How you and your car can beat the heat in this searing summer
On Tuesday, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced that the annual El Niño may stretch longer for 2024.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said that the weather phenomenon, which causes dry spells and droughts, is expected to affect up to 54 provinces by May this year. He added that there was a 62-percent chance that La Niña, the phenomenon that brings about rainshowers, would start in June.
“There will still be some provinces to be affected by the combined effect of El Niño and the preparation for La Niña, which would bring in less normal rainfall,” he said in a press briefing. “The possibility of a slight delay of the onset of the rainy season is likely.”
Although this bodes well for travelers who want to make the most of going to the beach, this means motorists and commuters alike have to put up with this searing heat for another three-to-four months.
And it’s not just a matter of getting some sunburn – the government reported this past week that the heat index, which is the measure of air temperature and relative humidity, is reaching “danger” levels in various parts of the country. Prolonged exposure could cause cramps, heat exhaustion or, worse, heat stroke.
All these can wreak havoc on you and your car. Here are ways that you can keep cool as we wait for the torrential downpours.
Check your cooling system
Humans, like us, sweat and pant to keep cool, but cars do things differently.
All vehicles have a cooling system composed of a radiator that lets air pass through fins to remove the heat from a liquid called coolant. Helping the radiator out is the water pump, thermostat, cooling fan and fan belts.
Given the tremendous heat in the coming months, it is vital that all components are working properly and that there are no leaks. Pay close attention to your temperature gauge (or light, for some cars) to see if things are getting too hot.
Cooling system defects, such as overheating, can be remedied by replacing the aforementioned components. Changing the coolant at the designated intervals also prevents damage to your car’s cooling system.
Use the right coolant
While we’re on the subject of coolant, make sure that you use the right stuff.
Tap water is a major no-no because impurities can create hardened deposits that would damage your engine. And while distilled water is more pure, it will still cause your cooling system parts to rust.
As such, a premixed solution of distilled water and coolant is the most ideal. The latest-generation of coolants use Organic Acid Technology (OAT) or Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) that can be used for several years before replacing.
Bad coolant can be easily spotted – simply open the radiator cap or overfill