Cutter Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pearl City

May 11, 2022
Blue windshield washer fluid pours from a bottle into a car's reservoir, visible over an open engine compartment.

You’ve been on the road for a couple of hours without bothering to glance at the dashboard, and suddenly, you hear a loud noise, and your car starts to shake. You stop your car and discover that your car has overheated. What do you do? In this blog, we’ll explain what to do when your car overheats & what to do to prevent it.

Causes of Car Overheating

When your car overheats, there can be several possible causes. Issues with the engine, cooling system, or radiator often result in overheating, and each one will require a slightly different approach to troubleshooting. If you are dealing with an overheating car for the first time, it is important to approach the situation carefully and methodically.

First things first: stay calm!

Overheating always sounds worse than it is, so take a deep breath and assess the situation objectively. Does your temperature gauge show that your engine is getting too hot? Or perhaps your dashboard lights have gone on to indicate that something isn’t working properly? Regardless of what triggered the warning signs of an overheating car, now is not the time to panic.

Check all of your fluid levels

Especially those related to your engine cooling-making sure they are at or above their recommended levels. Do not leave a small amount of fluid if you can find more elsewhere-always top off any reservoirs completely.

We recommend you take your car to a service center to get it checked before leaving for a road trip. In fact, why not book an appointment with us today?

Signs of An Overheated Car

When you get into your car, your first priority is to make sure that it is running smoothly. After all, no one wants to end up stranded on the side of the road due to a mechanical breakdown. Here are some warning signs of an overheating engine before it’s too late:

  1. Your dashboard temperature gauge starts to creep into the red zone. This can indicate that hot air is being circulated throughout the engine, which can cause reduced performance and even damage to the system overall.
  1. Steam starts pouring out of the hood or any other seal on the vehicle, such as the roof vents. This may signify that something has gone seriously wrong with your cooling system, and it needs immediate attention before it causes permanent damage to your car.
  1. Your engine starts making strange noises, such as clanging or rattling sounds or smoke underneath the hood. This should be taken as serious signs that your engine is broken and must be examined immediately by a mechanic.

Looking for a reliable car service department? Look no further than Cutter CDJR Pearl City , serving Pearl City, HI! Our highly trained staff is for you with the best possible services, and our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped to handle all your car service needs.

Whether you need a simple oil change or something more complex, we’re here to help. So don’t wait any longer; get your appointment scheduled today!