An overheating engine can cause serious damage in minutes. Acting quickly and safely can save your engine.
Signs of overheating
The temperature gauge climbs into the red.
A warning light comes on.
Steam or a sweet smell comes from the hood.
The engine loses power or makes unusual noises.
Step 1: Pull over safely
Turn on hazard lights and steer to a safe place as soon as you can. Turn off the engine. Driving on an overheated engine can ruin it.
Step 2: Stay clear of the hood
Do not open the hood right away. Steam and hot coolant can cause burns.
Wait until the engine is cool, which can take 30 minutes or more.
Never open the radiator cap on a hot engine.
Step 3: Check basics once it is cool
Look for leaks under the car.
Check the coolant level in the reservoir.
Look for a broken belt or a loose hose.
Step 4: Decide what to do
If you have coolant and the cause is obvious and small, you may add coolant and drive carefully to a shop. If there is a leak, steam again or the gauge climbs quickly, do not drive. Call for a tow.
On long roads with few stops
In areas with long stretches and few places to stop, stay with the car and call for help. Walking along the road in heat is risky.
Heat and safety
In hot weather, stay in the shade if you can and keep water with you.
Quick checklist
Pull over and turn off the engine.
Do not open a hot radiator.
Do not drive an overheated car.
Call for a tow if unsure.
Why engines overheat
Common causes are low coolant, a leak, a failed fan, a stuck thermostat or a broken water pump. Heat and stop-and-go traffic make it worse. Check coolant levels before long trips.
Do not pour cold water on a hot engine
Cold water on a hot engine can crack parts. If you need to add coolant, wait until the engine has cooled and add it slowly with the engine off.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn on the heater to cool the engine?
Turning the heater to full can pull some heat from the engine and help while you look for a safe place to stop.
How long should I wait?
Often 30 minutes or more. Do not open the cap until the engine is cool.
Is it safe to drive after it cools?
Only if the cause is clear and small. If it overheats again, do not drive.
Both a gooseneck trailer and an enclosed transport can move vehicles and equipment. They suit different jobs, so choosing the right one matters.
What a gooseneck trailer is
A gooseneck trailer attaches to a hitch in the bed of a truck. It is strong and stable, and it is often used for heavy loads such as equipment, large trailers and vehicles.
What enclosed car transport is
An enclosed transport is a closed trailer. It protects the vehicle from weather, road debris and curious eyes. It is often chosen for valuable, classic or low cars.
When to choose a gooseneck
Heavy equipment or large loads.
Vehicles that need a strong, stable trailer.
Jobs where weather protection is not a concern.
When to choose enclosed transport
Classic, exotic or valuable cars.
Low cars that need extra care.
Long moves where you want protection from the weather.
What to tell the operator
Vehicle type, size and weight.
Whether it runs and the wheels turn.
How low the car is.
Pick-up and drop-off addresses.
How to prepare
Take out personal items.
Note any existing damage and take photos.
Make sure the car has little fuel.
Provide keys if needed.
Quick checklist
Weight and size.
Weather protection needed or not.
Condition of the vehicle.
Photos and addresses.
Loading and securing
Both types need careful loading. The vehicle is secured with straps or chains at set points, and the load is checked before the trailer moves. Tell the operator if the car has unusual tie-down points.
Insurance and paperwork
Ask what the transport includes and whether you need to sign any forms at pick-up and drop-off.
Frequently asked questions
Can enclosed transport carry any car?
It suits most cars. Very tall or wide vehicles may not fit.
Is gooseneck stronger?
It is often used for heavy loads because of its stability.
Your car coughs to a stop in a parking lot off Palm Drive. The dash lights flicker, then nothing. Your first thought might be, “Do I need a tow truck?” Maybe. Maybe not. Let’s sort it out together, calmly, before you make the call.
Short answer: No. Roadside assistance and towing are related, but they’re not the same. Roadside assistance tries to fix a small problem right where you are, like a flat tire, a dead battery, an empty tank or keys locked inside. Towing moves your vehicle to a shop, your home or another address. Not sure which you need? Call (239) 448-5696 and we’ll help you decide.
What is roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is help that comes to you and tries to get you driving again on the spot. At RoadPros Best Tow Truck, our roadside assistance covers five common problems:
Fuel delivery: enough diesel, regular or premium to reach a station
Car lockouts: we open the car when the keys are inside
Winch-out: we pull you out of sand, mud or a ditch
What is towing?
Towing means loading your vehicle onto a tow truck, or lifting one end of it, and moving it somewhere else. You need a tow when the vehicle can’t be driven safely, even after a quick fix. Our tow truck services cover cars, box trucks, semis, motorcycles, gooseneck trailers and classic cars in a covered trailer.
Which one do you need?
What happened
Usually needs
Why
Flat tire, and you have a good spare
Roadside assistance
The spare goes on and you drive to a tire shop
Flat tire, no spare (or two flats)
Towing
The car can’t roll safely
Clicking sound, dim lights
Roadside assistance
A jump start often fixes a weak battery
Starts after a jump, then dies again
Towing
Could be the alternator or another part
Ran out of gas
Roadside assistance
Fuel delivery gets you to a station
Keys locked inside
Roadside assistance
We open the door or trunk
Stuck in sand or mud, no damage
Roadside assistance
A winch-out pulls you back to firm ground
Smoke, leaks, grinding or warning lights
Towing
Driving could cause more damage
After a crash, car won’t drive straight
Towing
It isn’t safe to drive
If you’re not sure, that’s okay. Describe what you see and hear, and we’ll tell you what makes sense.
Can roadside help turn into a tow?
Yes, and it happens on the same call. If we jump your battery and the car still won’t start, or the spare is flat too, we can tow it to the mechanic you trust. You don’t have to call anyone else or start over.
Does roadside assistance cover towing?
It depends on who you ask. Some memberships and car insurance plans include a few miles of towing, and some don’t. Check your own policy if you have one. With RoadPros Best Tow Truck, you don’t need a membership: you call, we give you a free estimate, and you decide.
How do you stay safe while you wait?
Pull as far off the road as you can and turn on your hazard lights.
On US-1 or the Turnpike, stay buckled in, or stand well away from traffic behind a guardrail.
Don’t stand between your car and moving traffic.
Keep your phone charged and share your exact location.
Florida drivers must move over or slow down for disabled vehicles showing hazard lights, tow trucks and emergency vehicles. You can read the rule in Florida Statutes section 316.126.
Is someone injured? Call 911 before anything else.
What details help us send the right help?
Where you are: road, direction, and a cross street or landmark
Your vehicle: make, model and color
What happened, and what you see or hear
Whether you have a spare tire and your keys
Where the car should go if it needs a tow
In Florida City and Miami-Dade County
We help drivers in Florida City, Homestead, Leisure City, Naranja, Princeton, Redland, Key Largo, Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay, on US-1, Florida’s Turnpike, Krome Ave and Card Sound Rd. Start with our roadside assistance page, or see light duty towing if your car needs to be moved.
Frequently asked questions
Is roadside assistance the same as towing?
No. Roadside assistance fixes small problems where you are. Towing moves your vehicle to another place.
Can you do roadside help and a tow on the same call?
Yes. If a quick fix doesn’t work, we can tow your car on the same call.
Do I need a membership to get roadside help?
No. Just call (239) 448-5696 and you get a free estimate first.
Do you repair flat tires on the roadside?
No. We put on your spare. If you don’t have one, we can tow the car to a tire shop.
How fast can a truck come?
Call (239) 448-5696 and we will tell you when a truck can come.
Not sure if you need a tow or a quick fix? Take a breath and call (239) 448-5696. We’ll help you figure it out.
Not sure if you need a tow or roadside help?
Call (239) 448-5696, or send the form below and we’ll call you back. Call (239) 448-5696 and we will tell you when a truck can come.
