What To Do When Your Car Overheats

What do you do when your car overheats?

1. Calm down
2. Pull Over
3. Look for signs of trouble
4. Call a professional
5. Be more informed

If you drive a fairly new car, you probably haven’t experienced any problems for some time. But it pays to be prepared for any sudden issues that may arise while you’re on the road. This way, you’ll be calmer when they happen, and you can focus on the next steps you can do to solve it. For this blog, you will learn what to do when a car overheats. Read on!

Calm Down

You’re driving on a bright sunny day and suddenly, you hear strange noises coming from your engine. Your car is not speeding up as fast as you want it to, and the temperature gauge is leaning on the red side. Seeing a bit of steam come out of the hood can make it easy for anyone to panic.

If you get nervous, things may just get worse. Just keep driving at crawling speed instead of accelerating to lighten the load of your engine. Avoid any sudden braking because this will also make it heat up even more. You can also turn off the air conditioner and open the window instead to reduce power.

Pull Over

While driving slowly, look for a safe space to park. Make sure that you’re on the side of the road, away from moving cars. Turn off your engine and be patient while it cools down.

Do not try to touch the hood at this time because it will be extremely hot. Wait for at least 30 minutes and observe if there are any changes in your temperature gauge. If nothing changes, immediately call for help.

Look For Signs Of Trouble

While waiting for your car to cool down, you can also check the surrounding areas for any signs of trouble. If you find a pool of liquid underneath your car, this may be an indication of a leaking coolant. Without a functioning one, your engine will overheat.

Call A Professional

Check your phone’s map for the nearest repair shop that could help you. If you find one, you can call them and ask them to check your engine for you. If you’re far from these establishments, the best option is to call a towing service to help you move your car, because driving with engine problems is dangerous.

If you find any warning signs, such as a leaking coolant, it is useful to mention this in the conversation. This will help the mechanic bring the right tools to immediately fix your car.

Be More Informed

While your car is being repaired by a professional mechanic, take time to observe and ask questions regarding the issue. It is also a good idea to learn some tips on putting the coolant yourself when your car overheats.

If you’re more informed about why cars overheat, the next time you’re on the road you will be ready to cool your car down. You’ll also be more attentive to detail when checking your engine so you can spot problems before they occur.

Key Takeaway

No one wants to experience having a car break down while on the road. But sometimes, these accidents do happen. That’s why you’ll want to know what to do when a car overheats. This way, you can lessen the panic and focus on the solutions.

The next time you encounter this problem, you should look for a safe parking spot and turn off the engine. Let the car cool and call for a professional mechanic near you. If you can’t find any shop, contact a towing truck instead. Also, look out for any signs of trouble like coolant leaks. It helps to be more informed about this issue so you’ll be prepared every time you go on the road.