It’s a common worst-nightmare situation for many motorists to get stuck on the side of the road with an engine full of steam. However, it can be prevented.

Owning a vehicle allows you many conveniences, one of which is taking your friends and family to the beach or for a road trip on a nice hot day. However, this activity can also come with the chance that your engine will overheat and ruin your adventure before you have even begun. If you have been in this situation before or you want to avoid it ever happening, below is a great post from USA Synthetics with tips which can help you to prevent and manage an overheated engine.

Use Your Temperature Gauge

Despite what you may think, the temperature gauge isn’t a sign of things to come, it’s a warning sign of what can happen if you do nothing. Instead of crossing your fingers and toes each time that the temperature gauge starts to climb, take a different approach. When you are stuck in traffic and the needle begins to move, start to look around at where you may be able to pull over both immediately, and in the future. If you can’t see or know that there won’t be any space to safely pull over up ahead, consider doing it now and letting the congested traffic pass and the temperature drop a little before continuing, thus preventing an overheating situation.

Look for a Better Route

There is no doubt that you have your favorite routes when you are completing your errands. However, as roadworks are introduced and traffic habits change, you may notice that you spend a lot more time in traffic, increasing the chances of your engine overheating.

• If you know that it’s going to be extremely hot out, look online at your route and find alternatives. While this may mean that you are behind the wheel for an extra 10 minutes, it means that your vehicle isn’t stuck on the side of the road for 60 while you wait for help to arrive.
• If possible, consider completing your errands in the early morning or the evening when traffic is lighter and the sun isn’t scorching.

If you do find yourself waiting in traffic and are worried about your engine overheating, consider shifting to neutral and revving the engine a small amount. This will make the fan move, giving your engine a very short reprieve until you can get moving again. Click here to buy Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil and keep your engine’s operating temperatures low. To place an order or to find out how this and basic maintenance such as a regular synthetic oil change can improve your engine’s performance in hot temperatures, speak with an expert at USA Synthetics by calling (405) 388-6170 or check out the online store.

Sorry, but the A/C Has Got to Go

Before you stop reading, while you may not like this tip, it has the potential to save you a lot of trouble. Each time that you switch on your air conditioner, a separate motor is engaged which draws power from your engine, putting even more strain on an already-struggling engine. Next time, lower all of the windows and allow the natural air flow to introduce fresh air and a cool feeling, while it also pushed out the hot and stale air from your cabin. If you want to help your engine even further, open the heat and direct the vents towards your open windows to help remove hot air from your engine.

If Your Engine Does Overheat

Despite your best efforts, there may be a time when you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with steam pouring from your hood. If this happens, the best thing to know is that all you can do is wait. However, there are some things you shouldn’t do:

• Don’t touch the radiator cap as soon as you lift the hood of your car. It will be extremely hot and can cause serious injury. Wait until it cools down and move your hand safely and slowly close to the cap to gauge its temperature.
• Once it is safe to open, resist the urge to immediately pour in cold water or coolant. Cold water being poured into a hot radiator can cause it to crack, which means you need a replacement radiator before you can drive again.

Keep Your Engine in Good Shape with a Synthetic Oil Change

In addition to these tips, basic maintenance like ensuring your fluids are in good condition and topped up and performing a regular synthetic oil change can help keep your engine in good shape and operating at reasonable temperatures. For help finding the right product for your engine type, speak with a friendly professional at USA Synthetics by calling (405) 388-6170.