As temperatures rise, so does the risk of your car overheating. Chicago is known for its hot and humid summers. Unfortunately, while you’re trying to stay cool on your commute, your car’s engine could be struggling to beat the heat.
Whether your vehicle is old or new, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent a car from overheating. This is because overheated engine damage often results in costly repairs.
We’ve put together a list of tips to help you protect your vehicle this summer. Continue reading to learn how to keep your engine cool even in excessive heat.
Tips for How to Stop a Car From Overheating
- Check Your Cooling System
If your dashboard temperature gauge is showing higher than normal readings or your coolant level keeps dropping, it’s time to get your vehicle’s cooling system inspected.
Other signs of a cooling system issue can include white exhaust smoke, a visible coolant leak, steam coming from the hood, or hot air coming from the air conditioner.
Bucaro Brothers’ skilled technicians can inspect the system and address any issues before your engine overheats. Our team will look over the radiator, fans, hoses, seals, pumps, and other cooling system components.
Even if you’re not seeing any warning signs that point to a problem, a quick inspection can go a long way in protecting your engine from overheating.
- Park in the Shade
When parking your car, aim to park in a shaded area to help prevent overheating. Using window shades or opening the windows a crack can also help regulate the interior temperature.
- Get Regular Oil Changes
Regular oil changes help prevent damage to cooling system components that depend on oil for lubrication. Oil promotes smoother operation and decreases the risk of premature wear caused by friction.
- Turn Off the Air Conditioning
While it may be hot outside, using the AC system in your car could put the engine at a higher risk for overheating. This is because the engine has to work harder when the air conditioner is switched on. This creates more heat and strains the cooling system.
Rather than turning on the AC, open the windows and floor vents to allow fresh air to cool down the interior of your vehicle.
If you think your car is about to overheat, turn off the AC and turn on the heat. It may be a little uncomfortable, but it can help cool things down by diverting heat away from the engine compartment.
- Replace Your Car Battery
An old car battery can cause the engine to exert more effort and potentially overheat. A qualified mechanic can help determine if a battery replacement is necessary.
- Monitor Your Temperature Gauge
Your vehicle has a temperature gauge on the dashboard. If it starts swaying into the red or the needle passes the middle range, then the temperature is higher than it should be. Pull over and let your vehicle cool down. If the issue persists, schedule a cooling system inspection at Bucaro Brothers in Chicago.
- Add Water to Coolant in an Emergency
If your car begins to overheat or the engine coolant is very low or empty, you can add water to the coolant reservoir. This should allow you to drive a short distance. You should only do this once the vehicle has completely cooled down and the reservoir cap is cool to the touch.
Prevent Overheating With Help From Bucaro Brothers
Knowing how to prevent a car from overheating in the summer can save you time and money. Following these helpful tips may be the key to protecting your vehicle’s engine.
Regular maintenance and tune-ups will also help keep your car from overheating. At Bucaro Brothers, we can handle all of your car’s repair and maintenance needs. Our tune-up services include checking your car’s oil, transmission, tires, filters, radiator coolant, and other components.
Give us a call today at (773) 219-1592 or contact us online for more information on auto repairs in Chicago. Even in hot weather, we know how to keep your engine’s temperature cool.
