Top Tips for Preventing Your Car from Overheating This Summer
- New cars with latest technologies do not often overheat
- Issues with the coolant is the most common reason for an overheating engine
- Park your car in the shade to reduce exposure to the heat
- All Motability Scheme customers get free RAC Roadside Assistance
Did you know we drive more during summer than any other time of year? No wonder our cars are at greater risk of overheating.
With temperatures rising, an overheated car is a risk for passengers. You may notice how the temperature warning light turns on or see smoke coming from under the car’s bonnet.
Continue reading to find out what you can do to avoid your car overheating this summer.
Looking for a new Motability vehicle this summer?
What are the warning signs to look out for?
- Temperature warning light
- Strange smell coming from the engine, such as burnt smell/li>
- Coolant warning sign
- Leaking coolant
- Smoke coming from under your car’s bonnet
Why is my car overheating in the summer?
The most common reason for cars overheating is a problem with the cooling system. The liquid cools down your engine and keeps the temperature at an optimal level.
A broken cooling system results in the engine turning too hot. This can damage your engine, along with hoses and seals that keep the engine running.
How to prevent my car from overheating?
- Regular car servicing
- Check coolant and engine oil levels regularly
- Keep coolant liquid and engine oil with you
- Avoid parking in direct sunlight
- Buy a windscreen sunshade
- Keep your windows slightly open when driving
What to do if my engine overheats?
- Pull your car over to the side of the road as soon as possible. Make sure to turn off the engine and encourage all the passengers to leave the vehicle.
- Open the bonnet to help engine cool down faster
- Do not touch the engine while it’s hot!
- Check if your coolant is leaking or has simply run out
- If you can’t identify leaking, add more coolant when the engine has cooled down
- Turn on the ignition, and check if the warning lights are turned off
- If there is a leak in the coolant, or the warning lights are still flashing, call for assistance.
As a Motability Scheme customer, your package includes RAC breakdown cover. Call for assistance on 0800 73 111 73 . RAC Motability Assist will be with you within 45 minutes.