Living in a coastal area is pleasant because of the warm weather and proximity to the beach. What sounds more fun than taking your BMW on a cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway?
Unfortunately, these areas can adversely affect your car’s performance. One of the biggest hindrances is humidity. This guide will show you how humidity affects your vehicle and what you can do to protect it all year long.
How Does Humidity Affect Your BMW’s Performance?
Depending on where you live, humidity can significantly impact your car’s performance, and not positively. Start with the heart of the vehicle: the engine. Humidity affects your engine’s burn rate. Higher humidity leads to a slower burn rate and increases its combustion duration. Therefore, your machine isn’t as thermally efficient as it should be in normal conditions.
Another problem humidity can cause is misfiring. The humid air increases the moisture that can get stuck inside your distributor cap. Thus, the engine has trouble firing as it would in dryer conditions. Higher humidity levels lead to higher nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and heat transfers. Additionally, they can cause knocking. Humidity puts stress on your engine and can shorten its life span.
Besides the engine, cars feel the effects of humidity through their sensors. Humidity can cause lights on your dashboard to appear even when no problems occur. The increased moisture triggers false alarms that typically go away when the parts dry. If they don’t, check for issues and reset the warning signs.
The summer months can bring sweltering heat, requiring an air conditioner for comfort. But the humidity also takes a toll on this system. When you need it most, your car’s AC unit has to remove the moisture from the air before it pushes cool air through the vents. Constant humid conditions can lead to a dysfunctional AC that blows warm air instead of cool, making summer even more unbearable in some places.
Where Should You Store Your BMW?
Even if you drive your car a lot, you still need a place to store it. In some locations, the heat can last all day and the humidity lasts through the night. Where should you keep it?
The best option is to store your car in a climate-controlled garage. These storage units protect your vehicles from humidity and other weather conditions, so you’ll never have to worry about such damage. They also protect your car from theft because these facilities have security cameras.
Another place you can store your BMW is your home garage. Though it’s more convenient, be careful about the humidity. In the summertime, humidity levels can increase to as much as 90% inside your garage. High-humidity garages can quickly damage your car if you don’t take the proper measures.
One solid investment is a dehumidifier. This machine keeps your garage dry and reduces the risk of mold and mildew on your essential items.
If you can’t find a garage or don’t have one at home, you can take some measures into your own hands. First, find a shady spot to reduce the temperature as much as possible. Some people, especially those who have collector cars, use baking soda in their vehicles to absorb moisture. This substance absorbs moisture in the air and mitigates the humidity’s adverse effects on your vehicle.
How Can You Protect Your BMW From Humidity?
Some people like high humidity levels because they’re good for the skin and better for their sinuses. However, their cars might not appreciate it as much. If you live in a humid climate, there’s not much you can do to avoid humidity besides moving. But here are three preventive measures you can take to protect your BMW.
- Routine Maintenance
The best defense against humidity is routine maintenance. You should regularly monitor your engine and fluid levels for your windshield wipers, power steering, transmission, and brakes. Engines must work harder, so wear and tear increases in humid climates.
- Wax
One of the worst effects of humidity is the risk of rusting. The moisture makes your BMW’s metal corrode much faster because it reacts with oxygen and electrons on the surfaces. One way to prevent rust from forming is to wax your car. A good rule of thumb is to wax your vehicle twice a year. The extra layer of protection goes a long way in extending the life of your precious BMW.
- Tires
Another part of your maintenance should be to check the tires. Heat typically causes objects to expand, and that logic holds for tires. Over-inflated tires raise your risk of blowouts. Keep your tires between 32 and 35 PSI when cold so they stay at a proper level while on the road.
Protecting Your BMW From Humidity
Picture living in Miami Beach or anywhere along the Atlantic Coast. The sun shines brightly during the summer, but the dewpoint is chronically high. Some people embrace the humidity, but your car may say otherwise. Moist air affects engine performance and can cause overheating. Over time, it can also be the culprit of rusting.