What should you do if your car starts to overheat?

If your car starts to overheat, the best course of action is to shut off the air conditioning and pull over. When a vehicle overheats, it indicates that the engine is running too hot, which can lead to serious damage if not addressed promptly. By turning off the air conditioning, you reduce the load on the engine and allow it to cool down more effectively. Pulling over safely and turning off the engine gives the car a chance to cool down and prevents further overheating.

This approach also allows you to evaluate the situation safely, checking for signs of coolant leaks or steam without risking damage to the engine. Continuing to drive would only worsen the overheating issue, risking engine failure or an accident. Checking the oil level is important for maintaining engine health, but it is not immediately relevant in the context of managing an overheating situation. Similarly, opening the hood might provide some cooling through airflow, but it is not a sufficient solution for overheating and could expose you to hot components.