Have you ever experienced driving an overheating car? Smoke comes out of the hood making it difficult for you to see through the windshield and pretty soon, the temperature gauge shows an overheating warning. All drivers should know very well what to do when they find themselves in this kind of situation. Although not as common as it was decades ago, even new cars of today can overheat.
Park your car on the safe side of the road and turn off your engine. Some drivers would still be curious about where the smoke is coming from and would open the hood and pour water over the engine – this is wrong. Get off your car and call for roadside assistance when you’re not sure what to do.
Open the hood only when your car has cooled down completely. You will also see that the temperature gauge would be moving down to cool.
Look for the coolant reservoir under your hood and check the radiator’s coolant level.
Try feeling the radiator cap and check whether it is already cool. Do not open it when it is still hot. For extra precaution, use a towel or rag to protect your hand when you twist off the cap. Avoid hot steam because this can cause injury.
If you have spare coolant in stock, fill up the radiator to the top and place the cap back on.
Check all heater hoses including the upper and lower hose attached to the radiator for any damages, blockages or disconnections.
Restart your car’s engine. Check the temperature gauge regularly and be cautious if it crosses the optimal mark. When this happens, pull over and turn the engine off.
Stop Driving and Pull Over
As soon as it’s safe to do so, stop driving and pull over. If you continue to operate the vehicle while the engine is overheating, the temperature will continue to rise and cause significant damage. If it’s not safe to stop, roll down the windows, drive at low RPM, and turn on the heat. That sounds crazy, but running the heater will actually pull heat away from the vehicle’s engine.
Once you come to a complete stop and turn off the vehicle, don’t immediately open the hood. There could be a dangerous amount of heat and pressure buildup, and remaining in your car is the safest thing you can do.
Call for Help
Once you’re in a safe place, call for roadside services and a tow truck to come and lend you a hand. Knowing what to do and who to call for assistance can make the process of an overheating engine go from a catastrophe to a minor inconvenience. Keep the number of your trusted towing partner in your car or phone.
How to Prevent Engine Overheating
Sometimes engine overheating is caused by factors outside of our control, but there are a few simple things you can do to help prevent it from ever occurring in the first place.
Change Your Oil Regularly
Low engine oil can contribute to overheating. Having your oil changed according to your manufacturer’s recommendation will help maintain your engine’s temperature.
Maintain Your Coolant Levels and Flush Your Cooling System
If you get regular maintenance on your vehicle per your manufacturer’s recommendation, your auto repair provider should be completing these two services. Replacing lost coolant is essential to the cooling system’s function and periodically flushing the system helps remove dirt, grime, and debris that could clog your hoses or water pump.
Inspect Your Radiator, Cold Air Intake, Belts, and Hoses
Visually inspect the front of your vehicle and the radiator to make sure nothing is blocking cool air from entering the engine compartment. Remove any debris that could disrupt your cooling system. You should also visually inspect your belts and hoses and seek professional help if you see any damage.
Don’t always assume you know everything that’s going on with your vehicle, even if you spend quite a bit of time on maintenance. A professional will likely catch things you didn’t, so taking your automobile to a dealership or maintenance shop is key to keeping it running at its best.
An engine can overheat at almost any time, and for many different reasons. It can happen in any weather or any time of day, so knowing what you’re looking for — and how to fix it — is key to keeping yourself safe and getting back on the road as soon as possible.
Having a trusted towing service like Carter's Towing and Recovery number stored in your phone can be key to keeping your vehicle working at its best. Carter’s Towing & Recovery is the quickest way to get you and your vehicle out of the heat if you have an overheating event and need a towing service. Give us a call for immediate roadside service.
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