What Should You Do When Dealing with an Overheating Engine?

Dealing With an Overheating Engine

If you are traveling around the Denver Metro region, there are many issues that you need to be on the lookout for. One such potential issue is an overheating engine. While this can happen out of the blue, often there are warning signs leading up to the engine in your Volkswagen reaching the danger zone. Emich Volkswagen in Denver, CO, would like to help you determine what to do should you find yourself dealing with an overheating engine while out and about. Knowing how to handle the situation will keep you and everyone around you safe!

Handling an Overheating Engine 

Turn on the Heater – If your engine starts showing signs of overheating such as steam, a strange smell from the hood, or the engine temp gauge on your dashboard hitting the red area, you need to act immediately. To help divert heat while trying to find a safe place to pull over, turn up the vehicle’s heat to its maximum setting. While this will be uncomfortable, you need to help get the heat away from the engine. Sometimes, this can even resolve the issue so that you can get your vehicle to a service center as soon as possible. 

Pull Over & Shut Off the Engine – It is advised to find a safe place to pull over and shut off all power to the engine when it begins to overheat. As the main mission is to quickly bring the temperature down, being at a full stop is the best way to do so. You should also contact the Emich VW Service Center for more information about the situation, as well as to get your vehicle in for an emergency service appointment. Consider having your vehicle towed to the appointment for safety. 

Be Patient & Don’t Open the Hood Right Away – You might be inclined to pop the hood open to check out the situation. We strongly advise that you don’t do this. You could easily suffer burns trying to lift the hood if the engine is currently overheating. After shutting the power off, wait approximately 15 minutes before opening the hood to check out the situation. 

(Optional) Add Coolant – If you keep coolant in your vehicle, you should only check the levels and add more after you have let time pass so the engine can cool off. Please note that this should only be done if you plan on driving the vehicle to a service center, and the situation seems safe enough to do so. Having a bottle of coolant in your vehicle at all times is always a good idea for these situations. 

(Photo Credit: Pexels)