As we reach the last weeks of May, the dog days of summer are right around the corner, and the El Paso heat is about to unleash its full might. June is the hottest month of the year for our area with a blistering 96-degree average temperature. As such, it’s time to make the necessary preparations to ensure your vehicle can beat the heat.
The moment your car begins to overheat can be scary, and the aftermath is frightening in its own way. An overheated engine can cause severe damage to your vehicle. It can also suddenly strand you in the middle of nowhere with triple-digit temperatures baring down on you. Today, Casa Buick GMC examines signs that signify overheating and the procedures you should follow if your engine does overheat.
Watch for the Signs
Your engine often communicates with you through uncommon, non-verbal sounds to let you know that maintenance is required. Therefore, it’s able to convey several warning signs when it begins to overheat. Watch for any of these four signs that your engine is overheating:
- Steam resembling smoke seeping out from under the hood.
- An unusual, sweet smell emanating from the engine.
- The engine temperature gauge needle spikes towards the red.
- The “Check Engine” light or a comparable indicator flashes on.
Steps to Take When Your Engine Overheats
1. Turn Off the Air Conditioner and Turn Up the Heat
Yes, this sounds wildly counterintuitive – but it’s the first thing you should immediately do upon sensing your engine overheating. Shutting off the air conditioning helps reduce stress on the engine, while turning up the cabin’s heat helps divert heat away from the engine.
2. Keep Calm, Find a Spot to Pull Over, & Shut the Engine Off
When in the midst of such a sudden, unsettling moment, the most important thing to remember is not to panic. Your brand-new Buick Encore GX is not about to imminently explode; by panicking, you’re only putting yourself at greater risk of making a mistake and causing costly damage. Continue to drive slowly until you find a safe spot to pull over. Once parked, shut off the engine and check the temperature gauge, which should begin moving back into a normal range as the engine cools down.
3. Determine Your Plan of Action
Here is a good example of why you should have your phone charged before setting off on any drive. You need to get your vehicle to a nearby garage – ideally our top-of-the-line Service Department, though it will depend on your location. Contact your preferred roadside assistance provider and get your vehicle towed, if necessary. If your engine has cooled and you believe you can get it to the nearest repair shop yourself, carefully restart the engine and resume driving. As you do, continue to monitor the temperature gauge. If it begins rising again, pull over and allow the system to cool once more.
Put Your Engine in the Hands of Casa Buick GMC
You’ve dealt with your overheated engine properly, but there’s still the question of why it overheated in the first place. There are several factors that could have caused your vehicle to overheat; a cooling system leak, faulty water pump, or low engine oil level are all possible culprits.
To keep your engine running smoothly throughout the summer, schedule your service at Casa Buick GMC. Our team of factory-trained technicians will diagnose your engine, in addition to providing oil changes, brake service, battery replacements, and more. This summer, don’t allow persistent car problems to get you heated; instead, put your vehicle in the reliable hands of Casa Buick GMC.
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