سيارات

CHERY Brand Summarises Summer Vehicle Care Essentials to Support Drivers in Hot Weather

CHERY Brand has compiled a practical set of summer vehicle care tips for owners worldwide. Supported by the CHERY FAMILY CARE service system, and complemented by intelligent in-vehicle features available on selected models, CHERY aims to make high-temperature travel more comfortable and reassuring throughout the summer season.

As summer temperatures continue to rise, vehicles have to withstand not only prolonged heat and sun exposure, but also sudden rainstorms. During daily commuting and family road trips, many owners may encounter issues such as interior ageing, abnormal tyre pressure or weaker air-conditioning performance.

To travel with greater confidence in hot weather, it helps to understand how high temperatures can affect different vehicle components and to follow practical tips for parking, self-checks and routine care, reducing wear and strengthening the safety foundation for every journey.

Smart Summer Parking Helps Reduce Heat-Related Vehicle Damage

Many drivers will recognise the experience of parking outdoors while running errands or shopping, only to return a few hours later to scorching seats and interior surfaces.

Over time, prolonged sun exposure can also cause dashboard plastics and other cabin materials to fade or age.

For long parking periods in daily use, owners are advised to choose shaded areas such as underground car parks, covered parking or tree shade where possible, helping slow the ageing of paintwork, interior trim and rubber tyres.

If outdoor parking is unavoidable, using a sunshade or car cover can help reduce cabin heat when the doors are opened again.

For owners of new-energy and plug-in hybrid vehicles used for daily commuting or weekend road trips, battery management during extended parking can easily be overlooked. If a vehicle will be parked for three to five days, or for more than a week, keeping the battery state of charge within the 40% to 70% range can help maintain battery health.

If the vehicle is parked for more than a week, starting it and driving for around one hour each week can help reduce the risk of long-term inactivity affecting high-voltage electrical components and the 12 V battery.

Many owners are used to filling the fuel tank before a short trip. However, after a vehicle has been parked overnight in an exposed outdoor space, a faint petrol smell may sometimes be noticed the next day.

In hot conditions, petrol expands and becomes more volatile; if the tank is overfilled, this may lead to odour and, in more serious cases, the risk of overflow. For vehicles that need to be parked for a longer period, it is therefore not necessary to fill the tank completely.

Leaving some space is safer and more reassuring. Before leaving the vehicle, owners should also avoid placing lighters, perfume, glass-bottled drinks or reading glasses on the centre console or dashboard.

In summer, cabin temperatures can easily exceed 60°C, and a quick check before getting out can help prevent heat-related deformation, damage or fire risks.

A Simple Pre-Drive Check Helps Remove Hidden Risks Early

Many drivers are used to getting in and setting off immediately, only to discover small issues once they are already on a motorway or a long-distance route.

Whether for daily commuting or a weekend drive to the suburbs, spending three to five minutes on a simple check before departure can help avoid many common summer driving problems.

Tyres are among the components most affected by hot road surfaces. Some owners may notice a lighter steering feel after driving at midday, which can be linked to rising tyre pressure as the tyres heat up.

Owners are advised to check tyre pressure when the vehicle is cold, preferably in the morning, and to follow the vehicle manual or local service guidance when making seasonal adjustments. In summer, tyre pressure may need to be set slightly lower than standard, generally by around 0.1 to 0.2 bar where appropriate.

It is also important to inspect the tread surface. Vehicles frequently driven on rural roads may pick up stones or nails, and extended high-temperature driving can increase tyre damage risks. If the tyre tread has become shallow, braking distances in rainy conditions may increase significantly, making timely replacement necessary.

In congested daily traffic, frequent stop-start driving and high temperatures can accelerate the deterioration of engine oil and brake fluid. If the brake pedal feels softer or braking response becomes slower, the fluid condition should be checked promptly.

After starting the vehicle, if the air from the air-conditioning system carries a mouldy odour or cooling becomes slower, a dusty or blocked cabin filter may be the cause.

Summer rainstorms also place greater demands on wiper blades and lights: ageing wiper rubber can cause blurred wiping, while insufficient lamp brightness can affect visibility at night or in rainy weather. A quick check of these items can make commuting and family trips more reassuring.

Seasonal Care Should Cover Both Fuel and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Needs

Owners who commute in the city or often drive on motorways may find that, once summer arrives, radiators and cooling components can quickly collect catkins, insects and dust. During long trips with the air conditioning running, cooling performance may weaken and engine coolant temperatures may rise more easily.

Regular cleaning of heat-dissipation components can help restore cooling performance. Since air conditioning is used frequently in summer, cabin odours may also become more noticeable after one or two months. Replacing the cabin filter at regular intervals can help keep the air fresher during morning and evening commutes.

During sustained hot weather, some owners may find that a vehicle parked for a week cannot start due to a weak battery, while wiring in the engine bay may age or crack after long-term heat exposure.

During routine washing, owners can also check whether the battery terminals show white corrosion marks. Walking around the vehicle once a week and clearing small stones trapped in the tyre tread can also reduce worries about abnormal tyre pressure during motorway driving.

Owners who frequently take plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on road trips may have experienced slower fast-charging speeds after long-distance driving or a full afternoon of outdoor sun exposure, as the vehicle may automatically limit charging power.

These models combine a fuel system with a traction battery, so charging in high temperatures requires extra attention.

After intense sun exposure or a long drive, it is advisable to let the vehicle rest for about 20 minutes before charging. If the battery temperature exceeds 45°C, charging should be paused. Owners should, where possible, choose cooler periods such as early morning or evening for charging, as fast charging at midday in extreme heat may place additional stress on battery cells.

For daily charging away from home, shaded spaces or charging stations with canopies are preferable. Owners should use original or approved charging equipment and avoid keeping seat heating or other high-power in-vehicle electrical devices on for long periods during charging.

If the vehicle will be parked for more than a week, keeping the battery level between 40% and 70%, rather than leaving it fully charged outdoors, can help reduce high-temperature battery stress.

Intelligent Vehicle Features Can Help Ease Summer Cabin Heat

Across different summer driving scenarios, owners can remember four practical principles: protect from the sun, check frequently, drive smoothly and park with care. Proper parking, routine checks and maintenance can reduce heat-related vehicle wear. Beyond basic protection, intelligent cockpit features available on selected CHERY models can also help ease the discomfort of summer heat and further improve travel comfort.

Using remote vehicle-control functions in the mobile app, owners can start the air conditioning before departure, lowering cabin temperature before entering the vehicle. Seat ventilation, where equipped, can help relieve back and hip perspiration during long drives.

The vehicle air-conditioning system is tuned for multiple operating conditions to provide stable cooling output, while multi-layer cabin filters help keep cabin air fresher over extended use. An even airflow layout can also support the temperature needs of both front and rear occupants, making daily journeys more comfortable and less stressful.

In summer travel, peace of mind comes first. CHERY Brand will continue to share practical summer vehicle care knowledge, provide stable and attentive vehicle services through the CHERY FAMILY CARE system, and improve the high-temperature travel experience through intelligent in-vehicle features.

Together with owners around the world, CHERY will continue to protect what matters and help owners travel with greater confidence. Owners are welcome to visit local authorised service outlets to learn more about summer vehicle services.

مواضيع متعلقة