On Tuesday, we told you what you should do when you see your used cars begin to overheat. We mentioned the first two vital steps – turn off the engine and open the hood. But what do you do after that? Here are the next steps to help save your engine as much as possible.
Call a Tow Truck
If your engine is overheating, you definitely do not want to try to drive it home. The best thing to do is to call a tow truck and have your car towed to a service station or home.
Diagnose the Problem
If you choose to have your car towed to your home, diagnose why your car overheated once everything cools off. There are several reasons a car may overheat. Was it low on engine coolant (antifreeze)? Is the thermostat working properly? Is the fan operating? These are the three main reasons for overheating and they are easy to diagnose. However, there could be other problems such as a malfunctioning radiator or some gunk clogging up the radiator or the hoses. If you are not sure how to fix the problem, have a mechanic perform the repairs. An overheating engine is not something you want to fool around with.
Your quality used cars will last you for many years if you take care of them properly. Don’t let an overheated engine diminish the life of your used cars before getting as much out of them as you can.