How to Keep Your Vehicle From Overheating in the Summer Sun

The weather is heating up and that means summer is almost here. One of the best parts of any summer is the road trip. There’s nothing like hitting the open road in the sunshine. But before you do any sort of long-distance driving, you should make sure to be prepared in case of emergencies. Engine overheating is one of the biggest risks when driving in the heat, so make sure you’re prepared to handle the situation. Keep reading to learn how to keep your vehicle’s engine from overheating and what to do in case it happens.


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Keep Your Car From Overheating With These Tips

The best way to ensure your engine remains at the ideal temperature is to make sure your vehicle is up to date with routine maintenance. Make sure to get your oil changed and have your fluids topped off ahead of any long-distance driving.

  • man stranded sitting by carYour air conditioner puts a lot of strain on your engine. Turn it off if you notice your engine’s temperature begins to rise. If that doesn’t solve the problem, turn on the heater. It seems intuitive, but using the heater will draw heat from the engine.
  • Always carry an extra container of coolant (antifreeze) with you when before heading out on a long trip in the summer heat. Engines often overheat as a result of the lack of coolant, so topping off your vehicle with antifreeze will typically do the trick.
  • If you cannot stop your engine from overheating, pull over as soon as you can and turn off your engine. Only pop the hood of your car if you can do it automatically – it is too hot to risk opening it by hand for a few minutes.

If you don’t feel you can safely take care of the situation, call a tow truck or AAA. Sometimes it’s better to play it safe and let the professionals handle things!


If you are having issues with your vehicle overheating or if you’d like to get your vehicle checked over before the summer road trip begins, stop in to Mazda of Lodi in Bergen County, NJ. Check out the list of the services our skilled team of technicians is proud to offer!