Imagine traveling on a highway on a wintery morning, and suddenly you hear your car making an odd noise. As you continue, the engine starts making knocking sounds. What is the first thing you do? Panic? That would be unproductive to the situation and won’t help you solve the problem. However, knowing when a car is overheating, the right procedure to deploy at that moment, and preventive measures can help.
Car overheating is one of the most common issues that car owners run into. It can happen anywhere anytime, and with anyone.
What should your first move be? The answer is roadside safety!
Even if your car is stuck on the side of a busy highway or stranded on a country dirt road, your priority should be to call a certified towing company to help relocate you and your family to a safe place. You do not know how long it will take to fix the car and wintery nights are not a great time to be stranded outside.
Also read: How To Choose Reliable 24-Hour Towing Services.
How To Tell If Your Car Is Overheating
Engines can overheat for a variety of causes. Generally, this is due to a problem with the cooling system, which prevents heat from escaping the engine’s compartment. A cooling system leak, broken water pump, defective radiator fan, or blocked coolant hose could all be the root of the problem.
Regardless, an overheating engine is not something you want to ignore. Your engine may receive significant, if not permanent, damage.
Some signs that indicate overheating in a vehicle that you should know beforehand include:
- Steam escaping from under the hood of the vehicle
- The engine is running louder than usual
- The temperature gauge has risen over the middle mark
- The coolant light illuminates or flashes
- Some newer automobiles may even tell you to turn off the engine right now
- During acceleration or deceleration, the engine may stall
What To Do When Your Engine Overheats
Here are some necessary precautions you should take when facing an overheating situation:
Do NOT Keep Driving
When your car overheats, come to a complete stop and turn off the engine. Park in a safe area where you will not obstruct traffic. If you are unable to do so, pull over as quickly as possible so that other cars do not collide with you while attempting to manoeuvre around your vehicle. If you must continue driving to a safe location, decelerate to reduce overheating.
Pull over and turn off the engine—this is the safest and most effective approach to cool the engine.
Call Roadside Assistance
There is nothing worth risking the safety of you or your family, hence the next best step to take is to contact a reliable and reputable 24-hour towing service to tow your car to the nearest mechanic or gas station.
Their services will help you get your car out of traffic and prevent any further damage to the engine.
Moreover, it is imperative to learn to take precautions when you embark on a journey to remain prepared for even the toughest of situations.
Read also: 5 Steps To Take When You Are In An Emergency Towing Situation.
Do Not Turn On The Air Conditioning
This may seem counterintuitive, but if your automobile is overheating, avoid turning on the air conditioner or any other electrical components. This causes additional power to flow through the system, raising the temperature even higher. Wait until you’ve reached a safe location before turning on any electrical components.
Surprisingly, experts advise turning on the heat. It takes heat away from the engine and into the passenger compartment, relieving the cooling system of the burden.
Do Not Open The Hood
If your car is overheating, don’t open the hood unless necessary. Opening the hood allows heat to escape from beneath the hood and into the engines’ compartment, potentially causing severe damage to your vehicle.
Immediately opening the hood puts you in danger of burns or injury from the emitted steam or smoke. Before opening the hood, wait for the engine temperature indicator to stabilize.
About Action Towing
Although vehicle breakdowns are unforeseen, Action Towing’s wide range of superior towing and roadside assistance services is highly dependable and reputable. Contact us now to solve your roadside adversary.
