How to Prevent Your Car from Overheating This Summer

An overheated car could cause a litany of issues, including major engine problems. Since warm weather can cause engine overheating, it’s important to know what to do in an emergency situation. You don’t want to have to cancel your summer road trip at the last minute because of an overheated engine. If left too long, an overheated engine could result in the need for expensive repairs. Read on for plenty of ways to help prevent your vehicle from overheating this summer.

Common causes of overheating

You might be wondering how the summer weather can cause your car to overheat. The high temperatures of summer can sometimes cause overheating, but that isn’t the only possible cause. Low coolant and water levels can cause overheating as well. That’s why it’s important to check fluid levels before taking a long trip.

Faulty components of your vehicle could also cause overheating. If your water pump is broken, for example, coolant won’t flow properly through the system. A broken thermostat may prevent coolant from properly flowing as well.

Avoid turning on the air conditioner

If your car is overheating, don’t turn on the air conditioner. While it might be tempting to turn on the AC unit for a few minutes, keeping it off may help regulate the temperature in your vehicle. Simply open all the windows in your car to cool down while the AC remains turned off.

Bring along antifreeze or water

It’s best to check coolant levels before you take your car out for a drive. That said, if low coolant levels have caused your car to overheat, you could cool it off with antifreeze or water. Simply add a bit of water or antifreeze to the coolant reservoir to cool things off. This only works temporarily, so it’s still best to bring your vehicle to a technician as soon as possible.

Blast the heat

Like turning off the AC, turning on the heat during summer might seem a bit counterintuitive and even unpleasant. However, turning the heater on full blast will help displace some of the heat from your engine.

Other methods of cooling your engine

Sometimes, revving at a stoplight can help cool off the engine. This is because revving the engine helps circulate air and fluids. You could also pull over and rev the engine a few times to see if it helps.

Another great way of cooling off your engine is by laying off the brakes. Excessive use of your brakes could actually cause your vehicle to produce more heat.

Pull over when necessary

Don’t keep pushing forward if your car has started overheating. Pull over into a safe area to better assess the situation. If none of the methods mentioned above have helped cool your engine, it’s best to call for a tow truck. Let them take you to a nearby auto repair shop, where the technicians can diagnose and repair whatever’s causing the issue.

Overheating is a major issue that can cause long-term damage to your car. Follow the steps above to prevent overheating and bring your car to an auto repair shop as soon as possible. If you’re looking for top-quality auto repair services, contact Auto Air & Heating, Inc. today.

Categorised in: Auto Repair Service

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