What should I do if my car is overheating and steam is coming from the bonnet?
Quick Answer: If your car temperature gauge hits the red or you see steam, your engine is actively overheating due to a coolant leak, failed water pump, or broken radiator fan. Driving an overheating car for even a few minutes can cause catastrophic, irreversible engine block damage.
Example of this symptom
What to do immediately:
- Pull over immediately in a safe location and turn off the engine.
- Do NOT open the bonnet or the radiator cap—boiling, pressurized coolant can cause severe burns.
- Turn your car heater on full blast (this pulls some residual heat away from the engine block).
- Call our recovery line; do not attempt to drive the car any further.
How we fix this at Coventry Service Centre
We use specialised pressure-testing equipment to locate the exact source of the leak—whether it is a cracked radiator, a split coolant hose, or a seized water pump. We replace the failed component, flush the entire cooling system, and refill it with manufacturer-approved antifreeze to protect your engine from future temperature spikes.