From summer heat to polar cold, don't forget to check this in your car before the weekend
After a scorching September with over 36 °C in some areas, autumn bursts into Spain with rain and a thermal drop of more than 20 °C in several towns. Before the cold and humidity catch you off guard, it's wise to thoroughly check your car to avoid breakdowns.
The calendar says that summer is ending, but the thermometers seem not to have noticed. This week many Spanish cities hover around 36 °C, while the forecast announces a sharp drop of up to 15 °C in just a few days, accompanied by heavy rains in the northern and central regions.
This extreme contrast tests the vehicles that have spent the entire summer under relentless sun. A preventive check can make the difference between a safe journey and a breakdown or, even worse, an accident.
Remember that the air conditioning not only cools: it is key for defogging
Tires: from scorching asphalt to wet ground
The rubber suffers in silence. After weeks of extreme heat, the rubber dries out and almost invisible micro-cracks appear. With the arrival of rain, those cracks reduce grip and favor aquaplaning. Three things you must check are:
- Cold pressure: heat expands air; when the temperature drops, the pressure can decrease by up to 0.3 bar. Check the tire pressure and keep in mind that if you do it with hot tires (for example, after a trip at a gas station), you should add 0.2 or 0.3 bars to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.
- Tread depth: the legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but for heavy rain, more than 3 mm is recommended. The difference can mean up to 10 meters less stopping distance.
- Uneven wear: if you haven't checked the pressure regularly, under-inflation may have worn the tires on the sides of the tread. Likewise, worn shock absorbers may have deformed it or hitting a curb may damage the sidewall. Check all of this and replace them if necessary. All of this affects grip, especially in wet conditions or increases the risk of blowouts.
Brakes: when humidity complicates braking
The high summer temperatures can warp the discs, especially if you've descended hills with a loaded car. If you feel vibration in the pedal or steering wheel when braking, go to the workshop.
On the other hand, the brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, reducing its boiling point. If it is more than two years old, change it before the first rains.
Battery: victim of heat and cold
The summer heat accelerates the evaporation of the electrolyte, and the incoming cold is the final blow. A battery at 50% capacity may start today, but not when it’s 8 °C in the morning.
Do a quick check by measuring the resting voltage; it should exceed 12.4 V. With less than that, start thinking about a replacement. Also, keep the terminals clean, removing sulfate with baking soda and a metal brush.
Vital fluids: coolant and oil
Many drivers only refill with water in summer. A serious mistake, as in addition to avoiding problems like corrosion, the coolant-antifreeze offers protection down to at least -20 °C. Check the level and color: if it’s brown, it’s time for a change.
As for the engine oil, long trips at 40 °C accelerate its degradation. Check the level and appearance, even if the maintenance mileage hasn’t been reached yet.
Wipers and windshield: examination for the first rains
The sun hardens the wiper rubber, and when the rains arrive, this detail can become a problem. If they squeak or leave streaks, replace them before the first storm and check that you have windshield washer fluid to clean it in case you’re driving behind trucks or other vehicles that splash mud on your car.
Take the opportunity to inspect the windshield: a small chip can become a crack with temperature changes.
Lights: it gets dark earlier, visibility decreases
September brings shorter days and rain that multiplies reflections. Check all the bulbs and adjust the headlight height. Cleaning cloudy lenses improves visibility and prevents dazzling.
Other details to consider
Remember that the air conditioning not only cools: it is key for defogging. So, if for any reason it’s not working properly and you haven’t fixed it in summer, don’t wait any longer because you will need it.
Also, keep in mind that the first rains wash away the Saharan dust accumulated during the summer and this is highly corrosive. A pressure wash on the undercarriage and wheel arches removes residues and protects the bodywork.
Finally, don’t forget to carry a reflective vest, a V16 beacon with a charged battery, flashlight, gloves, and a small ice scraper if you travel to mountainous areas. In the north, single-digit lows are already expected in some areas.
A half-hour check in the garage or a quick visit to the workshop can save you a tow truck tomorrow. The jump from 36 °C to rain and cold not only surprises meteorologists: it also surprises your car.
