Overheated engine

Frits Pieper
May 24, 2018

The holiday season is just around the corner. With high temperatures and long journeys, the danger of an overheated engine lurks. Especially if you are also driving in the mountains and with a caravan behind you.

Keep an eye on the temperature

How can you prevent an overheated engine? And what can you do about it yourself if your engine has overheated anyway? To prevent an overheated engine, it is important to keep a close eye on the temperature gauge on your dashboard. If the needle flirts with the red, you need to be careful.

Shift down a gear

In tough conditions it is important to use the power of your car optimally. Although it is good for your fuel consumption in normal conditions to shift up a bit earlier, in the mountains and with a tow truck behind your car you are well advised to make a bit more revs.

Your engine can roar a little in tough conditions. That's better than shifting too high and barely making any progress, which makes your car use more fuel and you're more likely to drive into the red (on your temperature gauge).

Heating on, air conditioning off

To further protect your engine, it is best to set the heater and fan to the highest setting. The engine can then dissipate the heat more easily. Switch off the radio, air conditioning, lights (if possible) and other power consumers.

Is your engine still in danger of overheating despite all these measures? Then there is nothing else to do than to turn the engine off and open the hood. Do not wait until white smoke comes out from under your hood. This does not mean that a new pope has been elected.

Leave your radiator alone

Resist the temptation to unscrew the radiator cap. This will create an explosive situation, possibly resulting in serious burns!

After about fifteen minutes, check whether the engine has cooled down sufficiently by starting the car and looking at your temperature gauge. You may need to top up the radiator with coolant or – only in emergencies! – tap water. Note that after this, you should have the cooling system checked in the garage and the fluid replaced.

Leave a comment





Related Posts

Until what age do you need a car seat?

Until what age do you need a car seat?

It is extremely important for the safety of your child that you transport him or her in the correct manner…

Read more "

top up oil

How many liters of oil does your car use?

How many liters of oil does a car hold? This is a question many drivers ask themselves, especially when…

Read more "

fill out damage form

Tips for completing a damage claim form after an accident

If you have an accident, you want to be reimbursed for the damage caused by your car insurance, especially if it is your fault…

Read more "