'Diagnosing' common car problems in the summer and how to fix them

Summer is the time when cars are prone to "get sick". The cause may be due to prolonged hot weather, heavy rain causing flooding, dust... To avoid unfortunate incidents while driving, drivers need to proactively learn about possible problems and timely solutions.

Air conditioners are often forced to operate at full capacity in the summer, so problems can easily arise. Photo: KL.

Air conditioner overloaded

In scorching hot weather, the air conditioner is a part that has to operate at full capacity, so problems can easily arise. If the air conditioner does not cool for a long time or cools poorly, it may be due to the following reasons:

- Air conditioner filter: If dirty, clean it and replace it if necessary. According to the recommendations of car manufacturers, the air conditioner filter should be replaced after running about 16,000 - 24,000 km.

- Check the air conditioner gas: Over time, the refrigerant in the air conditioner can leak. When the amount of refrigerant decreases, the air conditioner will not cool. Normally, car users should check the air conditioner gas once a year or every two years.

- Air conditioner condenser and evaporator: Dirty air conditioners will reduce the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. Experts advise cleaning the car's condenser and evaporator after the first 30,000 km. After that, reduce to 20,000 km/time or once a year.

Battery solution evaporates

The battery is also a part that has to work "hard" in the summer. High temperature will cause the solution inside the battery to evaporate easily, not reaching the original standard, even causing the battery to die, causing a short circuit.

To limit the risk of short circuits and battery damage, drivers should regularly check, remove battery cables, and clean the terminals. In addition, the battery should also be replaced periodically (about every 3-5 years).

Damaged tires

Tires are the parts that are strongly affected by hot weather. There are many cases of tire explosions while driving on the road, causing unpredictable consequences. Therefore, drivers need to pay close attention, check regularly, check the depth of the tire groove, the wear of the tire tread, and whether the tire pressure is sufficient. Avoid over-inflating or under-inflating tires, as this will not ensure safety when moving.

In addition, to limit risks, drivers should not drive at excessive speeds, if driving on long roads, they should take breaks to reduce the risk of tire explosion, should not overload and should not reuse patched tires.

Fuel consumption

As gasoline prices continue to rise, drivers need to pay more attention to their car's fuel consumption this summer. Many people think that summer consumes more fuel due to the use of air conditioning. But in fact, high temperatures will cause the amount of gasoline in the tank to turn into vapor and increase the internal pressure, leading to gasoline vapor leakage.

First, the car owner needs to close the fuel tank cap tightly. If the car consumes too much fuel, smell around the car to see if there is an unusual smell. If so, take the car to a repair center for an accurate inspection. In addition, when the car shows signs of fuel consumption, the following parts need to be checked:

- Tires: Incorrect tire pressure also leads to fuel consumption, so it must be inflated according to the manufacturer's regulations.

- Air filter: Dirty air filter is also the reason why the car consumes a lot of gas. Therefore, the air filter needs to be cleaned regularly, usually about 20,000 km.

- Engine oil and coolant: Check engine oil/coolant. If it is low or too old/discolored, add and replace immediately.

- Spark plug: Check the spark plug for dirt or corrosion. If dirty, clean it. If damaged, replace it.