Memorial Day is in the books, and temperatures are set to soar in the coming months here in Exton. Yesterday officially kicked off Exton's warm season; temperatures in the mid-80s are expected this weekend, and our average July high of 84 degrees is right around the corner. If you're not prepared for it, your vehicle and its engine could soon be sweating it out.
It can be overwhelming when you engine overheats, and the performance issues that could arise for your Nissan as a result are just as scary. Even worse, if you have to pull over in a remote location, you might find yourself stranded beneath the scorching sun. Here at Bush Nissan of Exton, we're ready to help you identify overheating warning signs and guide you through what to do if your engine does overheat.
Recognize the Signs
Your engine often alerts you to service needs by making uncommon sounds or flickering dashboard icons. In the same way, it notifies you when it's running hot. Here are four indications that your engine might be in the process of overheating:
- Clouds of steam akin to smoke rising from beneath the hood.
- A peculiar, sweet scent originating from the engine.
- The engine temperature gauge needle spiking towards the red.
- The "Check Engine" light or a comparable indicator flashing.
Actions to Take if Your Engine Overheats
Switch off the AC and Crank up the Heater
Paradoxical as it may seem, the first action to take when your engine starts to overheat is to deactivate the AC and turn up the heater. Turning off the air conditioner reduces stress on the engine, while amplifying the cabin's heat helps divert heat away from it.
Keep Calm, Find a Safe Place to Pull Over, & Turn Off Your Car
In such a stressful situation, it's paramount to maintain your composure. Your brand-new 2024 Nissan Altima won't suddenly burst into flames; panicking only heightens the risk of making a costly error. Take a deep breath, slow down, and spot a safe place to pull over. After stopping, shut off the vehicle and keep an eye on the temperature gauge, which should stabilize as the engine cools.
Chart Your Route to the Garage
This situation underlines the necessity of fully charging your phone prior to any journey. (So if you're currently reading this while stranded roadside, sorry that happened, but kudos to you for keeping charged!) If you're still in the vicinity of Exton, try to bring your vehicle to our Service Center. Contact our reliable roadside rescue service and arrange a tow, if needed. If your engine has sufficiently cooled and you deem it safe to drive to our garage without help, cautiously start the vehicle and proceed. Keep monitoring the temperature gauge. If it rises again, pull over and allow the engine to cool down once again.
Handle Your Summer Maintenance at Bush Nissan of Exton
While you are now ready to handle your overheated engine properly, the root cause of the overheating still needs to be uncovered. A coolant system leakage, malfunctioning water pump, low engine oil... all are potential culprits. To identify whodunnit, you'll want to schedule your service appointment with Bush Nissan of Exton. Our service professionals are primed to handle all of your Nissan's maintenance needs, from routine oil changes to brake pad inspection. As the temperatures continue to swelter, you can rely on our composed team at Bush Nissan of Exton. After all – cooler heads always prevail.
