Tips to prevent your car from overheating
An overheated cabin can also impact the efficiency of the engine as the AC inside the car puts more pressure to cool down the interior. Hence, you must try to maintain a normal temperature of the car at all times. Below are some tips to help you avoid car heating.
1. Park in the shade
If you leave your car parked out in the sun, it can increase the temperature not just in the cabin but also inside the bonnet. Moreover, a heated cabin requires more time to cool down after turning on the AC.
You should find a parking space with shade, especially if you want to park the vehicle for a long period. Alternatively, you can cover your car to reduce heat absorption.
2. Leave windows slightly open for natural ventilation
If you keep all car windows closed while parking, it traps the hot air inside. Leaving the windows slightly open allows the hot air to escape.
If you have a sunroof in your car, open it just a little bit while parking. This creates natural ventilation, keeping the cabin cool. However, you must keep the weather conditions in mind while leaving the windows open. You wouldn’t want to come back to a soggy cabin after sudden summer rainfall.
3. Use the car’s AC smartly
You must use the air-conditioner in a way that it doesn’t put too much pressure on the engine. For instance, don’t start the AC in recirculation mode. Instead, leave it in the fresh air mode for the first 10 minutes.
The recirculation setting will just move the same hot air inside. Once the cabin air cools down, you can switch the AC to the recirculation mode.
4. Use sun reflectors
Sun reflectors are made of metallic coated fabrics or folding cardboard that can be placed over the windshield and side windows when your car is parked in the sun. The reflective surface bounces back much of the sun’s infrared and UV rays rather than letting them penetrate the glass. This reduces the greenhouse effect inside the car cabin by lowering heat buildup by around 40-60°F compared to not using reflectors.
5. Get window tinting
Dark-tinted films containing microscopic metal particles applied on the vehicle’s window glass prevent a significant amount of solar radiation from entering the cabin. Light colours let in more heat while darker shades like charcoal black absorb and block up to 95% of UV and infrared rays, keeping interiors cooler by around 30-50°F. However, visibility and legality regulations limit allowable tint darkness levels for driver and passenger windows.
6. Service the AC
It is important to get comprehensive AC diagnostics and servicing done before summer. This involves checking for refrigerant leaks, compressor operation, flushing contaminated oil and replacing the drying filter. Any leaks need to be sealed to prevent refrigerant loss, which reduces AC cooling capacity. Lack of cabin cooling makes the engine work harder, leading to overheating.
7. Drive at moderate speeds
At highway speeds above 80 kph, aerodynamic drag increases exponentially due to wind resistance requiring more engine effort and fuel to overcome it. This additional load can overwhelm the engine cooling system, especially in hot conditions. Keeping speeds moderate, around 70-80 kph, allows just enough airflow through the radiator to cool the coolant without straining the engine.
8. Flush the radiator
Over time, rust, minerals and sludge can build up inside the radiator, blocking coolant flow. Use a radiator flush kit to dissolve these deposits. Drain, thoroughly rinse with water, and refill with fresh coolant/distilled water mix. This improves heat transfer and cooling efficiency.
9. Check cooling fans
Electric cooling fans mounted behind the radiator should turn on when the engine reaches operating temperature. Check fan operation visually or use an OBDII scanner. Replace defective fans immediately, as they are vital for air circulation when the car is idling or in slow traffic.
10. Watch your route
Carefully watch the route and any inclines when driving in hot weather. Steep uphill climbs, particularly with a fully loaded vehicle, strain the engine and cooling system significantly. Try to avoid continuous uphill driving and stop to let the engine cool if the temperature gauge starts creeping up.
Frequently asked question
Below are some of the frequently asked questions about an overheating engine.
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Can I drive my car after it overheats?
You should not drive an overheated car for long. If you keep on driving, it can twist the cylinders causing the head gasket to blow. You will end up paying a lot of money to get your car fixed. Thus, it is better to stop driving and let the engine cool down.
Will the car overheat when the AC is on?
In certain conditions, your car will overheat when the AC is on. These situations may include an overloaded AC compressor, faulty cooling system, damaged cooling fan, radiator not functioning properly, etc.
Smoke coming from the engine but not overheating; what to do?
Some type of fluid may have come in contact with the engine, resulting in smoke. The fluids like coolant, fuel, motor oil, or transmission fluid can cause smoke if they burn off on the engine surface. You should take your car to the service centre to get the leakage fixed.
My car’s radiator is overheating; what to do next?
If your car’s radiator is overheating, you should switch off the AC first. Then, stop driving, shut down the engine and allow some time for the radiator to cool down. Make sure that there is enough coolant in the system and it isn’t leaking outside.
If the radiator cools down in some time, drive it to a service centre for a checkup. A professional can tell you if there are any persistent problems causing your car’s radiator to overheat.