How to Fix an Overheating Car
Your car’s engine can overheat due to such issues as hot weather conditions or problems with the cooling system. Ignoring an overheating engine can lead to permanent damage, so it's crucial that you address it promptly and seek our help if you notice a serious issue.
Common Causes of Engine Overheating
Your car’s engine can overheat for any of these reasons:
- Low engine coolant
- A blown head gasket
- A faulty thermostat
- Radiator issues
- Water pump failure
- A broken radiator fan
- Leaking hoses
- Air in the cooling system
To take care of your vehicle and prevent overheating in future, you should check your coolant levels regularly, have the radiator flushed, and have your cooling system inspected. With regular maintenance and timely vehicle inspections, you can help prevent these issues from escalating.
What to Do When Your Engine Overheats
If you think your engine is overheating whilst driving, follow these steps to prevent further damage:
- Pull over when it’s safe to do so
- Turn off the engine
- Get all passengers away from the car and road
- Open the bonnet from inside the cabin (with your hands protected)
- Let the engine cool for 30 minutes
- Check the coolant tank
- Top up if needed
Do not remove the radiator or expansion tank cap whilst the engine is hot, as you could seriously burn yourself. If you aren’t sure what to do, contact your breakdown cover provider for further assistance. Most importantly, if you suspect an issue do not continue to drive the car as you can cause serious damage to your engine. If you’re suffering with an overheating car, we’re here to help. Get your recovery provider to tow you to our garage in Portsmouth and we’ll complete a thorough diagnosis to find the issue and provide an affordable quote to get you back on the roads as soon as possible.