When Your Car Overheats

What Should You Do If Your Car Overheats?

At some point, when you are driving you may run into a problem with your car overheating. It can be caused by a lot of different things, but regardless of the cause, it is a clear sign that you need to have your car, truck, or SUV looked at to diagnose the problem and get it fixed. Stanley Auto Group has several locations including Sweetwater, Gilmer, and McGregor. Our Service Centers can do it all, from maintenance to minor and major repairs. Our technicians will evaluate your overheating problem and advise you on your options to get you back on the road.

What Should You Look For if You Think Your Car is Overheated?

Overheating can happen when you least expect it, but you’ll know when there’s a problem. Your vehicle is designed to respond quickly when the temperature gets too hot.

• Check your dash when you start the vehicle. Do you see a glowing check engine light or a temperature light on the instrument cluster?
• If you don’t have a temperature light illuminated, what does the temperature gauge read? Is it spiking to H for Hot, or is it showing red?
• Is there “smoke” coming out from under the hood? It may just be steam from an overheated engine.                
• Do you notice an odd “sweet” smell coming from under the hood? This could mean you have a coolant leak.

If you don’t notice any of these signs before you get out on the road, and your engine still overheats, what should you do?

Steps to Take If Your Engine Overheats

• Turn off the A/C and turn on the heat: This action will reduce the stress on your engine. Turning on the heat to MAX will help pull heat away from the engine and may keep it from overheating further until you can pull over to a safe place.
• Pull to a safe place: Once you’re off the road and in a safer place, turn the engine off and let it cool for 15-20 minutes. The temperature gauge should reflect the temperature reduction as it decreases to a safer range. While you wait, come up with a plan to get the engine checked out. Call a friend to come and get you and a tow truck to come and get your vehicle if the temperature gauge doesn’t stay in the safe zone.
• Check the coolant level and add coolant if you have it: It’s a good idea to carry extra coolant with you. Topping off the coolant may prevent additional overheating until you can get the coolant system checked out.
• Start your engine again: If you are not being towed, after the cool down period, restart the engine and see if the temperature levels out. If it does, drive to your nearest Stanley Auto Center for repairs.

What Not to Do if Your Vehicle Overheats

Don’t panic, and don’t open your hood too soon after overheating because it may result in a steam burn. Don’t continue to your destination, and don’t wait for the engine to get better on its own -- It won’t. Don’t hesitate to bring your overheating vehicle into any Stanley Auto Group Location for diagnostic services and repairs.

You can schedule an appointment if you suspect you have cooling system issues. Let our highly trained technicians get to work on your problem vehicle today. Contact us now.