The heat of summer increases the likelihood of a car overheating. Especially if the vehicle owner is not diligent about regular maintenance and keeping eyes on critical issues such as levels of fluids and the condition of hoses that deliver coolant to the engine and radiator. If a car overheats there are three things that need to be accomplished as quickly as possible:
· Cool down the engine
· Stop driving and pull out of traffic to a safe spot
· Have the problem diagnosed
Fixing an overheating car may be as simple as adding more coolant. But it could also be more complicated such as a faulty thermostat or water pump, bad radiator cap, radiator hose leaks, or other engine damage that requires repair. Continuing to drive an overheating car is asking for trouble so as soon as you realize it’s happening, take measures to protect your car.
Signs of overheating
You should always pay attention to how your car is driving. Any change from its normal sounds, dash warning lights, or smells should be investigated. Signs that your engine is overheating include:
·The temperature gauge in the red area, registering hot
·The dash temperature light or check engine comes on and stays on
· A burning smell coming from under the hood
· Steam or smoke coming from under the hood
Responding immediately to a raised temperature gauge could eliminate the more serious other overheating signs. The sooner you can reduce the overheating, the better.
What to do if your car overheats
If the only sign is the temperature gauge rising, turn off the air conditioning and open the windows for air and ventilation. Reducing the A/C demand may be enough to cool the engine so you can continue driving.
With the A/C off but the temperature continuing to rise, turn on the heater and blower to high heat, high volume to pull heat away from the engine and into the car. It will be uncomfortable but with the windows down, it should be tolerable until the engine cools to normal.
If the engine is still running hot and signs of overheating are escalating, you need to stop driving to prevent permanent engine damage. Pull over as soon as it’s safe, turn the car off, and let it cool for a time (15 to 30 minutes) before lifting the hood to assess the problem, starting with the most obvious.
Check the coolant level and add more coolant or water to the proper fill level in the radiator or coolant reservoir. For your safety, do not remove the radiator cap or add water or coolant until the vehicle has cooled completely. Using a towel or gloves to remove the radiator cap will protect your hands against possible burns from residual steam. Coolant is best, of course, but bottled purified water or distilled water can be used in an emergency. Water should be tepid, not cold, as cold water could crack the engine block.
With a cooled engine, this is a good time to also check the engine oil level as low oil can also cause the engine to overheat and seize up. Both engine oil and coolant levels need to be full before you attempt driving again.
After addressing any low fluid levels, start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes and check the coolant level again and add more if necessary. Once the engine has returned to its normal operating temperature, replace the radiator cap and you’re good to go. As soon as possible, add a corresponding amount of antifreeze to the water you added to maintain the 50/50 mixture ratio for proper performance.
If adjusting the coolant and/or oil levels doesn’t stop the overheating, you should immediately get to the nearest auto shop or auto parts store to find out what is wrong. Continuing to drive with an overheating engine could cause further damage. If you’re far from help, call for roadside assistance and have your car towed rather than risk blowing up the engine by continuing to drive.
Be proactive and avoid being stranded
Overheating can happen in city stop-and-go driving with a handy gas station or auto shop close by or out on the open road, miles from help. When traveling, it’s a good idea to have engine oil, coolant, and distilled water in the trunk as added insurance in case of overheating. Even if you never need them, you might have the opportunity to be a good neighbor to some unfortunate driver stuck on the side of the road with the hood up.
The best way to prevent overheating is to keep to the regular maintenance schedule as recommended in the Owner’s Manual for your car or truck. Regular oil changes and coolant flushes will help to keep your engine at peak performance and prevent overheating. But if you find yourself needing a new engine, transmission, radiator, or other replacement auto part, LKQ Online has an extensive inventory of high-quality OEM used auto parts as well as new aftermarket parts that can get your vehicle back on the road. Search our nationwide inventory by year, make, model and VIN number to find exactly the car part you need at a price you can afford. Our fast shipping, guaranteed fit, and industry-leading warranties ensure you can always shop with confidence with LKQ.
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