Summer months bring hot, sunny days. Keep your engine cool while taking road trips, hauling your camper or boat, or simply commuting to work under the sun’s heat. Follow the tips below to protect your vehicle from hot weather.
Keep Your Engine Lubricated
Your engine has a cooling system in place to protect it from overheating. It is up to you to make sure your engine has the proper fluids to keep that system running smoothly.
Motor oil lubricates many parts in your engine and prevents your vehicle from getting too hot and shutting down. Change your oil frequently, either every 3,000 miles or every six months, although your car may differ depending on its make and age. Take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic or change your oil with dexos 0w20 motor oil.
Coolant is necessary for lubricating your radiator and water pump, critical parts in the engine’s cooling system. Remember to regularly flush the coolant in your vehicle to keep the system working the way it should.
Have Routine Check-Ups
Besides an oil change and coolant flush, you can take care of your vehicle with a routine inspection. A check-up before the heat of the summer is here ensures your engine is running efficiently and is less likely to overheat. Make sure to inspect:
- The cooling system, including the radiator and water pump.
- The carburetor. Issues with your carburetor can cause your engine to get too warm. A Holley 4160 carburetor kit has the tools you need for a tune-up.
- Belts and hoses, checking to make sure they are not cracked or developing soft spots.
- The thermostat. If it does not read your engine’s temperature correctly, you won’t know if you have a cooling issue.
Take Preventative Steps
When you are hauling a heavy load, sitting in traffic, or driving up a steep incline on a hot day, you are putting extra pressure on your engine, which can lead to overheating. However, you can take preventative steps to get your vehicle through a sunny day.
Use trailer axle grease seals to seal the bearings on your trailer axle and help pull a heavy load such as a trailer, camper, or boat. You can also turn off your air conditioning to decrease your engine’s workload when driving in warm weather.
If your car is close to overheating, turn on your heat to transfer hot air away from your engine. Then rev your engine while in neutral or park to flush air and water through the cooling system. If these steps don’t solve your problem, it’s best to pull over to the side of the road and let your vehicle cool off with the hood open. Do not touch anything inside the hood and call a towing service to take your car to your preferred mechanic.
Cruise safely this summer by taking care of your vehicle’s engine. Stop at your local automotive parts store or shop online for all your cooling essentials. Whether you are stocking up on oil or picking up a carburetor kit, you will find what you need for your vehicle.
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