Things You'll Need:
- Water &/or antifreeze
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Step 1
Determine if you should turn the engine off or not. To decide this ask yourself: is it only slightly overheated (ie: the temperature gauge is in the hot area) or is there steam coming out from under the hood. If it is just a little hot, slow down, turn the heater on wide open, drive slowly preparing to stop if necessary. If the temp goes down you can continue to a gas station before stopping.
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Step 2
If you need to stop, find a safe place to pull over, turn on your hazard lights and turn the engine off. Carefully open the hood. If there is only minimal steam, allow the engine to cool a few minutes. Get a gallon of antifreeze and keep it handy. Pour a little antifreeze (or water if that is all you have) into the overflow container. Close and then pour a little cool water over the radiator cap, the cooling radiator will draw liquid in and start to cool more. Touch the radiator cap lightly to see if it has cooled before opening. Use an old towel or a handful of paper towels to turn the cap one notch.
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Step 3
If a lot of steam comes out, step back and allow to cool a little longer. Try again. When you can safely remove the cap, do so. Pour antifreeze into the radiator and recap. Start the engine and leave the heater running. See if temp goes down. If so let the car run a couple of minutes. If it continues to cool down, drive slowly. Be sure to keep heater on until engine has cooled.
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Step 4
Keeping the engine running with sufficient liquid in the radiator will help it cool off faster, but if the water level is too low, let the engine cool on its on for a while. Be very careful, steam will burn you. I found that the heater trick and getting liquid (antifreeze- a whole gallon!) in my radiator cooled it down enough to drive home. Saved me a towing bill and hopefully it is not damaged.
