My Engine Overheated at 51°C; Here’s What I Learned About Car Fluids in Abu Dhabi

I panicked when my engine overheated at 51°C in Abu Dhabi traffic. The temperature indicator made it to the red portion, the steam erupted, and I found out that I was well aware of the necessity of the fluids in my car. What followed made me know more about car fluids in Abu Dhabi than any manual ever did.

Living in a desert climate where summer temperatures often exceed 50°C means your vehicle is under extreme stress every single day. Whether you drive a new model or a decade-old sedan, the massive heat exposes how important car fluids really are. What I learned that day turned into a complete re-education on coolant, engine oil, transmission fluid, and even brake and power steering fluids, and why they behave differently in the UAE’s harsh climate.

Understanding Why Cars Overheat in Abu Dhabi’s Climate

Abu Dhabi’s environment is uniquely tough on vehicles. The average temperature in 2nd High Road, being under the sun all day, and due to low traffic flow, is the ideal climate to trigger heat accumulation. But overheating is not just a “summer issue”; it’s almost always a car-fluid issue.

Here are the main heat-related factors I discovered:

• Coolant evaporates faster in high temperatures.
• Engine oil becomes thin when subjected to high temperatures.
• Transmission fluid oxidizes faster, making it less efficient.
• Rubber hoses become hard and crack, resulting in fluid leakage.
• Strain caused by air-conditioning is an additional load to the engine.

This realization allowed me to come to another important conclusion: In the UAE, fluid maintenance is not an option, as it is life or death for your car.

Coolant: The First Fluid That Failed Me

My overheating nightmare started with a mistake I didn’t even know I was making. I had topped up my coolant months earlier with a generic product, assuming all coolant was the same. It isn’t.

In high-heat regions like Abu Dhabi:

• You need a 50/50 coolant mix, not water-heavy mixtures.
• Coolant must meet GCC-specific heat resistance standards.
• Cars require regular coolant flushing because desert dust contaminates the system.

What happened in my case?

The coolant began to boil due to poor heat resistance. Bubbles formed inside the cooling system, blocking the flow. The result: engine overheating at just 51°C: a temperature normal for Abu Dhabi summers.

What I Learned About Coolant Maintenance:

• Check coolant levels every 2 weeks during summer.
• Use manufacturer-recommended coolant, not bargain alternatives.
• Replace coolant every 30,000–50,000 km in UAE conditions.
• Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot; you risk severe burns.

Engine Oil: Your Car’s Lifeline in the Desert

After the overheating incident, my mechanic showed me something else: my engine oil had thinned dramatically. I had ignored my last oil change by a couple of weeks, thinking it wasn’t a big deal.

But in desert climates, those “extra weeks” matter.

What Extreme Heat Does to Engine Oil:

• Reduces viscosity
• Breaks down additives
• Increases sludge formation
• Reduces lubrication effectiveness
• Raises the risk of engine wear

In Abu Dhabi, engine oil has to do much more work than in colder countries.

What I Learned About Engine Oil Maintenance:

• Use fully synthetic oil; it resists heat far better.
• Change oil more frequently than the global average (every 7,000–10,000 km).
• Monitor oil color; dark or burnt-smelling oil means trouble
• Don’t ignore oil leaks; small drips worsen in hot climates.

If I had changed my oil on time, my engine might not have overheated.

Transmission Fluid: The Hidden Heat Victim

Most drivers barely think about transmission fluid, but in Abu Dhabi, you should.

Transmission fluid can easily be damaged by heat because of constant stop-and-go driving and long highway trips. Its failure results in gear slippage, coarse shifting, and additional engine load, another cause of overheating.

What I Learned About Transmission Fluid:

• Transmission Flush every 50,000-60,000 km.
• Use ATF formulations designed for high-heat environments.
• If shifts feel rough or delayed, get an immediate inspection.
• Don’t mix fluid types; they can cause internal damage.

Ignoring transmission fluid is like ignoring your car’s circulatory system. I didn’t realize it before, but I do now.

Brake Fluid and Power Steering Fluid: Small Yet Critical

Unlike coolant or engine oil, brake and power steering fluids don’t need constant changes, but they still degrade faster in the UAE weather.

How Heat Affects Brake Fluid:

• Humidity and heat cause brake fluid to absorb moisture, reducing braking performance.
• Old brake fluid boils faster, leading to brake fade during emergency stops.

How Heat Affects Power Steering Fluid:

• High temperatures break down hydraulic fluid.
• Steering is heavier and less responsive.

What I Learned:

• Replace brake fluid every 2 years.
• Replace power steering fluid every 40,000–60,000 km.
• Check for leaks, because fluid evaporation is more common in hot climates.

These fluids don’t cause overheating directly, but neglecting them leads to dangerous driving conditions.

 Radiator, and Belts: The Conspirators of Silence

The actual bottom line during my breakdown was that the real cause of the breakdown was not only a coolant but also a broken radiator hose that had gradually spilled fluid in the course of the weeks.

High heat causes:

• Hoses of rubber are too brittle and crack.
• Radiators are becoming blocked with mineral deposition.
• Belts to dry out and slip
• Water pumps to weaken

What I Inquired to Check Regularly:

• Radiator cap
• Upper and lower hoses
• Serpentine belt
• Water pump
• Overflow tank

Five minutes of visual inspection would avert a complete overheating catastrophe.

The Day My Engine Overheated: Step-by-Step What Happened

Here’s exactly how my incident unfolded:

1. The AC was running on full blast
2. Traffic was crawling on a 51°C day.
3. I smelled something sweet: evaporating coolant.
4. The temperature gauge spiked.
5. Steam escaped from under the hood.
6. The AC automatically shut off (a built-in protection).
7. I pulled over immediately.

And then came the lesson every driver eventually learns:

When Your Engine Overheats, Never Do This:

• Don’t pour cold water on the engine.
• Don’t open the radiator cap immediately.
• Don’t keep driving “just to reach home.”

Instead:

• Turn off the engine.
• Open the hood (from the cabin) to release heat.
• Let the engine cool completely.
• Call roadside assistance.

This experience taught me far more than frustration; it made me understand how vital car fluids in Abu Dhabi really are.

Why Abu Dhabi Drivers Need Stricter Fluid Maintenance

Since that incident, every mechanic I spoke to confirmed the same thing: cars in the UAE need more frequent fluid-related checks than cars in Europe, Asia, or North America.

Why? Because:

• Road temperatures exceed 70°C in summer.
• Engines run hotter due to AC overload.
• Dust and sand contaminate fluid systems.
• Long-distance, high-speed driving stresses the system.

Your car isn’t failing early; it’s just working much harder here.

How to Create a Fluid-Maintenance Schedule for UAE Driving

If I had done this earlier, I would have avoided a lot of stress and expense.

Suggested UAE Car Fluid Schedule:

• Engine Oil: Every 7,000–10,000 km
• Coolant: Every 30,000–50,000 km
• Transmission Fluid: Every 50,000–60,000 km
• Brake Fluid: Every 2 years
• Power Steering Fluid: Every 40,000–60,000 km
• Radiator Inspection: Every 3 months
• Hoses & Belts: Every 6 months

Following this simple schedule is cheaper than dealing with engine repairs caused by overheating.

FAQs

How come cars overheat within such a short time in Abu Dhabi?

Owing to high temperatures, dense use of ACs, and slowness of traffic, extra strain is put on the cooling system, causing coolant evaporation and engine heat buildup.

2. What is the frequency of changing the coolant in the UAE?

The majority of mechanics suggest the replacement of the coolant every 30,000-50,000 km because of the more rapid evaporation and pollution in hot seasons.

3. Does a low level of engine oil lead to overheating?

Yes. Low or contaminated engine oil lowers the lubrication, enhances friction, and also causes the engine to overheat.

4. Which oil would be appropriate in Abu Dhabi’s weather?

Synthetic oil is the best since it does not thin or disintegrate in extreme temperatures.

5. What should I do immediately when my engine overheats?

Pull over, turn off the engine, open the hood slightly, and wait for the engine to cool. Always keep the radiator cap lidded.

Conclusion

The fact that my engine was overheating at 51°C was not only an inconvenience but also a wake-up call. It has shown me that car fluids are not mere maintenance point items, but the blood of your car in the extreme climate of Abu Dhabi.