How Heat Affects Your Car (and How to Protect It)
July 31, 2025
Summers in Virginia can be brutal—and your car feels it, too. While warm weather might be great for road trips, excessive heat can strain critical systems in your vehicle, leading to breakdowns if you’re not careful.
At Don’s Automotive, we want to help you stay safe and avoid costly repairs by knowing how the heat impacts your car—and what you can do to prevent damage.
What Heat Does to Your Vehicle:
1. Overheating Engines
Extreme heat puts extra pressure on your cooling system. If coolant levels are low or parts are worn out, the engine can overheat—leading to warped parts or even a blown head gasket.
2. Battery Breakdown
High temperatures accelerate battery fluid evaporation and corrosion, which can shorten battery life and leave you stranded.
3. Tire Blowouts
Hot pavement + underinflated tires = a recipe for disaster. Heat increases tire pressure and makes weak spots more likely to fail.
4. A/C System Overload
Your A/C has to work overtime in the summer. If refrigerant is low or components are aging, you might be left sweating it out.
5. Fluids Evaporate Faster
Brake fluid, oil, transmission fluid, and coolant can break down more quickly in high temps, reducing effectiveness.
How to Protect Your Car from the Heat
✅ Check coolant levels and condition
✅ Inspect belts and hoses for wear or cracks
✅ Test your battery and clean terminals
✅ Monitor tire pressure weekly
✅ Top off fluids and consider a summer oil change
✅ Have your A/C serviced before it quits on you
Pro tip:
Park in the shade when possible and use a windshield sunshade to protect your interior from UV damage and heat buildup.
🧰 Schedule a Vacation Package & Courtesy Safety Check Today!
That little orange light on your dashboard can cause a lot of worry—but it doesn’t always mean disaster. At Don’s Automotive, we’re here to decode the mystery of the check engine light and help you take the right next steps. Your check engine light is part of your car’s onboard diagnostics system (OBD-II). When it detects something unusual in the engine, transmission, or emissions system, it alerts you with that glowing icon. There are two types: • Steady light – Indicates a non-urgent issue (still needs attention soon) • Flashing light – Signals a serious problem (stop driving and have your car checked immediately) Common Reasons the Light Comes On Here are a few of the most frequent triggers: Worn spark plugs or ignition coils: Misfiring engine, poor fuel economy Failing oxygen sensor: Affects air/fuel mixture and emissions Bad catalytic converter: Reduces engine efficiency, increases emissions Mass airflow sensor issues: Impacts engine performance and stalling Even minor issues can lead to reduced fuel economy or bigger problems if ignored. What Should You Do? 1. Don’t ignore it – Driving too long with the light on can lead to expensive repairs. 2. Check your gas cap – If it’s loose, tighten it and wait a day to see if the light turns off. 3. Get a diagnostic scan – Our technicians can read the trouble codes and explain exactly what’s going on. At Don’s Automotive, we use professional scan tools and expert diagnostics to find the real cause of the warning— not just clear the code .
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