Crossword Genius

To prevent overheating use this - not coal anyway (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coolant

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'to prevent overheating use this' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'not coal anyway' is the wordplay.
'anyway' indicates anagramming the letters.
'not'+'coal'='notcoal'
'notcoal' with letters rearranged gives 'COOLANT'.

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(Other definitions for coolant that I've seen before include "part of heat exchanger" , "Additive in radiator that stops engine overheating" , "One should stop overheating" , "This takes heat out of situation" , "used to prevent overheating" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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