As the summer months approach and you prepare for road trips, you might worry that your car isn’t prepared to handle the heat. Whether you’re heading across the country to see family or you have plans to camp in the mountains, your car might not be equipped to handle hot weather. But what can you do when your car overheats?
At Paskett Auto, our team understands how an overheating car can throw a wrench in your highly anticipated summer plans. Thankfully, if your car overheats, there are a few things you can do to remedy it. If you want to avoid your car overheating this summer so you can enjoy hanging out with your family and friends, keep reading.
Why Your Car Overheats
If your car overheats, there are a few issues this may be linked to. A malfunctioning thermostat may fail to regulate engine temperature, leading to overheating. Low coolant levels or leaks inhibit the system’s ability to dissipate heat effectively. Clogged radiator fins restrict airflow, impeding cooling efficiency.
Inadequate airflow caused by a faulty fan or debris accumulation exacerbates the problem, especially in traffic or at low speeds. Engine strain from heavy loads or towing can also raise temperatures beyond the cooling system’s ability. Regular maintenance and addressing underlying issues are essential to preventing overheating and preserving your engine’s health.
Signs Your Car Is Overheating
Your car often does a good job of letting you know that it is overheating. However, you have to know what to look out for. Some of the signs of an overheating car include:
- The temperature gauge light turns on
- Steam or smoke coming from your engine
- Your hood is excessively hot to touch
- There is a smell of burning oil
- Your engine is making a thumping noise
- There is less engine power
What To Do When Your Car Overheats
If your car overheats, there are a few things you need to do to ensure the safety of yourself, your car, and other drivers on the road. These include:
1. Pull Over in a Safe Place
If your car overheats, the most important thing you can do is pull over when it is safe to do so. Ignoring the signs that your car is overheating can lead to even more significant and costly or irreparable damage. If your car is overheating, you shouldn’t drive any more than a quarter of a mile if you can avoid doing so. While this might not be possible, it is best to pull over to a place where a tow truck may be able to pick up your car without risking the safety of other drivers on the road.
2. Turn Off Your Air Conditioning
As you attempt to pull your car over, you should turn on your air conditioning. While you might think keeping your air conditioning on while your car is overheating can cool it off, it might do the opposite. Keeping your air conditioning on when your car overheats may put more strain on the engine. You may also want to roll down your windows and open your sunroof. By opening your windows, you can help the hot air that is warming your car escape and begin to cool down your engine.
3. Let Your Engine Cool Off
When you have pulled your car over in a safe place, turn it off. Leaving your car running will keep up the temperature of the engine, causing more damage to your car. Instead, turn off your car and open your hood if it isn’t too hot to touch. You should allow it to cool off for at least 15 minutes. Once it has cooled, turn the key to the first position in the ignition. This can help you determine if the engine is cooling down or if you need to call a tow truck.
4. Restart Your Engine
If your temperature gauge is reading a safe temperature once again, try starting the engine again. From this point, you may want to drive it to your home or a repair shop near you. However, during this drive, you should watch for any signs that your car is overheating again. If your car makes any uncommon noises or struggles or fails to start, don’t attempt to turn on your engine again. Instead, call a tow truck to take you to a repair shop.
5. Head to a Trusted Repair Shop
If your car’s temperature still isn’t coming down or your engine has begun to make abnormal noises, it is time to take it to a trusted repair shop for maintenance. They will be able to diagnose the problem with your car and prevent it from overheating again. If, on the way to the repair shop, your car overheats again, pull over and allow it to cool off. Take your time going to the shop and allow your car plenty of time to cool off to prevent further damage to your engine.
Repairs for Car Owners Across Roy, Utah
If your car overheats and you are looking for a reliable auto repair shop in Roy, Utah, look no further than our team at Paskett Auto. With almost three decades of experience helping car owners diagnose and repair a variety of car problems, we’re confident that we can do the same for you. From standard maintenance to air conditioning and heater repairs, tire changes, and much more, our team provides a variety of services to ensure you are safe on the road. If your car overheats and you need immediate repair, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment.
