What to do if your engine overheats

Picture this: you’re driving down the road, minding your own business, when your car’s check engine light suddenly comes on. You hear a loud noise, and to make things worse, white smoke starts pouring out from under the hood. Your engine is overheating! What should you do? Here’s a quick checklist to help you out:

Immediately

Here’s what you should do right away:

• Stop your car, turn off the ignition and wait for the engine to cool down.
• If the coolant is low, carefully add some to the engine. Only do this once the engine has cooled down enough. You can also use water temporarily, but get to a repair shop to drain it and replace it with the correct fluid as soon as possible.
• Turn on the heating system to ventilate the engine.
• Call a tow truck if the problem persists or you aren’t sure what to do.

IMPORTANT! You must act quickly. If you fear for your safety, move away from the vehicle and contact emergency services. Above all, don’t continue driving, as you could severely damage your car.

Within the next few hours

After the initial danger has passed, you should:

• Make an appointment with a repair shop to find the source of the problem. Overheating is often caused by a leaking radiator, a faulty fan or expired coolant.
• Follow your mechanic’s recommendations on how to prevent overheating.

In the following months

Even if you think the problem has been resolved, it’s crucial to:

• Watch for signs of overheating, such as warning lights, high engine temperature, suspicious noises and smoke.
• Stick to your car’s maintenance schedule. This is the best way to prevent this type of incident!

Finally, remember that if your engine overheats, you must act immediately. Does your vehicle need an inspection or repair? Schedule an appointment at your nearest M 360 Mechanic today.