It can be so scary to suddenly realize that your car is overheating. That situation is even more frightening when you didn’t notice any warning signs that there was anything wrong. Here’s some information from Viking Automotive that can help you to know what to do if your car overheats while you’re driving.
Safely Stop the Car as Quickly as Possible
Whether your first sign that something is wrong is that the warning light for heat turns on or steam starts rolling out from under the hood, you’ve got a problem. The best thing to do is to start carefully scouting out a good location where you can pull over. If you need to pull over onto the side of the road, make sure that you get as far over as you safely can. Always turn on your hazard lights to let people around you know you’re having car trouble.
Pop the Hood Carefully
Your biggest concern when you first start troubleshooting issues with your overheating car is the possibility that you might burn yourself. It’s good to pop the hood to assist with the cooling process. As you’re able to lift the hood completely, you can also get a better look at what’s going on. You’ll need to be able to see whether there’s enough coolant or if there is another issue.
Assess the Situation More Fully
Once you can look around under the hood a bit, definitely check the coolant levels. Look also for other signs of trouble, like a hose that might be leaking or detached from something important. If you don’t see anything obvious, and there is coolant in the reservoir, there might be something a lot bigger going on.
Get Additional Help if Necessary
Remember that you don’t have to go through this all alone. In fact, you may have to call in extra help if the car can’t safely start again after cooling down. Calling roadside assistance gets your car where it needs to be in order to get fixed properly. That might be the best option for your own safety.
Here at Viking Automotive in Houston, TX, we’re happy to help you with any issues you’re experiencing with your car, including overheating. Call us any time you’re unsure what’s happening with your car and we’ll accurately troubleshoot the situation and let you know what is going on. You’ll have the answers you need to make the right repairs.
