Unexpected reason drivers should turn on car’s heating this summer to stop common breakdown issue, car expert reveals
A CAR expert has shared an unconventional method to stop your motor from overheating and potentially breaking down this summer.
With the UK readying itself for a stretch of warm weather – when the rain and wind eventually subsides – motorists may find the heat can cause issues with their cars.
Drivers can avoid their motor overheating with an unexpected technique[/caption] However, it might cause a little discomfort in the hot summer weather[/caption] Cranking up the heating could be a quick solution[/caption]Thankfully, there is a somewhat unexpected technique that might be able to help keep your engine cool during hot spells – even if it means a little bit of discomfort.
Breakdown expert Tom Riley from MyCarRecoveryLondon has suggested turning on your car’s heating might be a quick solution to your overheating car, as it can draw hot air away from the engine compartment and ultimately cool the engine.
And while this won’t resolve the underlying issue, it can certainly work as a useful temporary fix until you can get your car inspected and repaired – especially during long drives.
Tom says that if your engine overheats and you can’t safely pull over, turning on the heater might help in the short term.
He said: “Turn on your vehicle’s heater until you find a safe place to park.
“Make sure the air conditioner is off, and crank up the heat.
“This can help pull heat away from the engine and may even reverse the overheating process temporarily.
“However, you’ll still need to stop and let your car rest for at least 15 minutes.”
Tom adds that using the heater in this way can indeed lower the engine temperature – up until a safe place to stop is found.
He also emphasises the importance of carrying extra coolant and regularly checking coolant levels to avoid overheating issues.
This comes as drivers were also urged to carry seven essential items in their motor this summer – including £4 gadget great for keeping kids cool in the back seat.
And car owners have also been shown a simple solution that could make their air conditioning “twice as cold” this summer.
Tom's additional advice to prevent your car from overheating:
- Park in the shade and use sunscreens to keep your car’s interior cool
- Regularly monitor your temperature gauge and coolant levels, adding coolant as necessary
- Keep extra coolant in your car to refill when needed
- Open windows and floor vents to let warm air escape and keep the interior temperature down
- Have your cooling system flushed and cleaned by a mechanic every 40,000 miles