State Police Drivers Practice Test

If your vehicle starts to overheat, the best action is to pull over safely, turn off the engine, and allow it to cool down. Overheating can cause serious damage to the engine, so it's crucial to stop driving as soon as it is safe to do so. Turning off the engine helps to prevent further heat build-up. Once the engine is off, you can open the hood (only when safe to do so) to facilitate cooling. This action reduces the risk of engine failure or more severe mechanical issues that could arise from continuing to drive an overheating vehicle.

It's important to avoid options that might seem appealing but can actually lead to more problems, like turning on the air conditioning, which typically increases engine load and can exacerbate overheating. Continuing to drive, thinking you can make it to a gas station, may also worsen the situation and lead to more extensive damage. Opening windows to improve airflow does not address the core issue and may not be effective in cooling the engine.