How To Tell If Your Vehicle's Engine Is Starting To Overheat

The most important part of your vehicle is going to be the engine. It's what powers the car vehicle and all of the moving parts, and without it working properly you'll end up with your vehicle failing. That's why you should understand the signs that your engine is overheating so that you can have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible to fix the problem.

The Temperature Gauge is High

Your vehicle will have a temperature gauge on the dashboard, but you may not know how to read it because there are no real labels on the gauge. The temperature gauge is a quick way to let you know how hot the engine is. When you first start your vehicle, the needle will be on one end to identify that it is cool and then gradually increase. As the vehicle reaches its normal maximum operating temperature, it will end up settling right in the center of the gauge. This is the vehicle's normal operating temperature. It may be a bit higher at times, but it should go far past the middle. 

If you notice that the temperature gauge is rising and going further towards the hot side, this is a sign that the engine is going beyond the normal operating temperature and is overheating. Start looking for other signs that can confirm your suspicions.

The Engine Overheating Light Turns On

There is also a light on your dashboard that should activate when your vehicle's engine has reached temperatures that are too high. This is a big warning that something is wrong with the vehicle. Find a safe place to stop your vehicle, turn the engine off, and follow the instructions in the owner's manual about what you should do about an overheating engine. 

The Hood Of Your Vehicle Is Hot

It's not a good idea to touch the hood of your vehicle right away when you suspect that the engine is overheating. In normal operating conditions, you should be able to place your hand on the vehicle's hood to open it without an issue. When the engine is overheating, that hood is really going to be hot to the touch. Simply hovering your hand over the hood will allow you to feel all of the radiant heat coming from the engine. 

Reach out to a car repair service immediately if you are experiencing any of these problems because continuing to drive your vehicle could lead to engine failure.