This summer brought unprecedented heat all across the North American continent, smashing records in many regions, overall it was the hottest ever recorded! As the heat continues to rise year after year, it has become critical to protect your car from the damage it can cause. The direct sun rays and extreme heat can do considerable harm to your car. Over time exposure to direct sunlight will cause extensive exterior and interior damage, have a negative affect on performance, and decrease the vehicle’s value!
Considering this grim news, it’s easy to understand why we are starting to see so many custom window shades for cars around the country! They are an easy and dependable way to protect your car from the heat of the day! To help you better understand the incredible harm the sun can do to your car, please consider the following list which details the many ill effects:
• Fluid Evaporation – Your car is full of various fluids such as coolant, transmission fluid, and engine oil that will evaporate more quickly under conditions of extreme heat. The decrease in lubrication and cooling efficiency that result can lead to overheating which is sure to cause serious damage to the engine.
• Battery Damage – Did you know that battery fluid evaporates more rapidly under high temperatures? They can greatly reduce a battery’s life and performance. The risk of battery corrosion is also increased, a set of circumstances that can result in a dead and damaged battery. Generally speaking, a car battery should last somewhere between two to four years, but today’s hotter climates are destined to shorten that period.
• Fuel System Issues – Operating under high temperatures makes fuel evaporate at a faster rate, a condition that can cause vapour lock that will reduce your fuel economy, and have negative effects on your vehicle’s engine performance.
• Tyre Damage – Your vehicle’s tyres will degrade much more quickly when they are exposed to extreme heat. Unwanted conditions like dry rot can set in, that damage the rubber and greatly reduce the tyre’s lifespan. The tire pressure can also quickly increase in high heat, which will cause over-inflation that might result in a dangerous blowout while you are driving!
• Paint and Interior Damage – Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and sunlight will make your car’s paint start to crack, fade, and peel. The vehicle’s interior can also be adversely affected, which can result in a cracked dashboard, unreliable gauges, and faded upholstery. All of these unsightly effects will serve to greatly reduce the resell value of the vehicle.
• Overheating – Your car’s engine is going to run a lot hotter than usual during periods of brutally high temperatures, which will very likely cause it to overheat. This catastrophic event will most certainly result in the vehicle suffering major engine damage like blown gaskets and warped cylinder heads if sufficient measures are not taken to counteract the extreme temperatures.
• Electrical System Problems – A car’s electrical components do not like to be too hot and are very susceptible to extreme heat conditions. Sensors, wiring, and other electronic systems could have their performance and longevity significantly reduced. The high heat could cause a variety of serious electrical problems, like malfunctioning sensors, and even cause an electrical fire to break out!
• A/C System Problems – The extreme outdoor heat forces the car’s air conditioning system to work harder to maintain an interior temperature that’s comfortable. This extra strain on the system will cause added wear and tear to the A/C components, which will shorten their lifespan.
The sun and high heat can do untold damage to your car, so be sure to take all the necessary steps to protect it, and yourself, from harm!
Refresh Date: August 29, 2025
