It’s that time of year. With the change in seasons comes a rise in temperature. Hotter temperatures can result in more strain on the engine and cause it to overheat.

Overheating is when the engine temperature rises above the optimal running temperature – about 195 – 220 degrees fahrenheit, according to cars.com.

An overheated engine can fail and force a driver to pull over immediately. It can also cause significant damage to the engine, which could result in the engine needing serviced or replaced entirely.

There are many factors that could cause an engine to overheat. They generally stem from a failure in the cooling system. These failures can include a leak or block in the cooling system, a failing water pump or even something unrelated to the cooling system, such as needing an oil change.

What needs to be done when the engine overheats?

Step one: pull over and turn off the car immediately. It is vital to stop the engine from producing more heat.

Step two: allow the engine to cool before looking at it. Even the optimal running temperature of an engine is too hot to touch. It is also important to leave the radiator cap on until the engine has cooled. The contents of the radiator are under pressure, and can blow the cap off if the seal is broken. This could result injury from a flying cap, but also potential burns from steam.

Step three: find out the cause of failure. Look for broken or leaking hoses. Check the engine’s fluids. Make sure each part appears to be running. If there is steam, find the source- there could be a leak somewhere. If there is none, then it could be a failed water pump, gelled coolant, an obstruction or a lack of coolant entirely.

Step four: refill the coolant. It is better to use engine coolant, as it is engineered specifically for removing heat. Water can be used in a pinch, given that temperatures will not fall below freezing. It is important to note that if water freezes in the cooling system, it can burst pipes or crack the engine block, resulting in more overheating and very expensive repairs. Coolant can be found at most gas stations and grocery stores.

Step five: move on and get the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.

It can be very easy to prevent overheating with regular maintenance, such as flushing the coolant every season, oil changes and simply keeping an eye on the thermostat. Keeping an eye on tubes, the fan and water pump are very important to make sure they stay in working order. Kenny Francis, crew chief of the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet SS at Hendrick Motorsports says that is also wise to keep an emergency kit in the vehicle in case the driver is forced to stay put for a while, especially in the winter. The kit can include more coolant, a blanket, a tool kit, flashlight, food and water.