Written by the Pro-Tow Team
Providing 24-hour towing services in Spokane and the surrounding areas.
Summer is made for road trips, camping weekends, and exploring everything Washington State and the surrounding area have to offer. But hot weather can also put extra strain on your vehicle, especially if there’s already a problem with your cooling system.
If you’ve ever seen your temperature gauge creeping toward the red or noticed steam coming from under the hood, you know how stressful it can be. The good news is that acting quickly can often prevent a small problem from becoming a major repair.
At Pro-Tow by FleetEasy in Spokane, we’ve helped countless drivers whose vehicles overheated on busy Spokane roads, neighbourhood streets, and highways like I-90. One thing we’ve learned? Knowing when to call a tow truck in Spokane can save you a lot of money and a lot of frustration.
Why Do Vehicles Overheat?
Your engine gets extremely hot every time you drive. Normally, your cooling system keeps everything at the right temperature. But if something isn’t working properly, your engine can overheat surprisingly fast.
Some of the most common causes include:
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- Low coolant levels
- A leaking radiator or hose
- A faulty thermostat
- A failing water pump
- Cooling fan problems
- Stop-and-go traffic on a hot day
- Pulling a trailer or carrying heavy loads
Sometimes the problem builds up over time. Other times, it happens without much warning. Either way, an overheating vehicle is one of the most common reasons people need a towing service in Spokane during the summer months.
Signs It’s Time to Pull Over
Your vehicle usually gives you a few warning signs before serious damage happens. Keep an eye out for things like the temperature gauge moving into the red, sudden loss of engine power, warning lights firing on the dashboard, or steam coming from the hood. If you smell a sweet odor, it could mean leaking coolant.
If you notice any of these signs, we recommend pulling over to a safe spot and calling for a tow truck in Spokane. Even if it’s only a few miles to your destination, continuing to drive while your engine is overheating can cause much bigger and more expensive problems than the original issues.
What Happens If You Keep Driving?
You can expect a higher repair bill for your vehicle! When an engine gets too hot, parts can begin to warp or crack. Something as simple as a coolant leak could eventually lead to a blown head gasket or serious engine damage if you continue driving.
We’ve seen situations where a driver could have avoided thousands of dollars in repairs simply by pulling over and calling for help sooner. That’s why if your engine is overheating, it’s usually safer and often cheaper to call a tow truck in Spokane than to try to nurse your vehicle to the nearest repair shop.
What Should You Do If It’s Overheating?
If your vehicle starts overheating, pull over somewhere safe as soon as possible. Turn off the engine and let it cool completely. Don’t touch the radiator cap to check for coolant while the engine is hot because it’s under a lot of pressure and can seriously burn you. If you’re not sure what is wrong, call Pro-Tow. We’re available 24 hours a day throughout Spokane and the surrounding regions.
Even if the engine cools down and seems fine again, the original problem hasn’t disappeared. Without fixing the cause, there’s a good chance it will overheat again just a few minutes later.
How Pro-Tow Can Help
When your vehicle overheats, call us. We are here to help. At Pro-Tow, we provide fast, reliable towing service in Spokane for overheating vehicles, whether you’re stuck downtown, on a back road, or along a major state route highway. Our experienced operators will safely transport your vehicle to the repair shop of your choice so you don’t risk causing additional damage by driving it.
We know being stranded is stressful, so we work hard to respond quickly, communicate clearly, and get you back on track as soon as possible.
When in Doubt, Don’t Risk It
If your temperature gauge is climbing or you see steam coming from under the hood, don’t take chances. Our team is available 24 hours a day, providing dependable towing and roadside assistance to drivers throughout Spokane Valley.