How to shield your car from those scorching summer rays

Did you know that when it's about 32ºC outside, your car can become hot enough inside to bake cookies over the course of three hours? It's no wonder, then, that South African summers can take a toll on your car.

From the damage that cabin heat can do to interior materials, to cracking and peeling of your vehicle's paint finish and even its tyres, the power of the sun shouldn't be underestimated. Here are a few things to consider as you hit the road during these hot summer months:

Care for your car's feet

Over time, hot roads and high temperatures can damage your tyres, causing them to dry out, crack and bulge. Heat can also increase the air pressure in a tyre, leading to ballooning and lessening the tyre's grip on the road.

Over-inflating your tyres will add even more strain to the already tense tubes, causing the centre of your tyre to wear out faster than the outer edges. This will then affect the handling and braking of your vehicle.

Make sure your tyres are always in tip-top shape by checking them regularly for abnormalities and to make sure that tread depth is correct.

Keep your vehicle hydrated

Just like you need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, your car also needs plenty of fluids to remain on the road. Very hot weather can cause your car's fluids to dry up, which is not something you want to deal with if you can help it. Without enough fluids, your car's chances of overheating or damaging components is amplified.

Regularly check and top up your motor oil, transmission fluid and brake fluid. If you're unsure how to do this, refer to your owner's manual or contact a professional to help.

Help your battery cope with the heat

Because your car's battery is made of water and acid, the summer heat can seriously damage it. The water in the battery can evaporate due to high temperatures which, in turn, exposes the lead plates inside of it, corroding the terminals and connections, and draining the power. Eventually, your car may not have the power to start.

It's not easy to keep heat from affecting your car's battery, but you can start by making sure that you park your car undercover or in the shade as far as possible to keep internal temperatures down. It also helps to clean corrosive build-up from the battery terminals regularly.

Remember to have your battery tested (and replaced if necessary) if it is more than three years old. It's best to consult with a trained technician.

A cool engine is a happy engine

Your engine is another component that will last longer if it's kept cool. The engine works extra hard in hot weather, and it's the cooling system's job to protect the engine and radiator against wear and corrosion.

Maintain the cooling system properly. Flush the engine of old, contaminated coolant at least once every five years. Also make sure that coolant is topped up in between flushes.

5 more tips to care for your car this summer

• Use a windshield sun protector to keep the interior of your car cooler.
• When you clean your dash, use a microfiber cloth to avoid tiny scratches that can grow over time.
• Install seat covers to add a layer of protection and to keep your seats cooler.
• Have leather seats? Use leather conditioner regularly.
• Wash your car frequently and consider waxing it to add a layer of protection.

A little common sense can go a long way, so take preventive measures to ensure your car keeps cool until summer next rolls around.