Acute issues such as a flat tire or a dead battery send a very clear signal that you need to call a towing service to get your vehicle transported to a garage. However, there are other times that the automotive issue you're facing might not be as overt — especially if you don't know what to look for or are distracted while you're behind the wheel. An overheating car isn't something that you should continue to drive. While it can indeed be driven, every minute that you spend with the car turned on is risking future (and costly) damage under the hood. Here are some clues that indicate your car is overheating and that you should call for a tow.

A Change In Your Engine Temperature Gauge

It's in your best interest to keep a constant eye on the engine temperature gauge behind your steering wheel. Typically, you'll see the needle about the midway point between the two ends of the gauge once the engine has warmed up. If you begin to see the needle creeping toward the "Hot" side, keep an eye on it. If it reaches the "red territory," this is a sign that your vehicle's engine is on the verge of overheating. It's time to safely pull over to the side of the road and call a licensed towing service.

You See Steam Coming From Under Your Hood

It's difficult to miss a fine cloud of steam that is sneaking out from below your hood, but you shouldn't simply ignore this problem or plan to deal with it at a later date. This is a clear and concerning sign that your vehicle is starting to overheat. The engine is losing water or coolant, which means that its temperature is climbing — and when the temperature gets too high, you'll be looking at costly damage.

There's A Mysterious Puddle Below Your Vehicle

Whether you're in your driveway or have parked your car in a parking lot at the mall, it's useful to take a quick peek at the ground around the vehicle before you climb in. If you see a colored puddle on the ground at the front of the vehicle, you're looking at engine coolant — and there's obviously been a leak. Driving your vehicle without coolant will cause it to overheat very quickly, so don't bother even turning the car on. Instead, get in touch with a towing service and provide your location.

FOr more information, talk to a professional like Michael's Towing & Recovery.