UAE is notorious for its extremely hot weather, which not only takes a toll on you but also on the car you drive. Be it the rent-a-car with driver in Dubai or the one you own, it is critical to maintain the car in summer, particularly between June to August, when temperatures are scorching hot. Typically, the vehicles are designed to withstand the country’s weather conditions where they will be driven, but you still have to be cautious about some features.
Inadequate care for these features can damage the car’s exterior and lead to technical malfunctions, resulting in nasty accidents. Irrespective of whether or not you have insurance, maintaining the rented car is essential to keep yourself and your family safe.
So, if you are a new car owner or have rented a car, these are the things you must watch out for the following;
Tires are the most affected vehicle components during extreme temperatures; hence, cars often get flat tires in summer. The rubber construction makes the tires susceptible to heat and loosen their shape. You can get a flat tire at best and burst at worst if you drive a car with worn-out tires, which makes it essential to keep an eye on them.
You can minimize the risks of flat tires and bursts by checking the tire pressure and inspecting them regularly. Every manufacturer provides a chart of recommended tire pressure in different weather conditions. You must ensure that the levels remain within the recommended limit. It is precisely why you would often notice Dubai luxury travel inspecting their tires every time before the start of the ride.
The recommended pressures are usually low in summer because the air within them expands due to heat. Thus, overinflating the tires can increase the risk of flat and burst tires. That said, underinflation is also not an option because it disturbs the car balance and increases the likelihood of accidents. So, keep them within the recommended bracket to avoid any inconvenience.
You should also manually inspect the tires regularly too. If you see any cracks on the tires, it is best to replace them as soon as possible. As for the tires’ depth, you can insert a coin between the treads. The treads should be as deep as one-third of the coin; otherwise, the tires are not fit for the drive. Although there are specialized tools to measure the health of treads, we do not recommend them for rented cars.
The Engine Cooling System works the most in extreme weather conditions to keep the engine’s temperature within the normal range. Long drives in extreme heat can exhaust the system and make the engine vulnerable to damage. You must ensure the cooling system is well-maintained to avoid any inconvenience.
The cooling systems have multiple components, including cooling jackets, hoses, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fans, and coolants. It is difficult to check on all these components without professional help, but some basic tips can help you maintain the entire system.
The first thing you need to check is coolant levels, and the best time to check them is when the engine is completely cooled down. You should check not only the levels but also the quality of the coolant. The fluid should be at the desired level and not dirty or burnt. It needs replacement if the levels are low and the fluid is cloudy or dark.
Furthermore, keep an eye out for leaks underneath the car if the coolant levels keep dropping quickly. If you notice the leak, seek professional help and get it repaired as soon as possible. Another parameter you should watch is the temperature gauge at the car’s information center.
Sometimes the temperature can rise because of long drives, but they normalize if you park the car and let them cool down. However, if it persists, it is a sign of a malfunction of the car’s cooling system, in which case you should seek professional help immediately.
Other components that need period checks include fans, hoses, and engine oil. You can ensure the maintenance of fans and hoses by the noise they produce and visually inspect them for cracks and loose fittings. While engine oil is not a part of the car’s cooling system, you should change it after the recommended time to keep the engine lubricated and ensure smooth functioning.
Battery powers up several car components, including information century, sensors and most importantly, the ignition system. Extreme temperatures make the battery prone to damage and lower its life span, which periodic checkups and maintenance can manage.
You should never leave the battery unused for an extended period because that does not allow it to charge, and it dies. The battery performs best when it is in regular use. Thus, you should drive the car at least once a week to charge the battery.
Furthermore, cleaning the battery from dirt and dampness is also important as it can build up and cover the terminals, impairing performance. You can clean the battery using a simple piece of clothing to ensure a smooth flow of charge through terminals.
When the car’s engine is not running, it is best not to use other electronics as they can exhaust the battery and decrease its lifespan. Also, ensure you have locked the car when stepping outside because the sensors keep running and drain the battery if the vehicle is not correctly locked.
You can also get the battery’s voltages checked by a professional mechanic. Although it does not increase the lifespan, it lets you know how long the battery will last – a piece of useful information to minimize inconveniences before setting out for a long drive.
Filters are tiny but highly important components of the engine that keep the system free of debris and other environmental contaminants that can damage the engine. All manufacturers recommend when the filters should be cleaned or replaced. A damaged or clogged filter cannot keep the engine from dust and debris, risking serious damage.
Thus, you should get the filters cleaned or replaced after the recommended time. It is more important in summer because the humidity in the air, which is often high in UAE, can quickly wear them out and make the engine vulnerable to damage.
The car’s exterior is highly vulnerable to extreme temperatures as the UV rays can open a crack and fade the paint job, negatively impacting car value. Extensive damage to the exterior might make you pay compensation to the owner, which is why you should protect the car from direct sunlight.
You should always park the car under the shadow or use a protective sheet to cover the entire car. Furthermore, the front screen should be protected, like Airport Transfer Dubai protects their vehicles, as extreme temperatures can quickly heat the car from the inside and damage seats and electronics. Never forget anything with a battery inside it in the car during summer, as it is a serious fire hazard.
Monsoon is also a part of summer, and while the temperature may not be as high in these months, they pose significant threats to cars because of extensive rains. Driving the car during these muds can cover the car’s exterior and interior with mud and dirty water, which damages not only the aesthetic but also the engine of the car.
Letting the accumulated mud go uncleaned can lead to rusting of the metallic components and risk serious damage. Furthermore, it damages the exterior, which, as discussed earlier, lowers the car’s value. Hence, you should clean the car regularly by washing the debris and mud from it to maintain its looks and performance.
Cars are complex mechanical machines with hundreds of components installed in them. Some of these components are vulnerable to the extremely hot temperatures of the UAE and need periodic maintenance. Letting them go unchecked can result in serious damage and also in accidents. While the repercussions of the damage are serious, there is not much cost to preventing them.
You can prevent damage to your car and your health by regularly monitoring and maintaining the components such as tires, cooling systems, batteries, and filters. We hope this piece has articulated how to take care of these components.
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