If your biggest fear is seeing steam coming from your engine while you are completing your errands on a hot day, below is a great article which can help.

One of the worst things to happen while you are driving is to see steam coming from the engine of your car. The reason why this is so bad is because many motorists think that there is nothing they can do, expect hope and wait for their engine to overheat. Jim Ackney knows how nerve-wracking it can be for motorists battling with hot days, and has prepared a great article on the subject which can help you out.

Heed the Temperature Gauge

The first tip seems like an obvious one, but in reality, the majority of motorists consider their temperature gauge as little more than an indicator of what is to come. However, the truth is that your temperature gauge is a great way to prevent your engine from overheating. As soon as you can see the gauge climbing, begin to look for a safe space to pull over and either wait for the temperature to reduce or traffic to move once again. Getting ahead of an overheated engine is the best and easiest way to prevent it.

A Hot Day and Traffic Don’t Mix

When the sun is scorching hot, traffic isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a stress-causer. After all, if you aren’t moving in traffic then airflow isn’t cooling your engine and the fan isn’t spinning, also removing a cooling source, all while you sit in the hot sun.

• If the weather forecast predicts an uncomfortably hot day, look for different routes you can take to complete your errands which involve less traffic or roadworks. Even if it means an extra 10 minutes of driving, it is better than 40 minutes of waiting for your engine to cool down or help to arrive.
• In addition to finding a better route, consider moving your errands to a different time of the day, such as in the evening or early morning when the temperatures are at their lowest.

If you do get stuck in traffic, despite your best efforts, consider shifting into neutral and slightly revving the engine. This will cause the fan belt to spin faster, giving your radiator a short-term reprieve. However, this trick will only work for so long.

Coolant and Other Fluids

Coolant is a great defence against an overheated engine and will go a long way to preventing it from happening to you. However, it only works if you use it. Before the temperatures rise too high, take the time now to check your coolant level and quality, along with your other fluids, also. If you can see that your coolant or other fluids are low or aren’t able to perform their task any longer, instead of simply topping up, consider flushing and replacing it with fresh fluid, keeping any remainder in your trunk. Each of the fluids your engine utilizes helps it to operate smoothly, which helps to keep operating temperatures down, so pay attention to their levels and quality. Click here to buy Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil and keep your engine’s operating temperatures down during hot weather. To learn more about how the right coolant and a synthetic oil change can improve the performance of your engine in hot weather, speak with a friendly expert on the subject by calling Jim Ackney at (780) 476-0545 or visit the online store for additional information.

You Won’t like This Tip

But you should read it anyway. When the temperature gets hot, your automatically reach for the air conditioner. Each time that you do this, an additional motor is called into action which puts extra strain on your engine, causing your engine to overheat much faster. The next time that you are driving in hot weather and worried about your engine overheating, open both the front and rear windows and allow the natural air flow to give you and your passengers cool feeling, as stale and hot air is pushed out. If you want to help your engine out a little further, aim your air vents towards your open windows and blast the heater. This can take hot air from your engine and move it out of your cabin.

What to Consider If Your Engine Overheats

If, despite your best efforts, you do find yourself on the side of the road with steam pouring from the hood of your car, keep these points in mind:

• Resist the temptation to take the radiator cap off. Not only will you burn your hand on the hot cap, but the pressure inside will cause the hot water to splash out and can cause serious burns.
• Once your radiator cap is cool enough to remove safely, don’t immediately fill up your radiator with water. Cold water poured into a hot radiator, even one which is cool enough to remove the cap, can cause your radiator to crack which means a replacement will be required before you can continue driving.

Help Reduce Operating Temperatures with a Synthetic Oil Change in Edmonton

Keeping your engine in good health by ensuring your coolant and fluids are topped up and giving your engine a regular synthetic oil change can go a long way to keeping your engine temperature low during hot days. To find out more or to place an order, speak with a professional at Jim Ackney by calling (780) 476-0545.