If you’ve ever had an overheating engine, then you know how stressful the experience can be. Learn what to do when your car overheats and a couple of key car maintenance tips to prevent overheating in the future.
What To Do When Your Car Overheats
If you’re on the road and notice that your vehicle is overheating, pull over. You may need to wait for 15 minutes or longer for the engine to cool down before you can drive to your dealership for service. If you have coolant in your vehicle, you can pop the hood after 15 minutes and top up your coolant level before you get back on the road.
However, if your engine overheats and there is smoke or steam coming from beneath the hood, you should pull over, shut off the engine, and exit the vehicle. Sometimes, a blown fuse or driving with an engine that consistently overheats can lead to an engine fire, so exiting the vehicle and calling for a tow truck to take your vehicle to your dealership’s service department is the best thing to do.
Signs to Watch Out For
In addition to the temperature gauge on your dashboard, there are other warning signs that can indicate your vehicle is running hot. For example, you may notice that your air conditioner is blowing out hot air even when you have it turned to the coldest setting. Some drivers may notice loud sounds from the engine that could indicate poor cooling fan or radiator function.
What Car Maintenance Tips Can Prevent Overheating?
The best way to stop your car from overheating in the future is to stay on top of your vehicle’s recommended service schedule. Much of the time, the root cause of your engine overheating is low coolant levels, which should be checked at least once every couple of years, depending on your make, model, and the age of your car.
Keeping your car clean at home is another maintenance tip that can reduce the likelihood of engine overheating. Your vehicle’s front grille is designed to provide airflow to the engine to help keep the engine cool, so if your front grille is dirty or full of road debris, you might experience overheating when you’re on the road. Make sure to keep the front grille clean each time you wash your car as part of routine at-home maintenance.
Whether your vehicle is consistently overheating or the engine has overheated once, you should schedule service at your local dealership as soon as possible. Ignoring engine overheating can lead to engine damage over time so it’s best to uncover the cause of overheating quickly. Book your next service appointment at Dann’s Discount Auto Sales in Tulare, CA.
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