Plan A for Overheating

Plan A for Overheating
The reasons for overheating are soaring temperatures, blazing sun, baking pavement, crawling traffic. When your engine's temperature gauge starts to climb, take this action plan, suggested by the National Automotive Radiator Service Association (NARSA).
· Shut off the AC. Open the windows to keep yourself cool. Cutting out the air conditioning eases the workload on your engine.
· Rev the engine a little. If you're stuck in stop-and-go traffic, shift into "Park" or rev the engine a bit with the transmission in neutral. Either technique increases coolant circulation so that it can dissipate heat faster. When you do move, inch forward using a feather-light touch on the accelerator. Avoid "riding the brake," which increases not only brake wear but also drag, which makes the engine work harder.
· Turn on the heater. Yes, the heater. It will draw heat from the engine compartment to the passenger cabin, making you less comfortable but your engine a lot cooler.
If you've tried the steps above and the needle keeps climbing toward the red zone, then pull over safely to the side of the road and open the hood.
Unfortunately, there is no "Plan B" for overheating. Over-cooking your engine will cause serious damage and lead to very expensive repairs. Wait until it cools off.
Never open the radiator cap (scalding, pressurized coolant could spray all over you) and never pour water directly on the engine or radiator to speed up the cooling process (the abrupt change in temperature could crack components).
If overheating persists, take your car to a technician ASAP. Low coolant, a leaky or collapsed hose, plugged radiator, slipping belt or even low oil level can contribute to overheating. According to NARSA, vehicles with more than 50,000 miles most commonly suffer cooling system problems. But age, not mileage, looms as the biggest factor, since hoses and radiators deteriorate over time.
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