Climate change is the gradual shift in weather patterns due to greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution. The problem has led to an increase in average temperature and humidity over the recent decades, known as global warming, and an upsurge in severe weather events.
Climate change can affect everything from home construction to HVAC systems to car care routines. Car maintenance can be especially challenging in the face of higher temperatures, increased moisture, and more powerful severe storms. However, you can take steps to account for these climate change-driven conditions by adjusting maintenance practices.
Increased Temperature Extremes
The average temperature of the earth has increased by 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the start of the Industrial Revolution, with the warming accelerating much faster over the past three decades. Climate change can also lead to colder temperatures, as it causes instability that leads to wider temperature swings. For instance, the coldest ever windchill (-108 degrees Fahrenheit) was recorded in New Hampshire in 2023.
These temperatures can affect vehicle performance, impacting areas like tire pressure, battery lifespan, and fluid viscosity. In addition to topping up engine coolant levels and changing fluids and lubricants as directed by the manufacturer, you need to pay special attention to your car’s tires and battery.
Effects on Tire Pressure
As air molecules heat up, they expand. In a sealed environment, like the inside of a vehicle tire, this expansion increases pressure.
Tire pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Ideal PSI varies from 28 to 35 PSI for most personal vehicles. However, tire pressure can change 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature difference. Very hot weather can increase pressure significantly, raising the chance of a tire blowout.
You should check your tire pressure at a service station frequently or get an inexpensive handheld gauge to measure PSI at home. Perform this check regularly on all four tires, letting out the air or adding it as needed.
Battery Life and Performance
Climate change can disrupt weather patterns and bring arctic weather further south, sometimes causing more extreme cold conditions. These frigid temperatures can affect battery life because cold slows down the chemical reaction needed to generate electricity.
At the same time, cold can increase the viscosity of engine oil and other lubricants, meaning the battery has to produce more power to start the car.
In addition to ensuring you have a battery rated for cold weather, you can park in a protected place, start your car every day to allow the engine to charge the battery, and ensure proper insulation.
Increased Humidity and Precipitation
Heat often brings more humidity and increases the chance of precipitation. These moist conditions can cause problems with your car’s body and vital electrical systems.
Rust and corrosion can compromise the appearance of your car, but they can also affect structural integrity. Water and substances like road salt can speed up rusting. Meanwhile, water inside a vehicle can lead to mold problems.
Rust and Corrosion Prevention
Rust, or iron oxide, forms when metal gets exposed to water and oxygen. While it takes time for rust to appear, it can spread quickly in areas with a lot of moisture.
The underside of vehicles is exposed to moisture from road spray, puddles, and flooding. Your car’s body can dry quickly due to sun and wind exposure, but the undercarriage can retain moisture, making it more prone to rusting. Mild rust on the body is a cosmetic problem. However, rust on the axles, brakes, frame, or suspension elements can compromise safety by causing them to break down.
Anti-corrosion treatments can help reduce rusting, and you can wash the underside of your vehicle and allow it to dry properly. Have mechanics inspect parts during routine maintenance and quickly replace components that show signs of rust or corrosion.
Managing Mold and Mildew
Humid air causes condensation when it settles on cold surfaces, such as those inside a car. This moisture can settle inside the car, soaking into seat covering, carpet, or other absorbent surfaces. If you close your car, the moisture will remain, creating ideal conditions for mold and mildew growth.
Regular seat and carpet cleaning can remove these unwanted substances. However, you need to ensure any shampoo or water-based products dry thoroughly so they don’t worsen the problem.
In very rainy or humid climates, you can even consider using a dehumidifier to dry the vehicle’s interior. You might also consider removable seat and floor coverings, which you can take out, wash, and dry to remove moisture and any mold spores that may have already formed.
Severe Weather Events
NASA points to climate change as the likely cause of an increase in hurricanes, strong storms, floods, and other extreme weather events in recent years. Severe weather can wreak havoc on vehicles. Floods can cause water damage and ruin vital vehicle systems, while hail can mar auto glass and exteriors.
If you prepare for these potential disasters, you can lower the risk of significant damage.
Flood and Water Damage Prevention
Floods can cause water damage to vehicles. If the car is partly submerged, it may have water damage in unseen areas, such as under mats and the bottom of seats. If these areas become waterlogged, it could lead to unseen mold growth. Mold can also spread under carpeting and in corners between seats.
Partial submersion can also cause wiring problems and electrical shorts. These electrical issues could impact the starter, alternator, fuses, and wiring within the car. This can impact lighting, the air conditioner, and modern safety and driver assistance features that rely on electrical sensors.
If a vehicle is flooded, you will likely need to drain and replace all fluids and lubricants, siphon and replace the fuel, and check all electrical systems, especially safety systems and lights. You will need to use dehumidifiers to dry the interior, replacing carpeting and upholstery if it’s damaged.
Hailstorm Preparedness
The number of hail-related auto insurance claims has increased in recent years, rising from 9% of all comprehensive claims in 2020 to 11.8% in 2023. This trend is part of an overall increase in storm-related auto damage.
While it’s possible to limit damage by parking in a garage, that may not be possible if you do not have access to one. A thick hail car cover can provide some protection for vehicles parked in the elements.
If your windshield gets damaged by hail, it’s important to assess its condition. A small crack could widen over time, eventually compromising the entire windshield. It’s possible to repair minor windshield damage, but a full windshield replacement could be necessary if a chip goes through at least half the glass or if a crack is longer than a few inches.
With the right steps, you can adjust your maintenance routine to ensure your vehicles are ready to deal with the effects of climate change, including increased temperatures, more rainfall, and more severe storms.