Motoring experts share how to stop your car overheating this bank holiday weekend

–   Searches for ‘car keeps overheating’ and ‘what to do when car overheats?’ have both increased by 80% over the last three months.

–   Automotive experts at Vertu Motors have provided tips to stop your car overheating.

With the Met Office predicting 2024 to be the hottest year on record[1], the UK is gearing up for a very warm summer.

For motorists, this means preparing your car for the upcoming hot weather. In fact, automotive experts Vertu Motors have already discovered an 80% increase in searches for ‘car keeps overheating’ and ‘what to do when car overheats’ over the last three months.

To ensure your car doesn’t suffer this summer, the team at Vertu Motors have provided five quick tips to keep your car from overheating in the warm weather:

1. Crack open your window

The best way to prevent your car from overheating is to increase airflow when driving. And while this might sound complicated, it’s as simple as opening your window when driving to let any warm air escape.

 Just make sure that your aircon is turned off when any windows are open. Otherwise, the cooled air will also leak out the car, making your engine work even harder, which can potentially lead to overheating.

2. Keep water in your car

While we all know how important it is to stay hydrated in the summer heat, did you know the same goes for your motor?

 That’s right, your car needs water to top up its cooling system and windscreen washer fluid. So, by keeping a couple of large bottles of water in your car at all times, you’re prepared to tackle any overheating issues.

3. Stay in the shade

How many times have you parked out in the sun, only to return to an unbearable heat box when you sit back in the driver’s seat?

Well, keeping the interior of your car cool is not only important for your comfort, but the overall health of your motor too. If left in direct sunlight for too long, the engine can become too warm and overheat.

To avoid these summer woes, try finding parking spaces in the shade and use a windscreen visor to protect the inside of your car. You should also bear in mind that a shady parking space could be bathed in sunlight later on in the day, so make a mental note of the sun’s position when parking up.

4. Check fluid levels

Whether it’s in the height of summer or the dead of winter, motorists should always make some essential checks before any big trip.

In the summer, it’s important that you check coolant levels and ensure that the car’s radiator is functioning properly. If you see any leaking coolant, then that’s a sign that the radiator is malfunctioning and won’t be keeping your car cool, requiring a trip to the mechanic.

In general, it’s good practice to flush and refill your cooling system every two years or so, preventing any potential overheating issues.

5. Monitor your temperature gauge

If you don’t feel overly confident checking under your car’s bonnet, then your dashboard offers an easy way to see whether your engine is on the verge of overheating.

All you need to do is look at your temperature gauge, which measures the temperature of the engine coolant. When everything is running smoothly, this gauge will be somewhere in the middle, indicating your engine isn’t too hot or too cold.

However, when your engine is close to overheating, a warning light will pop up on your dashboard as the gauge nears its maximum. If this happens when driving, be sure to pull over as soon as it is safe, turn off the engine, and allow it to cool down before continuing.

In general, it’s good to keep a wary eye on your temperature gauge – especially in the heat of summer!

Want more advice on how to look after your motor in the warm weather? Visit the Vertu Motors’ website to browse their Summer Check packages.