Saudi motorists warned of costly vehicle damage caused by soaring temperatures

Saudi motorists are feeling the heat from global warming through costly vehicle repairs.

With recorded temperatures this year of more than 45 degrees Celsius in cities such as Riyadh, Dammam, Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah, many cars have broken down due to problems with their cooling systems.

And drivers have been hit with repair bills running into thousands of riyals.

Now experts are warning motorists in the Kingdom to carry out regular maintenance on their vehicles to pre-empt any problems.

Abdullah Al-Misnad, vice president of the Saudi Weather and Climate Society, told Al Arabiya that recent storms in Makkah were a direct result of global warming. And cities throughout the Kingdom have witnessed stifling heatwaves this summer.

Riyadh mechanical engineer, Muataz Alatai, said high temperatures commonly led to damage to vehicle radiator hoses, fans, and fuel pumps.

He said: “Every part has a shelf life and people should pay attention to this and make changes regularly.”

Alatai pointed out that vehicles should have maintenance checks every 10,000 km and that radiator water must be changed every 60,000 to 70,000 km. He noted that repair costs varied depending on location and model of vehicle.

“Take, for example, the Ford Taurus. Repairing the fan at the car dealership can cost up to SR1,800 ($480). Additionally, the fuel pump is quite expensive, ranging from SR4,500 to SR5,000.

“The design of the car, including the design of the engine, plays a role. For instance, the fuel pump in Korean and Japanese car brands is known to be more reliable and less prone to breaking,” he added.

Alatai recommended parking in shaded areas, checking the fuel pump regularly, keeping vehicle windows closed, using windshield sun protectors or tinted windows, and wearing sunscreen.