To tell if your engine is overheating there are a few warning signs that your car has. The first is the water temperature gauge. When this gauge begins to increase in temperature going towards the red zone it means your car is too hot. This is then followed by the second system, which is the warning light somewhere on your dash. You may even be seeing steam coming from the bonnet at this point. At any time when you see these warning signs it is imperative that you stop the car. Your vehicle can be severely damaged by an overheated engine to the point that repairs are costly.

If your vehicle is overheating you need to pull off the street and turn the vehicle off immediately. You do not want to continue to a mechanic garage or station as this will result in irreparable damage to the engine. The cylinder head when it gets too hot will warp or crack, thus replacement is needed in that situation.

When you get to the side of the street you will need to turn your hazard lights on to indicate you are experiencing an issue to the other drivers. If there is no fire you can lift the bonnet to give the engine a better source of air, thus decreasing the pressure. You do not want to touch the engine as you may be burned.

It can take a significant amount of time for the engine to cool down, so you should be prepared for a long wait. If the car overheats during the night hours make sure your sidelights are lit and that you turn the headlights on so you can see what you are doing around the engine.

After the engine has decreased in temperature the first thing to check is the coolant. This is usually the first fluid to be low when your car overheats. By adding water to the radiator you are able to give it fluid. The water should not be too cold as it can crack the container the fluid is held in. Water is not the typical fluid to use, but in an emergency it works fine. The water will dilute the coolant called antifreeze. You will need to have the system flushed by a mechanic before winter to avoid freezing the coolant.

The cap to the coolant filler can be very hot even after the car has cooled down. Steam tends to be trapped inside which will rise, burning your hand. It is best to wait until the outside of the radiator is cool to the touch before opening the cap. You can also use a rag to remove the cap.

At arms length steadily fill up the engine coolant with water, to prevent being splashed with hot coolant, and stop periodically to check the reservoir level. Once the coolant level is back between the maximum and minimum levels marked on the reservoir, and the engine temperature gauge is back within its normal range it will be safe to drive off again.

Keep in mind that it is safe to drive again, but there is probably another problem related to the overheating of the engine. You should get your car into a repair shop as soon as you can, and avoid long drives. If the car overheats again after a short time of driving again you will need to stop, call roadside assistance, and have them tow you to a garage.