What To Do If Your Vehicle Overheats

Cars overheat most often in very hot weather. It’s rare with modern vehicles, but even a well-tuned automobile can overheat.
 
If you find yourself in stop-and-go traffic or climbing a steep grade on an extremely hot day, and your dashboard temperature indicator starts to rise or a malfunction indicator light comes on, here’s how to help your vehicle regain its cool:
  • At the first sign of overheating, shut off your air conditioner and open your windows: Doing so decreases the load on the engine and helps it cool off.
  • If you continue to overheat, turn on the heater and blower: Doing so transfers the heat from the engine to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. (This does wonders for your overheated engine but very little for you!)
  • If you’re stopped in traffic and the temperature gauge is rising, shift into Neutral or Park and rev the engine a little: Doing so makes the water pump and the fan speed up, which draws more liquid and air through the radiator. The increased air and liquid circulation helps cool things off.
  • Try not to ride your brakes: In stop-and-go traffic, crawl along slowly, on little more than an idle, rather than moving up and then braking repeatedly. Brake drag increases the load on the engine and makes it heat up. If traffic is crawling, move up only when the gap between you and the vehicle in front of you gets too large.
  • If you think that your vehicle is about to boil over, drive to the right-hand side of the road, open the hood, and sit there until things cool off. Remember, don’t open the radiator cap under these circumstances, and if your engine has boiled over, don’t add water until the engine is quite cool again.
  • If you must add water when the engine is still a little warm, add the water slowly while the engine is running in Neutral or Park.
Although hot weather is the most common cause of overheating, many other factors can cause the same problem.
 
If your vehicle overheats in traffic in normal weather, one of the following may be the culprit:
  • The water and coolant level in the radiator is low.
  • There’s a leak in the cooling system.
If you can’t locate any leaks, your thermostat may be malfunctioning. Obviously, you can’t replace the thermostat at the side of the road, so either tow or bring your vehicle to your local Auto-Lab.
 
Remember, proper coolant system maintenance will aide in preventing your vehicle from overheating. Redeem the above coupon at your local Auto-Lab for a discounted Coolant System Maintenance Special and prepare your vehicle for the warmer weather!

Use Your Spare Time to Check Your Tires

National Tire Safety Week begins May 29 and the Car Care Council urges vehicle owners to inspect their tires for wear and tear, as well as check tire pressure and alignment. According to a national survey conducted by the Rubber Manufacturers...

Wash Me, Please

It’s definitely time to clean your car if someone writes “wash me” on your vehicle. Even if your car hasn’t reached that point, a good cleaning of the inside and outside prevents the buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt,...

'Cinderella Era' of Your Vehicle is No Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, buying a new car may have sounded like a dream come true, but keeping your car through the “Cinderella Era” can mean more gold at the end of the rainbow, says the non-profit Car Care Council. “The smartest way...

National Car Care Month: Headlight Maintenance 101

When is the last time you changed your headlights? April is the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for spring and summer, when most road travel occurs. Not only does April mark the end of winter, but it’s also National Car Care Month....

It's Pothole Season: You May Be In For A Bumpy Ride

As winter winds down and the weather gets warmer, motorists will see more potholes on the roadways and avoiding them can be a real challenge. If you hit a pothole, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends watching for three warning signs to...

Under Pressure? TPMS Dashboard Light Lets You Know

Newer model vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to warn drivers that at least one of their tires is underinflated. The dashboard light looks like an exclamation point inside of a horseshoe and, if illuminated, should...

Easy Steps to Better Gas Mileage

With the average price of gas dipping below two dollars per gallon for the first time since 2009, many motorists have been seeing a real savings at the pump. Putting some of that savings toward basic auto care can lead to more miles per gallon and,...

Sensible Steps to Help Keep Your Car Longer

More and more people are keeping their vehicles longer as the average age of a car on the road today is more than 11 years. Considering the cost of a new car is about $31,000 on average, deciding to keep your car rather than buying a new one makes...

Winter Maintenance Check

Heavy snow can be fun for some, but many drivers dread treacherous winter driving conditions. Being car care aware will help ensure your vehicle is ready for harsh winter weather encountered on the road, says the non-profit Car Care...

Tire Safety: Check Your Tires for Wear and Tear

It only takes a penny to see if your tires are worn or losing tread. Examining your tires for wear and tear, along with checking tire pressure and alignment, are essential to ensuring your vehicle’s safety on the road and helping to improve...

Be Car Care Aware Before Your Holiday Road Trip

The holidays are stressful enough without having to worry about your vehicle making it over the river and through the woods in time for dinner at grandma’s house. The Car Care Council recommends that before hitting the road for the holidays,...

Driving in Winter Wonderland Takes Preparation

After two of the worst winters ever in many parts of the country, the Car Care Council suggests that motorists take a little extra time now to make sure their vehicles are prepared for the unexpected when weather arrives. “The last two...

Are You a Severe Driver?

Things change, including the way we use our cars, how we drive them and the condition of our roads. Although normal driving is defined as steady driving in non-extreme weather or environments, for most motorists today, being a severe driver is more...

Getting Kids Involved With Car Care

New drivers love their cars, but they typically don’t realize what it takes to maintain them. The Car Care Council recommends having fun teaching children about the importance of car care long before they can drive so they know how routine...

Is Your Car Pet Ready?

The non-profit Car Care Council suggests the following tips for drivers planning a road trip with the family pet so that all passengers can remain comfortable in the close quarters of a vehicle interior. “Before you and your pet hit the...
Page: 123456 - All
Find An Auto-Lab® Near You!
Be Part Of Our Growing Community

…I would drive out of my way to have them service my vehicle any day of the week because I know I am getting service the way it should be!! Capt Colter B., US Marine Corps
star star star star star
Read More Reviews