Noticing that your engine is overheating while driving can be very stressful and concerning. If you do find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is find a safe place to pull over. Even if you feel your vehicle can make it to the nearest auto repair center, the best thing to do is just call for a tow and have your vehicle towed into our shop to avoid making matters worse. Driving when the engine is overheating can cause more damage and make the repairs more extensive and expensive.
If you see smoke coming from underneath the hood, refrain from opening the hood. The engine components will be extremely hot and can cause severe burns if you try to touch anything under the hood. Turning the engine off will help cool it off and stop the smoke.
The temperature warning light is the most common indication of an overheating engine. However, you can also pay attention to the temperature gauge and if you notice that it is very high, that is another indication that your engine is running at a high temp.
If your engine does overheat, the cause of overheating can vary. The most common problem is low coolant. This can be easily avoided by making sure that you visit your trusted auto shop regularly and have maintenance completed on your vehicle when needed.
If you find yourself in an engine overheating situation, don’t hesitate to give the experts at Ervine's & Grand Rapids Hybrid a call for assistance!