A car’s engine can overheat for a number of reasons, and there are five steps you must take to minimise the danger if it happens.
Ignoring an overheating engine could result in permanent injury to the car, and potentially to yourself, so it’s best to take the necessary precautions if you’re caught in such a situation.
According to MotorHappy, signs that a vehicle is too hot include:
- Smoke coming from the engine
- Burning smell coming from the engine
- Engine temperature light illuminated on dashboard
“If your car starts to overheat while you’re driving, pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you continue to drive with an overheating engine, you could do permanent and/or costly damage to the vehicle,” said MotorHappy.
After pulling over, these are the steps you should take.
Turn off engine
Once coming to a stop next to the side of the road, the first course of action is to turn off the car’s engine to allow it to cool down.
“It may take up to 15 minutes for the car to return to its normal operating temperature. In the meantime, don’t attempt to open the hood,” said MotorHappy.
The coolant can reach temperatures of up to 230 degrees at overheating point, presenting a big burn risk if you fiddle with the bonnet.
If you have roadside assistance, it is a good idea to call them while you’re waiting for the engine to fizzle out.
Turn on heater
Switching on the heater pulls warmth away from the engine and channels it into the cabin, assisting the powerplant to chill faster.
“If this works, the temperature warning light on your dashboard will turn off and you can try drive the car again,” said MotorHappy.
However, rather than continuing with the journey as planned, make a pitstop at a professional to get the vehicle inspected for any damages.
If you do get going again, remember to also keep an eye on the temperature gauge as you drive. If the gauge begins to creep up, pull over and wait for the engine to cool again.
Check for leaks in cooling system
A leak in the cooling system, such as with the radiator, can generally be identified by the untrained eye.
After temperatures have subsided, make sure to check for coolant leaks in the hoses and radiator of your car as this is generally one of the chief reasons for an overheating motor.
Add coolant
If there are no detectable leaks the system may not have any coolant left in it – which is another potential cause for a rising thermostat.
As such, if you don’t see any liquids draining out of the engine bay, top off the coolant to the maximum level to alleviate further problems.
“However, if a coolant line is clogged or the root of your problem is a damaged radiator fan or leaky water pump, this step will be ineffective,” said MotorHappy.
Visit workshop
Even if you have followed all of the above steps, the safest bet to ensure there is no long-term damage is to take the car to a reputable workshop that will be able to properly examine its condition and provide advice accordingly.
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