If the vehicle temperature gauge starts to move into the hot zone, try not to panic. There are various factors that can cause a vehicle to overheat, but the most common cause is too little coolant, and this is easy to treat. If the problem is more serious, we recommend that you take your vehicle to a repair shop for a professional mechanic.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Taking Quick Actions
Step 1. Turn off the air conditioner and turn on the heater if the vehicle overheats
While it may seem counterintuitive, turning on the heater can actually draw heat away from the engine, and can help cool the vehicle. On the other hand, air conditioning can make the condition worse. Turn off the air conditioner, turn the heater on to its maximum setting, and open the car window.
This is not likely to solve the problem, but it can be a temporary solution if you are only traveling a short distance
Step 2. Stop the vehicle when the temperature indicator enters the hot zone
If the engine temperature begins to rise to the hot zone (orange/red), do not continue to run the vehicle. If road conditions are safe, move the vehicle aside. Turn on the turn signal to the left to let other drivers know that you have a problem and are about to pull over.
- Some vehicles provide a warning light that will light up if the engine starts to overheat.
- This is especially important if there is steam coming out from under the hood. Continuing to run the vehicle in this condition can exacerbate engine problems.
Step 3. Turn off the vehicle and open the hood
Start by turning off the vehicle. Next, carefully open the hood to allow the heat to spread quickly and the steam to escape. Press the hood latch on the inside of the vehicle, turn it forward, then release the safety lever, and open the hood. Be careful not to scald your fingers in the heat.
Step 4. Allow the vehicle to cool for at least 30-60 minutes
When the engine overheats, everything under the hood gets very hot. Do not attempt to resolve or fix the problem if the engine has not cooled down. Wait for the temperature to return to normal before you move. This can take up to 1 hour. So, park the vehicle in a safe location.
Warning:
Do not open the radiator cap while the engine is still hot! If you do this, the coolant that is still very hot can shoot out and hit your body.
Step 5. Look for steam, leaks, and other problems
Do a quick check to find out what the problem is. Smoke or steam escaping, or leaking coolant (also known as antifreeze) from the radiator, hoses, or engine are signs of a serious problem.
- Depending on the type, the vehicle coolant can be orange/red or green.
- If you hear bubbles coming from under the hood, the vehicle's cooling system is under pressure and the engine is overheating.
Step 6. Check the coolant tank and fill it if necessary
The vehicle has a plastic coolant tank connected to the top of the radiator. Find this tank and turn the lid counterclockwise to open it. Once opened, check the coolant level. Look for signs of the ideal coolant level, then check to see if the coolant is at or below that level.
- If the tank is low, add coolant to it through the filler hole. Retighten the lid when you are finished.
- In an emergency, you can use distilled water to replace the coolant. However, do not use cold water because it can make the problem worse, for example it can crack the engine block. Only use warm water.
Step 7. Continue driving when the problem is solved by adding cooler
After the coolant is added, start the vehicle and check the temperature gauge. Once you have returned to your normal level, you can safely resume driving. Even so, it's best if you take your vehicle to a repair shop as soon as possible to find out if there are other problems.
Step 8. Call a tow truck if there is a leak, the vehicle won't cool down, or you suspect another problem
If coolant leaks or the temperature gauge does not return to normal, do not attempt to start the vehicle. Call a tow truck and ask them to take the vehicle to the nearest repair shop. Although it may be a hassle, repairing your vehicle at this time can prevent you from incurring additional costs later on.
Method 2 of 3: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Key Problems
Step 1. Take the vehicle to a reputable repair shop for diagnosis and repair
Whether you can drive it yourself or need a tow truck, the next step is to check the car's cooling system and make repairs as needed. Unless you have the skills and experience with machinery, you should leave this task to a professional in the field.
Go to an auto repair shop and explain all the problems you're having, and what actions you've taken to fix them
Step 2. Fix leaks in the cooling system
Coolant leaks can occur in the radiator, hoses, frozen plug, heater core, or intake manifold gasket. Find the source of the leak and replace the components needed to get the vehicle running again.
Step 3. Check if the airflow to the radiator is blocked, and check the cooling fan
Proper airflow is needed to cool the engine. Make sure the airflow to the radiator is not blocked. Next, check if the cooling fan is working properly. Remove all obstructions and/or replace the fan or motor if necessary.
Also, if the radiator fins are bent, your vehicle may not cool properly
Step 4. Install a new thermostat if the old one is damaged
If the thermostat remains closed, the coolant cannot flow into the engine, causing the vehicle to overheat. Fix this problem by replacing the thermostat.
If the vehicle continues to run when the thermostat is closed, the engine could be seriously damaged, and cost you more money
Step 5. Check if the heater core is leaking or clogged, then repair it or replace it with a new one
Check for leaks in the heater core and hoses. If it doesn't leak, you can do a pressure test on the heater core to see if it's still functioning properly. If it doesn't work, solve this problem by rinsing it. However, you will need to replace the heater core if this step fails.
A heater that does not work is one sign that the heater core is damaged. Also, check the coolant on the passenger floor of the vehicle to see if the heater core is the cause
Step 6. Make sure the water pump is working properly
A malfunctioning water pump can cause many problems, including an overheating engine. Check for leaks in and around the water pump. If there is a leak, try replacing the gasket first. If this doesn't solve the problem, replace the water pump.
- If the pump is dry, the car may make a rumbling sound when running. Try adding coolant until it reaches the max fill line to see if this solves the problem.
- Dirty and corroded coolant can cause the water pump to malfunction, and if this happens, you will need to replace the water pump.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Problems Later
Step 1. Check the coolant level once a month
Low coolant is one of the common causes of overheating of the vehicle. Prevent this from happening by checking the coolant level frequently. If the liquid has gone down, add it until it reaches the maximum line. Always use the type of coolant recommended in the vehicle manual.
Always let the vehicle cool down before you check the coolant
Step 2. Load the vehicle according to the recommended weight
Things that the car has to carry will add to the load on the engine, especially if you are traveling long distances or climbing steep inclines. Check the vehicle manual for the maximum load that can be carried and try to comply with it.
Step 3. Rinse the cooling system every 1 or 2 years
Although the vehicle never overheats, it is very important to rinse the cooling system as this is a routine maintenance that must be done. Schedule to go to a certified repair shop every 1 to 2 years or for the time recommended in the manual.
Also ask the repair shop to check the pH level of the coolant
Tips
- Be sure to use the correct type of coolant (and water-to-coolant ratio) for the vehicle's cooling system.
- If the traffic is light, you can slightly open the hood. The hood will remain locked in the safety, but open a small opening to increase ventilation in the engine (this is usually done by police cars or taxis in big cities when the weather is hot). Be careful, when you drive the vehicle at high speed and over bumps, the hood latch attached to the safety guard may come loose, causing the hood to wide open and hit the windshield.
- If your car has an electric radiator fan, you can activate this fan when the engine is turned off. When the vehicle overheats, turn off the engine by turning the car's ignition key, then turn the ignition key again without starting the engine. In some cars, the electric fan can be turned on even when the engine is off.
- Only use distilled water in an emergency. Once the problem with the cooling system is resolved, remove any contents in the cooling system and refill it with an appropriate mixture of antifreeze and water.
Warning
- Cars that often experience overheating can damage the head gasket. This causes the vehicle exhaust to emit blue smoke, which is costly to repair.
- To prevent serious burns, do not open the radiator cap while the engine is still very hot. Wait for the engine to cool completely.
- If you must use water instead of coolant, never use cold water. When cold water comes into contact with a very hot engine, the resulting thermal stress can cause the engine block to rupture. Only use warm water equal to the ambient temperature.
