These are the breakdowns you may suffer in your car during the summer

Summer is the time when temperatures rise to considerable levels and make us feel unwell and unwilling to work or make any great effort. And if this happens to us, imagine what a car goes through when the ambient temperature exceeds 30 degrees and all the mechanics start to suffer more than they should. These temperatures make cars more prone to suffering some breakdown that is not usually common at other times of the year. Let’s look at some of the car breakdowns that occur in summer.

Tyres

One thing we will never tire of saying is that tyres must be in good condition. Not a single symptom of tyre wear should be overlooked. And in summer it is even more important to keep them in perfect condition. In summer the asphalt is hotter and this causes greater wear. A trip of, say, 700 kilometres on a summer day when the sun is quite strong can make the tyres suffer considerably. A stop from time to time will not only serve to rest and recover your strength, but also to let the car cool down better.

Air conditioning

Although this car feature is not used for most of the year, summer arrives and it is impossible to drive without it. Even on short journeys it has to be switched on in order to drive comfortably and without suffering the harshness of the heat. We are not talking about the moment when we leave the beach at midday, when it is simply impossible to get into the car. Although there are ways to cool the car in summer before setting off, the air conditioning is essential. This prolonged use can cause breaks and leaks in the air conditioning ducts that make it malfunction. It is important to carry out a check of the whole system, not just the charge, to make sure everything is correct.

The engine cooling system

The engine usually draws in cold air from outside to cool down. So in summer it has quite a hard time getting rid of the heat generated by its operation. Oil temperature tends to be higher in summer, especially when stuck in traffic jams. To cool the engine the car uses the electric fan, which draws in air and sends it to the engine to cool it when the car is not moving and air does not enter naturally. If this system fails, the engine temperature will become very high and there is a risk that the breakdown becomes much more serious.

The alternator

The alternator is the component that converts mechanical energy into electricity. In summer the air conditioning and the electric fan are used more often, so electricity demand is higher. This more continuous use can cause the alternator to fail. Special attention must be paid to the most vulnerable parts, such as the belt. If the pre-trip inspection reveals that it is in poor condition, it is advisable to have it repaired or replaced before going on holiday, since if it breaks, the car will be out of action.