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It’s finally summer and this year it looks like it’s going to be a hot one. If you’re like me, I bet you have already planned your vacation or at least scheduled a weekend getaway. At this point, I have packed my bags and planned a few fun activities for the family. I’m a little worried about one thing… my rental car. You never know if routine maintenance has been performed. I’m driving over 1,000 miles and can only hope the engine doesn’t overheat.

Prevent Overheating Your Engine

What to do When Your Engine Overheats

• Pullover. Turn on your hazard lights, and turn off the engine.
• Do not open the hood of the car.
• Allow the vehicle to cool for 30 min or until the temperature gauge shows a normal temperature out of the red).
• Check the coolant levels. This is usually in a transparent reservoir near the radiator. If the levels are low, refill the reservoir. It’s always a good plan to carry an extra bottle of coolant during a long hot trip.
• Check hoses for leaks. You can tell the system is still working by squeezing the hose with your hand. Be careful, it's hot! You will feel the pressure from the liquid in the hose. If not, you have a problem.
• If you remove the radiator cap, do so with caution. Use a rag to protect your hand and tilt the lid away from you. Never remove the radiator cap when the vehicle is hot and never pour water into a hot radiator. It can crack your engine block.