In the event of engine overheating, which action should a driver take first?

When an engine is overheating, the first action a driver should take is to turn off the engine. This is crucial because continuing to operate an overheating engine can lead to severe damage. When the engine temperature rises too high, it can cause components to warp, seize, or even fail entirely. Turning off the engine stops the heat from generating any further, allowing the vehicle to cool down and preventing additional damage.

While other actions, such as opening the hood or checking the oil level, may be part of addressing the overheating issue, they should be done only after ensuring that the engine is off and has had time to cool. Turning on the air conditioning can sometimes add stress to an already compromised engine by increasing its workload, which is not advisable in such a situation. Therefore, turning off the engine is the immediate and most appropriate response to mitigate risks and protect the vehicle.