What to Do when Your Car Overheats in the Desert
Preventing overheating is one of the best ways to deal with the problem. Putting on the air conditioner is actually one of the worst things you can do to a hot engine. What you should do is open your windows and turn your heat on all the way. This will allow the heat to blow off of your engine, and unfortunately into your car which cools your engine off.
If your car overheats anyway, or you forget to put on your heat, pull over and let it cool off. Whatever you do, do not pour water onto the engine. That could cause some of the engine to cool off too fast and leave other parts too hot, causing damage. Also, you will need that water to drink if you have to stay there for a while.
Wait by your vehicle until it cools down in a shady spot. You can dig a ditch with a license plate and lay in it that should keep you cooler as long as you're in the shade. Remember stay immobile and out of the sun to conserve water.
If your car breaks down and you do not think it will run after it has cooled down stay with your vehicle. You will be much more easily be spotted with your vehicle then somewhere else. You can break off one of your mirrors to help you signal anyone that is flying in a low flying plane or on a nearby road.
If you know the area and know you can walk to a place where you can get help you can do it. However it can be extremely dangerous to go out in the desert in the daytime. I once heard a story of a man who went for a short walk in Death Valley but only had a small bottle of water and even though he did not get lost he died of heat frustration before he could get back to his truck. Of course Death Valley is one of the worst deserts in the world but it still shows you that a desert can not be trusted.
Above all be careful and conserve your water at all costs. Remember your life is much more important then your car.
Published by Mich Butler
I am an actor who has an affinity for volkswagons. View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentWow that is an interesting article! Thanks for writing that!! I always think of 'what if ___ happened to me?' and now I have the answer to one of life's crazy situations, should it ever horribly befall me. :) Great article