2023-09-08 19:10:00
IndependerNot only you, but also your car engine is having a hard time in this warm weather. Especially if you risk getting to the sea in a traffic jam for several hours. Breakdown services regularly have to respond to an overheated vehicle. But how do you notice that your engine is struggling? What should you do if it happens to you? And will your insurance cover damage? Independer.be knows what to do.
Sufficient coolant?
The risk of an overheated engine increases not only during traffic jams. The risk also increases in hot weather.
First this: prevention is better than cure. So make sure that the coolant level in your car always remains at the correct level. The message is therefore to check regularly. After all, this fluid is an essential part of the engine and prevents your car from overheating. It consists of ethylene glycol, which lowers the freezing point of water and increases its boiling point. This means that the water in the radiator will boil and evaporate less quickly.
Insufficient coolant in your vehicle? Fill – with a cool engine! – to somewhere between the minimum and maximum. Never fill the reservoir completely, because the coolant expands due to heat while driving.
In four handy steps: read here how to top up the coolant yourself.
What should you do if an engine overheats?
You can recognize such an engine by the warning light that comes on. Or the temperature indicator, which is permanently in the red zone. In the worst case, smoke can escape from under the hood or through the front grille.
Just as important: how do you maintain your battery? And what influence does heat have on it?
The temperature pointer indicates the temperature of the coolant. © Dreamstime
The first thing you should do is try to get the temperature down. This can be done by turning your interior heating up to maximum. This causes the water level in the cooling system to rise, which should lower the engine temperature. You can also set your fan to maximum setting, so that the heat is removed through the air vents.
If all this does not work and the temperature does not go down, you must stop immediately. Let your car cool down on the side of the road. Only then try to open the hood so that the rest of the heat can escape. Please note: steam can escape from the radiator and this can cause burns.
If there is still a problem after all this, you will have to call the breakdown service.
Engine oil, another necessary fluid for the correct operation of your car: how often do you check it? And how do you replace them?
Does your insurance cover damage?
If you do not stop when the engine is overheated, there is a good chance that the engine will be permanently damaged. Or worse, that a fire breaks out.
Most car insurance policies do not cover damage caused by a heated engine. However, the costs can be high. Birgit Verbruggen of Independer: “A normal third party insurance policy does not cover fire damage to your car. For this you need mini or full comprehensive insurance. However, you must be careful: if the cause of the fire is due to poor maintenance of your car, there is a good chance that your insurer will not reimburse the damage.”
“Additional breakdown assistance insurance ensures that your car with an overheated engine is towed when it can no longer drive and that you and your passengers get home or to your destination. The ‘replacement car’ option ensures your mobility during the repair of your vehicle, sometimes for a maximum number of days. Please consult the general terms and conditions of your policy.”
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Read more on Independer.be:
When does the air conditioning in your car need maintenance? And how much does that cost you?
Correct tire pressure: important for your safety and your consumption. This is how you check it
When are you entitled to a replacement car? And what insurance do you need for this?
This article was brought to you by our partner Independer.be.
Independer.be is an independent insurance broker that helps you compare and take out insurance.
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