Should I keep driving to get somewhere safer if it's overheating?

No — pull over as soon as it's safe to do so. Continuing to drive an overheating engine is how a simple coolant top-up turns into a blown head gasket.

Is it safe to open the bonnet or check the coolant myself?

Wait at least 20–30 minutes before opening the bonnet — a hot cooling system is pressurised and can scald you if you open it too soon. We'll talk you through it safely when we call.

What usually causes overheating?

Most often it's low coolant, a failed thermostat, or a coolant leak — we'll take a look when we arrive and let you know honestly whether it's a roadside top-up or a recovery to a garage.

Can I just top up water and carry on?

Water alone can get you moving in an emergency, but it's not a proper fix and dilutes the coolant mix — treat it as a get-you-home measure, not a repair, and get it looked at properly afterwards.

What if my car won't start?

Tell us the symptoms when you call — flat battery, turns over but won't fire, dashboard warning lights — and we'll often be able to get you moving at the roadside without a full recovery.

Common breakdown

Overheating

Overheating is one fault where stopping quickly matters — continuing to drive can turn a simple fix into an expensive one.

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Does this sound familiar?

Temperature gauge rising into the red

Steam or smoke from under the bonnet

Warning light for engine temperature

A sweet smell (coolant) from the engine bay

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What we'll do

How we handle it

Don't keep driving on an overheating engine — it risks serious damage. Pull over safely, switch off, and call us. We'll recover you to a garage rather than attempt a roadside fix, since the cause usually needs a proper look.

The fix