How To Stop Your Engine From Overheating
As summer arrives, one of the challenges you might face is that your car may overheat. This problem is less common with modern cars, but it can still happen if you're not careful. You will want to get to the bottom of this because you may cause permanent damage to your car.
Coolant Issues
Your car might be overheating because your coolant levels are low. The water level in the radiator might also be too low. The cooling system might also have a leak. If your car is overheating, you will want to get off the road and try to resolve the issue quickly. Initially, an overheating car may only cost you $20. However, if you don't resolve the issue, you may cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.
Cooling the Engine With the Heater
Turning on the heater can surprisingly help cool down your engine because the heater will pull heat into the passenger compartment. You may even notice the warning light turn off. However, you'll still want to take your car to a car repair service.
Pulling Over
Pulling your car over to the side of the road is the safest way to protect it from overheating. This is the best time to take advantage of roadside assistance. If you would like to work on your car, do not pop open the hood until you have waited at least 15 minutes for your engine to cool. Otherwise, your engine might be dangerously hot.
Adding Coolant
Some motorists might add coolant to their radiators to resolve the issue. Make sure that the cap on top of radiator is cool before unscrewing it so you can add the coolant. Make sure that the radiator hose is not blocked or disconnected. However, this will only work if the coolant is circulating enough. Placing your car in neutral and revving the engine can help increase circulation.
Resolving the Issue
The only purpose of servicing your car yourself is to make it safer to drive until you can travel to a service station. Always make sure to monitor the temperature gauge and don't allow your engine to overheat. Adding coolant will not solve the underlying problem and your car will need to be repaired. For example, your engine might be leaking coolant and the leak might need to be repaired. But the cost may be much lower if you address the problem as soon as possible.