What to Do if Your Vehicle Starts to Overheat

Oct 5, 2019 by

What to Do if Your Vehicle Starts to Overheat

Article by Delta Driving School

Being in control of your senses is a crucial aspect of driving, especially when things like reaction time and spacial awareness can make the difference between getting to your destination safely and getting into an accident somewhere along the way.

Similarly, understanding how your car works and how to maintain it are crucial aspects of safe driving. Being in your car when it starts to overheat can be a scary and tense situation but learning what to do ahead of time can get you ready for when it eventually happens.

How to Identify

Cars, just like humans and electronic devices, can overheat. Some of the most common signs that your car is overheating include:

A foul odor coming from the car

The temperature monitor in your car is unusually high

Steam being released from the hood of your car

Recognizing the symptoms can help you spring into action to remedy the situation.

What to Do

If your car is overheating, you have to act quickly. Operating an overheating vehicle can be dangerous and it can cause components to get damaged. Calling a professional mechanic or tow truck for assistance is going to be your best option. If you are unable to contact one or you are too far away, you can treat the problem on your own. Some of the most important steps you can take when this happens includes:

Driving no more than a quarter mile. Pull the car over, put the brakes on, and turn the vehicle engine off

Carefully add coolant to the radiator to help cool the vehicle down

Look around the radiator for any damages or blocked sections

This article was sent to us by Delta Driving School. They are a Driving School in La Canada, Eagle Rock, and Pasadena in Southern California.