Al-Amn Magazine

TRAFFIC W That heat can be cat as t roph i c Summer veh i c l e safety t i ps Major Khalid Buqais Director of the Traffic Culture Department ith the arrival of the summer and rising temperatures, vehicle maintenance becomes important and essential. Maintaining a simple vehicle maintenance issue can save you from significant costs due to damage or malfunctions that may occur due to high temperatures, or even pose a serious threat to your life. The development of modern vehicles has enabled them to withstand harsh climate conditions, including summer heat, especially those manufactured for the Arabian Gulf region according to special Gulf specifications approved by the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO). This prioritizes manufacturing specifications that allow vehicles to withstand high temperatures, which can sometimes exceed 50 C, that significantly impact vehicle performance. These vehicles are equipped with advanced engine cooling systems designed to withstand summer temperatures. However, the most common malfunction during the summer is engine overheating. This is due to a malfunction in the cooling systems resulting from poor maintenance. This leads to reduced cooling efficiency and increased engine temperature, which can lead to significant engine damage. Therefore, regular maintenance of the vehicle’s cooling systems is essential to ensure efficient cooling and maintain engine safety. High temperatures and road surface temperatures also affect vehicle tires. Some vehicle owners mistakenly believe that lower tire pressure in the summer is safer than higher-pressure (under-inflated) tires. On the contrary, driving with low-pressure tires generates more heat. The lack of proper air pressure causes the tire’s internal materials to expand and the sidewall to warp excessively, which poses a risk and can lead to a tire explosion. Therefore, adhere