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Heat Breakdowns in Cars: ADAC Statistics Show Hardly Any Summer Problems

The battery remains the number one cause of breakdowns even in summer. More deployments due to problems with cooling and locking systems.

Unobtrusive: The ADAC breakdown statistics show hardly any outliers in the hot summer months. (Photo: ADAC/Martin Hangen)
Unobtrusive: The ADAC breakdown statistics show hardly any outliers in the hot summer months. (Photo: ADAC/Martin Hangen)
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von Franziska Neuner

In summer, it is not only particularly hot in the car but also often especially crowded on the roads. It is all the more annoying when a breakdown interrupts the journey and delays the arrival. The good news for all drivers: A special analysis of ADAC roadside assistance for the months of June to August 2023 shows that the breakdown statistics in the summer months hardly show any outliers upwards.

Number One Cause of Breakdowns

Even in the summer, the battery remains the number one cause of breakdowns with a share of 41.1 percent (other months: 44.9 percent). This corresponds to around 169,500 breakdowns. There is no significant increase in strain due to the high temperatures. Issues with the engine or engine management system also do not occur much more frequently. In the summer months, the breakdown share here is 24.2 percent, compared to 22.4 percent in the other months.

It is expected that breakdowns related to cooling or heating and air conditioning will increase significantly compared to winter. However, the absolute numbers are very low with around 135 breakdowns per summer month. Breakdowns involving keys, locks, or immobilizers increase in summer. Here, the breakdown share is 8.5 percent compared to 6.6 percent in other months. However, heat is less the cause here, but possibly the missing spare key during holidays when one gets locked out.

Stay Calm and Act Prudently in Case of a Breakdown

No matter if it's summer or winter: In case of a breakdown, it is important to stay calm and act prudently. First of all, you need to activate the hazard lights (also the parking lights at night), put on a safety vest, and set up the warning triangle at a sufficient distance (150 meters on highways) to warn other road users.

For safety reasons, you should exit the vehicle on the side away from the roadway. It's best to wait behind the guardrail for the breakdown service. Especially in high temperatures and direct sunlight, it is wise to find a shady spot.

Good Planning is Everything

To reach your travel destination safely, good preparation is essential:

  • Drinks on board: Always carry enough water to avoid dehydration during the drive and in case of a breakdown.
  • Full tank/battery: Always keep the fuel tank or battery well-filled. This way, the air conditioning can run even during extended idle times and provide cooling.
  • Check coolant: Before driving, check the vehicle's coolant level. If it is at minimum or below, fill it up with distilled water as an emergency measure and visit a workshop as soon as possible.
  • Sunscreen: Sun rays can penetrate through car windows. Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from UV rays.
  • Sunglasses: People sensitive to glare should have appropriate sunglasses at hand. These should be anti-reflective and provide adequate UV protection.
Translated automatically from German.
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