Stay Cool This Summer: Our Top Tips To Keep Your Car From Overheating
While your car is built to handle most elements, it can still overheat in extreme temperatures. In this article, we share tips and advice on keeping your car cool, and what to do if it does overheat.
- In most cases, it is rare that your car’s engine will overheat. However, it is important to know the signs and what to do in the event it occurs.
- There are a few main issues that could cause your engine to overheat, though there are plenty of things you can do to avoid it happening.
- In the unlikely event your engine does overheat, you should pull over to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so before calling for assistance.
Ever had a message come up on your phone saying it is overheating? The same thing can actually happen to your vehicle.
In this case, however, you will be warned by signs such as the temperature warning light on your dashboard, or perhaps more unsettlingly, smoke rising from the bonnet.
Read on for all you need to know.
What causes a car’s engine to overheat?
First, you should know that it is unlikely that this would happen very often.
Newer cars are built with advanced technology and batteries. meaning that this is only likely to happen in extreme temperatures or if there is a larger, underlying issue.
The main cause of an overheating engine will often be down to a problem with the car’s cooling system. This is responsible for circulating coolant (also known as antifreeze) through the engine to divert heat and regulate its temperature.
If the system becomes blocked or damaged, it works less effectively allowing heat to build up inside the engine. This can worsen the longer you keep driving, so it is important to recognise the signs and take immediate action.
Are you looking to get a new Motability vehicle this summer?
How can it be prevented?
There are plenty of measures you can take to prevent your car’s engine from overheating. For a start, regular servicing will ensure everything is in working order. Qualified technicians can identify and correct any small issues before they become serious.
Additionally, there are some things you can do yourself to prevent your car from overheating in the summer. These include:
- Regularly checking coolant levels and engine oil - make sure these are both within the minimum and maximum levels indicated
- Park your car in the shade, if possible, on a hot day
- Pack spare coolant and engine oil in the boot of your car, in case you need to refill
- Use your windscreen visors to shade the inside of your car
- Monitor your temperature gauge
- Drive with the windows down slightly to increase airflow
What to do if your engine overheats
If the unlikely does happen, then it is important to act quickly. First, try to stay calm and pull over as soon as it is safe to do so after noticing one of these signs:
- Temperature warning light displaying
- Smoke coming out of the bonnet
After pulling over, make sure you and any other passengers step outside your car and wait at a safe distance from the road.
If possible, try to look for any puddles under your vehicle which may indicate a leak in the coolant. If this has run out, you will need to refill it, which is why it is a good idea to carry spare coolant.
Note that you should never try to add any liquids straight into the engine if it has overheated as this could cause further damage.
After safely refilling, turn the ignition to the first position instead of all the way which will allow you to check the temperature gauge. If it is reading normal, you should drive to your nearest garage and have a mechanic give your car a good check over.
If refilling the coolant does not fix the problem, you will need to call for professional assistance. As a Motability customer, you will receive RAC breakdown cover as part of your lease. You can contact them on their dedicated Motability support number at 0800 73 111 73.
We hope you feel well-informed about keeping your car cool this summer! For more useful tips and advice, keep in touch with our newsroom.