What To Do When Your Car Overheats

At Anderson Motors, we are always looking to assist customers in avoiding issues on the road by providing numerous automotive services to keep your vehicle running at its best. Although preventive maintenance is the best way to avoid overheating issues with your vehicle, sometimes a hose can begin leaking suddenly, causing you to pull over to the side of the road. It's not a bad idea to have extra coolant for long road trips, and you can visit our Parts Centre to get the appropriate coolant for your specific model. We all know how hot the summer months can get for us, and when it comes to your car, it can feel the heat as well. Usually, your vehicle's cooling system is up to the task of making sure that your engine stays cool and temperature controlled, however, problems may arise if one of the cooling components stops working. This may lead to your engine overheating shown by the temperature gauge needle shooting up or smoke forming under your hood. At Anderson Motors in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, we're here to help. We've made a handy guide of what to do (and what not to do) if your car ever overheats.

FAQs

How do you cool down an overheated car?

There are serval ways to cool down an overheated engine, such as running the heat, turning off the A/C, and avoiding stop-and-go traffic. Also, you will want to fill the coolant, but don't open the vehicle's hood right away, as there might be hot coolant leaking from hoses.

Can I drive my car after it overheats?

In some situations, driving the vehicle after overheating can cause further damage to the cooling system and the engine itself. Avoid driving the car after it overheated, but if you have to drive the vehicle for any reason, you will want to check the coolant level and refill it when the engine cools down. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and pull over often to let the engine cool down as you continue driving to the closest gas station or Service Centre.

How long does it take for a car engine to cool down?

Few factors affect how long it takes for an engine to cool down, such as outside temperature and the issue that caused the engine to overheat. A failing head gasket would cause your engine to consume its coolant supply and overheat due to poor cooling, making your vehicle's operation not ideal to continue driving. In situations where your coolant thermostat is stuck closed, you might be able to limb your car to the nearest shop by pulling over often and allowing your vehicle to cool down for about 15-20 minutes. However, it's always best to use roadside assistance to avoid damaging your engine.

How Do You Cool Down an Overheated Car?

If your car overheats, don't panic. There are steps you can take to cool down an overheated engine. First, although it may sound counterintuitive, turn off the A/C and crank the heat to the highest setting. This allows for even distribution of heat throughout the car rather than it being stuck in the engine bay. Second, find a safe place to pull over and shut off your car. Allow your engine to cool for at least 15 minutes and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. You don't want to keep driving with an overheated engine as this could cause significantly more damage to the engine if pushed too far. Next, make sure that you have enough coolant and top it up if needed. Lastly, restart your car and drive to your nearest repair shop. There is most likely a problem with a cooling component and our parts centre can provide you with the right piece.

Can I Drive My Car After It Overheats?

Once the engine seems to have cooled down significantly (typically around 15 minutes), you shouldn't drive your vehicle very far. Even if the problem seems to be fixed, you should get it checked out by a professional as an overheating engine won't resolve itself. Make an appointment with our service team to ensure quick and efficient service that keeps you safe on the road.

Contact Us

If your vehicle encounters overheating issues, make sure to contact us to schedule a service appointment. Our experts will diagnose your vehicle and fix the issue to get you back on the road promptly and safely.