Car overheating can be scary, especially on the highway or in another busy area where you can’t easily pull over. But if your car overheats, stay calm and drive until you have somewhere safe to pull over and stop the car. Here are five steps to take if your car overheats, whether driving alone or with passengers in the vehicle.
Turn on the Heater
If you’re driving alone with a heater and defroster, turn them on to help clear out any smoke or steam that may have built up in the car. The heat will evaporate any moisture that may get into your vehicle. This will also help keep you comfortable until you can get to a safe place to pull over.
Pull Over
Once you can pull over and park on the side of the road, turn off the vehicle and roll down the windows. You want to ensure your car is not in danger of traffic or getting hit. The best place to pull over is in a safe parking lot, a parking garage, or an intersection with lights so that cars can see you. If you can’t safely get off the highway, carefully follow your state’s rules for stopping on the highway. Most states require you to set up flares or use your emergency flashers.
Sit Tight
Even if your car is overheating, staying in the car is still a good idea, especially if you’re in a place where people can see you and stop to help. If any smoke or steam is coming from under your car’s hood, you should open the hood to let it vent safely. This is because smoke and steam can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. If you know you’re driving alone with nobody around, stay in the car until help arrives.
Add Coolant
If you can get your car safely off the highway, you can add coolant. Just follow the directions on the bottle or coolant container to know how much to add and how long you need to leave it in your car before you drive again. Be sure to keep an eye on the level of coolant in the tank and ensure that it doesn’t drop below a certain point.
Drive to a Service Station
If you’re with someone else or have a passenger, pull over and rest while they call the service station to find out if they can help. Remember, staying cool and calm is important, so don’t get too flustered and panicked. The most important thing is to keep everyone safe and not worsen the situation.
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