What Should I Do If My Car Overheats?

Cars can overheat in any situation, at any time, and in any place! Although many modern cars have advanced cooling systems that are engineered to maintain optimal temperatures, overheating can still happen to any car. Typically, engines will overheat due to problems with the cooling systems and excess heat becomes trapped in the engines (but there are a variety of other causes too!). Overheating can

cause irreversible damage to an engine, and even other parts of the car, so it is super important to understand the warning signs and what to do if this situation occurs!

Read more below to learn how to prevent and tackle overheating.

Firstly, learn about the warning signs of engines overheating! Some of these include:

1. A warning light on your dashboard (such as a “temperature” or “check engine” light)

2. Steam coming from the front of the vehicle (hood)

3. A sudden shift in the temperature gauge moving to the HOT area (the letter “H”, a red area/symbol, etc.) *check your car owners manual for your vehicle’s temperature gauge

4. A new smell, almost “sweet”, coming from the engine area

If you notice any of these signs, and if your engine is overheating, do these IMMEDIATELY (you may be able to continue driving but you could be causing irreversible damage!):

1. Turn OFF your air conditioning (reducing stress from the cooling system)

2. Turn ON (or up) the heat – this will bring heat away from the engine

3. Pull over safely and turn OFF the engine

4. Allow the engine to cool for AT LEAST 15 minutes – watch for the temperature gauge to return back to a “normal” range

5. If your hood is cool to the touch, you may add coolant (into the radiator cap) HOWEVER you should still…

6. Drive to the nearest repair shop (keep an eye on the temperature gauge)

Remember, even though your car may be cooling down there is STILL damage!