WHAT TO DO.
1. Kill the Air conditioner. Immediately turn off the air conditioner to reduce stress on the engine. Then,
turn the dial to maximum heat. This can help pull heat away from the engine to
keep it from overheating until you can pull over in a safe location. You may
get a little hot yourself, but a few minutes of discomfort is a small price to
pay compared to major engine repairs.
2. Find a safe place to pull
over. Pull over and shut off the car. Allow the engine to cool for at least 15
minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge, as it should move back to a
normal range as the engine cools. While you’re waiting (and watching
the gauge), put together a plan to get your overheated engine checked out.
3. Check and top-up coolant. If your coolant level is low, a quick top-off could help protect your engine
and prevent overheating until you can get things fixed. However, this step
won’t do much good if a coolant hose is clogged or the source of your troubles
is a broken radiator fan or water pump. Consult your owner’s manual to find the
location of your coolant reservoir tank and to learn how to add coolant to your
vehicle.
4.
Restart the Engine.
If your car isn’t being towed, now’s the time to carefully restart your engine
and drive to your nearest auto repair shop. Keep an eye on the temperature
gauge as you drive. If it rises again, pull over and let the system cool.
Your engine isn’t keeping its cool, but you can! Avoid swerving through traffic
or slamming on your brakes when pulling off the road.
WHAT NOT TO DO.
1. Don’t panic.
2. Don’t keep driving. If your engine is overheating but still running, you’re not doing it any
favours by staying on the road. Sure, you may be able to get to your
destination before it gives out entirely, but you may cause significant (and
costly) damage by pushing your engine too far.
3. Don’t open the hood or
bonnet immediately. Once you’ve pulled over, wait for the engine to cool before popping the hood to
check things out. Opening the hood immediately can put you at risk of burns or
injuries from spewing steam or smoke. Patience is key. Wait until the engine
temperature gauge settles before opening the hood.
4.
Don’t let the issue linger. An overheating engine won’t resolve on its own, even if it seems to be fixed
after you add a little coolant. It will only get worse if left unaddressed. Get
to the root of the issue to help save your engine.
HOW TO
PREVENT AN OVERHEATED CAR ENGINE
Take care of your car, and it’ll take care of you. The best way to prevent an
overheating car engine is to have regular coolant flushes and exchanges
performed on your car and stay up to date with radiator maintenance as
recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Routine inspections can also help you
fix any potential radiator or engine issues before they worsen.
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