Summertime and Cooling Systems
Summertime is one of our busiest times of year. Not only are people getting their cars ready for vacation trips but also the summer heat takes its toll on vital cooling systems.
If sometime while you are driving and notice the temperature gauge showing hotter than normal, take action. If the air conditioner is on, turn it off and see if it cools down at all. The air conditioner puts an additional strain on the engine. If the gauge is in the red or close to it, turn off the air conditioner, roll down the windows, and turn on the heater. The heater has a little radiator. By blowing the air through it and on you, a lot of heat is removed from the engine. Don’t shut the engine off (unless you have lost all water). You can reduce heat faster by driving and using your heater. If you can get to water, running water over the radiator will help a lot, too. Then call for a tow.
If your car starts to get hotter than normal while sitting in traffic then cools down while driving, listen and look for the following: Is the auxiliary fan coming on? The same fan that comes on after you park and get out of your car also comes on while you are sitting in traffic.
Thermo-switches are normally the faulty item in this overheating situation but a partly clogged radiator or stuck thermostat can also cause this type of symptom.
Also keep an eye out for coolant leaking out under your car. You should check the water level in the plastic overflow reservoir next to the radiator. Fill it there if needed with coolant (or water in a pinch). It is not advisable to take the cap off the radiator - the system will suck it from the reservoir if needed.
Tags: air conditioner, cooling systems, summertime, temperature gauge, thermostat, vacation trips