Extreme heat is an enemy for health, we know it and the ministry also reminds us of it with its warning bulletins, but objects are also affected by the mercury column which skyrockets. An example? The cars. Considering all the parts and components at risk, heat can cause potential damage of up to 16,400 euros per car. The alarm comes from Federcarrozzieri, the association of Italian body shops. We understand better what the risks are.
How much does it cost us to leave the car in the sun
The first car element to be affected by high temperatures? The wheels. Federcarrozzieri explains that on intensely hot days the asphalt easily exceeds 60° C, impacting directly on the tread, accelerating wear and reducing grip. Heat also increases tire pressure through the expansion of the air inside them, increasing the risk of a blowout. On average, the cost of replacing a tire varies between 50 and 150 euros including labor.
The battery is also at risk: the higher the external temperatures, the faster the self-discharge process of the battery will be, which will progressively lose efficiency due to the evaporation of the fluids. On average, to replace a car battery the cost varies between 100 and 250 euros including assembly, highlights Federcarrozzieri.
Dangers also for engines: heat increases the risk of overheating, compromising the efficiency of the cooling system and leading to a decrease in the viscosity of the lubricating oil. The increase in thermomechanical stress induces expansion of the metal components, with consequent deformations. All this accelerates the wear of the mechanical parts until the head gasket fails and the engine “seizes”.
The consequence of all this is not insignificant. According to the association, rebuilding a car engine generally costs between 2,500 and 8,000 euros, depending on the type of intervention (partial or complete overhaul), the vehicle model and the choice of spare parts.
Extreme heat, then, can cause a significant increase in the temperature inside the passenger compartment, which can reach values close to 70°C. This results in possible damage to the dashboard, discoloration and premature aging of the coatings and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic materials.
Furthermore, high temperatures can compromise the reliability of on-board electronic systems, causing malfunctions of digital displays and other components sensitive to thermal stress. Depending on the type of intervention to be carried out and the extent of the damage, renovating the internal parts of a car can cost from 200 to four thousand euros.
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and ultraviolet rays then accelerates the deterioration of the vehicle’s exterior surfaces. The paint can lose its brilliance and intensity, while the headlights made of plastic material are subject to yellowing and reduced transparency.
Organic residues such as resins and bird droppings increase their chemical aggressiveness with heat. Repainting the bodywork of a car costs from 150 to 600 euros for a single piece (such as a door or a bumper), while a complete painting varies from 1,300 to 4,000 euros depending on the size of the vehicle.
What to do and what not to do
“The heat represents an enemy for our cars, and can cause potential damage of up to 16,400 euros per car – calculates the president of Federcarrozzieri, Davide Galli – For this reason it is important that motorists adopt some measures to best protect their vehicles: regularly check the tire pressure (when cold), check the condition of the tread and any deterioration, check the oil and coolant levels, use a thermal cover for the battery to isolate it from excessive heat and sunshades and curtains to protect the interiors of the cars, avoiding parking the car in the sun”.