What You Should do if Your Car Engine Overheats

It does not matter what type of vehicle you drive, or what year it was manufactured, during the hot summer months, it’s common for vehicles to overheat. The first sign will be your car’s temperature gauge indicator starting to rise, and often times, you will notice your engine releasing steam or starting to smoke up. At Middle Country Automotive in Selden NY 11784 and Centereach NY 11720, your safety is our top priority, especially during the sizzling heat of the summer months.

Here are some things to do if you notice your car engine overheating:

 

Turn the air conditioning off and turn on the car’s heater. This will direct the energy away from your engine. Be sure to open your windows, because now you have hot air pumping into the cabin of your car, making it very uncomfortable for you on an already hot day. If this does not work, and you see the temperature is still rising, pull over when it is safe to do so, and turn off your engine. f you keep driving while the temperature is increasing, you can cause damage to your engine. If you require engine repair services, contact us today!

If you notice your engine releasing steam or starting to smoke up, pull your car over when it is safe to do so and turn your engine off. If you are comfortable doing so, pop the hood of the car. Dot not pop the hood until the engine has cooled. Do this only if you feel it is safe to do so. If you have no idea what you are doing or why your car may have overheated, call roadside assistance right away.

Be sure to check your coolant levels. If your coolant levels are low or completely depleted, you may have a leak. Call roadside assistance immiediately. If your coolant levels are at normal capacity, you may have a malfunctioning temperature guage. If this is the case, wait for your engine to cool completely. You can continue on to your destination, however be very cautious. Replace it with a new thermostate guage as soon as possible. A good rule of thumb is to have your coolant levels checked and topped off during auto inspections. Middle Country Automotive technicians are experts in auto inspection services in Selden NY 11784.

If it is of the utmost importance for you to keep driving, pull your car over and wait for the engine to cool completely. Twist off the radiator cap using a rag or glove. If you are not sure of what or where that is, refer to your owner’s manual. Be sure to refill the radiator and reservoir with coolant. If it is absolutely necessary, you can use water. This is in no way a long term fix. This will keep your engine cool for just long enough for you to reach your destination. You will have to pull over and repeat this process if you notice that the temperature is increasing again. Be sure to bring your car to your mechanic as soon as possible before the situation turns into a need for costly repairs.

We are experts in all auto repair, auto inspection, and brake repair services in Selden NY 11784 and Centereach NY 11720. It is always a good idea to prepare your car for summer driving.
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