What To Do If Your Car Starts Overheating......
Your Local, Trusted Repair Shop There are few things more stressful than
seeing that temperature gauge climbs or steam coming from under your hood. We
see it all the time here at Advantage Automotive, and unfortunately, many
drivers don’t realize how serious overheating can be until it’s too late.
If your car starts overheating, what you do in those next few minutes can
be the difference between a simple repair… or a major engine replacement.
First Things First Stay Calm and Act Quickly
If you notice your vehicle is overheating:
Turn off your A/C immediately and turn your heater on full blast. We know
it’s the last thing you want, especially in the New Mexico heat but it helps
pull heat away from your engine.
As soon as it’s safe, pull over and shut the vehicle off.
Do not try to “push it a little further.” That decision can cost you an engine. Let the
vehicle sit and cool for at least 30 minutes before you even think about
opening the hood. A Word of Caution (We Mean This!) Never open your
radiator cap while the engine is hot. We’ve seen people get seriously burned
from pressurized coolant spraying out. It’s not worth the risk.
Once the Engine Has Cooled Down
After everything has cooled:
• Check your coolant reservoir level
• If it’s low, there’s a good chance you have a leak somewhere in the
system
• Even if it looks okay, overheating means something isn’t working
properly
At that point, it’s best to have it inspected before driving regularly
again.
What Causes a Car to Overheat?
· Overheating doesn’t just “happen”
there’s always a reason. Here are the most common issues we diagnose at our
shop:
· Low Coolant Levels
· Leaks in hoses, the radiator, or water
pump are very common.
· Faulty Thermostat If it sticks closed,
coolant can’t circulate and your engine overheats quickly.
· Cooling Fan Issues If your fan isn’t
working, your car may overheat when sitting still or in traffic.
· Water Pump Failure This is what keeps
coolant moving through your engine. When it fails, overheating is inevitable.
Why You Should Never Ignore It
We’ve had customers come in thinking it was “just running a little hot,”
and it turned into a blown head gasket or full engine replacement. Overheating
is your vehicle’s way of telling you something is wrong and it needs attention
now, not later. Our Advice at Advantage Automotive We’re a community-based
shop, and we believe in helping people avoid big, expensive problems whenever
possible. If your car overheats:
• Don’t drive it any further than necessary
• Don’t guess, get it checked
• And don’t wait until it becomes a major repair
If you’re unsure what to do, give us a call. We’re always happy to help
guide you, even if it’s just advice.
Need Help? We’ve Got You Covered.
At Advantage Automotive, we take pride in honest, reliable service
you can trust. Whether it’s a small coolant leak or a bigger issue, we’ll
diagnose it properly and get you back on the road safely.
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