Car Overheating in the Ghats: Immediate Steps
Car overheating in the ghats starts with a simple sign: If your temperature gauge climbs on a ghat climb, pull over as soon as it's safe, turn off the air conditioning, and let the engine idle or rest — never open the radiator cap while the engine is still hot.
First response to car overheating in the ghats: Turn off the AC, turn on the heater
This sounds backwards, but running the cabin heater actively pulls heat away from the engine and toward the cabin, which can buy you enough margin to reach a safe stopping point instead of stalling mid-climb.
Don't switch the engine off immediately on a climb
If you're mid-ascent, it's often safer to keep the engine idling in neutral once stopped, rather than switching off completely — this keeps the cooling fan running. Use your judgement based on how serious the gauge reading is.
Never open the radiator cap while hot
Pressurised, superheated coolant under a hot radiator cap can cause serious burns the moment it's released. Wait until the engine has properly cooled — usually 30 minutes or more — before touching it at all.
Don't pour cold water on a hot engine block
The sudden temperature change can crack the block. If you're carrying water, it's for topping up the radiator once cooled, not for dousing a hot engine.
When to call for help instead of waiting it out
If the gauge doesn't come down after resting, or you're losing coolant visibly, this isn't a wait-it-out situation. Jhatpat covers the ghat sections on all three of our highway corridors specifically because overheating is one of the most common ghat-related calls we get.
If you are currently facing any trouble, get in touch with us through our Home page or call us below.
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