Hot weather is usually the cause of a car overheating. Although it’s not common, all cars have the possibility of overheating. If your dashboard temperature indicator light comes on, chances are your car is becoming too hot.
Here are 7 tips to help your vehicle become cool again.
1. Turn the engine off
When you’re on the road and your car overheats, pull over to the side of the road and let it cool off.
2. Keep a safety kit in your car.
It’s smart to have some of the following in the car for safety precautions
3. Check hoses for blockages, leaks, or bursts
Generally, cars don’t just overheat on their own. Inspect the condition of your car’s hoses. Perhaps the thermostat is faulty or your vehicle has a leak in the coolant system. It’s more common for older automobiles to have these blockages and bursts, but newer cars should also be inspected by a professional auto mechanic.
4. Carefully monitor the temperature gauge
It’s best to pull over to a safe location and turn off the engine if the gauge moves over to hot.
“If the gauge crosses over to hot, pull over to a safe location and turn the engine off.”
5. Let the engine cool off before you do anything.
The good news is, if your car’s engine does overheat, it will give you a warning in advance before any major damage happens. Don’t try to address any problems until the engine cools off.
6. Never take off the radiator cap.
It's crucial that you don’t take off the cap off the water system or radiator because they will be under high pressure and could cause you to get severe burns.
7. Refill antifreeze / coolant
Antifreeze is a better option than water when it needs to be cooled down. Wait until the temperature is at room temperature and then add the coolant.
The team at AutoPro Auto Service wants you and your family to be in a car that is safe from overheating and other malfunctions. To schedule an appointment for preventative maintenance to assure that your car is in tip-top shape, call us at (763) 703-6172. We are located at 7901 W. River Road in Brooklyn Park, MN.