If you live somewhere that experiences scorching summers or is even warm all year, you should learn how to care for your vehicle in the heat. However, not everyone does pick up the skills and knowledge that they need to prevent their car from overheating in warmer climates. If your car does overheat and your engine gives up the ghost, it means you could be stranded on the side of the road. Then there’s the problem of being left without air-conditioning inside your car, something which you definitely don’t want when it’s hot. If you don’t want either yourself or your car getting too hot, follow these rules.
Check the Coolant Level
One of the most important things to do when it’s hot is to check on your coolant level on a regular basis. You can check the level if you’re experiencing any problems, but it’s also just a good idea to make sure it’s topped up every now and then. If you don’t know where to look, check the owner’s manual for your vehicle, and you’ll be able to find the reservoir. If the coolant level is low, you might have a coolant leak that needs to be repaired. Ideally, you wouldn’t drive your car until this is fixed.
Watch for Signs of Overheating
What signs should you be looking out for to make sure your car doesn’t overheat? In a modern car, overheating isn’t necessarily due to the heat outside, but it could be due to a radiator failing in your vehicle. Some signs that your car is getting too hot are the temperature gauge telling you so, stream from under the hood, and a burnt smell when the engine is running. Regular use of car maintenance services will keep everything running, so it doesn’t get to this point. You can make sure maintenance and regular repairs are carried out to prevent any overheating.
Know What to Do in an Emergency
If your car starts to overheat when you’re driving, you need to know what to do. You could end up having to come to a stop, and you don’t want to stop involuntarily. If your car starts to overheat, you should turn off your air conditioning and open the windows to help the engine cool down. You can also shift into neutral or park if you’re sitting and traffic, and rev the engine. This will help to cool the engine by drawing more liquid and air into the radiator. If there’s a coolant leak, it’s best to pull over and call for assistance.
Maintain Your Air Conditioning
It’s not just your engine that might overheat. You could get super hot too if your air conditioning isn’t working properly. If you don’t want to be left without that cooling air, check on your air conditioning regularly. Make sure it’s serviced when you next take your car in for a checkup, so it keeps your car cool whenever you need it.
Stay cool whatever the weather by preventing both the inside and outside of your car from getting too hot.
