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Steps To Take When Your Car Overheats
Important guidelines on car overheating. Best ways to avoid and take proper precautionary measures when car overheats...
As the temperatures start to rise, it's essential to take proper care of your car. Overheating can happen to any vehicle, so being prepared is key. By taking the right precautions, you can help avoid engine damage and ensure your safety. Here are some tips on what to do when your car overheats!
Even though most cars isolate the engine from the cabin and use electric fans and heat sensors to keep things running smoothly, they can still overheat.
Why do cars overheat and how can you prevent your car from overheating?
When an engine overheats, it is most often due to something blocking the cooling system from properly doing its job. Leaks and blockages in the hoses or radiator are common culprits.
In this article, we will be discussing what you can do when your car's engine starts to overheat.
Don't Panic. Pull Over.
If your car's engine is currently hot, you will need to park it. Do not let stress overtake you; if you are driving in traffic, begin slowly and look for a safe space to park the car. Once parked, turn off the engine and give it at least 20 minutes to cool down; keep an eye on the temperature monitor as it should go back to normal once cooled.
Turn On The Heat
Immediately turn off your car's air conditioner to ease stress on the engine and cooling system. Although it may seem counterproductive, turning on the heater will actually help by transferring heat from the engine to the passenger side. Doing this can sometimes remedy overheating. If the warning light goes out and the temperature needle returns to its neutral position, you'll know it worked.
The virtue of patience is something that must be practiced
Do not open the hood while you are waiting for the engine to cool down. The coolant liquid in an overheated car could be as hot as 230 degrees and opening the hood may result in coming into contact with steam or hot water. Allow at least 15 minutes for the engine, radiator, and leaking coolant to lose its heat before checking under the hood.
If your car is overheating, the first thing you should do is pop the hood and add coolant
First, put on your safety gloves. Then, open the car hood and look for the radiator cap under it. If necessary, check the owner's manual. Wait at least 10-15 minutes if the car hood is cool to touch before proceeding. Hold the radiator cap with a cloth or towel while lightly loosening it in order to release pressure that has built up due to expanding coolant when heated.
Slowly pour in the coolant - half water, half antifreeze mixture - until it reaches the "full" line on the radiator. Next, fill up the little overflow reservoir on the side of the Radiator with more coolant. After that screw back on tightly the radiator cap and turn ON your engine ignition. Lastly, if temperature gauge or light warnings go back to normal then you are all set!Keep an eye out while driving just in case though."
You have two choices: drive to a service station or get towed.
If your car has overheated, adding coolant will usually get you to the nearest repair shop safely. However, it won't fix the problem that caused your engine to overheat in the first place. A specialist should inspect your car's cooling system.
If your automobile isn't being towed, carefully restart it and keep an eye on your gauge/light as you drive to the closest repair shop. If it starts to creep up/illuminate again, pull over and let it cool down before continuing.
Now that you know what to do when your car overheats, you can remain calm the next time it happens. It's quite a stressful thing to go through, but armed with this knowledge, you should be able to handle it like a pro. Remember, car safety is always crucial!
