Heat, your car and youHot enough for you? As we shuttle ourselves from house to office, to mall and back, looking for a place to stay cool, our cars are suffering. Not exactly in pain mind you, but keeping the temperature down in the car's cabin requires lots of energy and we all know what the by-product of energy consumption is right? Heat. Couple that to your internal combustion engine and ambient temperatures hovering in the low to mid 40s and you get a potential recipe for trouble.
This is especially true if your car is not so new anymore. Let's start with the battery and the charging system. It's late evening, it's a stifling 32 degrees Celsius, the A/C and the rear defroster are on and it's raining. Can you image the load on the battery and alternator? If your charging system is getting weak in the knees and your battery is no longer a spring chicken, an hour of this kind of abuse will certainly send these components to the grave. Check your starting (battery) and charging systems every other oil change just to be safe. Next, your car's cooling system and other fluids. Most of these liquids break down over time, losing their inherent abilities to lubricate, transfer heat and more. Your engine coolant is key in maintaining a safe engine operating temperature. If it is old and contaminated and your fan fails, you will be in deep doo-doo. Engine oil and brake fluid are two other liquids that should not be overlooked. Dirty or low levels of oil require immediate attention. Brake fluid does get contaminated over time and deals with tonnes of heat every day. You should get it flushed every 2 to 3 years. Here's a tip or answer to a question that is often asked: Should I use the A/C or drive with the windows down? If you mostly drive in the city, air conditioning will make you consume more fuel. So windows down. On the highway, with the windows open, the excess drag will actually burn more gas. Best if you keep the windows up and use A/C. In the event that something should go wrong, for example, your engine overheats, do not play the “mechanic”. Sure, you can open your hood but DO NOT touch any of the components under the bonnet. You will get burnt especially if you reach for the radiator cap. And lastly, for the Love of all things Holy, do not, never, ever, leave your kids or your pets, not for even a second, in the car even if the windows are down! Another tip, bring a bottle of water just in case. Preparing for a heatwave is somewhat like getting ready for a winter storm... It would be foolish to underestimate the heat. Be prepared!
|
||||