What to Do If the Car Overheats, According to Mechanics

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When someone has trouble with their car on television or in a movie, the scene usually shows the character stopped on the side of the road, standing in front of the open hood of their car, and watching smoke billow out of it. Regardless of what the audience knows about cars, this dramatic image suggests that the car has overheated.

But just because people know their car can overheat doesn’t mean they know how to tell if it’s happening or how to deal with the situation. That’s why Lifehacker enlisted the help of some experienced mechanics to tell us the signs your car is overheating and what you should do next.

Signs that your car is overheating

When we talk about a car overheating, we are actually talking about the engine overheating. The good news is that your car isn’t going to perform as well as it should, and smoke (or rather steam) won’t come out from under the hood overnight. First, there will be signs that something is wrong. “If you’ve been around cars as long as I have, you’re familiar with the signs of an overheated engine,” says Robert Walden, a longtime mechanic and founder of Vehicle Freak .

But before we get to them, we should note that these signs are based on some of the most common scenarios and are not an exhaustive list. Additionally, as John Lin, mechanic and owner of JB Motor Works , notes, “different makes and models of cars may have their own specific needs or symptoms.”

Generally speaking, some common signs of an overheating car include:

You smell something sweet

If your car starts to overheat, you may smell a sweet, warm smell or see steam. “It’s antifreeze, and will likely be the first sign that a more thorough inspection may be needed,” says Andy Saari, ASE Certified Master Technician and founder of Nexedge Technician . “When the car is running normally, we cannot smell the various fluids while driving because they are busy cooling the car,” Lin explains. “So, the smell [of fluids] may indicate that they are leaking onto hot parts of the engine,” he says.

High temperature readings

Most traditional temperature gauges do not have numbers, but instead represent a range from cold to hot (C to H), with the hot end of the scale usually shown in red. “A temperature reading in the red zone is a clear sign that it’s time to step back and give your child some breathing room,” says Walden.

Warning light or indicator on the dashboard

Temperature sensors like the ones described above are no longer standard on every car, Saari notes. Instead, the check engine light or temperature light may come on or start flashing, Lin says. Some vehicles also have a special low coolant light; if it lights up or flashes, it’s a sign that your car is in danger of overheating.

Strange noises

According to Walden, if you hear knocking or rattling noises while driving, it likely means your car’s engine parts are in desperate need of oil lubrication.

You smell something burning

The smell of an overheating engine is not always sweet. According to Michael Dominguez, a certified master mechanic and founder of Car Fixer Guide , you may also notice an “unusual odor, similar to burning rubber or hot oil.” When you notice any of these smells—or the smell of burning plastic—”it means hot components in the engine bay are reaching their limit,” Walden explains.

Weak or sluggish engine

“If you notice that your engine stalls and lacks power when you step on the gas, it could be a sign of a problem with your car that is causing it to overheat,” says Walden.

The hood is hot

If you stop and get out of your car, gently touch the hood. “If your hood resembles a frying pan with heat rising in visible waves, then there’s trouble brewing underneath,” Walden says.

Steam is coming from under the hood

Finally, if you notice what Walden describes as “clouds of steam billowing from under the hood,” you need to take action as soon as possible.

What to do if the car overheats

If you notice one or more signs that your car may be overheating, it is important to act immediately. “Understanding and properly responding to overheating can prevent significant damage to your vehicle and keep you safe on the road,” says Dominguez. Here’s what to do:

Stop as soon as you can

As soon as you suspect your car is overheating, pull over to the side of the road as soon as you can do so safely, Dominguez, Lin and Walden note. Then, “turn off the engine immediately before it boils or gets damaged,” says Walden, but “don’t even think about opening the hood until it cools down.”

Turn off the air conditioner and turn on the heating

For a number of reasons, it is not always possible to stop immediately when you realize that the car is overheating. So while you’re looking for a place to stay, Lin recommends turning off the air conditioning and turning up the heating. In fact, Saari and Walden advise increasing the temperature to maximum. “This can help remove heat from the engine,” Dominguez explains. “However, this is a temporary measure and should not replace stopping and solving the problem.”

Adjust your driving and route

While you’re looking for a safe place to stop, Lin says “driving a little slower and avoiding steep inclines may help.”

Your machine can self-tune

As technology advances, cars are becoming increasingly self-regulating, including when it comes to engine temperature. “Modern cars have a self-protection mode built into the computer that helps protect the engine if it overheats,” explains Saari. “This typically involves shutting down the cylinders to reduce engine temperature and power.”

“When this happens, the car may eventually stall completely,” says Saari. “The engine fan will likely sound much louder than usual because it will be running at maximum speed,” he adds.

What to have in your car in case it overheats

Whether you’re already stocking your car with essentials or putting together your first kit , here’s what the experts we surveyed recommend keeping in your car so you’re prepared in case it overheats:

If you’re starting from scratch, you may want to consider purchasing a complete car emergency kit. Saari recommends the Everlit Travel Emergency Kit ($64.95). “It has a warning triangle and a blanket, as well as other items that can be useful in different situations,” he says.

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