Professional car racer Pat Lazzarro doles out tips for what to do if your car overheats.
- Always keep an eye on the vehicle's temperature gauge. It doesn't have to be hot outside for your car to overheat. Be familiar with where the needle on the temperature gauge rests so you can tell if the car is running warmer than usual. If the temperature rises into the red zone, turn the heater on full blast to reduce the heat under the hood.
- In bumper-to-bumper traffic, increase the distance between your vehicle and other cars to increase airflow into your car's engine compartment to help the engine cool down.
- If a warning light appears or if the temperature continues to rise, pull over immediately into a safe spot and turn off the engine. If you attempt to drive your car when the engine's too hot, you will do extensive damage to the engine.
- Look to see if steam is rolling out from under the car or hood--this indicates a leak. If you see this, don't open the hood, or you risk being showered with extremely hot liquid. Wait until the steam is gone, then open the hood, and let the engine cool. Be sure not to touch anything under the hood until everything has cooled. Don't throw water on the engine, as this will only damage the engine more.
- Look at your engine's radiator overflow tank to see if it's empty. This is an indication that the car's engine needs additional coolant. Boiling coolant in the overflow tank is an indication of a bigger problem--possibly a bad thermostat, water pump or radiator cap.
- If your overflow tank has a non-pressurized cap, you can add liquid to it anytime. Don't worry about the mixture of water and coolant. Add what you have. Never take the radiator cap or pressurized overflow tank cap off of a hot engine--EVER. Wait for the engine to cool by turning the key to the position just before it would start the car. This will let the gauges register. Wait for the temperature to fall back into the safe zone. When this happens, you can restart the car and drive slowly to help, keeping an eye on the gauges. If the gauges move into the hot zone again, stop the car and wait for it to cool.
Before going on a trip
- Inspect hoses for cracks, swelling or age. If they are more than two years old, they may need replacing.
- Flush and refill the radiator every other year. Newer cars with the new (Dexcool) red coolant can perform this service every five years.
- Inspect the water pump for leaks. Green (or red for newer cars) puddles under the car is a telltale sign. An empty overflow tank is also a good clue that the car could use servicing.
- Check the fan belt for cracks, and look for a loose cooling fan or broken blades.
- Check radiator for cold spots, leaks, deposits on core and swelling in the tank area.
- Check the antifreeze level whenever you check your oil.
- Keep electrical tape and a hose clamp in the glove compartment.
