7 Ways on How To Prevent Your Car's Engine from Overheating

With the busy urban jungle lifestyle, some of us tend to forget the basic things in life such as doing a regular car maintenance. However, taking basic things for granted can lead to an uneventful scenario. This is why it is recommended to take car maintenance seriously, especially if you own an older car model. In this way, you can prevent car related hassles, like engine overheat, from happening. Here are seven ways on how to prevent your car's engine from overheating.

Check your car's coolant and radiator regularly

One of the best ways to prevent your car's engine from overheating is to regularly check the coolant reservoir and radiator. In this way you can ensure that your car has enough coolant and water. Check it once a week or on a daily basis before you head out on the road. If ever you're going on a road trip, make sure to check your car's coolant and water to prevent engine overheating—you'll surely don't want to spend your road trip in a stalled car, right?

Be mindful of the temperature gauge

Drivers often look at the fuel gauge and hope that it's not nearing the empty mark. Some tend to take the temperature gauge for granted, which is an essential tool in helping to prevent engine overheat. Since it is a temperature gauge, it is there to inform the driver if the engine is becoming too hot. Don't panic when you see the temperature rising—you should instead assess and try to locate the nearest emergency bay or gasoline station.

Turn off car's air-conditioner

Turn off your car's air-conditioner when the engine temperature is rising. This will help the engine reduce its load and therefore give you more time in containing the temperature. On the other hand, you can also turn on your car's blower in full blast as this will suck the heat from the engine bay onto the cabin. Yes, the interior cabin will be hot but this can help prevent your car's engine from overheating--just think that you're inside a sauna and about to get a full body massage.

Rev it while in neutral

If ever you're stuck in traffic, shift your car into neutral and rev the engine. This will allow the fan to create more air and it also enables your car's coolant (if there's anything left) to flow.

Pull over to a safe place

If the temperature continues to go up, the best thing to do is to pull over to a safe place--it may be in EDSA's emergency bays, lay-bys along the expressway, or a gasoline station. Upon finding a safe place to stop, turn off your car's engine and open the hood so that the heat trapped in the engine bay can escape. Then, you should let the engine to cool down for about 20 minutes. When the steam has subsided, pour water over the radiator to further bring the temperature down; do this after 20 or so minutes have passed because if you do it sooner than that, your radiator--or worse, your engine block--might crack from the sudden temperature change and result in an even costlier repair bill.

Bring extra coolant and water

You should have an extra coolant and around six gallons of water in your car as these two things will be useful when your car's engine overheats. Open the radiator cap once the engine has cool down--never open the cap when the temperature is high because it has a pressure that could lead to serious burns. After opening the cap, fill the radiator with water.

Check for leaks

After pouring water and coolant, monitor your car's temperature before heading out on the road again. If it's still rising, chances are your car has a leak. It's time to call your trusted mechanic when this happens in order to conduct a comprehensive check on your car. Overall, you can prevent your car's engine from overheating if you do a regular maintenance check. Imagine the hassle this certain car problem can give to you while you're on the road when it can be prevented by simply popping your car's hood open to check for the necessary fluids.