Staff writer
Extreme heat is hard not just on people. It also is hard on cars. Eastmoor Methodist United Church pastor Mike Eurit found that out the hard way when his Kia Optima broke down.
“My wife and I were on our way home from Manhattan last week when the car started running hot,” he said.
Debris in the radiator inhibited airflow causing the engine to overheat.
According to Webster Auto Service in Marion, the debris had built up over time. During cooler weather, the car could handle the lack of airflow. However, it could not keep cool in the hot weather.
“We took it to Webster’s and they blew out the radiator, but afterward, the car was still running hot,” Eurit said.
The radiator was flushed, its thermostat replaced, and the car ran normally, Eurit said.
Webster’s owner Barry Allen said Eurit was not the only customer to experience car problems because of the heat.
“Summer is actually our busiest time,” he said.
Rod’s Tire and Service in Hillsboro also is busy with the heat.
Allen said he commonly sees cars for electrical, alternator, and fuel pump failure in the summer.
“The heat radiates off the asphalt and creates super heat,” he said.
This can be especially hard on cars without regular care.
“Check your fluids, especially antifreeze, and try not to let your car sit on idle for too long. That is especially hard on your engine when it’s this hot because no air is circulating when you’re running and not moving,” Allen said.
Even a car with regular maintenance can leave you stranded when temperatures soar.
“We take good care of our cars and don’t have a lot of breakdowns,” Eurit said. “We don’t like to be stopped on the road. Heat is just that hard on them.”
Allen said it was good practice not just in winter months to keep water and snacks in your car in case you become stranded.