Your car will most likely overheat in the summer, more so if you live in a hot climate. It will most likely happen when your car is in stop-and-go-traffic, there are steep grades that your car must take on, or before a long road trip. How can you avoid it from happening? Regular maintenance goes a long way. Citywide Towing Service offers helpful tips to avoid an overheated car this summer.
How to Prevent a Car from Overheating
Top off or replace the coolant. Even if it looks clear and healthy, it needs to be replaced according to manufacturer recommendations. This is usually every two to five years. It’s also important to have regular maintenance done. This is when the coolant is checked to ensure your car will not overheat. Car problems can occur even after you have had it looked at. Random acts that damage an engine, broken radiators and defective parts can lead to overheating. When your car overheats it can be due to blocked airflow, thermostat failure or a leaking water pump.
• Blocked radiator airflow. Your car is kept cool when air is constantly forced through the radiator. If airflow is blocked it can cause the engine to overheat.
• Thermostat failure. The thermostat’s job is to keep the engine cool. It does that by moving heat away from the engine. If the thermostat malfunctions it can cause the engine temperature to keep rising.
• Leaking water pump. The coolant in your car can deteriorate. This can lead to buildup that can damage the seals and cause the pump to leak.
If you don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road during a road trip, make sure you have your thermostat and radiator inspected beforehand.
Additional Steps to Prevent Overheating
Carry extra water and coolant. Having extra water and coolant will come in handy if your car should overheat.
Watch the temperature gauge. Drivers are good at keeping an eye on the gas gauge, the temperature gauge, not so much. It’s even more important to so it during the summer months. If you check it regularly you will know when it appears to be off. If it goes higher than normal you need to pull over, turn the car off and open the hood.
Let the engine cool. It’s best to catch the temperature before it gets to a dangerous level. Before it can cause serious damage to the engine that will leave you stranded and with expensive repairs. After you have pulled over, check for leaks underneath the car. Water leaking from the AC is normal, but there should not be any other leaks. You will need to give your car at least 20 minutes to cool off before you start driving again. Your next step is to get to a service shop to have it looked at.
Towing & Roadside Assistance in Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Combine, Coppell, DeSoto, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grapevine, Highland Park, Hutchins, Lancaster, Lewisville, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, University Park, Wilmer, Wylie, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving, Mesquite & Greater Dallas, Texas
Taking steps to prevent your car from overheating is the best way to avoid the frustration of a breakdown and the expenses that come with it. If your warning lights come on for an overheated vehicle, it’s important that you stop the car right away and call Citywide Towing Service for help.
