What to Do If Your Car Overheats While Your Driving
Now that Fall has arrived, drivers in Hanover are looking forward to saying goodbye to the heat of summer with cooler temperatures. But, what if, as we drive down the road, we notice the high temperatures follow us… instead of in the weather, on our vehicle’s gauge and in rising steam coming from under the hood? And what if we see our warning lights indicating overheating? To tackle this problem, the experts at Meineke in Hanover offer these following suggestions when your car overheats on the road, and what steps to take to protect your engine.
1. Turn Off the AC and Turn On the Heater
Turning off the air conditioner reduces the strain on your engine. And turning the heater on helps transfer heat away from the engine to the cabin. So, while it may be uncomfortable, this can help lower the engine temperature enough to prevent severe damage.
2. Pull Over Safely
Find a safe place to pull over and turn off the engine immediately. Because letting your engine continue to run while it’s overheating can cause irreversible damage. And, wait at least 15-30 minutes for the engine to cool down before opening the hood.
3. Check Coolant Levels
Once the engine has cooled completely (never attempt to check while it’s hot), open the hood and check the coolant level in the reservoir. And if it’s low, adding coolant may solve the problem temporarily. So, keep a bottle of coolant and water in your trunk for emergencies. And if you add coolant and the engine continues to overheat, there may be a more serious issue.
4. Look for Leaks
Check around the radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle for signs of leaking coolant. Because, leaks are a major cause of overheating, and driving with a significant leak can quickly lead to engine damage.
5. Call for Roadside Assistance
If the engine continues to overheat or you can’t pinpoint the issue, it’s best to call for roadside assistance or call Meineke in Hanover. Because, continuing to drive an overheating vehicle could result in permanent engine damage. And this can lead to costly repairs such as replacing a blown head gasket or warped engine parts.
6. Avoid Driving Until Repaired
Overheating can cause major engine damage if not addressed. So it’s crucial to avoid driving until the issue is diagnosed and repaired by the ASE certified experts at Meineke in Hanover. Because solving the issue might involve fixing a leak, replacing a thermostat, or flushing the radiator system.
Preventing Future Overheating
- Check coolant levels regularly and top off as needed. Also, pay attention to your vehicle’s coolant change intervals, as old coolant becomes less effective.
- Inspect hoses, radiator, and belts periodically for signs of wear, leaks, or damage.
- Monitor your thermostat and cooling fan to ensure they’re working properly.
- Get regular oil changes to maintain proper engine lubrication and cooling.
- Flush your radiator on a schedule to remove debris and keep the system working efficiently.

Overheating is a warning sign that something is wrong with your vehicle’s cooling system. Meineke in Hanover Can Help.
By understanding the causes and taking the right steps if it happens, you can avoid severe engine damage. So, if your car does overheat, pull over safely, assess the situation, and don’t hesitate to call Meineke on Baltimore Street in Hanover for help.
If the Meineke on Baltimore Street in Hanover is not a convenient auto repair center for you, Meineke has 14 car repair centers is South Central Pennsylvania:
- Meineke Car Care Center – Pleasant View Road
331 Pleasant View Rd, New Cumberland, PA 17070
Call (844) 299-1139
- Meineke Car Care Center – Rodney Road
1775 Rodney Road, York, PA 17408
Call (855) 899-9154 - Meineke Car Care Center – South Queen Street
855 South Queen Street, York, PA 17403
Call (844) 851-6677 - Meineke Car Care Center – Market Street
2301 E Market Street, York, PA 17402
Call (833) 825-4442 - Meineke Car Care Center – 2nd Street
201 N. 2nd Street, New Freedom, PA 17349
Call (888) 547-7072 - Meineke Car Care Center – Baltimore Street
871 Baltimore Street, Hanover, PA 17331
Call (714) 855-3821 - Meineke Car Care Center – Carlisle Street
1125 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA 17331
Call (855) 454-9358 - Meineke Car Care Center – Carlisle Pike
6510 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Call (833) 428-8313 - Meineke Car Care Center – East Chocolate Ave
1401 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033
Call (717) 508-4253 - Meineke Car Care Center – Gettysburg Road
2236 Gettysburg Rd, Camp Hill, PA 17011
Call (855) 368-4189 - Meineke Car Care Center – Jonestown Road
4509 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Call (888) 858-9835 - Meineke Car Care Center – Paxton Street
3098 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111
Call (866) 561-5307 - Meineke Car Care Center – Manheim Pike
1220 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
Call (855) 424-4280 - Meineke Car Care Center – Main Street
5988 Main Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520
Call (717) 925-0634
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