What to Do if Your Car Overheats

One thing that most drivers never want to deal with is an overheating engine. You should know what to do if you encounter this problem though, so listen to some advice from the car repair experts here at Peruzzi Collision Center.

What Are Some Signs That My Car is Overheating?

Your car will often give you some signs that it’s going to overheat. You should look out for things like:

Steam coming from under the hood
The engine temperature gauge needle moves to red or H
You smell something sweet
The “Check Engine” or temperature light comes on

If any of these things happen, you should be prepared for your engine to overheat.

Do I Need to Pull Over?

Yes, you need to find somewhere safe to pull over and get off the road. Turn off your air conditioning and turn up the heat, and then let your engine cool off for at least 15 minutes. You should add radiator fluid if you have it.

Do I Need to Go to a Repair Shop?

If you are close to a repair shop, drive there and keep an eye out for any signs that your engine is ready to overheat again. If not, we wouldn’t risk turning on your car again and driving for any significant distance. Call a tow truck.

What Should I Avoid Doing If My Car Overheats?

You should also know what you shouldn’t do if your engine overheats. Do not:

Panic when your engine starts to overheat
Open the hood right away because you could get burned
Ignore the problem and hope it goes away

For All of Your Car Repair Needs in PA

So if your engine overheats, make sure that you address the problem as soon as you can. Visit our collision center in Fairless Hills, PA or schedule an appointment.