What should I do if my car is overheating?
Turn off the A/C and turn the heater to full hot with the fan on high, which pulls heat away from the engine. Pull over somewhere safe and turn the engine off. Don't open the radiator cap while it's hot. Once it has cooled for at least 30 minutes, check the coolant level. If it was low and you can top it up, drive gently straight to a shop; if not, or if it overheats again, have it towed.
Right now
- A/C off, heat on full, fan on high, windows down.
- Pull over safely and turn off the engine.
- Don't open the hood immediately if there's a lot of steam; let it settle.
- Never open the radiator cap hot. Wait at least 30 minutes.
- Check the coolant reservoir when cool. Top up with the right coolant or, in an emergency, water.
- If it overheats again, stop and arrange a tow.
Common causes
- Low coolant from a leak in a hose, the radiator, water pump or heater core
- Thermostat stuck closed
- Cooling fan not turning on (fan motor, relay, sensor or fuse)
- Water pump failure
- Clogged or damaged radiator
- Broken serpentine belt on cars where it drives the water pump
- Head gasket failure, often with white smoke and coolant loss
What we do
We pressure test the cooling system, check the fan, thermostat and pump, and test for combustion gases in the coolant if a head gasket is possible. You'll know what failed and whether anything was damaged by the overheat.
From drivers who came to us
They had the best price… to get my radiator replaced. I also had a check engine light on and they were able to diagnose and fix that by adding more transmission fluid.
Excerpts from verified customer reviews on Yelp.
More questions
Can I keep driving if my car is overheating?
No. Driving an overheating engine can warp the cylinder head and blow the head gasket, turning a hose or thermostat repair into a major one.
Why does my car overheat only in traffic?
At low speed there's little airflow through the radiator, so the cooling fan has to do the work. A failed fan, fan relay or a clogged radiator usually shows up in traffic first.
Why does my car overheat on long hills?
Climbing loads the engine and cooling system. Long grades like the climbs toward Tahoe expose a weak radiator, water pump or low coolant.