Diamond Rings and More

As your temperature gauge rises higher than normal, going closer to the red zone, you are given the first indicator that your engine is overheating. The second indication is the warning light your vehicle has to tell you the car is running hot. This light is typically found on the dashboard, and you may see steam rising from the bonnet. When any of these signs appear you need to stop driving the vehicle. To continue driving is asking for brutal and costly injury to the engine.

If your vehicle is overheating you need to pull off the street and turn the vehicle off immediately. You do not want to continue to a mechanic garage or station as this will result in irreparable damage to the engine. The cylinder head when it gets too hot will warp or crack, thus replacement is needed in that situation.

Once safely parked on the side of the road, switch on your hazard lights to warn any following drivers of your problem. Providing that there is no fire present you can open the bonnet, to give the engine a chance to cool down, however do not be tempted to touch any of the engine parts at this point, as it is very likely that you will be burnt.

It can take a significant amount of time for the engine to cool down, so you should be prepared for a long wait. If the car overheats during the night hours make sure your sidelights are lit and that you turn the headlights on so you can see what you are doing around the engine.

After the engine has cooled you will need to check the coolant. The coolant can be found in the radiator and the fluid reservoir. If there is a lower level of coolant in the container you can add water to it in an emergency. Adding water to the coolant will dilute it, which means it can freeze in the winter. This is because antifreeze properties exist in the coolant. You will need a professional mechanic to flush the system and repair the diluted fluid before winter.

The cap to the coolant filler can be very hot even after the car has cooled down. Steam tends to be trapped inside which will rise, burning your hand. It is best to wait until the outside of the radiator is cool to the touch before opening the cap. You can also use a rag to remove the cap.

Stand a way from the engine when you are filling it with water so that you will not be splashed by the warmer liquid. You will also need to stop frequently to check the fluid levels as there is a minimum and maximum line to fill to. Once you have filled the reservoir you can check the engine temperature gauge. If it is back to normal you may proceed on your drive.

Keep in mind that it is safe to drive again, but there is probably another problem related to the overheating of the engine. You should get your car into a repair shop as soon as you can, and avoid long drives. If the car overheats again after a short time of driving again you will need to stop, call roadside assistance, and have them tow you to a garage.

If you are planning on a long motoring trip as well as checking under the bonnet, you should make sure your all your Car Bulbs are working correctly before setting off. It is also important to carry spare Headlight Bulbs with you so that if a bulb blows you can still carry on motoring safely.