Last Updated on July 16, 2024 by Kristin
While winter weather tends to be in the spotlight for causing hazardous driving conditions, extreme summer heat can also do a number on vehicles. One of the most common problems drivers face in the summer is an overheating engine. What should you do if your rental car overheats while you’re on vacation?
With heatwaves already sweeping across the U.S. this summer, knowing how to avoid this problem is key. Here are some common reasons why your rental car’s engine might overheat, and how to avoid this situation.
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What Causes A Rental Car to Overheat?
Cars tend to overheat because of issues with their components, which can be prompted or made worse by prolonged high temperatures outdoors. The usual suspects include the radiator, insufficient coolant levels, or problems with faulty components such as the thermostat or fans.
So, how can rental car drivers avoid overheating? One obvious tactic is to park in the shade or in a garage instead of an open lot exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Signs That a Car is Overheating
How can you identify that a car is overheating? The first clue is if a warning light illuminates on the dashboard. Car engines optimally run within a certain temperature range, which is usually somewhere between 195 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit. If the engine temperature exceeds this range and starts running too hot, the car’s low coolant temperature sensor might light up (it looks like a thermometer above squiggly lines).
Other warnings that your car could be overheating include smoke, steam, strange noises and smells or an extremely hot hood.
What to Do if Your Rental Car Overheats
If you suspect the car may be overheating, the first step is to stop driving. Pull over to a safe place, turn off the car and call the rental company.
Car experts suggest a counterintuitive trick to immediately help with overheating: turning on the heater will divert heat away from the engine and cool it down. While that might help cool the car’s engine down for a while during an overheating episode, it’s best to notify the car rental company at the first sign of trouble instead of continuing to drive. If you spot steam, call for roadside assistance. If there is smoke, pull over and get away from the car. Be very careful opening the hood of an overheated car, and don’t add coolant or water until the car cools down. Overheating could indicate a bigger problem with the car and its components.
While it may be tempting to just head to the nearest auto shop and try feeding the rental car some coolant, a smarter move would be to call the rental car company’s roadside assistance number as soon as you can. Let them know about any sensor lights, smells, smoke, or other indications that the car might be overheating. The agent will give you instructions about how to proceed.
What happens next depends on how severe the problem is. If your car is overheating due to an issue like low coolant levels, the problem may be easy to fix. But if the car has a bigger problem, the rental car company may want to switch your vehicle.
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In the case your car overheats due to mechanical problems beyond your control, the rental car company should be financially responsible. However, be sure to keep any receipts for additional expenses if disputes arise, and document with photos and video of any visible damage or warning lights.
The three rules of thumb: Try to park in the shade. Watch for any signs of overheating. And let the rental car company know of any unusual issues.
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