What should you check if your engine is overheating?

If your engine is overheating, it's crucial to approach the situation with caution to prevent injury and further damage to the vehicle. Checking the temperature of the radiator cap with your bare hand is an important step. If the cap feels cool enough to touch, this generally indicates that the engine has cooled down sufficiently and may be safe to open. This method allows you to take a precautionary measure before attempting to relieve pressure from the cooling system.

Opening the radiator cap when the engine is hot can lead to scalding injuries due to the pressurized hot coolant that can erupt. Therefore, ensuring that the cap can be safely touched is a key sign that you may be able to open it without risk of injury. This practice underscores the importance of safety when dealing with a potentially hazardous situation like an overheated engine.