If you notice your vehicle's thermometer sliding into the hot area, try not to panic. There are many factors that can cause a vehicle to overheat, but the most common problem is a low coolant level, which is easy to remedy. If you have a more serious problem, it is best to have the vehicle towed to a mechanic shop to have it checked by a professional.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Take immediate action
Step 1. Turn off the air conditioning and turn on the heater if you think the vehicle might be overheating
Although it may seem counterintuitive, you should run the heater to remove the heat from the engine compartment, which could help the vehicle cool down. On the other hand, the use of air conditioning can make the problem worse. You should turn off the air conditioning, turn the heater on high, and roll down the windows.
This is not likely to solve the problem, but it can be a temporary solution if you only have to drive a short distance
Step 2. Park if the thermometer slides into the hot area
If you notice that the engine temperature is moving toward the hot, orange, or red area, you should stop the car. As soon as it is safe to do so, you should stop the vehicle on the side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers know you have mechanical problems.
- Some vehicles may have a warning light that comes on when the engine begins to overheat.
- This is especially important if you notice steam escaping under the hood. Continuing to drive under these conditions could create additional mechanical problems.
Step 3. Turn off the vehicle and open the hood
Begin by turning off the vehicle. Then carefully open the hood to allow excess heat to dissipate faster and steam to escape. Press the hood latch on the inside of the vehicle, check the front, release the safety lever and open the hood. Be careful not to burn your fingers.
Step 4. Let the vehicle cool down for at least 30 to 60 minutes
If the engine overheats, all components under the hood will be extremely hot. Don't try to diagnose or fix the problem until the car has cooled down. Wait for the thermometer to return to a normal reading before continuing. This can take up to an hour, so be sure to park in a safe place.
Warning:
do not remove the radiator cap if the engine is still hot. Otherwise, you can cause extremely hot pressurized coolant to shoot out and burn you.
Step 5. Look for steam, leaks, or other problems
You should do a brief inspection to see if you can figure out what the problem is. If you see steam, smoke, or coolant (also known as antifreeze) leaking from your radiator, hoses, or engine, all are signs of a serious problem.
- The coolant can be orange, red, or green, depending on the type.
- If you hear bubbles forming under the hood, it means the cooling system is too pressurized and the engine is overheating.
Step 6. Check the refrigerant reservoir and fill it if necessary.
Your vehicle has a plastic coolant reservoir attached to the top of the radiator. Locate this item and twist the cap counterclockwise to remove it. This procedure will allow you to check if the coolant level is low. You should look for marks that indicate the proper level of coolant and verify if it is at or below that level.
- If the reservoir is low, you can add coolant up to the fill line. Replace the reservoir cap once you are done.
- You can use distilled water instead of coolant if you have to. However, avoid using cold water, as it could lead to additional problems, such as a cracking in the engine block. You should only use lukewarm water.
Step 7. Continue driving the car if you fixed the problem by adding coolant
After adding coolant, start the vehicle and check the thermometer. If it has returned to a normal level, you can be sure to continue driving the car. However, it is best to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle as soon as possible to make sure there are no other problems.
Step 8. Call a tow truck if the vehicle has a leak, won't cool down, or if you suspect other problems
If you have a coolant leak or the thermometer doesn't return to normal, don't try to drive your vehicle. Call a tow truck and have your car towed to a trusted mechanic. Although this can be inconvenient, it is best to get your vehicle repaired now to avoid more costly repairs in the future.
Method 2 of 3: Diagnose and fix major problems
Step 1. Take your vehicle to a reputable mechanic shop for a diagnosis and necessary repairs
Regardless of whether you managed to drive the vehicle home or have needed to call a tow truck, the next step is to check the cooling system and carry out any necessary repairs. Unless you have knowledge and experience in mechanics, it is best to hire a professional to perform the service.
Make an appointment with a mechanic and describe any problems you are having, as well as the steps you have taken to address those problems
Step 2. Repair any leaks in the cooling system
Coolant can leak from radiator, hoses, freeze plugs, heater core, or intake manifold gasket. You should find the source of the leak and replace the necessary components to get your vehicle working again.
Step 3. Check for blocked airflow to radiator and inspect fans
Adequate air flow is necessary to cool the vehicle's engine. Make sure nothing is blocking the flow of air to the radiator. Then check the fans to see if they are working properly. Remove any obstructions or replace the fans or their motors, if necessary.
Also, if the radiator fins are bent, this problem can prevent the vehicle from cooling properly
Step 4. Install a new thermostat if yours is defective
If the thermostat remains closed, it prevents coolant from passing through the engine (causing the vehicle to overheat). Replace the thermostat to correct the problem.
If you continue to drive the vehicle while the thermostat remains in the closed position, you can cause major engine damage and lead to more costly repairs
Step 5. Check the heater core for leaks or obstructions and repair or replace it
Check the heater core and attached hoses for leaks. If you don't find any leaks, you can do a pressure test on the heater core to see if it is working properly. If not, you can download it to solve the problem. However, you may need to replace the heater core if this doesn't work.
A non-working heater is another sign of a faulty heater core. Also, you should check for coolant on the passenger side floor to see if the heater core could be the culprit
Step 6. Make sure the water pump is working properly
A malfunctioning water pump can lead to all kinds of problems, including engine overheating. Check for leaks in and around the water pump. If you find any, try replacing the gasket first. If this doesn't work, you need to replace the water pump.
- You may hear a loud noise while the vehicle is running if the pump is dry. Try adding coolant to the maximum fill line to see if that solves the problem.
- Dirty coolant and corrosion can cause a water pump to fail, in which case you will need to replace it.
Method 3 of 3: Prevent Future Problems
Step 1. Check the coolant level once a month
A low coolant level is one of the most common reasons a vehicle overheats. To avoid this problem, you should check the coolant level frequently. If this is low, you should make it reach the maximum fill line. Make sure to use the type of coolant recommended in your owner's manual.
You should always let the vehicle cool down before checking the coolant
Step 2. Tow only the load recommended for your vehicle
When towing a load, you put extra pressure on the vehicle's engine, especially if you're driving a long distance or on steep slopes. You should consult your owner's manual to determine what the recommended towing load is for your vehicle and be careful not to overdo it.
Step 3. Flush the cooling system every 1-2 years
Even if you've never had a problem with overheating, cleaning this system is an important part of routine maintenance. Have a trusted mechanic perform this service every 1 to 2 years or as often as recommended in your owner's manual.
Make sure the mechanic checks the pH level of the coolant as well
Advice
- Always use the correct type of coolant (in addition to the ratio of water to coolant) in the vehicle's cooling system.
- You should only use distilled water in an emergency. Once the cooling system problems are resolved, you should completely drain the system and refill it with the proper antifreeze and water mixture.
- If your car has electric radiator fans, you can run them with the engine off. If the car is overheated, you should turn it off (to stop the engine) and then turn the ignition without starting the engine. In some cars, the electric fans are wired to turn on even with the engine off.
- If traffic is slow, you can open the hood. This will remain closed with the safety latch, but you should open a small space to allow more ventilation. You will notice that police and taxi drivers perform this procedure in big cities on hot days. Be aware that speeding and hitting a pothole can cause the safety latch to come off and the hood to pop open and crash into the windshield.
Warnings
- To avoid the risk of serious burns, avoid removing the radiator cap from an overheated engine. Rather wait for it to cool down.
- If you have to use water instead of coolant, never use cold water. If cold water comes into contact with an extremely hot engine, there will be enough heat stress to cause the engine block to break. You should always wait for the water to reach room temperature.
- Regular overheating in a car can cause the cylinder head gasket to fail. This causes blue smoke to come out of the exhaust, which can result in a very expensive repair.