The overheat warning light might illuminate for a variety of reasons. Ideally, you should try to avoid overheating the engine before it gets too risky and causes costly damage. Professional technicians can readily identify coolant levels, leakage, evidence of a broken water pump, and a variety of other symptoms that might indicate engine overheating during routine auto maintenance operations.
A regular automobile maintenance programme allows you to address minor issues before they become major ones. Preventing hazardous overheating is as simple as taking care of your cooling system, checking all fluid levels on a regular basis, and having your brakes, batteries, shocks, and filters inspected by a certified auto mechanic.
When Your Engine Overheats, What Should You Do?
Here are some common methods to temporarily repair an overheated automobile engine before seeking expert help. However, keep in mind that the directions in your owner’s handbook take precedence.
After the warning light shows, quickly activate the hazard lights and assess your surrounds for the best route to get off the road and clear of traffic as soon as possible.
Turn on the heating and the fans instead of the air conditioner. On a hot summer day, turning on the heater may seem like the last thing you want to do. The heater, on the other hand, operates by drawing heat from the engine. As a result, when it is switched on, it suctions hot air from the engine bay, cooling it.
If it’s safe, try coasting to the side of the road in neutral. This lowers your engine’s speed, lowering its temperature.
When you’ve found a safe location on the side of the road, turn on your hazards light, park your car, and turn off the engine. It will take some time for the engine to cool down before you can safely open the hood.
When your hood is cold enough to touch, open it to allow the steam and extra heat escape. If you open the radiator cap while your engine is still hot, you risk scalding yourself badly. Take advantage of this opportunity to obtain the phone number of your local auto maintenance service facility; you may want professional assistance. Contact our experienced team at Car Service Bishops Stortford and we could have car breakdown recovery assistance with you in less than an hour.
Use a thick towel or cloth to carefully open the radiator once your engine has totally cooled down. Avoid spluttering steam or hot water by keeping your face out of the way. Add the coolant until it reaches the entire line after gently opening the radiator cap. A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water is preferred by the engine. In addition, coolant must be supplied to the coolant reservoir, which is near to the radiator, to the right level.
Remove the cap from the radiator and allow it to cool for a few minutes longer. Check if the temperature gauge returns to normal after starting the engine.
It’s not a good idea to drive a car with an overheating problem. Although adding coolant may appear to have remedied the problem, it is suggested that the fundamental cause be investigated. If you’re not sure what’s going on under the hood of your car, take it to the nearest Car Service Stansted or Car Service Bishops Stortford for a professional inspection.