What to Do When Your Car Overheats

What to Do When Your Car Overheats

July 26, 2019

There are few things more frightening than being in a car that overheats. All of a sudden, your hazard lights will begin flashing, and smoke may begin to pour out of the hood. There are a number of things that may lead to an engine overheating, including a lack of auto maintenance in Riverside, CA.

If your car ever overheats, you should schedule an auto maintenance appointment as soon as possible. Overheating is usually an indication of other, more serious problems with your vehicle that you will need to address immediately. Failure to address an overheating vehicle could lead to more extreme problems with your vehicle, including a complete and total engine failure.

Thankfully, there are a number of things that you can do if your engine overheats. Following these simple steps can help keep you safe while out on the road, and allow you to make the most of your vehicle’s lifespan. Caring for and protecting your engine is essential. Here are a few things to do in case of an overheating vehicle:

  • Watch the gauge: You should always keep an eye on your engine temperature gauge. If the gauge begins to get uncomfortably high, or if the temperature is fluctuating wildly, you should consider stopping at the next gas station, rest area or service center. This is an indication that something is wrong with your engine’s cooling system.
  • Carry coolant and water: Keep a bottle of coolant and a gallon of pure, distilled water in your car at all times. Most of the time, adding coolant to your engine will help stabilize the temperature until you can make it to a service center offering auto maintenance in Riverside, CA. Coolant needs to be diluted with water in a 50/50 mix.
  • Try to cool the engine down: If it’s not safe to stop and your engine is overheating, turn off the air conditioning system, then turn the heat up to full blast. While this is sure to make for an uncomfortable ride, it’s usually the best way that you can temporarily cool the engine off until you reach a spot where it’s safe to pull your vehicle over.
  • Call for assistance: Once you’ve reached a spot where it’s safe to pull over, you should call for professional assistance. Even if your engine temperature is temporarily stabilized, you should still ask for a mechanic’s expert opinion on whether or not it’s safe for you to drive to the service center, or whether you should wait for a tow truck to arrive.

Reliable Tire Center is a trusted provider of auto maintenance in Riverside, CA. If you’re looking for a dependable partner to help you keep your car in prime condition, reach out to one of our friendly representatives. We offer comprehensive, holistic car care solutions for all makes and models. We’ll help you maintain everything from your tires to your engine oil levels. Contact Reliable Tire Center today to schedule a tune-up, or to learn about purchasing new tires for your vehicle.

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