If you’ve ever had your car’s engine overheat while driving, you know what a scary experience it can be. It’s important to take preventive steps to keep your engine cool, especially on long trips, and it’s important to know what to do if it cannot be avoided. Handling the situation properly will keep you safe and allow you to find quick engine repair service so you can get back out on the road as quickly as possible.

What You Should Know About Overheating Engines

Common Causes

Your engine uses liquid coolant to stay at a reasonable temperature while your vehicle is in motion. If it runs out of coolant, there’s a leak in the delivery system, or you used the wrong type of coolant, the engine can easily overheat. There may also be a blockage somewhere in the system, like in the hoses or radiator, which can stop the coolant from traveling to the engine.

How to Prevent Overheating

To prevent this issue from happening in the first place, you need to keep the coolant levels high. Take your car to a quality auto repair shop that will use the right type of coolant. You should also have a full inspection performed regularly to make sure the radiator and hoses are free of blockages or other issues. If you’re going on any long trips, try to bring an extra bottle of coolant with you and keep an eye on the temperature gauge so you can pull over and add more if necessary.

What to Do if Your Engine Overheats While Driving

Your first step if you notice smoke coming from your engine or an alert on your dashboard should be to safely pull your car over and turn it off. If possible, have your vehicle towed to the nearest engine repair shop so you can have a professional diagnose the problem. If that’s not a possibility, wait at least a half-hour for the engine to cool down before checking it and topping off the coolant so you can drive a short distance to an auto repair shop.

If you need help with overheating or other engine repair services, M & R Automotive Service Center in Geneseo, NY can help. With more than 28 years in business, the company provides a wide array of car repair services, including tires, oil changes, and engine repair. They even offer towing service for those who need emergency assistance. If you’d like to schedule non-emergency service, visit the company’s website, or call (585) 243-1201 to speak with an auto mechanic.