Driving Guide: How to keep your vehicle in optimal condition during high temperatures?

It is reported that over 30 provinces in Thailand have hit record high temperatures this year, especially since April, with some areas experiencing temperatures of 44.2 degrees Celsius, with heat index reaching a dangerous level of 52 degrees Celsius. In Malaysia, forest and peatland fires became frequent due to high temperatures, intensifying air pollution in several states. Furthermore, from March to May this year, high-temperature weather frequently occurred in the Philippines, with the temperature in 36 regions reaching a "dangerous" level.

(Recent temperatures in Thailand)

Southeast Asia is where the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean intersect. This geographic location gives it a humid, hot climate and forms lush tropical forests, representing a perfect example of both equatorial rain climate and tropical monsoon climate. So, under the extreme heat in Southeast Asia, how to maintain the optimum condition of a vehicle is vital. This article will focus on two common issues encountered in high temperature: engine overheating and tyre protection, and provide solutions respectively.

1.Engine Overheating

Engine overheating is a vicious fault, which can directly harm the engine's working condition, in severe cases, it may cause the piston to jam or pull in the cylinder, so timely diagnosis is necessary before the engine overheats. Cars generate a lot of heat when driving under high temperature conditions. If this heat isn't effectively dissipated, it can lead to engine overheating. This article will discuss the problem in two situations: good cooling system and system failure.

Normal operation of the cooling system:

When the engine temperature is too high, do not turn off the engine immediately. You should keep the engine idling and open the air conditioning cycle to accelerate heat dissipation. It is strictly forbidden to pour cold water directly onto the overheated engine, which may cause the engine cylinder to heat up and cool down, resulting in cracks.

Wait for the engine temperature to drop to a relatively safe state, you can try to slowly open the water tank cap, but be careful of the hot steam sprayed out, it is recommended to wrap your hand with a thick towel, and slowly unscrew the water tank cap. After cooling down, check the coolant fluid level and top up in time, and also check the engine oil fluid level and quality to ensure the normal operation of the lubrication system.

Cooling system circulation failure:

When the engine is due to cooling system circulation failure, focus on checking the reason for the failure. Common reasons include damage to parts such as thermostats, water pumps, fans, fan belts, etc.

For such problems, do not use intermittent shutdown, press the shutdown switch or unplug the electronic control system sensor to forcibly cool down, this operation can not only effectively cool down, but may also cause more serious damage to the engine, the best way at this time should be to park the vehicle well, wait for the engine to cool before checking the specific fault of the cooling system.

2. Tire bursts

When a car drives under high temperature conditions, due to thermal expansion and contraction, tires are prone to deformation. Plus the tires keep heating up during driving, but the heat dissipation is relatively slow, so the air pressure increases, causing the tire to be too thin and burst.

Under high temperature conditions, it is especially important to constantly monitor and protect the tire status. The following will be discussed in three parts.

Firstly, it's about the use time of tires. It is advised to stop the car after two hours of driving on the highway in hot weather, to reduce the tire heat and pressure. However, do not splash water on the tires to avoid deformation and a reduced life span; it is best to wait for it to cool down naturally.

Secondly, in terms of driving behavior, when the temperature reaches 35℃ to 37℃, and the car speed exceeds 100 kilometers per hour, attempts should be made to avoid abrupt acceleration and braking as the increase in tire wear and instantaneous pressure under these conditions can easily lead to tire bursts.

Lastly, regular tire maintenance and care is also crucial. Drivers should regularly rotate tires for balance correction, to ensure even tire wear. If tire unbalance exceeds the standard, high-speed driving will cause high-frequency sway leading to tire side wear, which is not conducive to driving safety. High temperatures in summer will accelerate tire rubber wear and aging, and lower the strength of the steel layer. General tread grooves of tires have protruding markers, which are reminders to car owners that it's time to replace the tires.

Hot weather tests vehicles in all aspects, and only thorough daily maintenance and care can ensure the safe and reliable operation of a vehicle in extreme weather. Hopefully, this article can provide useful advice to car owners, helping everyone better deal with vehicle usage issues in hot weather.