Driving around Spain during the warmer months can mean high temperatures, strong sunshine and long journeys on roads such as the A-7, AP-7 and N-332.
Modern rental cars are designed to operate safely in these conditions, but an overheating warning should never be ignored.
If your Blanca Cars rental vehicle displays an engine-temperature warning, the temperature gauge moves into the red zone, steam appears from under the bonnet or the vehicle begins behaving unusually, you should act immediately.
The most important rule is simple:
Do not continue driving an overheating vehicle.
Blanca Cars’ current rental terms require customers to stop the vehicle as soon as possible when a warning light or alarm indicates an abnormality and to contact Blanca Cars for instructions. Unauthorised repairs or assistance should not be arranged independently.
How Do You Know If a Rental Car Is Overheating?
An overheating engine will often give you some warning before the situation becomes serious.
Possible signs include:
- A red engine-temperature warning light
- A temperature gauge rising towards the red zone
- A dashboard message saying the engine temperature is too high
- Steam coming from underneath the bonnet
- An unusual hot or sweet smell
- Reduced engine power
- The vehicle entering an emergency or reduced-power mode
- Unusual noises from the engine area
Spain’s DGT notes that excessive engine temperature can trigger a vehicle’s emergency operating mode and that overheating can be more common during summer conditions.
If any of these warning signs appear, do not simply keep driving and hope the problem disappears.
Step 1: Reduce Your Speed and Look for Somewhere Safe to Stop
If the temperature warning appears while you are driving, stay calm.
Avoid sudden braking or steering movements.
Reduce your speed carefully and look for the nearest safe place where you can stop away from moving traffic.
Ideally, use:
- A motorway service area
- A lay-by
- A parking area
- A safe roadside area
- A motorway exit where the vehicle can be stopped away from traffic
If the vehicle is already losing power, switch on the hazard warning lights so other drivers can see that you may have a problem.
Do not attempt to reach your hotel, villa or destination simply because it is only a few kilometres away.
Continuing to drive an overheating engine can potentially turn a relatively manageable fault into serious engine damage.
Step 2: Switch Off the Engine
Once you have stopped in a safe location, switch the engine off.
Allow the vehicle to cool naturally.
Do not sit with the engine running simply to see whether the temperature drops.
If the engine has overheated, continuing to run it can potentially make the problem worse.
If the air conditioning was operating, switch it off as you are moving towards a safe stopping place where practical.
However, your safety always comes first.
Do not become distracted by adjusting controls when your priority should be safely moving away from traffic.
Step 3: Do Not Open the Coolant Cap
This is extremely important.
Never open the coolant reservoir or radiator cap while the engine is hot.
The cooling system can be under pressure, and hot coolant or steam can escape suddenly.
This can cause serious burns.
Even if you believe the vehicle is low on coolant, do not immediately start opening caps under the bonnet.
Wait for instructions from Blanca Cars.
Do not pour cold water over a hot engine either.
The correct response is to stop, switch the engine off and allow everything to cool.
Step 4: Contact Blanca Cars
Once the vehicle is safely stopped, contact Blanca Cars.
The Blanca Cars FAQ states that customers whose rental vehicle breaks down should use the emergency phone number provided with the car. The current Blanca Cars emergency number listed on the website is +34 653 221 333.
When you call, explain:
- Your name
- Your location
- Which vehicle you are driving
- Which warning light appeared
- Whether the temperature gauge entered the red zone
- Whether there was steam
- Whether the vehicle lost power
- Whether any other warning lights appeared
- Whether the engine is now switched off
If possible, take a photograph of the dashboard warning before switching the ignition completely off, but only if you can do this safely.
A photograph can help identify exactly what the car was displaying.
Step 5: Do Not Arrange Your Own Repair
A rental vehicle is different from your privately owned car.
Do not arrange:
- A mechanic
- A tow truck
- Coolant replacement
- Hose repairs
- Radiator work
- Water-pump repairs
- Thermostat repairs
without speaking to Blanca Cars first.
Blanca Cars’ terms state that customers must contact the company when a warning light or alarm indicates a vehicle problem, and that assistance or repairs arranged without prior authorisation will not be paid. Roadside assistance is included with Blanca Cars rental agreements.
Let Blanca Cars determine the appropriate next step.
What If the Car Overheats on the A-7 or AP-7?
If an overheating warning appears while travelling on a motorway, getting to a safe stopping position becomes particularly important.
Switch on your hazard lights if the vehicle is slowing down or losing power.
Move away from active traffic lanes wherever possible.
If the car becomes immobilised on the road, Spain now requires an approved connected V-16 emergency beacon for the relevant vehicles. Since 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 is the legal warning device replacing traditional warning triangles. DGT recommends keeping it accessible and placing it preferably on the roof of the vehicle.
Do not walk down the motorway attempting to place warning triangles.
Once the vehicle is secure, contact Blanca Cars.
For more information, see:
Rental Car Breakdown on a Motorway in Spain: Step-by-Step Guide
What Causes a Car to Overheat?
There are several possible causes.
These can include:
- Low coolant
- A coolant leak
- Thermostat problems
- Cooling-fan problems
- Water-pump failure
- Radiator problems
- Another mechanical or electrical fault
DGT specifically advises keeping a vehicle’s cooling system in good condition to prevent excessive engine temperatures and notes that faults affecting components such as the thermostat or water pump may be involved when overheating occurs.
However, as a rental customer, you do not need to diagnose the cause yourself.
Your job is to recognise the warning, stop safely and contact Blanca Cars.
Does Hot Weather in Spain Cause Cars to Overheat?
High summer temperatures can place additional demands on a vehicle’s cooling system, and DGT notes that excessive engine temperature is more common during summer.
However, hot weather alone should not normally cause a properly functioning modern vehicle to overheat.
If the temperature warning appears, treat it as a vehicle problem that requires attention rather than assuming:
“It’s just because Spain is hot.”
Do not continue driving simply because the outside temperature is high.
Should You Turn Off the Air Conditioning?
If you notice the engine temperature rising while you are still moving towards a safe stopping place, switching off the air conditioning can reduce some load on the engine.
But this is not a substitute for stopping.
If the engine-temperature warning is showing or the gauge has entered the red zone, your objective should be to get safely off the road and switch the engine off.
Do not continue a long journey with the air conditioning switched off in the hope that this will solve an overheating problem.
Should You Add Water or Coolant?
Not unless Blanca Cars tells you to.
There are two reasons.
First, opening a hot cooling system can be dangerous.
Second, the correct type and quantity of coolant matters.
Adding the wrong product or filling a system without knowing why the coolant level has fallen may not solve the problem.
Contact Blanca Cars and follow the instructions you are given.
Can You Drive Again Once the Engine Has Cooled Down?
Do not automatically restart the car and continue your journey.
An engine cooling down does not mean the underlying problem has disappeared.
The temperature may simply rise again once the vehicle starts moving.
Contact Blanca Cars before continuing.
If the team or roadside assistance provider tells you that the vehicle can be restarted, follow their instructions carefully.
What If Steam Is Coming From Under the Bonnet?
Steam is a clear reason to stop.
Do not open the bonnet immediately if doing so could expose you to hot steam or fluid.
Switch off the engine and keep a safe distance.
If you can smell burning or see actual flames rather than steam, move everyone away from the vehicle and call 112 for emergency assistance.
Do not attempt to fight a serious vehicle fire yourself.
What If the Temperature Warning Light Disappears?
Still report it.
An intermittent warning can indicate a problem that only occurs under certain conditions.
For example, the temperature may rise while climbing hills or travelling at certain speeds and then drop again.
Blanca Cars’ terms require the company to be contacted when a warning light or alarm indicates an abnormality.
Do not ignore a warning simply because it disappeared.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do First If My Rental Car Is Overheating?
Reduce your speed safely, find somewhere suitable to stop and switch off the engine.
Then contact Blanca Cars.
Can I Keep Driving If the Temperature Gauge Is in the Red?
No.
Stop somewhere safe as soon as reasonably possible and switch the engine off.
Should I Open the Coolant Reservoir?
Not while the engine is hot.
A pressurised cooling system can release hot coolant and steam.
Can I Pour Water Into the Engine?
Do not add water or coolant unless Blanca Cars specifically instructs you to do so.
Should I Turn Off the Air Conditioning?
You can switch it off while moving towards a safe stopping location where practical, but this is not a repair.
If the engine is overheating, stop the vehicle.
What If the Car Cools Down After 20 Minutes?
Do not assume it is safe to continue.
Contact Blanca Cars and follow the instructions provided.
Does Blanca Cars Include Roadside Assistance?
Yes. Blanca Cars’ current terms state that roadside assistance is included with the rental agreement, and the company provides emergency contact details for customers.
Remember: Stop Before the Problem Gets Worse
If your Blanca Cars rental car starts overheating in Spain, remember:
REDUCE SPEED SAFELY.
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP.
SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE.
DO NOT OPEN THE COOLANT CAP.
DO NOT CONTINUE DRIVING.
CONTACT BLANCA CARS.
USE THE V-16 IF THE VEHICLE IS IMMOBILISED ON THE ROAD.
An overheating warning is something you should take seriously, but there is no need to panic.
Stop safely, let the vehicle cool and allow Blanca Cars to advise you on what happens next.
For Blanca Cars customers experiencing a breakdown or vehicle problem, the emergency number currently listed by Blanca Cars is +34 653 221 333, and roadside assistance is included under the rental terms.
For official information about vehicle faults and emergency operating systems, Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico also provides guidance on engine overheating and vehicle emergency modes.