When your car overheats, it can be more than an inconvenience. It can leave you stranded on the side of the road and stick you with an expensive bill from the repair shop. Knowing what to do when your car engine overheats can save you from a costly repair and keep you and your vehicle safe.
What Are the Signs of an Engine Overheating?
While every vehicle and situation is different, there are a few common signs that your car engine is beginning to overheat:
- The engine temperature gauge: When the temperature gauge begins moving into the red area or a temperature indicator lights on your dash, your vehicle is starting to overheat.
- Steam: A sure sign that your car is overheating is when you see steam rising from the vehicle's engine compartment.
- Strange smells or odors: Leaking coolant usually has a sweet smell, which you may notice emanating from the front of the car, particularly near the hood.
What to Do When Your Car Overheats
Find a safe place to pull over.
As soon as safely possible, pull over and shut off your engine. Give your engine time to cool while you monitor the temperature gauge. The engine will cool after 15 to 30 minutes, and the gauge should return to the normal range.
Restart the engine.
Once your engine has cooled to the normal temperature range, restart your engine and drive to your nearest Subaru repair shop. Keep a close eye on the temperature gauge while driving, and if it rises again, pull over and let the system cool again.
How to Prevent an Overheated Engine
While preventing every problem is impossible, caring for your car can prevent many issues. The best way to prevent an overheated engine is to have regular inspections and maintenance performed by the experts at Subaru.
Routine inspections by our experienced and knowledgeable team can help eliminate any potential radiator or engine issues before they happen. Contact us today to schedule your service appointment and ensure your car doesn't leave you stranded with an overheated engine and an expensive repair.
