Responding to heat with heat is a hassle, not a permanent solution.
Traveling by car on high temperature days, especially in summer, requires extra care on the part of the driver to avoid mechanical problems, such as engine overheating.
In addition to keeping the cooling system in good condition, you must be careful when driving to avoid overloading the engine.
If, despite all your care, it gets too hot, there’s no need to panic: there’s a simple and quick solution (but not definitive!).
Before taking the car to the mechanic — which will be necessary, to confirm that there is no more serious problem —, a trick that doesn’t require much effort may be enough to ensure the rest of the trip goes smoothly.
The trick to put an end, even temporarily, to engine overheating and thus continue your journey without having to immediately look for a workshop is quite simple. Enough turn on the interior heating system, in the passenger compartment.
Yes, it’s true: when activating it (and turning off the air conditioning if there is one) part of the coolant that was stopped circulates again and helps to dissipate the accumulated heat, relieving the work of the radiator.
Still, it is important to emphasize that this procedure is just a emergency measure and does not, in any way, replace periodic vehicle maintenance. The fact that the engine overheats may, in fact, indicate problems with the thermostatic valve, the radiator, the water pump or, simply, a lack of coolant.
If the trick doesn’t help, what should you do?
The ideal is always pull over safely and stop the car, if necessary, turning on all four indicators. If, after waiting for a while, you turn off the engine and turn on the heating and nothing is resolved, you will need to wait another 20 to 30 minutes, or more, for the engine to cool down.
As soon as the engine is cold, it must be check the coolant and see if it is below the minimum. If it is, and if the driver does not have his own liquid, he can use water to “clean up” the situation.”
Later, the driver can try to look for leakscheck the fan of the radiator, and pay attention to smells “sweets” (from antifreeze) and vapors.
If the car still doesn’t stabilize, it’s best to call assistance and not risk it. You should never force the car if the temperature gauge is red, nor pour cold water on the engine or radiator.
