Engines generate a great deal of heat, which is normally dissipated through the coolant system. Unfortunately, even small mechanical issues can cause your engine to overheat, potentially leaving you on the side of the road waiting for a towing service. Below are a few things every driver should know about an overheating engine.

What Are the Signs of an Overheated Engine?

1. Steam or Smoke

When an engine overheats, water will usually escape from the cooling system in the form of steam. Clouds of steam or smoke coming from under the hood is often one of the first signs of an overheating engine.

2. Temperature Gauge in the Red Zone

Vehicles have a temperature gauge on the dashboard that shows the engine's temperature. Under normal operating temperatures, the gauge should stay in the green zone. A gauge in the red zone is a sure sign that the engine is overheating.

3. Strange Smells

When the engine overheads, built-up oil or valves may start to burn. When this happens, you might smell burning rubber or chemical-like fumes. This is usually associated with black smoke coming from under the hood.

4. Loss of Power

If you keep driving while the engine is overheating, valves might rupture or vital components can get warped. The vehicle might not stop immediately, but you may notice a sudden loss of power.

What Should You Do if Your Engine Overheats?

As soon as you notice that your engine is overheating, turn off the engine. Continuing to drive with an overheated engine can cause serious damage that could cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Once you've turned off the engine, open the hood of your car. This will allow the heat to escape and help the engine cool down faster. Depending on how hot your engine is, you may need to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for it to cool down.

Never attempt to remove the radiator cap while the engine is still hot, as the hot coolant can cause serious burns. After the engine has cooled down, check the coolant level in the radiator. If the coolant level is low, add more coolant until it reaches the recommended level.

While you may be able to cool the engine down, it will likely overheat a few miles down the road. The best approach is to call a towing service to take your vehicle to a professional instead of trying to drive away.

If your vehicle has overheated anywhere in the Mountain Home area, call the experts at Discount Towing and Recovery. As one of the area’s most trusted towing services, they’re available around-the-clock to help when you need it most. Visit their website to learn more about their towing services, or call (870) 425-1775 for immediate assistance.