out to its last gasp when the monsoon comes.

Prevention: When your battery is over two or three years, have it tested in an effort to avoid summer. Wipe off any corrosive foam on the terminals, and do not leave your car in the open sun most of the time.

3. Tyre Blowouts

Under-inflated tyres and hot roads are not a good match. When the temperature increases, the air pressure in your tyres swells, and when the pressure is already excessive or the tyre is worn out, it is possible to have a real blowout, and it happens more often on highways.

Prevention: To avoid it, monitor tyre pressure early in the morning before you get to the road, when the tyres are cool. Use the pressure recommended by the manufacturer but not the highest printed on the tyre. Check the tyre tread frequently and change tyres that are obviously worn-out.

4. Air Conditioning Breakdown

The AC works most during the summer, and this is also the time when it is likely to fail. The refrigerant may be low, the cabin air filter may be clogged or the compressor may be breaking down, leaving you sweating through your commute.

Prevention: Have your AC system serviced prior to summer. Check the refrigerant, clean or replace the cabin filter, and check the compressor. Turning the AC to full blast as soon as you start the car is also a strain on the system, and thus you should first allow the car to cool down before turning on the AC.

5. Fuel Evaporation and Vapour Lock

During very hot conditions, the fuel will partially evaporate before it reaches the engine, and then this leads to a vapour lock. It may cause rough idling, inability to start a vehicle, and stalling at any moment.

Prevention: Do not leave your car in the sun as much. Covered or shaded parking is preferable when possible. It is also a good idea to keep the fuel tank at least half full since the fuller the tank, the less room there is to allow fuel vapour to accumulate.

6. Fluid Degradation

All engine oil, brake fluid, and transmission fluid as well as power steering fluid are more likely to thin out in hot weather. This makes them less effective and may be destructive in the long run.

What to do to avoid it: Stick to the servicing schedule of your car in summer. Use a more viscous engine oil in case you are in a hot area. Check all fluid levels every few weeks and top up or replace as needed.

7. Belt and Hose Wearing

Rubber products such as belts and hoses crack when exposed to excessive heat. Even a broken serpentine belt or an exploded coolant hose can cause you to stop and leave you by the side of the road.

Prevention: Visual inspection of your belts and hoses should be done every time you have your service. Find evidence of cracking, fraying or softness. They are cheap to replace before they break down but are extremely troublesome and expensive to manage once they do.

8. Windscreen Stress Cracks

When you have a small chip or crack in your windscreen, summer heat can expand rapidly because of the expansion. This is speeded up by parking in the direct sun.

Prevention: Have any chips that you already have fixed as soon as possible. When parking outside, use a windscreen sunshade. Do not spray cold AC on a hot windscreen because the temperature change may crack it.

General Summer Car Care Advice

• When possible, park in the shade or cover the vehicle with a car cover.
• Have a bottle of coolant and water in your boot.
• Unless it is a necessity, it is better to avoid driving during the hottest time of the day.
• Have a complete summer service performed in March or April when it is not so hot.
• Have an emergency kit in the car, with some basic tools, a torch, and jumper cables.

Travelling in Summer? Consider renting instead

When planning a road trip or a visit to a new town or city during the summer, a good solution is renting a well-maintained self-drive car instead of overloading your own car. Rentrip provides self-drive car rental in India with maintained vehicles; hence, you need not fear getting stuck on the road during summer with a car that you are not used to. This is a good alternative to consider next time.

Final Thoughts

The Indian summer is not kind to cars, although most of these issues can be avoided with a bit of care and proper maintenance. Early summer maintenance visits to your favourite mechanic could help you avoid costly repairs and annoying malfunctions in the hottest months of the year. Take care of your car, and it will take care of you during the season.