What To Do (And Not Do) When Your Car Overheats

In 2022, the USA had its third-hottest summer on record. Conversely, winters have also gotten warmer causing a disruption in the polar vortex which can lead to extreme cold spells from time to time. This caused a huge number of overheated vehicles throughout the country this year. However, do you know what to do when your car overheats to prevent the problem from getting worse?

The following advice should help you remember the steps you need to take to protect your vehicle. By following these guidelines, you can get your car off the road and ensure nothing exacerbates the problem.

Turn Off the Air Conditioning

One of the first things you should do in an overheated car is turn off the air conditioning. As the air conditioning uses the engine’s power to run, you want to reduce the load you are placing upon your vehicle. As such, deactivating the AC can prevent the issue from getting worse faster.

Find a Safe Place to Pull Over

You want to give your engine a chance to cool down and do so while respecting vehicle safety. Find a location you can pull to the side of the road which does not put you, your passengers, or your vehicle in danger.

Shut Off the Engine

An overheating car’s issues are going to worsen so long as you keep the engine running. When you have parked, turn off the engine to stop it from creating more heat.

Wait For Your Car to Cool Down

Your overheating vehicle needs to get back to a usable temperature. You might need to be patient here, especially on a hot day.

Give your engine time to cool down, and only use it again when it is not in danger of overheating straight away.

Top Up Your Radiator Fluid

An overheated vehicle might need maintenance in many forms. This includes ensuring your engine has enough coolant in it. Open your hood and check or top up your radiator fluid to make sure it runs at peak efficiency.

If you find your radiator fluid has emptied, you can often buy some at your nearest garage or repair shop.

Find a Repair Shop

If your vehicle has overheated, it is very important you check nothing worse has occurred. The overheating could have caused more damage, or the whole issue might be caused by something else going wrong.

Either drive carefully to a trusted auto shop or get your car towed there. A high-quality mechanic can give your car a servicing and tell you what is wrong with your vehicle.

What to Do When Your Car Overheats

You should now have a much better idea of what to do when your car overheats. Still, if it is overheating, especially during the colder months, there might be a larger problem you need to look at.

If you want someone to check over your vehicle and make sure there are no further issues, you can always come and talk to us at East Coast Toyota. Our specialists are on-hand to inspect your car and give you an honest opinion about its status. So, give us a call and schedule a service today.