How to manage an engine overheating?
By Bardahl • The 9/27/2021 • 5 min reading
Let's start with the basics: the coolant. It should always be between the minimum and maximum levels in the expansion tank. The coolant performs two main functions:
- Its role is precisely to prevent the engine from overheating when it is under heavy strain;
- But it also acts as antifreeze in winter when temperatures are below freezing.
To prevent engine overheating, the level and condition of the coolant should be checked regularly.
Coolant
No air conditioning; heater on full.
If your engine temperature reaches the red zone, unless there is a coolant leak (or it is in poor condition), you still have some tricks to get out of this tricky situation:
1. By turning the heater on full with the air vents completely open, you can redirect the hot air from the engine to the cabin. This should help bring your engine temperature down.
2. Avoid using the air conditioning at all costs, as it requires more energy and therefore more effort from the engine, which can lead to overheating.
3. Despite modern water-cooling systems, air can still aid in cooling the engine. So don't assume that stopping with the engine running will lower the temperature—quite the opposite! If you plan to stop, turn off the engine immediately to avoid worsening the overheating.
*Precautions :
- In case of a leak, tap water, potable water, or even better, distilled water can be used as temporary coolants. However, be cautious with this emergency solution in winter, as water can freeze!
- Subsequently, a complete purge of the cooling system should be considered. Always opt for a coolant that meets the manufacturer's certifications.
- Replenishing the coolant should always be done when the engine is cold, as the expansion tank is under high pressure when hot. The risk of splashing and burns is therefore very real.