Though your vehicle always runs the risk of overheating, those concerns intensify alongside the summer's heat. Indeed, Memorial Day has come and gone, and the mercury is set to rise here in Limerick. Yesterday heralded the arrival of Limerick's hot season, with anticipated temperatures already in the mid-80's this weekend. If you're not prepared, your car and its engine could soon be feeling the heat.
It's beyond stressful when your engine overheats, and the potential performance problems this can cause for your Nissan are equally worrisome. Worse still, if you have to pull over in an isolated area, you might end up stranded under the blistering sun. At Bush Nissan of Limerick, we're prepared to assist you in spotting the warning signs of overheating and instruct you on what to do if your engine does heat up.
Recognize the Signs
Similarly to how your engine uses unusual noises or blinking dashboard icons to signal service needs, it will attempt to communicate to you when it's overheating. Here are four signs that your engine could be on the brink of overheating:
- Plumes of steam that resemble smoke billow from under the hood.
- A strange, sweet odor emanates from the engine.
- The engine temperature gauge needle suddenly swings towards the red.
- The "Check Engine" light or a similar warning light flashes.
Steps to Take if Your Engine Overheats
Turn off the AC and Ramp up the Heat
Though it may appear contradictory, the initial step when your engine begins overheating is to switch off the cool air and crank up the heat. Deactivating the air conditioner lessens the strain on the engine, while increasing the heat in the cabin helps draw heat away from it.
Stay Calm, Locate a Secure Place to Stop, & Shut Off Your Car
In this type of heated scenario, maintaining your cool is vital. Your new 2024 Nissan Murano won't suddenly become a fireball; panicking only increases the probability of making a pricey mistake. Take a calming breath, slow down, and locate a safe spot to pull over. After stopping, turn off the car and monitor the temperature gauge, which should level off as the engine cools.
Plot Your Route to Bush Nissan of Limerick
The importance of fully charging your phone before setting out on any trip cannot be overstated. (So if you're reading this while stranded roadside, sorry this happened, but way to stay charged!) If you're still near the Limerick area, arrange for your car to be taken to our Service Center. Contact our trusted roadside assistance service to set up a tow, if necessary. If your engine has cooled down enough and you think you can reach us without assistance, carefully restart the car and proceed. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it starts to climb again, pull over and let the engine cool once more.
Handle Your Summer Maintenance at Bush Nissan of Limerick
Now that you're equipped to deal with your overheating engine correctly, the root cause of the overheating still needs to be determined. Potential culprits could be a leak in the coolant system, a faulty water pump, low engine oil, among others. To pinpoint the source of the issue, make sure to schedule your service appointment with Bush Nissan of Limerick. Our service experts are ready to tackle your Nissan's maintenance checklist, from regular oil changes to battery diagnostics. As the heat persists, our calm and collected team at Bush Nissan of Limerick will be there for you – because after all, cooler heads always prevail.
