How to protect your car from overheating: tips for drivers

Heat can damage various complex mechanisms, and a car is no exception. Overheating of the engine, running fluids at elevated temperatures, and temperatures unsuitable for rubber or plastic can all have a destructive effect. Therefore, the machine also needs to be protected from the scorching sun.

OBOZREVATEL has collected the main life hacks to prevent car overheating. The main task is to allow the car to cool down in time and take care of its technical condition before repairs are required.

Park in the shade

It doesn't matter if it's a place under the trees, under a canopy, or a covered parking lot. It is highly desirable to provide shade for the car so that it can cool down properly and so that the interior does not turn into a hot frying pan.

Have car curtains

These items don't take up much space in the cabin, but they will protect it from overheating. Car curtains will come in handy if you can't find a shaded parking space. They will protect the interior from excessive heat and intense ultraviolet radiation.

Tint the windows

Tinting is another good way to avoid excessive sunlight from entering the cabin. But make sure to check the legislation in this regard. What tinting can be applied, on which windows, and to what degree. You can get a fine for violating these rules.

Leave the windows slightly ajar

There is absolutely nowhere for hot air to escape from a tightly closed cabin. But even a small gap in a lowered window can greatly improve the heat situation. So leave the windows and sunroof slightly open. Just enough so that you can't put your hand through the gap - that's enough to feel the difference. But keep an eye on the weather forecast so that rain doesn't come through the openings.

Open the floor vents

Most people start using the air vents in the dashboard at maximum capacity when they get in the car in summer. And that's the right thing to do. But it's even better to get air through similar vents in the floor. Hot air rises upward, so switch to the lower vents, where more cool air is coming in, and turn on the fan at maximum power to push the hot masses out. When the car starts to cool down, you can open the upper vents again.

Use the cooling mode, not the recirculation mode

Almost all year round, car climate control works to recirculate the air already in the cabin. But in this case, it will simply distill the heat around the cabin. Therefore, before you get in the car, first use the cooling mode of the car air conditioner, and then return to recirculation in 10-15 minutes.

Keep an eye on the engine temperature gauge

The engine temperature gauge located on the dashboard has an arrow that should always point to the center. If it moves into the "hot zone," pull over to a safe place, turn off the engine, and let the car cool down.

Turn on the heating to cool the engine

Turning on the heat may be the last thing you want to do on a hot summer day, but this process can help expel hot air from the engine compartment and cool the engine. It won't solve the underlying problem, but on long trips, this life hack can help maintain the engine's condition.

Keep an eye on the coolant level

The logic here is simple: if there is not enough coolant, the car is more likely to overheat. That's why it's especially important to keep an eye on the level in the summer. This level is indicated by indicator lines on the corresponding tank. Simply open the hood and find this tank. But never add coolant when the engine is still hot - it can be dangerous.

Ask a mechanic to flush the radiator

A radiator flush, also known as a coolant flush, involves draining the old coolant from the radiator, cleaning it with flush fluid, and adding a new portion. Mechanics recommend this procedure every 6-6.5 thousand kilometers, but you can check your car's manual for details.

Consider replacing your car battery

If your car battery is more than 3 years old, it may not provide the power you need for the summer. Therefore, your car may be operating under a higher load and this will cause it to overheat quickly. Consult your mechanic to see if it's time to replace the battery.

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