What to do if your car is overheating

Summer is the time for family trips, driving to work with the top down, or relaxing on a Sunday afternoon to tune up your car or maybe even spruce it up. But what also comes with summer heat and driving is car trouble. One in particular that will ruin any day is your car overheating. 

If your car ever overheats, it's important to know what to do once it happens. (Just like starting your car and responding to low tire pressure.) The Performance Muffler team is here to suggest do's and don'ts when your car is overheating.  

Potential warning signs of your car overheating    

As with most car problems, there are warning signs to look out for that could indicate that the car is overheating. Common signs include:

• Steam comes out from under the hood
• The engine temperature gauge is in the red zone or "H" (hot). Symbols vary by vehicle, so read this warning sign from your owner's manual. 
• Strange sweet smell from the engine area
• The "Check Engine" or "Temperature" light comes on. 

What to do if the car overheats    

If any of the above warning signs occur, this steps you must follow:

• Turn off the air conditioner immediately and turn on the heating. These two actions will reduce the load and remove heat from the engine.
• Find a safe place to stop and turn off the car. 
• Let the engine run for at least 15 minutes.
• While the car is stationary, watch the temperature gauge to wait until it returns to normal.
• Call a friend or call a tow truck because you want your car to go to a repair shop. 
• If you have radiator fluid, add it. This can help protect your engine from further damage, and be sure to let your car sit for 15 minutes before doing this. 
• If your vehicle is not being towed and the sensor returns to normal, carefully restart the engine and drive to the nearest repair shop checking the temperature sensor. Do not continue driving if you notice that the pointer is creeping towards hot or if the "check engine" or "temperature" warning light comes on. 

What not to do when the car overheats    

If your car is overheating steps you must not take with you:

• Do not ignore the warning signs and continue driving towards your destination. Continuing to drive on an overheated engine will significantly damage your vehicle and can be extremely dangerous. 
• Do not panic. Follow the instructions above and you should be fine. 
• Do not open the hood immediately. It is extremely important to let the car sit for at least 15 minutes before opening the hood. 
• Don't ignore the problem completely. Take your car in for maintenance as soon as you can. This problem is most likely not an isolated incident, and it will return. Protect yourself and your car by getting it fixed. 

Why can your car overheat? 

Now that you understand the steps to take (and avoid) when your car is overheating, let's take a step back and identify what is likely causing your car to overheat. The most common causes of an engine overheating are: low coolant level, a faulty thermostat, a faulty water pump, a damaged radiator or cap, a damaged radiator fan, or a blown cylinder head gasket. However, if your car overheats at all, this is not a problem. Contact a service center as soon as possible if you experience engine overheating. 

Whether your vehicle is overheating or experiencing other issues, or if you just want to improve its appearance and performance, we can help. Contact the hardworking and experienced Performance Muffler team for a free quote. We want to help you ensure the longevity of your vehicle and make your dream car a reality. 

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