Overheating is one of the common causes of breakdowns on U.S. roads. While nearly every car is prone to overheating at some point, especially on hot days, your vehicle overheating is an alarming sign that something is wrong with your vehicle or engine. It could be the cooling system, faulty spares, or hot temperatures.
An overheating engine can damage your vehicle, threaten your safety, and cause inconveniences.
It is easy for many car owners to ignore the warning signs of an overheating engine, hoping the problem will go away on its own. However, it’s important that you know the signs warning signs and take immediate action when you spot any of them.
Knowing how to protect your car from overheating could mean the difference between keeping your vehicle in top-notch condition and having a breakdown on the road.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what you can do to protect your car from overheating.
One of the simplest ways to prevent your car from overheating is to tint your windows. Car window tints work by intercepting thermal rays and only allowing natural light to pass, thereby preventing heating-creating wavelengths from getting into your car’s interior. In other words, car window tint forms a barrier between the sun and a car’s interior, hence restricting sunlight from shining directly into a car’s interior.
Apart from preventing your car from overheating, car window tint provides protection against harmful UV rays, blocks prying eyes, and protects your car upholstery from fading.
This is a simple solution for car owners to take advantage of, especially in warmer climates or during the summer months.
Parking your car in the shade whenever possible not only keeps the interior of your car cool, but it also prolongs the life of your car.
According to a study conducted by researchers from University of California San Diego and Arizona State University, the interior temperature of a car parked in the sun on a summer day can reach life-threatening levels in approximately one hour.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to park your vehicle where there is shade to prevent overheating and fading of your car’s interior upholstery.
Engine coolant is a liquid mixture that you put in your radiator to keep the engine temperature under control. Your car’s radiator relies on coolant to regulate engine temperature and ensure your engine doesn’t overheat.
Your engine will begin to overheat if the coolant isn’t circulating through your engine correctly. The coolant may also fail to do its job properly due to an airflow issue or because it hasn’t been replaced for a long time.
It’s advisable to maintain the recommended levels of coolant and always keep your car’s radiator clean. You should also keep an eye on the radiator cap because it has a huge responsibility of maintaining pressure in your car’s cooling system. This cap can weaken or become worn out over time and lead to air leaks.
If you are planning a long drive, be sure to carry extra coolant just in case your engine starts to overheat.
Your vehicle’s A/C condenser should allow plenty of air to flow through the radiator for better cooling. Since the A/C condenser sits in front of the radiator, it may collect all sorts of dirt and debris which can block air flow to the radiator and interfere with cooling.
Your car’s condenser releases heat from the A/C system refrigerant passing through it, so it significantly contributes to engine cooling. If it becomes clogged, it will impede proper airflow and affect the efficiency of the entire A/C and cooling system.
When you wash your car or take it to the car wash, have the condenser sprayed with high-pressure water to wipe out all the dirt collected on it so that it doesn’t impede proper airflow.
Your vehicle’s engine can overheat even after adding coolant and water to the recommended levels. This can happen due to a coolant or water leak.
A coolant leak can occur due to many reasons, including a bad hose clamp, a blown radiator hose, or warped head gasket.
If your vehicle is overheating even after filling coolant and water, be sure to check for any potential leaks.
Closed windows trap hot air and cause the interior of your car to heat up. During the summer months, it’s advisable to leave car windows open slightly so the air can escape.
Another simple way to protect your car from overheating is keeping an eye on the temperature gauge. The dial is located on the dashboard of your vehicle and should always be pointing toward the center.
If the dial is pointing towards hot, find a safe place to pull over and turn off the engine immediately. Allow the engine to cool for at least 15 minutes.
It goes without saying that regular maintenance is key to keeping your car in good working condition. Adhere to oil changes every 5,000 to 7,500 miles and ensure you carry out regular radiator flushes.
Routine inspections will help you spot and fix potential radiator or engine problems before they worsen.
First, do not panic. Stay calm and find a safe place to pull over. Turn off the engine and let the engine cool for at least 15 minutes. If you can’t fix the overheating problem yourself, call a nearby mechanic, a towing company or roadside assistance for help.
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