Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Knowing how to cool down when the car's engine gets too hot is an important skill every driver needs. The ability to self-diagnose and repair car damage helps you quickly continue your journey without having to pay for repairs. This skill is also useful for identifying when to need professional repair service.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Handling motor overheating

1. 

   Don't panic and find a way to stop as soon as possible. Although serious, even when very hot, the engine is not immediately harmful to you. If the temperature needle points to the red line or steam is coming from the engine, slow down and stop as soon as you find a safe location. If you notice white ripples like clouds coming out, it is not smoke but steam coming from the engine that is hot and there is still time for you to stop. In the event that it is not possible to stop immediately, you should:
   • Turn off the air conditioner and open the windows.
   • Turn on the heating system and radiator in the car to let the heat escape from the engine.
   • Turn on your hazard lights and slow down and run slowly until you find a stop.

2. 

   
   
   Open the bonnet when the steam is no longer coming out. If the car is not too hot, just turn off the engine and open the lid. If the bonnet is too hot to touch or if steam still remains, wait a while until the lid cools before opening. Opening the bonnet will help some of the heat escape.
   • Turn off the engine but leave the key "on", thanks to which lights, controls, etc. still works. At this time, the fan continues to operate even when the engine is turned off, accelerating the process of cooling the machine.
   • Let the engine cool down before touching it or opening the radiator cap. Although it can take 30-45 minutes, waiting will help you avoid the risk of burns.

3. 

   
   
   Check the radiator tube above the radiator. Gently squeezing the heatpipes at the top can help you determine if the system is under pressure and if opening the radiator cap is safe. If it feels stiff and difficult to squeeze, then the pressure in the system is still relatively high and the radiator cap should not be opened at this time.
   • Use a rag or towel to hold the tube as it will get very hot.

4. 

   
   
   Do not touch the radiator cap until it cools completely. The high pressure and the steam inside can shoot hot water in your face. Safety first: leave radiator cap in place for as long as possible. If it's still warm to the touch, leave it there.
   • When the engine is too hot, the temperature of the coolant can reach 120 ° C. Even so, water cannot boil because the system is closed. However, once exposed to the air, the water will immediately boil over and can cause severe burns. Wait for the system to cool down.

5. 

   Screw the lid on the radiator. Use a towel or thick rag to carefully screw the lid. Opening the lid will expose the liquid inside to the air. If the radiator cap is not threaded, you need to push it down immediately after loosening it to disable the safety lock. This way you can open the lid completely.

6. 

   Check the radiator cool as soon as the engine is cool enough. This usually takes about 30-45 minutes. The cooler looks like a white plastic milk box with a lid on it. Usually there will be a bar on the side indicating its full limit.

7. 

   Check if the engine is leaking. The most common cause of machine heating is a water leak in the chiller system. Look for water marks in the car or a small puddle underneath the car, especially if the coolant in the tank is low or completely gone. Don't forget that the cooling system needs pressure to work and therefore a tiny leak, even if it doesn't drain a lot of water, can be a nuisance.
   • The coolant usually has a pleasant odor and can be seen in the pipes under the car or around the radiator cap. It moves like water, not as thick as oil.
   • In older cars, the coolant is usually green. However, this color is not consistent between brands and models.

8. 

   Add coolant when the engine has cooled. If available, when the vehicle has run out of heat, usually after 30-45 minutes, give it some coolant. Open the radiator cap and pour in for 3 to 5 seconds. If you have filtered water, mix coolant and filtered water in equal proportions before wiping. Most engines are designed to use a 50/50 mix of coolant and filtered water.
   • In case of force majeure, you can also just use filtered water, but not too long.

9. 

   Restart the car after cooling and check the temperature indicator. Does it still point to the red line? If it still persists, you need to turn off the engine and wait another 10-15 minutes for the car to cool down before driving. If not, you can drive to check and repair.

10. 

    If you find that the problem does not go away but is getting worse, call an ambulance. If the cooling system leaks, the vehicle has oil leaks, or the engine is unable to cool down, call an ambulance immediately. If you are careless, the locomotive is too hot will damage the engine and the entire car.
    • If it is imperative to drive, let it cool as much as possible before running again.
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Method 2 of 3: Drive when the engine is hot

1. 

   Continue driving when the needle comes back to the lower temperature. To protect your vehicle, don't keep driving for too long, even though sometimes you don't have a choice and have to drive long distances to get to a repair site.
   • If the engine doesn't heat up again, it may just be a temporary warming due to some factor (turning on the air conditioner, hot weather, traffic jams). However, to avoid a risk, always keep an eye on the temperature needle when possible.
   • Most vehicles are designed with a function to signal the first time the heat starts, before a major engine damage occurs, and gives you time to resolve the problem. However, that doesn't mean you can ignore the temperature warnings.

2. 

   Turn off harmonic. The air conditioner uses engine electricity to cool it down and you don't want to put extra pressure on your engine at this point. Instead of using air conditioner, open windows.

3. 

   Turn on the heating system to the maximum extent possible. Although it sounds contradictory, the fact that the heating system works on the principle of taking the heat from the engine and blowing it into the car.As a result, turning on the radiator fan and heating to the highest setting will release the heat and cool the engine. However, the increase in the temperature in your car due to heating can be a bit uncomfortable.
   • Adjust the exhaust vents from the heating system towards the outside of the windows so the air in the car does not get too hot.
   • Besides, you can turn on the vaporizer to avoid the heat hitting you directly.

4. 

   Set the clutch to zero and keep the engine spinning. Let the clutch go to zero and keep the engine spinning for about 2000 rpm. This will help the engine and fan dissipate heat faster, draw cool air, push the heat out, and cool the engine. If you have to stop because of traffic jam, now is the right time to do this.

5. 

   Fill the tank with more water if the cool water runs out. Although not recommended for long distances, filtered water helps to cool the engine in an emergency. Add warm water to the radiator cool, but only if the engine has cooled. Cold water can cause an engine to crack due to sudden temperature changes.

6. 

   Take a short drive, turn off the engine and repeat if you want to continue driving. If it is imperative to drive while the engine is hot, keep an eye on the temperature hand. Whenever the hot warning appears, stop the car and wait 10-20 minutes for the engine to cool down. While not necessarily good for the engine, it's better than trying to keep going and causing a total breakdown.

7. 

   Have a car for repair if the engine is hot often. If the engine keeps getting hot, leaking, or can't start, you need to have your car repaired. Even if the instructions in this article help you cope, the problem still needs to be thoroughly resolved before a complete car breakdown. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Avoid engine heating

1. 

   Drive slowly and slowly instead of stopping completely and then continue on the gas station in a traffic jam. Stopping and continuing on the accelerator can put great pressure on the engine and overheat, especially with older models. Limit brakes and let the wheel roll slowly in case you are sure you will have to stop soon.
   • Regularly check the temperature hand for red lights or stop signs.

2. 

   Open a window instead of turning on the air conditioner. The air conditioner uses electricity from the engine to cool the air in the car and causes the engine to work harder. When the engine gets too hot, the first thing you need to do is turn off the air conditioner and if you're afraid the engine will heat up for some reason, stop using it altogether.
   • If you don't know how to check the vehicle, look for leaks in the radiator, the air conditioner problem and the coolant water level is low. Try turning off the air conditioner completely.

3. 

   Regularly change oil and check the fan. Old oil can lead to engine overheating, especially when combined with a lack of coolant and other problems. Every time you change the oil in your car, have a mechanic check the radiator fan. Detecting the problem right away will help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
   • Pay attention to see if the radiator fan can be heard after turning off the engine because normally, the fan will continue to work to cool down the car.

4. 

   Fill with coolant in early summer. Check the radiator coolant and make sure the water level is needed. If it is slightly low, mix the coolant with the filtered water in the same proportions and add until necessary. This is especially important when living in hot climates.
   • When checking your cooling system, take 2 to 3 minutes to check for signs of water leaks. Coolant is usually green in color and has a pleasant smell. Check the underbody, around the engine, on all pipes and different parts of the radiator.

5. 

   Keep the emergency kit in the vehicle for use in case the engine is hot. You don't want to get stuck somewhere because the engine doesn't work. Having a simple spare part box will ensure the safety of you and your vehicle, especially in the event that you need to drive to repair. You should prepare:
   • Reserve cooling water.
   • About 3.5 liters of filtered water.
   • A toolbox.
   • Flashlight.
   • Dry food.
   • A blanket.
   • Razor.
   • A roll of tape.
   • 4-sided screwdrivers and flat end screwdrivers.
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Advice

• If you are stuck in an unfamiliar place or it is dark, you can still drive even if the engine is hot. Slowly drive until the temperature hand turns red, then stop, turn off the engine, wait for the engine to cool down enough to continue. This way, you can get to safety nearby.

Warning

• Opening the radiator cap while still hot can cause injury due to high internal pressure.