One thing that can be significantly hazardous for your car’s functioning is an overheating engine. In this post by Olson Marketing in Lincoln, NE, we’ll cover how to tell if your engine is overheating and how to handle it.

3 Signs of an Overheating Engine

An excellent way of preventing an overheating engine is by knowing the signs. Spotting these signs is easy if you know what you’re looking for, even if it’s your first time in an overheating vehicle. Here are three signs to keep an eye out for, especially on sunny days.

1. Temperature gauge: Vehicles come equipped with a gauge designed to signal if your engine is overheating. This gauge ranges from C (cold) to H (hot). If the needle is hovering near the H, your engine is overheating. The needle should be in the middle of your engine is at the correct temperature.
2. Temperature warning light: Additional to the temperature gauge, some cars are equipped with a temperature or coolant warning light. If your engine is overheating, it will light up.
3. Steam coming out of the hood: The last sign of overheating is if you see steam coming out of the hood. In this case, it’s already an emergency, and you should pull over immediately.

Prevent your engine from overheating by having a consistent maintenance routine that will help keep your vehicle in good condition. The oil experts at Olson Marketing can advise you on the best products and maintenance routine for your engine. Call them today at (402) 310-6414 or place an order at AMSOIL’s online store.

What to Do if Your Engine Is Overheating

Pull Over Somewhere Safe

Pulling over somewhere safe is the first step if you believe your engine is overheating. If you notice that your car is overheating, but you’re stuck in traffic, roll down your windows and turn your heater on; this will allow some of the heat from your engine to escape and will help your engine to cool down a bit and avoid it getting damaged by the high temperatures. Cruise until you can pull over in a safe spot.

Pop the Hood

The next step is to pop the hood to help heat escape more quickly. You shouldn’t open it all the way at this time because the engine's heat could burn you. It’s best to wait a bit and let it cool down before moving further. At this point, you should assess your options. If there’s steam coming from the hood, it’s best to call a tow truck to take your vehicle to a mechanic for them to assess what needs to be done.

Keeping your engine healthy for longer is easy with products like AMSOIL’s Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant. For advice on the best products for your vehicle, call Olson Marketing at (402) 310-6414 or visit AMSOIL’s online store to place your order today.

Open the Hood

Once the engine has had time to cool down, it’s time to open the hood entirely. This way, it will cool down faster and will allow you to assess what’s causing it to overheat. Once you’ve opened it, you might feel inclined to open the radiator or coolant reservoir, but it’s best to wait a little bit longer as it may still be very hot inside. Opening it before it has had a chance to cool down could cause hot steam or liquid trapped inside to be released, which could cause severe burns.

Check Your Coolant Levels

Once the engine is cool enough, open up the coolant reservoir and check its levels. If they’re low, fill it up. If you don’t have a bottle of coolant with you, fill the reservoir with water and replenish it with antifreeze or coolant as soon as possible. Wait a few minutes, and if you see a puddle of coolant underneath your car, it's because you have a leak. In this case, it's best to take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic for them to repair the leak. Tip: If your car is prone to overheating, it’s a good idea to carry a bottle of coolant with you to replenish it when it's running low.

What to Do After

Once the emergency is under control, it’s still essential to check what caused it in the first place. As mentioned before, your engine may have a leak or a mechanical issue like a malfunctioning fan or water pump. After an overheating episode, it’s a good idea to take your car to your mechanic so they can check and address any problems your engine might have.

We hope these tips will help you avoid an overheating engine. If you need any guidance or have further questions, don’t hesitate to call Olson Marketing at (402) 310-6414 or visit AMSOIL’s online store to see their full range of products.