What to Do When Car Overheats and Smokes

Today'south cars have sophisticated cooling systems equipped with multiple oestrus sensors and computer-controlled electric fans designed to go on your engine running in any weather condition. But overheating can however happen. Continue reading on to larn the all-time ways to preclude an overheated automobile and steps you can accept in the event that your car begins to run hot.

Why do engines overheat and how can I avoid information technology?

Engines overheat for many reasons. Generally, cars overheat because of a problem with the cooling system that doesn't allow heat to leave the engine compartment. This is often due to a leak or blockage somewhere in the engine cooling system or other components. Other sources may be from a faulty or broken water pump or radiator fan, or from a clogged coolant hose.

Components like prophylactic hoses, gaskets, and h2o pumps can jump a leak with regular vesture and tear, says Richard Reina, production training managing director of CARiD.com, an online automobile parts seller. He adds that certain driving conditions, like finish-and-go traffic on a hot twenty-four hour period, tin put significant stress on the cooling organization, causing it to fail. Fortunately, y'all can unremarkably avoid this problem with regular maintenance by a certified mechanic, who volition bank check your automobile'due south coolant and oil levels and inspect hoses, fans, the thermostat, and other parts in the cooling system, Reina says.

But what do y'all do if your temperature gauge starts to climb toward "H" or the dashboard warning light flashes? "The steps you take could mean the departure between replacing a $20 thermostat and thousands of dollars in repairs," says Reina.

What are signs of an engine overheating?

While every vehicle and situation tin be unique, there are a few common signs to be aware of when your car engine is start to overheat:

• Steam (often looking like fume) coming from the forepart of the vehicle nether the hood.
• The engine temperature gauge in the dashboard or commuter console spiking to "H" or moving into the ruddy area of the gauge.
• Strange smells or odors emanating from the forepart of the automobile, peculiarly most the hood. Leaking coolant tin can often have a sugariness odour, while oil leaks will typically produce a burnt odor.

Here is a list of items to have on hand in the vehicle if your car engine overheats:

• Small, basic tool kit
• Several quarts of oil
• 1 gallon of coolant (l/50 mix of antifreeze fluid and h2o)
• Towel
• Heavy-duty gloves

5 steps to take when you have an engine overheating:

1. Turn on the heater.

Information technology sounds counterintuitive, but Reina recommends turning on the heater. It draws warmth away from the engine and into the rider compartment, lessening the burden on the engine's cooling system. In certain circumstances, that may be enough to opposite the overheating, he says. You'll know it's working if the alarm light goes off or the temperature gauge returns to the neutral position.

2. Pull over.

If your motorcar continues to overheat after you've been driving for a few minutes with the heater on, pull over and cut the engine off—information technology's the safest and surest mode to cool the engine, says Reina. If you have roadside assistance, now is a good time to call, as you lot may need a tow, Reina suggests.

3. Sit tight.

If y'all don't have roadside assistance, be patient; it will take at least xv minutes for the engine to absurd. In the meantime, do not attempt to open up the hood; the coolant in a car that has overheated may be in backlog of 230 degrees, says Reina. Once the hood is open, there's a risk of beingness sprayed with hot water or steam. "Your personal safety is almost important," he says. "Waiting for at to the lowest degree 15 minutes allows the hood, engine and leaking coolant to cool."

4. Add coolant.

When you've waited at least 15 minutes and the hood is cool to the touch, put on gloves, open the hood, and locate the radiator cap (consult the owner's manual if necessary), says Reina. Encompass the cap with a towel and slowly push button down and loosen it a quarter of a plow, to release pressure that has built up as a result of the coolant expanding when heated. Then fully open up the radiator cap and slowly add coolant—half water, one-half antifreeze—until the liquid reaches the "full" line. You lot should also add together coolant to the small, clear plastic overflow reservoir mounted to the side of the radiator, he says. Adjacent, supersede the cap and turn on the engine. "If the temperature gauge comes dorsum to normal or the red warning light goes out, you can proceed with caution while keeping an eye on the temperature gauge or calorie-free," says Reina.

five. Drive to a service station.

Adding coolant does nothing to accost the problem that caused your engine to overheat in the first place, but it oftentimes allows you to drive safely to the nearest repair station. "A professional will need to inspect your automobile's cooling system," says Reina. While driving, keep an eye on the temperature gauge. And take notice of everything, similar fluid under the car or steam under the hood. "This basic information volition profoundly help in the diagnosis," Reina explains.

Download and print this PDF checklist of what to practice—and what items to accept on hand—in instance of overheating.

Need assistance on the road? Easily request roadside aid with the GEICO Mobile app .

By Patrick Rogers

dentoyarmsen.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.geico.com/living/driving/auto/auto-care/overheating/