What to Do If Your Vehicle Overheats

It doesn’t have to be hot outside for your vehicle to overheat. Your car can overheat in the winter as well. If you check your dashboard and notice the temperature gauge rising, it’s essential to know what to do. Your vehicle overheating can be dangerous and cause significant damage and costly repairs. Below are a few tips to take if your car suddenly overheats. 

Turn on the heater.
If your car is overheating, it will be tempting to turn the air conditioner on. However, even though it’s counter-intuitive, it’s better to turn your heater on. Turning the heater helps disperse the heat coming from inside the engine. 

Pop the hood.
When it’s safe to do so, pull your vehicle over to a safe place. Driving your vehicle while it’s overheating is dangerous and can cause permanent damage. Once you pull over, turn off the engine. Give your car a few minutes to cool down, and then pop the hood to allow more heat to escape. Do not open the hood right away if your vehicle is overheating and spewing hot pressure and coolant. Once you open the hood, make sure you don’t touch any of the hot engine parts with your bare hands. 

Check underneath your vehicle.
We understand that you may not be a mechanic, but leaked fluid can indicate a leak within the system. Your vehicle can overheat if there’s a coolant leak or engine oil. Both fluids are pretty easy to identify. Coolant is lime green and sweet-smelling. In comparison, engine oil can be anywhere from light brown or black. Topping the fluid off won’t completely solve the problem; bring your vehicle to one of our professionals to inspect and diagnose your vehicle. 

Vehicle maintenance and inspection in Louisville, KY

Preventing your vehicle from overheating doesn’t have to be complicated—schedule routine oil changes and tune-ups to keep your vehicle in top condition. Every so often, check your coolant levels and top it off if needed. If your car has recently overheated, don’t hesitate to reach out to GermanTech Motorworks. Our expert technicians specialize in BMW, MINI, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Audi. We’re passionate about helping and getting your vehicle back on the road safely. 

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