What to Do If Your Car Overheats?
January 15, 2023
Today’s cars are equipped with state-of-the-art systems and sensors. Automated designs have taken car technology to a whole new level, but car overheating is still a persistent issue, and most car owners often don’t know how to deal with it.
Whether it’s due to the outside temperature or some internal problem, car overheating is an important issue. Keeping your engine at an ambient temperature should be your top priority as a responsible car owner. If your car is overheating, something might be wrong with the fan, thermostat, radiator, water pump, coolant, and hoses.
Here’s what you can do the next time you notice steam coming out of your engine or the needle of your car’s temperature gauge rising.
Turn Up the Heater
It may sound counterintuitive, but turning on your car’s heater is one of the first things you should do. This way, it draws heat from the engine and toward the passenger seats. This reduces the pressure on the cooling system of the engine.
In some cases, this might even be enough to control the overheating. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge, and if the light goes off and the needle returns to its normal temperature, your engine has cooled down.
Pull Over
If the car continues to overheat despite turning on the heater, you should pull over. Kill the engine and wait for it to cool down. This is the safest way to take care of things. Moreover, this is also a good time to seek help. You can call a 24-hour towing service to help you take your car to the nearest service station.
Wait for a while
If you are unable to call for help, the best thing you can do is wait. Give the engine around 15 minutes to cool down. However, don’t try to open the engine before this time, as it may be a safety hazard.
Opening the hood while the engine is hot is a huge risk. It is best to wait for a good 15 minutes before you pop the hood open and take a look at the engine.
Add Some Coolant
After you have waited for about fifteen minutes, you should open the hood of your car. Put on some gloves and try to find the radiator cap. Slowly open the cap with a towel and add coolant.
Once it reaches the full line, stop adding the coolant. Next, head back to the car and try to start it. If the warning light goes off, it means your engine is back at the normal temperature. You should drive with caution and get your vehicle’s engine checked by a professional as soon as possible.
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