Monitoring the level of coolant, turning off the air conditioner when it is really hot, and inspecting the system regularly are all points that will help you avoid overheating your vehicle.
Summer is the best season for road trips, camping weekends, and sunny days at the beach. But summer is also synonymous with hot weather, which can make cars suffer. Many rely on their vehicles to get to their vacation destination, and traffic jams are their first concern.
However, there is another potential concern - particularly in very hot weather - which is the risk of overheating the vehicle, despite normal use. We have listed for you the best ways to avoid a tired car full of exhausted passengers.
Check the coolant level and fill if necessary
The coolant is the fluid that flows through the engine to control temperature and avoid overheating. If the level is below the minimum mark indicated on the expansion tank, there is a significant risk of overheating your engine. A low level of antifreeze also indicates the presence of a leak. You must then have your vehicle checked by a professional mechanic. While you're at it, check the other liquids in your car, as they are just as important.
Always check your vehicle's temperature gauge
Your car certainly has numerous gauges and light indicators to warn you of a possible problem. They should not be ignored as they provide very significant information on the state of the vehicle. The temperature gauge can allow you to quickly spot an excessive increase in engine heat. If your vehicle is not equipped with a temperature sensor, consider getting a digital gauge that fits directly into your OBD port and provides valuable information.
Regularly drain coolant from a qualified garage operator
Cooling fluid drains are part of routine maintenance for most vehicles, so it is significant to ensure that these are done at the right time. If you don’t make or do not make your usual revisions, we can only advise you to change your coolant regularly. If the manufacturer does not specify a time interval between overhauls, or if it seems too long, we recommend that you drain every 80,000 km or every 5 years, whichever comes first.
Turn off the air conditioning when it is really hot
While it may seem cruel, using air conditioning when it is extremely hot outside can cause your vehicle to overheat. When the air conditioning is in operation, a lot of extra effort is required on the engine, which requires more energy and therefore makes it warmer.
- The warmer the engine, the higher the temperature of the coolant.
- If it is very hot outside, the antifreeze cannot properly evacuate the heat it carries, and this can lead to too high a temperature of the vehicle.
- Even if stopping the air conditioning seems painful, it can prevent your car from overheating.
Turn on the heater to cool the engine
If your car starts to overheat, setting the heating to the highest temperature, ventilation to the maximum, can help you reduce the engine temperature. The heat of your heating comes from the engine coolant. Full heating and ventilation have the same effect as circulating air in the radiator on a smaller scale.
Have your vehicle checked
Having your vehicle thoroughly checked as summer approaches or before a long trip is always a good idea. Have a qualified garage attendant inspect your entire vehicle.
Hoses, belts, suspensions, brakes, tires, cooling system components, engine components, and more can be damaged or cause potential concern. This will allow you to identify an upstream problem and make repairs before the situation worsens and causes a failure.
Performing periodic maintenance of your vehicle and making repairs on time will help you keep your car in good condition. However, even with this in mind, it is impossible to guarantee that a vehicle will last all summer without any worries. Fortunately, these tips will prevent you from overheating, which could quickly ruin your holiday in the sun.