Climate change is reshaping our environment, and the automotive world is not spared from its effects. A troubling fact is that the world has experienced the eight warmest years since 2015, and extreme weather events are rising.
This shift presents challenging problems in terms of durability. The vehicle cannot withstand harsh conditions and costly repair and replacement.
Vehicle owners and operators must take preventive measures now as more frequent extreme weather events — from freezing temperatures to scorching heat — become unavoidable. Here are five essential ways to keep your car in tip-top shape regardless of the elements.
How To Make Your Vehicle Survive Harsh Conditions
1. Protect Against Freezing Temperatures
Winter weather can be rough on your car. When temperatures drop below freezing, parts that contain water or certain chemicals can freeze up and cause problems. Cold weather also weakens your car battery — it can lose power.
It means your car might have trouble starting on those chilly winter mornings. One of the biggest winter enemies is road salt. While it helps keep roads safe, it can make your car rust faster. The scary part is many cars get rusty because of road salt.
That’s why washing your vehicle often during harsh months is crucial. Preventing freeze damage is critical to preparing equipment from harsh weather, whether it’s industrial machinery or your vehicle. Mix equal parts — antifreeze and water — in your coolant system.
The best way to avoid winter damage is to limit driving when roads are icy and covered in salt. But when you need to drive, wash your car afterward to remove salt. These simple steps will help your vehicle last longer and save you money on repairs.
2. Prevent Overheating in Hot Weather
Hot weather can be harsh on your vehicle. When temperatures rise, your car faces two significant risks:
- Engine overheating, which often leads to breakdowns
- Tire problems — for every 10°F increase, tire pressure goes up by one psi, which could cause blowouts
Here’s how to protect your car from the heat:
Keep it cool:
- Park in shady spots or use carports
- Put a sunshade on your windshield
- Let your car rest between long trips
Check your fluids:
- Look at coolant levels monthly in the summer
- Keep an eye on other fluid levels, too
- Top up when needed
Taking these simple steps now can save you from costly breakdowns later. Your car will run better and last longer if you give it the care it needs in hot weather.
3. Choose Resilient Vehicle Models and Components
The long-term reliability calls for investment in durable, climate-resilient vehicles or components. Some models are better at coping with extreme conditions than others.
For instance:
- Cummins 4BT engines are well known for their durability and efficiency in harsh environments. They are ideal when high reliability is essential under extremely harsh conditions.
- Caterpillar 3306 engines: These engines can handle challenging duty situations. Frost, fire, and water enhance their performance. They are used in construction and agriculture machinery.
Robust vehicles are a priority to minimize downtime and repair costs. Investing in higher-quality components can decrease maintenance costs considerably over the vehicle’s lifetime.
4. Proper Vehicle Storage During Severe Weather
Proper vehicle storage during severe weather is critical to protecting vehicles from storms, high winds, and hail. It can also reduce damage costs.
To secure your vehicle:
- Rent or build shelters: Buy a well-built shelter or garage that can protect from wind, rain, and hail. A well-constructed carport can significantly protect against falling debris during a storm.
- Establish clear storage procedures: Wherever you have specialized vehicles like autonomous vehicles, develop specific protocols for storage and handling to ensure they endure bad conditions. That entails ensuring all the systems are shut down properly, and the car is safe to be fed against rain or wind damage.
Storage isn’t just for prolonging the life of your vehicle. It’s also a safety feature during storms.
5. Regular Maintenance and Backup Vehicles
Your vehicle’s best performance depends on its maintenance in adverse conditions. The Car Care Council says proper maintenance can boost fuel efficiency considerably, resulting in savings during price fluctuations.
To maintain resilience:
- Conduct regular inspections: Inspecting brakes, tires, fluids, belts, and hoses is an essential maintenance practice. It helps detect problems early. Wear changes with temperature, and these checks are critical.
- Have backup vehicles on standby: For businesses reliant on transportation, backup vehicles are kept ready if something breaks down or the weather is severe, preventing an operational disruption.
- Rotate vehicle usage: A vehicle rotation system helps spread wear across a fleet.
Unlike many companies that try to find workarounds for their vehicles when a harsh weather day occurs, these strategies ensure that vehicles keep running smoothly. They build operational resilience that will pay off as weather patterns become less predictable.
Conclusion
As our weather gets more extreme, taking care of your car is more important than ever. Don’t wait for problems to show up. Regular check-ups and protection from hot and cold weather can save you money.
To ensure your vehicle survives harsh conditions, follow these simple steps. Schedule your next maintenance check today, check your car’s climate protection features, and set reminders for seasonal car care. Your car is a significant investment. A little care now means less worry later.