How to Cool an Overheated Engine
Engine overheating is a symptom of another problem--usually low coolant level caused by a leak, a thermostat that's stuck closed, an inoperative cooling fan or a clogged radiator. The most important thing is to turn off the car before the overheating does any damage.
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Instructions
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Put on your turn signals and/or flashers to indicate you are pulling off the road.
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Turn both the heater setting and the heater blower to high to divert heat from the engine. This may help, but only if the problem is a broken fan or fan belt (it's always worth a try).
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Pull over and find a safe place to park on the side of the road.
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Turn off the engine.
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Open the hood.
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Check the coolant level by looking at the coolant reservoir, a plastic tank. (Do not open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. The radiator is under pressure, and hot coolant could seriously burn you.) On some German cars the plastic coolant tank is pressurized--wait for the engine to cool before opening the tank to add coolant. This may take up to 20 minutes.
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Use a funnel to add coolant to the reservoir if the level is below the low line. Always wait for the engine to cool down before opening the radiator cap. When everything is full, visit your mechanic right away to find and repair the leak.
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If a low coolant level is not the problem, you have a more complicated cooling system problem and should call a tow truck.
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If this is the case, wait for the engine to cool down, then drive to a phone or a garage. Check the temperature gauge as you drive to make sure it isn't going into the red. If the gauge starts to rise again, pull over, turn off the engine, and wait for it to cool again.
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Tips & Warnings
Regular maintenance reduces the possibility of overheating. Change the coolant every autumn, periodically check the belts and hoses, and bring your car to a mechanic to check for leaks if the coolant level is consistently low.
Coolant is a mixture of 1/2 antifreeze and 1/2 water, but in a pinch it's OK to add just one or the other.
Never let the needle on your dashboard's temperature gauge go into the red. Don't wait for the next exit if you see the needle approaching the red zone; pull over and turn off the engine before you blow a head gasket.
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Comments
View all 41 Comments-
idler1234
Oct 30, 2010
some cars...mine and the other car I last drove...have an "overdrive ratio"...programmed into their PCM. On a Chicago bypass, dropping the transmission into Drive increased water pump flow and needle stopped climbing and immediately returned to normal w/o going into the red. We couldn't pull off the x-way (no shoulder) and it's not for the "faint of heart" and would've preferred to pull to the side & shut it off. These two cars are a Neon and a Jeep. -
torque63
Jun 24, 2009
Turn off the AC, put the heater controls on high heat and the blower motor on high, might be a tad bit uncomfortable but may be enough to get you somewhere where you can safely pull aside.
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lilolladystuff
Jun 23, 2009
Love the tips. Thanks.
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NORTHENDER
Jun 18, 2009
great tips.rem. Always use a rag to open the system, & many French, Italian & Japanese car also have pressurised systems, so chech your handbook! 5*Article
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benners36
Jun 17, 2009
Actually, under most circumstances turning on the heater and blower will help, at least long enough to get to a safe place, provided there is liquid in the system. Last summer, my car started giving me the overheating light at a long signal on a 110 degree day in heavy traffic (I wasn't going anywhere soon). I turned off the AC, turned on the heater and rolled down the windows. Within a minute, the light went out,and I made my destination a few blocks away safely. Turns out the car was just low on coolant.
