With the weather still hot in Delaware, there are a few things that you should be on the lookout for when it comes to your car. Extremely hot temperatures can put stress on your engine and cause it to overheat. If you don’t take the right steps, you can bring about extensive engine damage. So if you are looking for information on what to do if your vehicle overheats, you’ve come to the right place. Fox Run Auto is here to provide you with the necessary steps to take when your engine overheats:
1) Turn the Air Conditioning Off and Heat On
The initial step you can take when you notice your car engine running hot is to turn off the air conditioner. While it may sound odd at first, switching to the heater can be useful as it will carry the hot air away from the motor. Whereas, having the A/C on can worsen the overheating.
2) Pull Over
If the engine continues to stay hot or gets hotter, you may need to pull over. At this point, you might even see steam or smoke coming out from under the hood. Your dashboard might even display a warning light or two, so pull over to a safe spot as soon as you can.
3) Let the Car Cool Down
Turn your engine off to let your vehicle cool down. If you’re confident, feel free to check under the hood yourself.
4) Be Careful
When handling a very hot vehicle, you should be careful. Grab a pair of gloves if they are available to you. When removing the radiator lid, please remember to do so slowly so that steam doesn’t spray back at you as the pressure releases. You can add some water or additional coolant fluid if you have any on hand.
5) Call For Help
If your car is still running hot after you have followed the above steps, please call for roadside assistance. Continuing to drive with an overheating engine will surely spread damage, and we don’t want you to end up with any more repairs. Let the repair specialists at Fox Run Auto identify the problem and repair them in a timely manner so that you can return to the road.
Additionally, we are the premier choice in Bear, DE, for quality cooling system maintenance. If you need a radiator flush or cooling system component, like the thermostat, replaced, look no further than Fox Run Auto.
We invite you to call or visit our auto repair shop today!