We're offline for a tune-up, we'll be up and running smoothly very soon. Show In the meantime, here are some other options available: Visit an Sign up for View us on Social Media We appreciate your patience – for your next visit: 15% offyour next purchase. Enter coupon code: in shopping cart. We look forward to serving you, Many vehicles are built to handle the rigors of towing. Still, you may find yourself in a situation where the stress of towing triggers a problem that causes your engine to overheat. What happens if your engine runs too hot while you’re pulling a weighty trailer behind you? In a case like this, it’s important to know what to do if your engine overheats while towing. The Dangers of Driving with an Overheated EngineWhether it’s caused by towing, cooling system failure or extremely hot weather, overheating can lead to permanent engine damage and may affect the following components:
What to Do If Your Engine Overheats While TowingFollow these steps to prevent damage to your vehicle if your engine overheats while you’re towing: 1. Turn off the Air Conditioning and Blast the Heat If you have the air conditioning running, this can stress the engine and make overheating worse, so immediately turn off the A/C once you notice there’s a problem. Also, turn your car’s heater up to the maximum setting. This will help draw heat away from the engine, buying you some time while you plan your next move. 2. Pull Over in a Safe Location Find a safe place with enough room for you and whatever you’re towing, and then pull over and turn off the engine. Allow the engine to cool down for at least 15 minutes. While this is happening, watch the car’s temperature gauge. The needle should move back into the normal range as the heat dissipates and the engine cools. 3. Drive to a Nearby Auto Repair Shop, or Call a Tow Truck or Roadside Assistance Unless you were towing more than your vehicle’s prescribed limit or navigating a steep slope, the cause of your problem may be an engine issue. While your engine cools, use your cell phone to check if there is a NAPA AutoCare facility nearby. If so, you can drive to the shop when the temperature comes down and get the problem checked out. Keep an eye on your engine temperature gauge and drive gently. Stop to cool your engine off if needed. If there aren’t any repair shops close by, call a tow truck or AAA roadside assistance for help. Remember, it’s important to pull over as soon as you can if your engine overheats. The longer you keep driving, the greater your risk of causing costly damage to your car’s engine. Check out all the heating & cooling parts available at NAPA Online, or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on what to do if you overheat while towing, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. Photo courtesy of Pixabay. Warren Clarke View AllI'm a writer and editor who's a regular contributor with the New York Daily News and Carfax, and my content has appeared in over 20 publications. I've written content that covers industries such as automotive, medical, insurance, healthcare, real estate, plumbing, pest control, dental and hospitality. Why does my truck run hot when I pull a trailer?Towing puts extra strain on your engine and transmission, causing them to run at a much hotter temperature. To avoid becoming one of those unfortunate people on the side of the road, you should seriously consider at the very least, a trans-cooler and if possible, an engine oil cooler as well.
How do I keep my transmission cool while towing?If you haul or tow heavy loads, the radiator alone may not be enough to keep it cool and you should consider installing an external transmission cooler. A stacked plate cooler for example is easy to install and attaches to the front of the radiator.
How do I cool my truck engine?To cool an overheated engine, start by turning off your vehicle and waiting for steam to stop coming out of the hood and the engine to cool down, which can take 30-45 minutes. Once the engine is cool, pop the hood and squeeze the upper radiator hose to see if it's under pressure.
What makes an engine run cooler?When we say an engine runs cold, we mean it's not reaching full operating temperature. The most common reasons for the temperature to remain low include: A thermostat stuck open. A bad engine coolant temperature sensor.
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