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“We have come across a number of cases where parts of the interior of the car have melted due to heat – buttons or surfaces of multimedia devices. Our experts have found air fresheners to blame.
There are cases where they explode or melt due to the heat of the sun and the liquid inside surrounds the interior of the car and continues to heat up. This causes irreversible damage, ”says Guoda Jasaitė, Head of the Transport Insurance Group at If Insurance.
Often times, people whose cars have been hit do not understand what happened because they have not encountered such situations. According to the company’s representative, G.Jasaitė, both liquid-filled plastic air fresheners and paper air fresheners can cause damage. At high temperatures, they explode and splash inside the car or start to leak.
“The situation is extraordinary, we have not had cases of this type before, but the record heat has brought unpleasant news. We recommend that drivers do not leave air fresheners in their cars during the summer, especially if the car is parked in direct sunlight during the day ”, advises the representative of the insurance company.
Heat also presents more dangers to the car.
One of the main threats to heat in a car is an overheated engine. Hot weather increases the likelihood of engine failure, so drivers should pay special attention to its maintenance during the summer.
“During the hot season, the chances of the engine overheating significantly increase. It is necessary to proactively assess its condition, regularly check the radiator cooling vents for accumulated dirt, tree leaves and insects.
We also recommend making sure that there is a sufficient level of coolant in the cooling system and that the cooling process is going well, says G.Jasaitė.
Attention should also be paid to the car battery. This concern is often associated with cold weather, but the battery can also be damaged by heat. Winter outages are likely to be a consequence of summer.
Over- or under-inflated tires that come into contact with a hot road surface blow out much more easily than usual. Drivers should check tire pressure regularly to avoid an unpleasant incident that is dangerous not only for the car but also for the occupants. It is recommended to do this before longer trips or at least once a month.
Heat can also damage the bodywork. When the car is constantly exposed to direct sunlight, its paint color fades. It is recommended to park the vehicle in the shade and, if this is not possible, cover it with a special cover for the bodywork that reflects the sun’s rays.
On a hot day, it is advisable to wash your car early in the morning or late at night. So the car paint will not experience a large temperature difference when cold water is poured into a hot car and it will wear less.
“Car owners need to be mindful of heat to avoid unpleasant incidents and keep their vehicle in good condition. In addition to the usual threats of summer, new ones are emerging. Air freshener explosions and the thousands of damage they cause are a great example.
It is likely that we are getting hotter and hotter, so it is necessary to form new habits, and thus protect our health and property. By responsibly evaluating threats, it is possible to avoid great losses, which are sometimes caused by simple ignorance ”, comments G. Jasaitė about the situation.
