The question “What To Do When Your Car Overheats” comes up quite often, especially in Mesa, Arizona. As temperatures start to rise towards the beginning of summer every year, overheating becomes a problem all too common. Your car’s cooling system should be up to the task of dealing with the extra heat normally. If you notice that temperature needle starting to climb there are a few things you can do.
What To Do When Your Car Overheats
- Turn off the A/C – Turning off your air conditioning does two things. One, it disengages the A/C Compressor Clutch, so the engine doesn’t have to work as hard. Two, it ‘turns off’ a source of heat in front of the radiator (the A/C Condenser) so the radiator has an easier time doing it’s job.
- Turn on the Heater – Maybe not the most pleasant thing to feel on a hot day, but turning your heat on full blast can actually help lower engine temperatures. Think of your heater core as a small radiator underneath the dashboard.
- Find a safe place to pull over. Driving your car when it’s overheating can cause serious – and sometimes permanent – damage to your engine. It’s best to stop driving as soon as possible. Pull over and away from oncoming traffic, then turn off the engine.
- Open the Hood – Opening the hood will give hot air trapped in the engine bay an escape route, which will help the engine cool faster. It’s also a good time to check your coolant level (the light on your phone will help, put it up against the coolant reservoir). If the coolant tank is low or empty, it’s likely that there’s a leak. Refilling it may allow you to drive to the mechanic’s shop and get it checked out. Keep a close eye on your temperature gauge to ensure that it is in a safe range.
- Call for Help – Call your mechanic (hopefully us) a call to get advice on the situation, or call a towing company to arrange for a tow to the shop.
Ed’s BnB Auto Repair is always ready to help. Give us a call and we’ll discuss your options. You can also use the Book Appointment button to schedule an appointment.
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