An overheating engine might make you panic and dread the cost of expensive repairs, but often times, hot weather is just a little overwhelming for an engine. It might not be an expensive fix at all! If you are noticing that your engine is overheating as we head into the summer months, here’s what you can do to lower the engine temperature and get yourself home safe and sound.

What To Do When Hot Weather Overheats Your Engine

Signs of Overheating Engine:

Dashboard indicator starts to rise
Engine malfunction indication light
Steam or water vapor coming out of your hood
An unusual smell coming from the engine

What to do when engine starts to overheat:

Immediately turn off the A/C and open all the windows
Turn on the heater and blower – this pulls heat from the engine
Try not to ride the brakes – in traffic this means only moving when the gap gets too big to sit still
If possible, pull over and turn off the car. Open the hood for a while and let things cool down.

Non-Weather-Related Reasons for an Overheating Engine

If the weather isn’t particularly warm or you aren’t in stop-and-go traffic, there might be another reason that you are experiencing an overheating engine. If you have a low water or coolant level, your engine isn’t able to keep its temperature under control. Try to ensure these liquids are always at the correct level.

Another potential issue could be a leak in the cooling system. If you are constantly having to refill your engine coolant, it might be time to bring your vehicle in to the shop and have things patched up.