What should you do if your vehicle overheats?

If your vehicle overheats, the safest and most effective action is to pull over safely, turn off the engine, and allow it to cool down. This approach helps prevent further damage to the engine and other components caused by heat stress or a potential engine failure. When the engine is turned off, you can safely let it cool without risking damage from continued operation.

Allowing the engine to cool down naturally is crucial, as pouring cold water directly onto a hot engine can cause thermal shock, leading to cracks and other serious damage. Additionally, while turning on the heater can provide temporary relief by diverting heat from the engine, it is not a solution for resolving an overheating issue in the long term. Keeping the vehicle in motion in an attempt to reach a garage can exacerbate the problem and lead to more severe mechanical failures, making it important to stop and allow the engine to cool before taking further action.