Becoming stranded on the side of the road can put you in a dangerous situation. Many drivers find themselves stranded due to a car engine that is overheating. Preventing your vehicle from overheating not only helps to ensure your safety over time, but it can protect your vehicle's engine from serious damage.

Here are three simple maintenance tasks that you can perform to help keep your car from overheating in the future.

1. Regularly check coolant levels.

It's important that you keep enough coolant in your vehicle if you want to prevent its engine from overheating. Coolant circulates through your vehicle's engine and absorbs any excess heat created by the combustion process that powers your car.

This heat is transferred to the coolant, then dissipates before damaging your vehicle's engine. Since coolant is exposed to high levels of heat on a regular basis, it can evaporate over time. Be sure to check coolant levels often, and refill the coolant reservoir when needed to prevent overheating.

2. Regularly check the condition of hoses.

Having adequate coolants levels can only benefit your vehicle if this coolant has the ability to circulate freely throughout your vehicle's engine. Coolant is transferred through a series of tough rubber hoses. Over time, these hoses can become brittle and start to crack. These cracks result in coolant leaks that can compromise the function of your vehicle's engine.

You should regularly inspect your car's hoses for signs of damage. Conduct a visual inspection to check for major cracks, and run your hands along the length of the hoses to feel for smaller cracks or blockages that could cause your car to overheat in the future.

3. Check the function of your engine cooling fan.

Your vehicle's engine is equipped with a cooling fan that is designed specifically to help with overheating. This engine cooling fan circulates air throughout your vehicle's engine bay, helping to keep operating temperatures low.

If the fan sustains any serious damage, your vehicle's engine could be at risk. It's a good idea to have the function of your engine cooling fan checked each time you change the oil in your vehicle. This will allow you to repair or replace the fan before any serious engine damage can occur as a result of overheating.

Preventing your vehicle's engine from overheating is a good way to maintain proper function and extend the life of your car well into the future. Engaging in regular maintenance tasks like topping off coolant levels, checking hoses for damage, and checking the function of your engine cooling fan will help you preventing overheating. Check with a company like Newton Tire Company for more information.