West Hills, California, in the San Fernando Valley, is known for its breathtaking views, beautiful homes, and rolling hills. It is also known for its intense heat. Owning a Porsche in these sun-drenched days and mild, coastal influences is a dream scenario for many.
But if you own a Porsche in West Hills, only you know the toll the heat takes on the Porsche. That’s why it is necessary to understand the effects of heat on the Porsche and the preventive maintenance needed to address these issues. Bavarian Workshop offers you the best maintenance service for your Porsche, as we are West Hills’ German auto specialist.
Effect of Heat on Porsche Cars in West Hills
The summer in West Hills regularly pushes temperatures above 900°F and often past 100°F. In spring and summer seasons, the weather is more temperate, with daytime temperatures generally ranging from 60°F to 80°F. However, even during these periods, heat waves can occur that bring a sharp and sudden increase in temperature. This negatively affects the vehicle’s systems, including the engine, battery, and tires.
Engine
The engine is the center of the vehicle’s performance, and it generates significant heat during operation. However, extreme heat makes the engine’s functions seize. With intense heat, the most obvious concern for the engine is overheating. The high temperature, along with the engine’s internal heat, can push the Porsche’s cooling system to its limits, sometimes leading to system failure. A malfunction in the Porsche engine’s cooling system can lead to various minor or major issues, including:
- The engine’s computer reduces power output to prevent heat-related damage to the engine components.
- Hoses, radiators, and water pumps in the cooling system are under excessive strain, leading to leaks or failures.
- High temperatures accelerate oil breakdown, which reduces its lubricating properties. This results in increased wear on engine components.
- Extreme overheating can cause the cylinder head to warp and damage the head gasket, resulting in costly repairs.
- Consistently high engine temperatures also contribute to increased wear and tear on internal components like pistons, bearings, and valves.
Battery
The battery provides the initial power to start the vehicle and run its electronic components. But extreme heat causes various malfunctions.
- Heat is regarded as a battery’s worst enemy, as elevated temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions within the battery. This leads to faster material degradation and a shortened lifespan of the battery unit.
- Extreme heat causes the electrolyte solution in the battery to evaporate more quickly, reducing its capacity and its ability to hold a charge.
- Heat accelerates corrosion around the battery terminals, leading to poor electrical connections.
Tires
Tires are most exposed to heat and bear the largest portion of heat damage. On top of that, the tires are extremely crucial for the vehicle’s drivability. But the heat damages these Porsche tires in many ways.
- The air expands when it heats up. Thus, the tires expand, increasing tire pressure, which leads to uneven wear, reduced grip, and an increased risk of blowouts.
- Also, the asphalt on the road heats up, and the frictional heat rises above normal levels. This causes accelerated tire wear, as the tire’s rubber becomes softer and degrades much faster.
- Prolonged heat and exposure to UV rays cause dry rot, cracking, and weakening of the tire’s sidewalls.
Solution to Heat Damages in West Hills, California at Bavarian Workshop
To tackle these issues, you must adapt preventative maintenance practices to protect your Porsche from extreme heat damage. Cooling system maintenance, battery inspection and service, and tire service at Bavarian Workshop are effective against such heat damage. We at Bavarian Workshop are the premier auto repair and maintenance shop for German vehicles.
Our ASE-certified technicians work exclusively on German cars, including Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen, BMW, Mini, and Porsche, and offer you high-quality maintenance services for your car. We have been in the business since 1994, and have years of experience working on German vehicles. That’s why we strive to offer you the best service we can. Operating from 23710 Vanowen St in West Hills, we also work with German car owners of the surrounding cities, including Agoura, Calabasas, and Woodland Hills.