How to Respond to an Overheating Car: Advice from a North Carolina used Toyota Dealer

Jun 18, 2012

If your car is overheating, you need to take appropriate action to avoid long term, expensive damage to your engine. As summer slides into full swing, temperatures continue to climb higher putting your car at greater risk of overheating. Here is what to do if your car overheats from a North Carolina used Toyota dealer:

Watch the Temperature Gauge: Check your dashboard frequently for the temperature gauge. If you see it climbing higher than usual, try turning off your air conditioner to see if it goes back to the normal operating temperature. If it doesn’t seem to help, you’re your heat on full blast for a while and it will pull the heat away from the engine.

Pull Over and Stop Driving: If turning the air conditioner off and turning the heat on does nothing to cool your engine, you need to pull over and turn the car off. Continuing to drive will only continue to increase the heat of the engine until it eventually overheats to the point of excessive damage. Try to find a shaded area to park, but if none are nearby just pull over and park at the first safe area.

Open Hood to Let Out Heat: If there is no steam coming out from under the hood, pop it open so it can let the hot air out faster.

Add Coolant: Check that your coolant level is appropriate, and add if necessary. Look for leaks when you add the coolant, this is a common reason for cars to begin overheating.