United Tire and Service News

Today’s vehicles have come a very long way when it comes to keeping their cool, thanks to numerous tech advances. However, they can definitely still overheat, especially when hot summer weather is in full effect, so every driver should know what to do if it ever happens to them. 

What Causes a Car to Overheat?

There’s really no single reason a car overheats. A vehicle’s engine goes through a lot to get you from Point A to Point B and can reach genuinely scorching temperatures in the process – easily hot enough to cook an egg, just like you’ve seen in the movies.
Your car does have a cooling system. But there’s a lot that can go wrong with it, including common issues like the following:

• Too little oil (or oil that’s too old)
• Water pumps, fans, hoses, or belts that need to be cleaned or replaced
• Radiator problems
• Cooling system leaks

How to Tell If Your Car Is Overheating

Although you should always be on the lookout for signs that something could be wrong with your car, it’s especially important to know what overheating looks like. Failure to recognize it in time can lead to unfixable damage to your engine. Signs of overheating include:

• Engine gauges that indicate an issue – particularly an engine temperature gauge that drifts into the red or hits “H”
• Troubling or unusual smells coming from your engine – like burnt oil, oddly sweet smells that seem out of place, or anything else strange
• Steam escaping from under the vehicle’s hood (which can also be mistaken for smoke)

What to Do When Your Car Overheats

So, suppose it happens. You’re on your way somewhere, and all signs point to an overheating engine. Here’s a rundown of what you want to do.

Pull over ASAP

The first thing to do if your engine’s overheating is get your car safely off the road. Then turn your engine off immediately so that it can begin to cool. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and watch for signs that it’s cooling down, but leave your car off for a minimum of fifteen minutes regardless.

Run your heater

Although it might seem like the opposite of what makes sense, running your heater for a bit can actually help your engine manage what’s going on by redirecting some of that heat. (This is an especially smart option to try if you can’t pull over and stop your car right away.) Keep an eye on your warning light to gauge whether it’s working. You may be able to reverse the overheating event altogether.

Top off your coolant

Once you’ve managed to pull over, stopped your car, and waited the entire 15-20 minutes for your engine to cool off a bit, pop your hood. Locate your vehicle’s radiator cap (with the help of your manual, if necessary), unscrew it, and add coolant until the level has reached the fill line. Then put the cap back on, start your car, and watch your gauges for signs the engine is no longer overheating.

Have your car serviced

Although adding coolant will help you get your car safely back on the road temporarily, it won’t fix the issue that caused the car to overheat in the first place. The safest bet is to take your car straight to the nearest service station to have it looked at and the issue assessed. And if you can’t do it right away, make sure you do it at your earliest convenience.

How to Avoid Overheating

Of course, while it’s great to know what to do should your car ever overheat on you, it’s always better to prevent the issue in the first place with routine maintenance. Some suggestions to keep in mind include:

• Getting into the habit of performing regular self-check ups on your car to make sure everything is as it should be

• Checking your coolant levels regularly and keeping them topped up
• Having your car serviced and maintained according to your manufacturer’s recommended schedule
• Having your mechanic perform regular coolant flushes and professional radiator checks

Ultimately, while an overheating engine can be scary and stressful to deal with, a little preparedness goes a long way. Know the signs of an overheating car, keep a level head, and go through the recommended steps should it actually happen.
Take care of your car and you can bet it will take care of you, too, for a long time to come. Be sure to reach out to your local United Tire location if any problem arises. Call or schedule your next appointment online.