Car breakdown  

In the recent heatwave there are extra reasons why your car might be out of action. We often think about doing seasonal maintenance to our cars before extreme cold weather, but hot weather can be problematic as well. To avoid a car breakdown it’s worth doing a bit of extra maintenance. The main problems a spell of hot weather can cause are:

Water leaks

Even if you can’t see anything leaking, water can escape from your cooling system. It could be a slight weeping in normal weather, and the extra demand from your car on the cooling system in hot weather could cause a failed seal. It’s worth checking and topping up coolant if needed. If you suspect a seal is in need of replacement it’s easier to prevent the problem of overheating and take it to the garage for a new seal.

Low oil pressure

In hot weather the oil in your engine will be less viscose. This is bad news for the moving parts in your engine, as they won’t get a nice thick protective coating of oil. It means all of the mechanical parts take more punishment, and could cause a mechanical failure.

Rubber belt failure

The battery in a petrol or diesel car is charged by an alternator. This is driven by a rubber belt, which often drives the air conditioning and water pump as well. In a heat wave the air-con and water pump will be working harder which could cause the rubber belt to break, especially if it’s old or worn. If this happens the car will have to go to the garage – no air-con is an inconvenience, but your engine won’t work without the cooling system, and a flat battery isn’t very helpful either!

Brakes and clutches

All of the parts of your car that rely on friction will take more wear and tear in hotter weather, so it’s worth getting your brakes and clutch checked if you think they’re worn.

Tyres

If you’ve got old, worn or damaged tyres hot weather can cause a puncture or blow out. It’s worth checking your tyre pressure and condition regularly. You should always ensure your tyres are in good condition, as bad tyres can cause an accident in any weather!

If you find yourself without a car due to the hot weather don’t worry. Even the most experienced drivers can find themselves unexpectedly broken down. It’s annoying if you’re a driving instructor and need the car to work. We can hire you a dual control car in great condition to keep you earning and on the road!