4 things you should do if your car overheats

Sometimes, you need to relax in order to maintain your sanity in the urban jungle. A good laugh, a vacation, or a simple day off allows you to ‘blow off some steam’ that could prevent you from burning out.

However, it is a different story if your car decides to ‘blow off some steam’ due to high engine temperature. With that, what would you do if your car overheats? Here’s 4 things that you should keep in mind if your car’s temperature is running off the charts.

Turn off the air conditioner

Turn off the air conditioner immediately when you notice that the temperature gauge is going up towards the H (hot) sign. By shutting down the A/C, the engine’s load will be lesser, which would relatively bring down its temperature. This also gives you a leeway to find a safe spot to pull over.

Pull over to a safe place

When your car’s engine is on the brink of overheating, it is best to pull over as soon as you can. If you’re driving in the city, you should be on the lookout for the nearest gasoline station. You could also pull over at the designated emergency bays along EDSA or at the expressway’s shoulder lane or lay-bys.

If ever you’re stuck in traffic, shift your car into neutral and rev the engine. This allows the fan to generate more air and it also enables your car’s coolant to flow. 

When you’ve found a spot, turn off the engine and open the hood so that the trapped heat can escape. As a reminder, whenever you stop at the side of the road, always set-up an early warning device to notify other motorists. It should at least be 100 ft before the vehicle. Once the steam subsides, pour water over the radiator to bring the temperature down.  

Open the radiator cap

Make sure that the radiator cap is cool before opening it. Never open the radiator cap while it is still hot because it has a pressure that could lead to serious burns or injuries. When opening the radiator cap, you should use a thick rag or towel to protect your hand. Then, fill up the radiator with water or coolant to the brim.

Check if your car’s hose are still intact and undamaged. Otherwise, you need to replace it so that the car’s cooling system would go back and function to normal. 

As a precautionary measure, it is advisable to have an extra coolant placed inside your car. On the other hand, if you prefer to go traditional, it is ideal if you have at least 6 liters of water in your trunk, which could come in handy whenever your car overheats.  

Restart the engine

After filling the radiator with water or coolant, restart the car so that the water can circulate which would further bring down the engine’s temperature. While in idle, monitor the temperature gauge to see if your car has cooled down. If not, chances are your radiator is clogged or has a leak.

You can go on and resume your travel when things go back to normal. However, visit your trusted service shop or mechanic as soon as possible in order to ensure that your car is problem-free.   

Overheating is one of the things that can lead to stress and panic while driving. If ever you find yourself in a similar situation, keep in mind the tips we shared in this article. Also, take note that you should regularly check your car’s fluids (brake, oil, water, among others) to ensure a worry- and hassle-free drive.