Under normal circumstances, overheating vehicles is unavoidable. Overheating could be dangerous for the car engine, and it is also subsequently life-threatening.
Discovering the time spent on cooling down a car will be beneficial for everyone.
What are the reasons for engine overheating?
Overheating of an engine is caused by several reasons. But then, it leads to the main reason that there is a problem within the cooling system.
The cooling system was supposed to deliver excess heat out, maintain engine temperature, and control the engine’s operating temperature.
However, overheating occurs either when there is a leak from the system, an accumulation of foreign materials to the hose, or the fan has malfunctioned.
Regardless of any reason, this problem must be addressed immediately.
The repair or maintenance fee might be expensive, you should still consider sending it to an expert to ensure safety.
What does an engine’s cooling system do?
The parts of the cooling system compose the following: radiator, fan, and hose.
They work together to transmit coolants to the engine blockheads, absorbing the engine’s heat in exchange for cool air.
As the engine’s coolant temperature rises, it means that the engine’s health is at risk, and needs immediate maintenance. And when the temperature exceeds the perimeter, an emergency repair must be done.
It easily recognizes an overheated engine through the blinking symbols from the dashboard. If it’s noticed ahead of time, the engine will be saved from losing its power.
Furthermore, once the cooling system is damaged and neglected, it could affect other engine structures, leading to a complete failure.
What is the minimum time spent to cool down a car?
Typically, it would only take more or less 30 minutes to cool down a car with an overheated engine. After that, you can start to check the hood and repair it.
When the car is immobile, the temperature will then be reduced similarly to the environmental temperature. Hence, the extent of convection cooling will diminish eventually.
Aluminum materials take less time to cool down than engines built from iron blocks in the engine composition. However, aluminum blocks are more prone to overheating than iron blocks.
Therefore, you must be patient in waiting for the engine to cool itself. One of the essential duties of a car owner is to let the engine complete the cooling process before inspecting to avoid potential injuries and burns.
How to cool down the car quickly?
There are three simple hacks to cool down your car for a short period. Follow any of these steps and see if it works.
1. Look for a shade
Cooling down is not necessary if you are not having long rides or traveling under a scorching sun.
Yet, if your car is too exposed to heat and starts affecting the engine and passengers inside, it is better to take a break and park it somewhere under a shadow or shade.
Park your car near a tree, a covered parking lot, or any car space where there is a shadow to help you cover up. By doing so, the air circulating inside will not feel much hotter than before.
2. Open the windows.
Roll down your windows on both sides of the car. Releasing the heat from the inside relieves you from feeling hot and reduces the temperature of the car up to 10 degrees in just one minute.
3. Use the Air Conditioner.
As you roll down the windows, turn on the AC and switch into the fresh air option. For the fan, it must be rotated to its highest ability.
Take a few minutes to drive so the hot air inside will be emitted through the windows, thus replacing it with cold air from the AC.
Lastly, roll the windows up when it is cooled down and keep the AC on.
What to do if the car is overheating?
There are several reminders and steps to perform when your car is overheating, and these are the following.
The first thing a driver should keep in mind is to store a bottle of antifreeze or coolant and a jug of water at the back of the car. Topping some water to the coolants can temporarily cool down the engine.
Secondly, have a habit of checking the dashboard’s warning light as the temperature gauge rises. Quickly turn off the AC once notification is seen because it contributes to engine overheating.
Thirdly, if options are limited, just turn off the engine. Don’t take the risk of opening the hood right after shutting the engine. Remember to wait for 30 minutes of cooling.
Fourth, when the engine is cooled, assess the coolant tank. If you suspect that the coolant tank is leaking, check if it is empty and the surface under the car has traces of dripping.
On a special note, do not try to fix the leakage or overheated engine car if you have no idea how to execute it. Just call a local car shop and let them showcase their expertise.
Conclusion
In summary, the time spent on cooling down a car only takes 30 minutes. Even though it seems short, still it’s important to take care of your car and never let it overheat.
