An overheated engine is a serious problem, and if you don’t handle it properly, it could severely damage your car and leave your engine completely unusable. However, most vehicles come equipped with warning lights to give you a heads-up if your engine starts to overheat. If you live in Florissant, MO, and notice any signs of overheating, make sure to contact an engine repair specialist from Mullanphy Tire & Automotive as soon as possible. But before making the call, you should abide by a few guidelines to mitigate any risk to your vehicle or yourself.

Do:

Pull over.

If you have any reason to believe that your engine may be overheating, pull over and turn it off immediately. It can take up to 30 minutes for an engine to cool off after overheating, so don’t put any more pressure on the vehicle.

Call a tow truck.

An overheating engine may be damaged and require engine repair, and only a professional can address the problem safely. Don’t hesitate to call a tow truck so you can have an engine repair specialist take a look at your car as soon as possible.

Don’t:

Open the hood.

As mentioned previously, it can take 30 minutes for an overheated engine to cool down, so don’t open the hood if you notice steam coming out from beneath it. You risk burning yourself, and even if you can open the hood, opening the radiator cap could unleash scalding hot coolant.

Use the AC.

Air conditioning may keep you and your passengers cool, but it puts a lot of strain on the engine and will absolutely make matters worse if you’re dealing with overheating. If anything, blasting your heater will do more to divert heat away from the engine.

Your best course of action when dealing with an overheated engine is to take your car in to an engine repair specialist as quickly as possible. If you’re in the Florissant, MO, area and are ever in need of auto service, Mullanphy Tire & Automotive have a trained team of mechanics who are ready to provide brake service, new tires, oil changes, and whatever other auto maintenance you might need. You can learn more about their services by visiting their website or by calling (314) 921-4961.