What to Do When Your Engine Overheats

September 6, 2023

As temperatures rise, the heat tends to put some extra strain on our vehicles. An overheating engine can spell serious problems if not addressed properly. Follow these do’s and don’ts so you know what to do when your engine overheats.

Signs of Overheating

If you’re not paying attention, your engine can overheat before you notice it. Older cars are more prone to overheating, but a new car can overheat too.

  • Keep an eye on your engine temperature gauge . If you notice it in or near the red zone, your engine is getting too hot.
  • Do you smell something funny ? It may be your engine. Check the temperature gauge.
  • Water vapor/steam coming from under the hood. Often confused with smoke, steam will pour out of the engine compartment if your engine overheats.

Do:

  • Turn off your A/C immediately and roll down the windows.
  • If that doesn’t help, crank up the heater. While you’ll suffer a little in the heat, this transfers the heat from your engine compartment to the inside of the vehicle.
  • Pull over, open the hood (carefully) and let the engine cool down.
  • Check the coolant level. If the tank is empty, you may have a leak. It’s smart to carry some extra coolant and water with you in case you need to add some.

Don’t:

  • Ride your brakes if sitting in traffic. Instead, try to roll slowly or pull off the road if necessary.
  • Open the radiator cap. Wait until the radiator fluid has completely cooled or you could risk severely burning yourself.
  • Add water to the engine. This could change the engine temperature too fast and crack the engine block.

If you need assistance with your engine, don’t hesitate to call American Engine Installations today at 404-920-4252 !

What to Do When Your Engine Overheats

How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

September 6, 2023
It may feel like this Georgia summer will last forever, but the fact is cold weather is on its way! Halloween and even Christmas decorations are overflowing in store aisles, which means it’s time to make sure your car is ready for winter before you’re swept up in busy fall and winter activities.

Can a High Mileage Engine Be Rebuilt?

September 6, 2023
They say cars aren’t built like they used to be, but there are some manufacturers and car buffs who will argue that point based on engine mileage. For the basic, everyday driver, an engine takes a lot of abuse with stop-and-go traffic, rapid starts and stops, and – let’s face it – a lack of appropriate engine maintenance in the case of many vehicle owners.

What’s Involved in an Engine Rebuild?

September 6, 2023
One of the most important parts of our car is the engine. The car’s engine is able to take burning gas and use that as energy to move the wheel that help drive the car. Without the engine, we are unable to drive our car to work, school, or places that we need to go. In order to keep our engines functioning the way that they should, regular maintenance will need to be performed. While the engines are important and we want to make sure they are in great shape, auto maintenance is something we typically forget to do.
More Posts →
Share by: