What should you do if the engine overheats?

• A. Continue driving to service center
• B. Pull over safely, inspect coolant level, radiator, fans, thermostat, and airflow
• C. Turn off the engine and ignore warning lights
• D. Increase speed to improve airflow

Answer: (B)

When an engine overheats, the priority is to stop safely and inspect the cooling system. Pulling over in a safe spot prevents heat buildup from causing more damage, and then you check the cooling system components—coolant level, radiator, cooling fans, thermostat, and overall airflow to the radiator. Low coolant reduces heat removal; a blocked radiator or nonworking fan stops heat transfer; a thermostat stuck closed prevents coolant circulation; and restricted airflow from debris or damage lowers cooling efficiency. Driving on or ignoring warning lights won’t fix the problem and can lead to serious damage, and increasing speed won’t help since it doesn’t restore cooling when a component is failing. After stopping, allow the engine to cool before touching any caps and address the issue or call for service if you’re unsure.