What are the common car overheating symptoms in a Ford Escape?

[Nicko]

Hey, does anyone know the common signs of overheating in a Ford Escape? I noticed my temperature gauge is creeping up, and I’m not sure if it's serious. Should I be worried if I start smelling coolant or if steam is coming from under the hood? Also, my AC has been blowing hot air recently, and I’ve spotted some puddles under the car. Could these be related to overheating? What should I check first – coolant levels, radiator, thermostat? I don’t want to ignore this and make things worse. Any advice?