It usually starts with the temperature needle creeping toward the red, or a wisp of steam rising from the front of the car on a hot afternoon. Knowing what to do in the next few minutes can save your engine from serious damage. In rare cases, it can also keep a bad situation from turning dangerous.
Key Takeaways
- Overheating usually points to a problem in the cooling system: coolant, radiator, fan, thermostat, water pump or hoses.
- Get off the road safely and shut the engine down. Driving an overheated engine can cause costly damage.
- Never open a radiator cap on a hot engine.
- If you see flames or smoke from under the hood, get everyone out, move well away and call 911.
- Fire damage to your own car may be covered under comprehensive coverage; liability-only policies generally do not cover it.
Why Engines Overheat
Your engine produces a tremendous amount of heat, and the cooling system’s job is to carry it away. Coolant circulates through the engine, picks up heat and releases it through the radiator, with help from a fan and the air flowing through the grille. When any part of that loop fails, temperatures climb quickly.
Common culprits include low coolant from a leak, a stuck thermostat, a failing water pump, a broken fan, a cracked hose or a radiator clogged with debris. Hot weather, heavy loads, towing and stop-and-go traffic all make an existing weakness more likely to show up.
What to Do When the Gauge Spikes
- Switch off the A/C and turn on the heat. It feels backward on a summer day, but running the heater on full pulls some heat away from the engine and can buy you a little time.
- Pull over somewhere safe. Signal, get as far from traffic as you can and turn the engine off. Pushing on to the next exit risks warping engine parts or blowing a head gasket.
- Let it cool before you touch anything. If you are comfortable doing so, pop the hood to release heat, then step back. A hot cooling system is under pressure and can spray scalding coolant without warning.
- Look for obvious leaks. Puddles under the car, wet hoses or green, orange or pink fluid around the radiator are clues for your mechanic.
- Check coolant only after the engine is cool. That may take 30 minutes or more. Use a thick towel and open the cap slowly. If the level is low, top it off with the correct coolant mix, or plain water as a short-term fix.
- Decide whether to drive or tow. If low coolant was the only issue, you may be able to drive carefully while watching the gauge. If you found a leak, or the coolant was full and it still overheated, call for a tow and have it inspected.
Safety First
Never remove a radiator or coolant reservoir cap while the engine is hot, and never touch engine parts with bare hands. If you are unsure about any step, staying in a safe spot and calling roadside assistance is the right call.
Heading Off Trouble Before a Road Trip
Most overheating episodes give some warning, and a quick check before summer travel can catch them.
- Check that coolant is at the proper level and has been changed on schedule
- Look over hoses for cracks, bulges or soft spots
- Inspect the drive belt for fraying or glazing
- Clear leaves, bugs and dirt from the front of the radiator and A/C condenser
- Have the radiator cap tested; a weak cap cannot hold the pressure the system needs
- Ask your mechanic for a multipoint inspection before long trips
When Overheating Becomes a Fire
Vehicle fires are not common, but they can spread through a car within minutes. Fuel leaks, electrical faults, oil dripping onto hot exhaust parts and severely overheated engines are all possible sources. If you smell burning plastic or rubber, see smoke from under the hood or notice flames, act immediately.
- Get off the road. Pull over and stop as quickly as you safely can.
- Turn off the ignition. This cuts fuel flow to the engine and power to many electrical systems.
- Get everyone out and away. Move at least 100 feet from the vehicle, upwind if possible, and stay well clear of traffic. Leave belongings behind.
- Call 911. Do this even if you think someone else already has.
Should you try to put it out?
Most safety experts say no. Opening the hood or trunk feeds the fire a rush of oxygen, and parts like tires, gas struts, airbags and fuel system components can burst in the heat. Unless a fire is tiny, you have the right extinguisher and you can stay at a safe distance, leave it to firefighters.
Parking Tip
A car’s exhaust system and catalytic converter get extremely hot. Avoid parking over tall, dry grass or brush, especially during dry summer and fall months.
How Auto Insurance Typically Handles Fire
Whether fire damage to your own vehicle is covered depends on which coverages you carry:
| Coverage | How it may respond to a vehicle fire |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive | Often applies to fires not caused by a crash, such as engine fires, wildfires, arson or vandalism, minus your deductible |
| Collision | May apply when a fire results directly from a collision |
| Liability only | Pays for damage you cause to others, not damage to your own car |
Policies can include exclusions or conditions, such as damage tied to wear and tear or lack of maintenance, so read your policy carefully. An overheated engine without a fire, for example, is usually treated as a mechanical breakdown rather than a covered loss. If you are not sure where you stand, Callicott Insurance Agency can review your policy with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep driving if my car is overheating?
It is best not to. Continuing to drive can cause severe and expensive engine damage. Pull over safely, shut the engine off and let it cool.
Is it okay to add plain water to the radiator?
As a temporary fix, yes, once the engine has cooled. Have the system refilled with the proper coolant mix as soon as possible, since water alone does not protect against freezing or corrosion.
Does car insurance cover engine damage from overheating?
Generally not, since mechanical breakdown is usually excluded. Some drivers buy separate mechanical breakdown coverage or extended service contracts for that kind of repair.
Is a car fire covered by insurance?
Often, if you carry comprehensive coverage and the fire was not caused by a crash. Collision may apply if a crash caused it. Liability-only policies do not cover your own vehicle.
Ready for Summer Road Trips?
Before you hit the highway, let Callicott Insurance Agency make sure your auto coverage, including comprehensive and roadside help, fits how you travel.
This article is for general information only. Coverage varies by insurer, policy and state; review your own policy or talk with a licensed agent about your situation.