Steps to Take if Your Car Is Overheating

February 11, 2021 12:06 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Driving down the road when smoke or steam suddenly starts coming up from the hood and the temperature gauge goes haywire is a horrible nightmare for all drivers. Unfortunately, it happens more often than you’d think, especially with older cars. Continue reading to learn what to do when your vehicle starts to overheat in Salt Lake City, UT:

  • Turn off the AC: A big reason why your engine overheats is an overworked air conditioning system. Even in the dog days of summer, your first step should be to flip the switch and turn off the AC. Additionally, flip on the heat to take additional stress off the engine until you can pull over.
  • Pull over: As soon as you get a chance, safely pull off onto the shoulder. Stay in your vehicle and wait at least 15 minutes for the engine to cool down. During this time, the temperature gauge should drop back down to a normal level instead of being stuck up at the “H” line.
  • Check and add coolant: You can protect your engine from further damage by adding coolant to the reservoir once the engine cools off. Please note that this won’t help if the source of the problem is a broken radiator or there’s a clog in the coolant line.
  • Restart the engine: Now that you’ve done all you can, it’s time to fire up the engine and try to get back on the road. Since your engine may start to overheat again while driving, we recommend hiring a tow truck to bring your car to the closest mechanic.
  • Bring your car to a mechanic: Speaking of mechanics, you’ll need to see a pro as soon as possible to address your overheated engine. A reputable mechanic can diagnose the cause of the overheating and set things straight.

How to prevent an overheating engine

The good news is that preventing your engine from overheating isn’t rocket science. By following these tips, you’ll never have to worry about your engine overheating in Salt Lake City, UT:

  • Check the coolant regularly: Inspecting your coolant level and topping it off when it’s low can do wonders to prevent an overheated engine. Consult your owner’s manual or talk to a pro about which coolant to use for your engine.
  • Watch out for coolant leaks: The primary reason coolant levels get low is a leak somewhere in the system. These leaks are easy to identify because the coolant drips down onto the pavement when your car is parked. Bring your car to a repair shop if you notice puddles of coolant under your vehicle.
  • Monitor the temperature gauge: Steam coming out from the hood is the definitive sign that your engine is overheating, but a spiking temperature gauge also alerts you that something’s amiss. Bring your car to a pro if the dial is hovering by the “H.”

As mentioned above, bringing your vehicle to a mechanic is a must if it’s overheating. But don’t just turn to anyone—come see our team at AMR Auto Repair & Towing. With 20 years of experience with repair services, we know just what to do when your car overheats in Salt Lake City, UT.

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