With temperatures on the rise, a new report from Go.Compare Car Insurance has revealed that over a third of Brits don’t know the dangers hot weather can pose to their cars.
From thinning engine oil to overheating brakes, hot weather can lead to numerous faults in cars. The insurance comparison site asked Brits if they knew about the various issues that hot weather can cause to their vehicles. The results revealed that 35% are unaware that hot weather can lead to batteries in electric cars overheating, leading to potential breakdowns.
The report also shows that some Brits are uninformed of tyres degrading faster in hot weather. Just under a third (31%) said they didn’t know about this possibility, increasing the chance of accidents if left unchecked. Similarly, 31% were also unaware that heat can cause fuel to evaporate faster, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency.
Meanwhile, 32% didn’t realise that hot weather can cause brakes to overheat, which may reduce stopping distance. Other causes of breakdowns include high temperatures making engine oil thinner – an issue that a staggering 39% of Brits didn’t know of.
With the number of people being unaware of these problems, a significant number of drivers could be affected by hot weather on the road. Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go.Compare says: “Heatwaves can cause an array of issues for cars, and it is important to be clued up on how extreme weather temperatures can be a risk to drivers.
“Those with electric vehicles must pay particular attention to their batteries, as constant overheating can lead to the car degrading and ageing faster. The risk of batteries overheating in EVs is higher when charging the car – to avoid this, we recommend using a charging point at night or away from direct sunlight.
“To prevent breakdowns caused by thin engine oil, a ticking engine and low oil pressure are signs to look out for. If possible, drive at consistent speeds and be cautious of your distance between cars in case you need to brake suddenly. Regular check-ups on your car can also ensure it’s as safe as it can be.”
