Ah, summer in South Africa… The braais, beach days, and road trips galore. But while you’re soaking up the sun, your car might be suffering in silence, plotting its revenge in the form of an untimely breakdown. Nothing kills that summer vibe faster than being stranded on the side of the road, watching your ice cream melt faster than your patience.
Before you hit the road this season, let’s chat about how to keep your car cool, calm, and collected during the summer heat… And why having the king’s car warrant could save you from sweating over hefty repair bills.
When the heat turns your car into a drama queen
South African summers aren’t gentle. The sun blazes like it’s auditioning for a role in a post-apocalyptic movie, and your car? Well, it’s basically a rolling oven.
The heat affects more than just your steering wheel (which, by the way, can get hot enough to fry an egg on). Your engine, tyres, battery, and fluids can all suffer under extreme temperatures. Suddenly, that relaxing road trip or drive to the shops could turn into a roadside breakdown with your car begging for mercy.
Common summer car issues (aka, things that make you cry)
Overheating engine
Engines and heat are like frenemies. They tolerate each other until they don’t. You see, high temperatures can push your car’s cooling system to its limits, so if you see steam pouring out from under the bonnet, it’s not your car’s way of joining the summer braai. It’s a cry for help.
Tip: Regularly check your coolant levels and make sure your radiator is in good shape.
Tyre blowouts
Hot asphalt + under-inflated tyres = an explosive combination. The heat expands the air inside of your tyres, which can make them more prone to blowouts.
Tip: Keep those tyres properly inflated and check them regularly. Bonus points if you rotate them (your tyres deserve some pampering, too).
Battery meltdowns
Look, we know that cars don’t have feelings but if these pieces of metal did, then we would say that the battery component would absolutely loathe the summer heat. According to the experts, excessive heat can drain battery life and leave you stuck.
Tip: Test your battery before summer hits and replace it if it’s acting shady.
Boiling brake fluid
Did you know that brake fluid absorbs heat and can boil if the temperature gets too high? It’s not a big surprise to learn that boiling brake fluid means less stopping power, which isn’t ideal when you’re cruising down the N1.
Tip: Check your brake fluid levels and flush the system if necessary.
Car warranty to the rescue
Now, even if you follow all this advice, things can still go pear-shaped. Cars have a funny way of breaking down at the worst times, like on a weekend getaway with your in-laws.
That’s where King Price’s car warranty comes into play. Our royal warranty protects you from unexpected repair costs for mechanical and electrical issues. Think of it as a safety net for your wallet.
With our car warranty, you get cover for:
- Major engine components.
- Gearboxes (because nobody wants to pay for that).
- Cooling systems.
- Electrical components.
- And more.
So, when the summer sun pushes your car to the brink, you can relax, because the king’s car warranty means if your car decides to throw a tantrum, you won’t be left out of pocket.
If you want us to be there for you, WhatsApp us on 0860 50 50 50 or click here for a commitment-free quote.
Psst… This blog provides general info only, and doesn’t count as financial or product advice from King Price or our legal and compliance experts. Remember, all our premiums are risk-profile-dependent, and T’s and C’s apply. Our most up-to-date KPPD (policy wording) can always be found here.
Our website T’s and C’s can be found here.
