Summer is coming up soon, which means warm temperatures are right around the corner. While you are likely looking forward to the warm weather and going on vacation, you should consider the impact that higher temperatures may have on your vehicle. Here are three tips that will help you keep your car from overheating on even the hottest of summer days.
While driving, you should always pay close attention to your vehicle’s temperature gauge. The temperature gauge’s purpose is to tell the driver whether the vehicle is overheating. If you notice that your vehicle’s gauge is in the “H” territory, you should pull over and turn off your engine. Allow the engine to cool down before you start driving again. You should pay extra attention to the temperature gauge on warm days.
In some cases, drivers are in traffic when the temperature gauge indicates that the engine is overheating. If you find yourself in this situation, you should open the windows and turn off the air conditioner. This should help prevent your vehicle from overheating until you pull over. If the temperature gauge remains in the “H” territory, the vehicle is likely not safe for you to drive. Instead of driving your vehicle to the mechanic, you should call roadside assistance.
Even on hot days, a vehicle usually does not overheat entirely on its own. Therefore, you should check your vehicle’s hoses for bursts, leaks, and blockages. A leak in your vehicle’s coolant system may have caused your car to overheat. Another possibility is that the thermostat has malfunctioned. This occurs frequently, particularly in order cars. If your vehicle is new, you may need to hire a professional technician to inspect it.
No matter the age of your car, you should turn off the engine and let it cool before inspecting the vehicle’s hoses for leaks.
A common misconception that many drivers harbor is that water is enough to refill the radiator. Before the beginning of summer, it is important to refill the radiator with fresh coolant or antifreeze and not just water. You should also have a professional technician check the radiator for corrosion.
You should only add antifreeze or coolant to the system once the engine has cooled down to room temperature. Do not take the radiator cap off until the car has cooled down completely. The water system and the radiator system will be under significant pressure if your has overheated. The cap may blow off and burn your skin if you attempt to take the radiator cap off when it is not safe to do so.
For your safety, you want to prevent your car from overheating at all costs. Preventing your vehicle from overheating will also help keep it in good condition. Fortunately, as long as you follow the tips discussed above in the summertime, you should have no trouble keeping your vehicle’s engine from overheating to dangerous temperatures.
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