When it comes to automotive emergencies, overheating often tops the list. While not as instantly catastrophic as a brake failure or a blown-out tire, overheating can destroy your car in almost no time. Once your car's temperature gauge begins to climb, you won't have long to take quick action, and you'll certainly need to arrange for a tow rather than trying to limp your car home. 

Fortunately, you can take some steps to handle this roadside emergency safely and without causing unnecessary damage to your car. These three tips will help you get through the situation safely and with as little drama as possible.

1. Recognize the Emergency

When you think of an overheating car, do you picture dramatic scenes from television and movies of steam pouring out from under the hood? If your car springs a major coolant leak, you might notice a ton of steam, but overheating doesn't always result in such catastrophic symptoms. In many cases, overheating happens with little warning. 

Your car may display a warning light or another indicator if it overheats but don't wait for these signals. If your temperature gauge begins creeping toward the red, the best plan is to pull over as quickly and safely as possible. Overheating can damage your engine in minutes, so getting off the road and turning your car off is crucial.

2. Stay Calm and Stay Safe

While overheating is a critical problem, your safety and the safety of your tow driver are more important than any damage you may cause to your car. Pull off the road quickly, but only when you see a safe opportunity. Never stop in a traffic lane or try to shut your car off while you're still moving. 

You should also consider accessibility for your tow truck driver. Although safety should be your first concern, parking your car somewhere that a tow truck can easily reach is important. Avoid putting your driver in a situation where they'll need to step out into traffic or another dangerous situation. Always pull as far off the road as you can.

3. Remain With Your Car

Staying with your car will always be the safest option while waiting for a tow. If you reach a parking lot, you can also wait in a nearby public building, such as a restaurant or retail store. Remember that overheating doesn't take long to damage your engine, so never wait with your car idling during an overheating emergency.

When your driver arrives, inform them of your situation. It's sometimes easier to drive a car onto a flatbed, so letting your driver know that you were recently overheating is important so they don't try to start your car. This step will help ensure that loading your car onto the truck won't result in any additional damage.

Contact a local emergency towing service to learn more.