What to Do If Your Car Overheats

July 23rd, 2014  |  Auto Insurance

Road rage drivers are not the only thing that we see overheating on the roads during the summer. As the weather warms in the summer and the heat off the road pushes up temperatures external, vehicles become susceptible to overheating. Even though it is rare for a modern vehicle to overheat, especially if you keep it well maintained, it can still happen. Do you know what to do if your vehicle overheats?

How do you know your car is overheating?

There are a number of telltale signs that your car could be overheating:

1. You see steam coming from the engine – this is the most obvious telltale sign that your car is overheating
2. Your temperature gauge is above normal
3. A warning light turns on
4. You physically feel your car having issues operating

What to do if your Car Overheats

Here are some important and simple to follow step if your car overheats on you while driving:

1. Shut off the AC:This first thing you should do is shut off the AC and open up the windows to see if this will help cool down your vehicle. 
2. If overheating persists, crank the heat:This will suck out the heat from the engine and bring it into the cabin of the car. While inconvenient, it can help to cool the engine. 
3. Pull over if you think your car is about to boil over:If you think your car is about to boil over, pull over, turn off your vehicle, and allow it to cool down. 
4. Pop the hood (Be Very Careful):Your engine will be very hot, make sure that you use a rag or glove when popping the hood. Airing out your engine will help to reduce the temperature. 
5. Check coolant levels:Check your coolant and water levels in your radiator – Low coolant levels is one of the main causes of engine overheating. Make sure to have an extra bottle of coolant and water in your trunk at all times. 
6. Drive only when your car is cooled:If you have topped up the coolant and allowed your vehicle to cool down, you can attempt to drive again. Give it a few minutes and see if the temperature starts to come down. If it doesn’t, pull over when it’s safe and call for assistance. 
7. Get your car inspected:Even if this is the first time, have your car inspected or talk to your mechanic about what happened. You never knowwhat issues could have caused the problem and it is best to get a professional opinion.

Causes of Overheating

1. Hot weather
2. A leak in the cooling system
3. Coolant or water level in the radiator is low

If you have noticed that your cars temperature is warmer than normal and it seems to be a recurring issue, take it in to your mechanic to get checked out. There could be a number of factors that could be causing the issue. 

Have you ever had your car overheat while driving? Where were you driving? How did you handle the situation?