What to do immediately
- Pull over safely and turn the engine off.
- Let it cool down (20–45 minutes depending on how hot it got).
- Do not open the coolant cap when hot.
- If safe, check for obvious leaks under the car once cooled.
Safety: Overheating can warp the cylinder head or blow the head gasket.
If it overheats again after topping up, stop and get it diagnosed.
Common causes of overheating
💧 Low coolant / coolant leak
Leaks from hoses, radiator, thermostat housing, water pump or heater matrix.
🌡 Thermostat stuck
Stuck closed = overheats quickly. Stuck open = runs cold and weak heating.
🌀 Radiator fan not working
Often overheats in traffic / idle but cools while driving.
🚿 Water pump fault
Coolant doesn’t circulate properly (sometimes leaks too).
🧊 Airlock / poor bleed
After coolant work, trapped air can cause hot spots and overheating.
🧯 Head gasket symptoms
Pressurised hoses, coolant loss, mayonnaise under cap, white smoke (not always).
Can I drive it?
- If it hit the red / steam: don’t drive.
- If it creeps up in traffic: could be fan/airflow — still needs diagnosis.
- If coolant is low: top up only when cool, then book a leak check.
How AutoAid diagnoses overheating
We inspect for leaks, check coolant level/condition, test fan operation, thermostat behaviour and look for signs of circulation issues. If it’s safe to repair on site, we’ll do it. If not, you’ll get clear advice and options.
✅ Cooling system inspection
✅ Leak checks
✅ Fan/thermostat checks
✅ Clear pricing before work
Overheating now?
WhatsApp your reg, postcode and what you saw (gauge/light/steam).