Winter in a hot region is often perceived as a respite, but in reality it is a different set of pressures. Instead of snow, there is fog, drizzle, humidity and dust storms. The car seems to be driving as usual, but the resource starts to “eat up” in small things: somewhere visibility drops, somewhere the varnish ages faster, somewhere filters get clogged. And it is in winter that many people first notice that the usual rules of care and regular maintenance work differently here, because driving conditions change abruptly and without warning.
Dust, Sand, And Appearance: The Little Things That Are Expensive
Dust storms and fine desert dust are not just dirt on the body. It is an abrasive that, if washed incorrectly, quickly turns into tiny scratches and swirl marks. At first it seems that this is a “dusty veil”, but over time, a hazy finish appears, and the clear coat loses depth. Paintwork and even trim suffer: plastic and edges fade if there is no trim protection and normal washing without friction on dry sand.
The headlights are also vulnerable. Dust on the optics can reduce the brightness by about half, which means that the risk on the road increases, especially in fog. At the same time, headliner restoration often becomes not cosmetic, but the return of basic visibility. I want to save money, but then it hits the resale value, because the appearance and glass are read instantly by the buyer especially in markets like Mazda Dubai, where visual condition strongly influences first impressions.
Fog, Humidity, And Safety: When Meters Are More Important Than Speed
Winter humidity changes everything: the glass fogs up, the road markings “float”, and the range of light decreases. Wiper blades, proper washer fluid, and a clean windshield are critical here. Fog lights work and it is important that they are not “for beauty”, but really shine.
Braking also becomes different. The braking distance increases due to moisture and tire conditions, especially if the tires are underinflated or tread depth is low. A couple of millimeters of tread can decide the outcome. And yes, vibration at a speed of about 120 km/h is not a “feature of the road”, but a reason to check the wheels, balancing, suspension and suspension in general. In such circumstances, small problems quickly turn into big ones.
Heat, Oil, And Resource Nodes: Summer Is Not About Comfort
In summer, the load goes to another level. The air temperature often exceeds 45°C, and peaks of up to 51.6°C have been recorded. When parking in the sun, cabin temperature can rise above 60°C, and this is no longer “unpleasant”, but destructive: plastic, leather, seals, electronics everything ages faster. Window tinting and ceramic coating help here, as well as a simple habit: shade and outdoor parking without direct sun.
The engine lives in a constant struggle with overheating. High temperatures accelerate oil oxidation and the risk of sludge build-up, so oil changes, correct viscosity, and a normal oil filter are important. The material provides examples: in summer 10W-40 or 20W-50, in winter 5W-30 or 5W-40 but the final word is always with the manual. Additionally, the air conditioner suffers: dust clogs the condenser fins and evaporator, and efficiency decreases. Recycling mode helps reduce dust infiltration, but requires the discipline of replacing the cabin filter and checking air intake.
A separate topic is battery health. If the battery is older than 2 years, testing is recommended, and the typical service life is estimated at about 3 years. It’s better to know in advance than to get up suddenly.
And finally, the water. There are rare but severe episodes: up to 254 mm of precipitation was recorded in 24 hours, the heaviest downpour in about 75 years. More than 50,000 damaged cars were reported after the floods. After such events, the market shifts noticeably: SUVs +13%, pickups +11%, sedans -5%, demand for new cars +30%. Therefore, the history report, the underbody check, and the signs of corrosion over time are no longer paranoia, but common sense.
As a simple logic always works: the climate affects the body, optics, filtration and resources. And regularity, careful washing, protection and control of consumables give the car a chance to survive both winter and summer without unnecessary surprises.
I am an award-winning freelance writer who specializes in finance topics. I have also appeared as a financial expert on The Today Show and Good Morning, America.