What type of cab should you opt for?

When the temperature rises outside, it is not uncommon for car engines to overheat. Especially if your car is an older model or if it is not maintained properly. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make sure your engine stays at the correct temperature.

First, always make sure to have in the car an extra bottle of coolant. Engines usually overheat because the coolant level is too low. A simple check to make sure you have enough engine coolant before leaving the house will avoid many problems.

When you see the temperature gauge oscillate toward the red zone, immediately turn off your air conditioner (because the air conditioning puts a lot of strain on your engine). Rolling the windows down will help to remove the heat.

If the problem persists, turn the heater on to its highest point. Yes it will be very hot in the car, but you may save your engine in just a few minutes by allowing excess heat to leave the engine compartment.

If the above steps fail, stop as quickly as possible. Turn off the engine. If you can open the hood from the driver’s seat, do it, but do not risk a manual opening as heat and steam may cause serious injury. It usually takes 30 minutes for the engine to cool down sufficiently for it to be safe to handle.

Once the engine has cooled, check the coolant reservoir. It is generally placed in a translucent plastic container near the radiator. If the coolant reservoir is empty, you may have a leak. Take a look under the car. If you notice a puddle, you probably have a leak.

If you have a leak, carefully open the radiator cap. Place a cloth over the radiator cap to protect your hand and tilt the cap away from you. Fill the radiator with proper coolant or water. Do not pour cold water into a hot radiator however – it could crack the engine block because of the sudden change in temperature.

If the cooling liquid tank is full, the problem may be electrical or mechanical. A leaking pipe, a worn belt or broken fan, a water pumping problem or a faulty thermostat may be the culprit.

Thank you to Bruce GM Digby for their help with this article