Most vehicles have design elements that help keep them cool, but when there is a problem with the radiator, water pumps, fan, thermostat, hoses or coolant, your car can quickly overheat. You’ll know when it happens because you’ll notice the activity on your thermometer gauge. In some cases, you may even see steam coming out of the hood.
What to Do if Your Car Overheats on the Highway
Highways are common areas for cars to overheat because they require you to drive fast and push your vehicle hard. On a hot day, the combination of speed and the sun’s heat can cause the area under the hood and around the engine to reach over 200 degrees. If there is any trouble with the cooling system, your car will overheat, especially on central Pennsylvania’s summer days.
If your car overheats on the highway, your priority is to maintain control and prevent a crash. First, turn up the heat in your cabin to help draw it from the engine bay through the car. Next, look for a chance to pull over. You can’t keep driving safely with an overheating car, and trying to do so can ruin your motor. Once you have pulled over in a secure area, turn off the engine.
You can further cool the engine by opening the hood to let steam escape. However, keep in mind that the coolant can burst out and spray you, as everything in the system is under pressure and very hot. The steam escaping from the engine bay can also cause serious scalding, so never open the hood unless you’re sure you can do so safely.
If it is safe to do so and you are comfortable enough to understand the basics, you can check your coolant levels and look to see if there are any leaks. In some cases, you may only need to top off the coolant and wait for the heat to dissipate to continue on your way. However, you should only attempt this if you have enough experience to diagnose auto repair problems correctly.
How to Prevent Your Car From Overheating
You can reduce the risk of your car overheating with proper maintenance and inspections before long road trips, especially in the summer. You can also learn to check your own coolant, radiator cap, radiator and drive belt. This process will help you diagnose problems early and keep you safe on the road.
What to Do When Your Car Overheats and You Have Insurance
Auto insurance can help if your car overheats. Some auto policies you can secure with Strock Insurance include roadside assistance. If you encounter car trouble while you have this type of policy, all you need to do is pull over, turn off the engine and call for help. A professional will arrive, help you with your car and ensure you get home safely.
Just get a quote from Strock Insurance and learn how our car insurance policies can protect you when your car overheats. Drivers in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Camp Hill and across central Pennsylvania have been relying on Strock Insurance for affordable insurance and exceptional service since 1983.