Manage an Overheating Car This Summer with These Tips and a Synthetic Oil Change in Queens County

What To Do If You Think Your Engine Is Overheating This Summer

The warm weather of summer is just around the corner, and with it come vacations, a weekend at the beach and often a lot of travel in the car. However, sometimes the heat can become too much for your car’s engine, and it can start to overheat. Overheating can be very damaging to your engine as well as frustrating if you find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere without a working vehicle! Luckily, the experts at Amsoil Dealer – Amsoil4liny have put together this list of top tips for what to do if you think that your vehicle might be overheating.

Before Setting Off:

 

Check Your Brakes

Before setting off on any journey, but particularly on longer trips, you should check that your vehicle’s brakes are properly adjusted. If your brakes are dragging, this can place extra stress and load on your engine, making the chance of overheating more likely.

Check Your Cooling System

The most common reason for engines to overheat is a leak in the cooling system. Check the pressure of the system for any leaks before setting off. It is also important to make sure that you are using the correct coolant and that coolant levels are adequate. Make sure to check with your vehicle's manufacturer which coolant they recommend for your particular model as well as the frequency of which they recommend a full flush and change of the coolant liquid.

Check Your Engine Oil

The oil that you put into your engine is designed to lubricate its components and reduce friction. Any unnecessary friction creates extra heat and increases the risk of your engine overheating. But not all oils are equal. More modern, laboratory-designed oils have been specially developed to continuing functioning at much higher temperatures than traditional oils. This means that on hot summer days they do not break down and continue to protect and lubricate that system, protecting against overheating. Traditional oils begin to break down and stop functioning at much lower temperatures, which can increase friction in your engine and increase the risk of overheating. To see the benefit of switching to synthetic oil for yourself with a synthetic oil change in Queens County, call Amsoil Dealer – Amsoil4liny today at (888) 826-7645 and get the right high-quality synthetic oil for your engine.

Check Your Thermostat

The thermostat is a little valve that responds to temperature and opens or closes depending on whether engine coolant liquid is required. When the valve is closed, no coolant can pass through. This is designed to help warm up a cold engine more quickly. However, the filter can sometimes get stuck in this position and prevent coolant passing through to the engine when it is needed. This makes the cooling system inefficient and increases the risk of overheating. It is important to check your thermostat before any long journeys to avoid this problem.

If You Notice Your Vehicle Is Overheating:

Shut off the Aircon

The air conditioning system in your car puts a lot of extra strain on the engine. This can make overheating more likely, especially on long trips on hot days. If you notice any signs at all of overheating, make sure to shut off the air con straight away.

Redirect the Heat

Although it can be an extremely unpleasant tactic for drivers or passengers, diverting the heat away from the engine and into the ‘cockpit’. You can do this by turning on the heat and turning up the air that is directed into this area. It is worth putting up with the extra heat for a short while as this is an excellent way to decrease the amount of heat in the engine and avoid the damage caused by overheating.

Give Your Car a Break

The best thing that you can do if your car’s engine is overheating is to turn it off and wait it out. Don’t ever try to cool the engine by throwing cold water onto it. This can be extremely dangerous. Never try to deal with an overheated engine without the help of an expert. If further help is required, call your roadside mechanic for assistance.

Give Your Car a Helping Hand During the Heat with a Synthetic Oil Change in Queens County

There is no better way to protect your engine from overheating this summer than an upgrade to synthetic oil. To feel the difference for yourself, get the right synthetic oil for you by calling Amsoil Dealer – Amsoil4liny today at (888) 826-7645.