What To Do When Your Engine Overheats

When the kids are out of school, and the bright sun prompts you to go on a family road trip. Everybody is excited and wants to make the best memories of a family picnic. Unfortunately, the car overheats, leaving you stranded on the roadside. Modern vehicles have sophisticated cooling systems with computerized electric fans and heat sensors. However, they still overheat when the cooling system has a problem that prevents heat from leaving the engine compartment. A blockage or leak in the cooling system or another component can cause this problem. Also, a faulty radiator fan, water pump, or a clog in the coolant hose can make the engine overheat. Regular wear and tear can also cause components like the water pump, gasket, and hoses to leak. Moreover, some driving conditions can put the cooling system under significant pressure, causing its failure. Fortunately, regular maintenance can prevent engine overheating. But what do you do when your engine overheats? As a professional tow truck service, here are the first steps to take that we recommend.

Turn Off the AC and Open the Windows

Please turn the air conditioning system off and open the car windows once the engine overheats. That way, you'll take the load off the engine and lower the temperature. Opening the car windows will quicken this process.

Turn On the Car Heater

Some think taking this step is counterintuitive. However, turning on the car heater draws warmth from the engine, directing it to the passenger compartment. That way, it minimizes the burden on the cooling system of the car's engine. You can reverse engine overheating in some situations by taking this single step. You'll know that this step works when the temperature gauge returns to the neutral position or the warning light on the dashboard goes off.

Pull Over

Pull over and turn off the car if the engine continues overheating after the above steps. Turning the engine off is the surest and safest way to cool it down. Moreover, call a reliable roadside assistance provider since you might need a tow truck.

Restart the Engine

Before calling a roadside assistance provider, restart the engine after turning it off for 15 minutes to see if it has cooled down. If the temperature gauge is okay, drive to the nearest auto repair facility while monitoring the temperature gauge. Please pull over to allow the system to cool if the temperature rises again.

Add Radiator Fluid

If you have coolant in your car, add it after allowing the hood to cool. Please wear gloves and use a towel to cover the cap before pushing it down to loosen it and release the pressure that may have built up inside. Open the radiator cap slowly and add coolant to the line that indicates it's full. Next, replace the radiator cap and turn on your car's engine. Please proceed with the journey while monitoring the temperature light or gauge if adding the coolant returns the temperature to normal. If the above steps don't help, drive to a nearby service station. A professional mechanic will inspect your vehicle's cooling system and fix the problem. Nevertheless, you can prevent your car engine from overheating with regular maintenance, optimizing its longevity and performance.