Repairs · 3 min read
What to do if your car overheats
Overheating is one of the few faults where what you do in the next five minutes decides whether it's a repair or an engine.
At the roadside
Pull over safely and switch the engine off. Don't keep driving to reach your destination — cylinder head damage happens quickly.
Never open the expansion tank cap while the system is hot. It's pressurised and will scald.
Common causes
Coolant loss from a leaking hose, radiator or pump; a failed thermostat; a cooling fan that isn't running; or, less happily, a head gasket problem.
Afterwards
Even if it cools down and seems fine, have the cause identified. Overheating once usually means it will happen again — and recovery to the workshop is the safer option if you're unsure.
Bookings
Book your car into the workshop
Tell us your registration and what the car is doing. We'll come back to you to confirm a date.