The umpteenth summer heat wave drowns Spain in the middle of the operation that started at the beginning of the month of August. Thermometers smoke with the mercury above 40ºC while the Spaniards seek refuge on the beach or in the town. Some trips that the majority make by car and with which you have to be careful, because the torrid temperatures can also put certain engine components in check, as Sergio Martín, responsible for the deployment of the offer at Euromaster, explains to La Información Económica: "We notice that now there are more visits to the workshop," he explains.
It's not a coincidence. Mechanical problems increase by up to 50% in times of extreme heat, as shown by an analysis by Autoclub Mutua, of the Mutua Madrileña Group, according to data from 2025. But not only that, they have doubled in the last decade. Of the total number of notices attended to by the entity throughout the last year, 37% occurred between the months of June and September. Some breakdowns that mainly affected the engine (38%), with special relevance to cooling elements, such as filters, radiators, hoses or the water pump.
Not only people should apply cream, wear a hat or seek shade. It is also essential to 'pamper' the car, especially at this time when the whole family faces long journeys to enjoy the holidays. To avoid this type of surprises, Martín assures that foresight is essential. "The most important thing is to keep the antifreeze in good condition and level, because it is what will help cool the engine, which is what suffers the most in situations of such stress," he warns, and invites us to reflect: "Just as we spend time packing our suitcase and preparing our things, so that nothing is forgotten, we look at everything in advance, we must also do the same with the car."
Special attention to air conditioning
Otherwise, there is always an open door to breakdowns that will not allow you to reach your destination correctly, which is why it is recommended to schedule visits to the workshop to review the essential safety points. "It is always advisable to check the car one or two weeks in advance, look at the tire pressures or check the cooling of the air conditioning," says the expert, pointing out that these are key elements during trips, both for safety and comfort.
One of the differentiating aspects in these situations is the air conditioning. "If the pollen filter is clogged, it can reduce the flow that enters the cabin and in the end the trip ends up becoming heavy and uncomfortable." The consequences can be even worse in extreme cases, as pointed out in a report by the Foundation for Road Safety (FESVIAL) to which Martín refers. As the document reflects, driving with temperatures above 35ºC can increase the risk of accidents by up to 25%. A situation that can be equivalent to a blood alcohol level of between 0.5 and 0.8 grams per liter. Or what is the same: the effect of heat can be similar to that of driving drunk.
Nor should we forget about the tires, which can suffer especially at this time of year, leading to possible safety problems. "With such high temperatures, the pressure can vary greatly, increasing up to 0.4 bars," says Martín, emphasizing that in extreme situations it can even lead to bursts.
Electric cars also suffer
You also have to be especially careful with electric cars. It is true that they are the future, but we must keep in mind that batteries can be vulnerable in these circumstances. That is why Martín recommends paying attention to certain elements that differentiate these vehicles from combustion vehicles: "You must always monitor the coolant in the electrical part to avoid problems with battery overheating." And he insists that this is a key aspect for its correct performance: "The lower the temperature of the battery, the better its durability will be and, above all, the more kilometers of travel it will be able to do."
To avoid any surprises when traveling with green energy vehicles, he recommends planning trips carefully, even more than with a combustion car: "Charged and with air conditioning, we are going to demand a lot from this battery, which implies a lot of consumption and, therefore, less autonomy, so we must pay close attention to the charging stations where we are going to stop," he concludes.
