When a car overheats, a few things tend to happen: The temperature gauge rises, an alarm goes off, and steam may start to rise from under the hood. If any of these things happen, Bolster’s Towing has some advice for you. Located in Kalispell, MT, this towing company has served the area since 1971. According to them, when your car gets too hot, the best thing to do is have a professional examine your car. However, they understand having some recourse to take on your own is better than nothing. In the event that your car overheats, try following the guide below.

5 Steps for Fixing an Overheated Car

1. Pull Over ASAP

As soon as you notice your vehicle is overheating, find a spot to pull over and stop safely. Ideally, it should be within a quarter mile; driving any further can cause more damage to the engine. If you have extra coolant and a spare towel or rag in your car, you can proceed with the subsequent steps; if not, you’ll need to call for roadside assistance when you've stopped.

2. Wait, Then Open the Hood

After you’ve stopped in a safe, visible area, turn off the engine and wait for the car to cool down. At the very least, this will take about 15 minutes. Once enough time has passed and the temperature gauge indicates the engine has cooled down, you can open the hood.

3. Refill the Coolant

Find the coolant reservoir tank and carefully confirm the cap is cool to the touch. Using a towel, slowly remove the cap to avoid burning yourself on any hot steam that escapes. Then, gradually top off the coolant and replace the cap. If you’re unsure how to perform this process, don’t hesitate to call a towing company for assistance.

4. Restart the Engine

Once that’s done, restart the engine and pay close attention to the temperature gauge. If it goes back to normal and there aren’t any other illuminated warning signs, you should be able to get back on the road. However, if adding coolant failed to fix the problem, it’s time to call the tow truck.

5. Take It to a Mechanic

Regardless of whether you can drive your car afterward or have to call roadside assistance, Bolster’s Towing recommends you head to an auto body shop ASAP since overheating isn’t always caused by a lack of coolant. The hoses, gaskets, or the radiator could be responsible, for instance. An appointment with a mechanic will ensure the true problem is fixed.

If you’re ever in the Flathead Valley area and your car overheats, call Bolster’s Towing at (406) 752-4528. They offer roadside assistance and 24-hour towing, so whether you want help refilling the coolant or you need to get to an auto body shop, they can help. To learn more about everything this towing company has to offer, please visit their website.