A Saudi summer tests every part of a car: the paint under the sun, the tyres on hot asphalt, the battery in the heat of the engine bay, and an AC that never stops. Most summer breakdowns can be avoided with a simple check before the hot months and a few small habits through the season.
How do you protect the paint in summer?
Shade, regular washing and a protective layer before summer starts are the basics. Do not wash the car at midday, because water dries too quickly on a hot surface and leaves spots. For details, read protecting car paint from the sun.
Why do tyres matter in summer?
- Check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold, in the morning before driving, and use the pressure printed on the driver's door.
- An under-inflated tyre runs hotter on the highway, one of the causes of summer blowouts.
- Look at the sidewalls: cracks and bulges mean the tyre needs replacing.
- Do not forget the spare if you are driving between cities.
Battery and AC
High heat shortens battery life more than many people expect, and a weak battery can last all winter, then die suddenly on a hot day. Have it tested at a service centre before summer if it is old. As for the AC, if cooling weakens or it starts to smell, check the cabin filter and have the system inspected before you need it on the hottest days.
| Part | What to check | When |
|---|---|---|
| Paint | Wash and protection | Before summer, then regularly |
| Tyres | Pressure and cracks | Every two weeks and before trips |
| Battery | Strength test | Before summer if it is old |
| AC | Cooling and filter | Before summer |
| Coolant | Level and leaks | Before long trips |
Inside the car in summer
The heat inside a closed car in the sun climbs high, harming the dashboard and leather seats and damaging some belongings. Use a windscreen sunshade, and do not leave lighters, aerosol cans, electronics or water in plastic bottles in the car for long periods. Leather seats need conditioning to stop them drying out. Read cleaning your car's interior.
What should you do if you break down in the heat?
Move the car out of the traffic lane as far as you can, switch on the hazard lights, and do not open the radiator cap while the engine is hot. Stay in the shade with water. If you cannot continue, order a flatbed in the app with your location and follow the driver until they arrive. Read when you need a car towing flatbed.
How helps in summer
The car care team comes to your home or office for washing, polishing and protection at the time you choose, so you do not queue at a car wash in the sun. And if your car breaks down, a flatbed is available from the same app, with the price shown before you confirm for both services.
Frequently asked questions
When should I check tyre pressure in summer?
When the tyres are cold, in the morning before driving, about every two weeks and before any long trip, using the pressure printed on the driver's door.
Does heat weaken a car battery?
Yes, high heat shortens battery life. If your battery is old, have it tested before summer.
What should I not leave in the car in summer?
Lighters, aerosol cans, electronics and water in plastic bottles for long periods.
What do I do if my car breaks down in the heat?
Move out of the traffic lane, turn on the hazard lights, stay in the shade, then order a flatbed in the app with your location.
