What to Do When BMW Overheats?
BMWs are the gold standard for vehicles worldwide; they uphold a quality of design and engineering that has yet to be compared to other luxury imports. BMW drivers understand the exceptional mechanics of their vehicles, and rarely take them for granted. Unfortunately, when we are stuck on the side of the road with an overheated BMW engine, all of that glory goes right out the window and our BMWs become just another car broken down on the roadside. It can be difficult to stay calm in these situations, or assume that your repair bill will be astronomical; however, it would behoove you to take a few deep breaths, and take an inventory of the situation you’re in. There are some steps you should follow when your BMW overheats, and they are important to follow for safety reasons as well as avoiding the potential of damaging your engine any further. If you are stuck with an overheated BMW, follow these simple steps and you’re sure to get out of it with the least amount of harm.
Be Prepared
Because we rarely imagine our BMW on the side of the road broken down, we don’t always plan ahead for such occurrences. However, every driver should keep a hazard kit in the trunk of their car so that they can be best prepared if such an occasion arises. In your hazard kit you should include: reflectors, bottled water, extra towels, and coolant. It is critical to keep these items (at the very least) in your BMW in case it overheats, but they will likely come in handy in case of any other emergency.
Turn the Engine Off
The white smoke that often accompanies engine overheating can be alarming to drivers, but try not to panic. After pulling your BMW onto a safe place on the side of the road or shoulder, you should put on your emergency lights and turn off the engine. This will prevent any further damage from occurring. Get comfy in the car because you will be waiting around for a few minutes at least.
Let the Engine Cool
Before you attempt to touch or examine your BMW’s engine at all, you should make sure that it is cool enough. Depending on how long you have been driving for, this may take some time. You should wait at least 20 minutes or so before examining the problem, but you may need to wait even longer if necessary. It’s most important that you don’t hurt yourself in the process of trying to fix the issue.
Check and Fill the Coolant
Once the engine has had plenty of time to cool off, check the level of antifreeze or coolant; you will likely need to top it off. Using the coolant you keep in your car, you should fill it to the appropriate level. If you don’t have coolant in your BMW, you can use a bottle of water temporarily.
Keep an Eye Out for Leaking
Once you fill the coolant, check for leaks. It is possible that you have a coolant leak that caused your BMW’s engine to overheat. This could be due to any number of issues including cracked hoses or belts, or blockages in any of the lines. Sometimes the issue is due to a cracked radiator, which is usually a more costly repair.
Keep an Eye on the Temperature Gauge
Once you’ve filled the engine with coolant, you must keep your eyes on the temperature. If your BMW’s engine cannot maintain a stable temperature, then you should not drive it anywhere else but straight home or to an automotive shop you trust. If your engine is leaking, you should have it towed.
How We Can Help
At Munich West, we have been servicing, maintaining, and repairing European imports like BMWs in the Atlanta, Decatur, GA area for over 4 decades. Our clients who experience engine overheating take their BMWs straight to our shops because they know we will provide them with an honest, quick diagnosis and offer an affordable solution to the problem. Integrity often lacks in the automotive industry, and we take pride in our exceptional standard of care and customer service. If you are experiencing an issue with your BMW’s engine, such as overheating, contact us today to schedule a diagnostic procedure or consultation—we would be happy to restore your Bimmer back to its former glory and get you safely back on the road.
Featured Image credit goes to: DarthArt.
