Well, this looks like a typical movie sequence. Steam coming out of a car’s engine while the chauffeur hysterically opens his cover and gazes in confusion at the smoke flowing out. While cinemas are inclined to exaggerate many things, certainty, in this case, is not too distant. If your engine is heating up quickly, you may splendidly observe steam flowing out of it. Or else, you may just look at your engine temperature gauge rise uncertainty towards the red zone. In any case, it is crucial to know what to do when your engine overheats. If this situation ever occurs in your car, make sure you think of these steps given below. Read on to know the safety phases when you encounter an overheating engine.
- If there is Steam, Apply Brakes Immediately
The moment you observe steam approaching from your engine, comprehend that it’s surely overheating. The steam may not appear in clouds as it does in the videos you may have seen, but if you notice any hints of steam; apply brakes immediately. This is the first indication of your engine’s overheating issue. Pay close attention to it while driving to avert any spiteful incident.
- Shut the Engine Down
Discover a benign place to stop the car and switch your engine off. Ensure you have blackout the engine since an idling engine would keep overheating. At present, if you are not a person who would like to make his hands dirty and do some inspection physically, emergency assistance is your last resort. Since you would not want to hand over your car to Car wreckers Wellington, calling for a mechanic is a viable option.
- AC Off, Heater On
If you need to stumble on the side of attention, you can avoid this. But keep in mind that dated cars can marginally overheat on summers and may just need some rest. If you have had the AC on, ramp it off and check the status. If that trick doesn’t work, switch your heater on. While painful, doing so transmits the heat far from your engine and into the passenger section. If that also fails to cool down the car, then you may have a rather grave problem that should be addressed by a garage.
- Open the Cover Once the Engine Turns Cold
This step involves carefulness. Make sure that you have given enough time for the engine’s cover and engine to turn cold before rising the cover. When you open the cover, make sure to keep a distance. The reason behind this is approaching a direct contact with the steam can cause severe blisters. The solution to estimate the temperature of the cover is to discharge the cover without lifting it. This will give you a fair knowledge of the heat intensity.
- Study the Coolant Levels
Once you are sure the engine is cold, lift the cover entirely open and study the coolant tank level. The tank is typically manufactured from plastic and the coolant level should be observable beneath the tank’s cap. If the coolant levels are normal, then your engine may be termed as fine. You may simply have a defective temperature gauge. If there are no signs of overheating any more, you can revive your engine and initiate driving with alert. Although, if the coolant is less or void, you are probably facing a coolant seepage. In this case, receiving roadside aid is intensely instructed, since setting a coolant seepage is a tricky job.
- If Garage is Far
If you still want to drive the car, then make sure that the engine is entirely cooled off. Now, with the help of a towel or a cloth to shield your hand, confiscate the radiator cover. Usually, coolant is observable beneath the cap. But since your engine is overheating, it is possibly exhausted. Top-up the radiator and tank with coolant. If you do not carry extra coolant, use water to fill up radiator. Once you show your car to a mechanic and they say that the car requires a major overhaul then it is a viable option to search for auto buyers in wellington and sell your car for some profit.
This should reduce the engine temperature, but confirm that you constantly monitor the engine temperature gauge when you are again driving. If you notice the engine temperature to rise again while driving, you will have to halt again and replenish the radiator with either water or coolant. This is a temporary solution. If this is the issuer you are facing, you should visit a garage as soon as possible to avoid any further ordeal.
