Smoke coming out from car's engine

The Dos and Don’ts When Your Car Overheats

Things to Do If Your Car Engine is Overheating 

Smoke coming from under the hood of your car while driving? It is one of the signs of car overheating. The engine can overheat for many reasons. Some of the possible causes of car overheating – improperly circulating coolant, leakage in the cooling system, less coolant and oil, a broken water pump, issues in radiator, belts, and hoses, thermostat failure, and plugged up heater core. Motors Northwest is here to help you learn the common causes, steps to take, and dos and don’ts when your car overheats. Continue reading! 

Related Content: Free Car Valuation – How Much is My Car Worth in and around Tacoma, WA?

5 Steps You Should Take If Your Car Overheats 

Car Engine
  • Pull off the road to a safe and clear area and turn off the vehicle.
  • Turn off the AC and increase the heat to maximum. 
  • Allow the heat to flow out of the vehicle by opening all the car windows. 
  • Always keep a basic tool kit, 1 gallon of coolant, towel, and heavy-duty gloves in your car. 
  • Call for service or roadside assistance. If not available, carefully restart your car and drive it to the nearest repair shop. 

What Not to Do When Your Car Overheats 

  • Don’t panic while pulling off the road. 
  • Don’t pop the hood to check things out immediately. 
  • Don’t ignore this issue, even after you add a little coolant. 
  • Avoid damaging your engine by pushing it too far in search of a service center. 

More Content for You: How to Finance a Car with Bad Credit

If you are in Tacoma, WA, and want to sell your current vehicle, we encourage you to visit Motors Northwest at 7007 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409. Get your vehicle’s fair market value online in less than a minute here. Based on your requirement, our sales team will suggest used vehicles for you and your family. Don’t forget to ask about our lease and finance offers to save on your car purchase.