When summer comes and drivers crank their air conditioning (AC), vehicles can overheat, even if they\u2019re serviced regularly and running well. If you look down and notice your temperature gauge climbing, don\u2019t panic. Here\u2019s a quick rundown of how to cool an overheated engine and what to do to keep yourself safe.<\/span><\/p>\n Shut It Down<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you notice that your temperature gauge is climbing, turn the AC off and open your windows. The AC\u2019s compressor is run off the engine, and the extra load could be what\u2019s causing it to run hotter. If you find that the air conditioner always raises the engine\u2019s temperature, you may have a<\/span> larger mechanical issue<\/a><\/strong> that will need to be repaired.<\/span><\/p>\n Hit the Fan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This part may not be comfortable, but it will certainly help your vehicle\u2019s engine. After you turn the AC off, turn on the heater and blowers. The heater draws heat from the engine to operate. It will raise the temperature for you as the driver, but it will also help transfer heat away from the engine.<\/span><\/p>\n Stop and Go Know-How<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Many times, the engine\u2019s temperature climbs when the car is stuck in traffic. If you find yourself caught in a traffic jam with a hot engine, keep your car in neutral and rev the engine up a little bit. While the person next to you may think you want to race, this will make the water pump and radiator fan speed up, which will aid in cooling the engine.<\/span><\/p>\n Try to avoid riding the brakes. Believe it or not, brake drag increases the load on your engine. As traffic crawls forward, let a larger gap open before you move up. This will keep the brakes and engine from building extra heat.<\/span><\/p>\n Cool Off<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If these measures don\u2019t help, you may have a larger problem. If you find that engine temperature climbs out of control, immediately pull your vehicle off to the side of the road and open the hood to let the heat out of the engine bay. Under no circumstances should you try to work on the engine or open the radiator. The<\/span> water and coolant mix<\/a><\/strong> in the radiator is pressurized when it\u2019s hot, and opening the cap can release the pressure and spray hot coolant out, causing major burns. Let the engine cool off completely before you go near it.<\/span><\/p>\n Even if it\u2019s not summertime and you\u2019re not caught in traffic, your vehicle can overheat for a number of other reasons. Turning off accessories such as air conditioning and turning on the heat and fan, or even pulling over and opening the hood, can help cool things down quickly. From there, you can bring your car to a mechanic to ensure the overheating is not caused by a more serious problem.<\/span><\/p>\n For more information on how to cool an overheated engine, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local<\/span> NAPA AUTO PARTS store<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo Credit: Overheated<\/a><\/strong> by Alex Juorio<\/a><\/strong> (CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/strong>)<\/span>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n