Does your car overheat often?
It’s scary when your car starts overheating because it’s often a sign that something isn’t right.
You might also be wondering, “why is my car overheating?” No matter what the cause, you need to make sure you address the issue right away, as an overheated car is dangerous to keep driving and can cause damage that will be more expensive to repair in the future.
Keep reading to learn more about what to do if your car is overheating and the most common reasons why cars start to overheat in the first place.
What to Do If Your Car Is Overheating
Driving an overheated car is dangerous for you and can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle. When your vehicle is overheating, it’s sending a message to you that something is wrong with the engine. If you keep driving it, the engine will be damaged, and that is an expensive piece to fix.
The best thing you can do when you notice your car overheating is to pull over and turn the vehicle off. You’ll need to turn off your car completely to let it cool down and asses any damage.
After you let your car rest and things cool down, you can attempt to start the vehicle and drive again. Sometimes cars heat up in the summer, and they just need a quick reset.
However, if your car continues to keep overheating, you’ll need to turn it off immediately and call a towing and recovery company to bring your vehicle into an autobody shop.
Why Is My Car Overheating?
A professional auto mechanic will be able to get to the bottom of why your car is overheating, but there are some common issues. Some reasons your car might be overheated include:
1. Stuck Thermostat
There is a thermostat in your car that is supposed to regulate your engine temperature. Sometimes this thermostat can get stuck, which restricts coolant flow and causes your car to overheat.
2. Water Pump Failure
Your car’s water pump helps circulate engine coolant to prevent your car from getting too hot. If this pump malfunctions, your car will get too hot.
3. Engine Coolant Level Too Low
Engine coolant is a critical fluid that helps keep your car running at the ideal temperature. If there is a leak, your car might be running low on engine coolant, and it will overheat.
These are just a few common reasons that your car could be overheating. You will need to take your car into a mechanic to make sure nothing is severely damaged, and prevent your vehicle from overheating again.
Learn More About Essential Car Maintenance
Taking care of your car might seem complicated, but you don’t have to be an auto mechanic to take care of your vehicle and make sure it runs well and keeps you safe. Now that we answered “why is my car overheating?” you might still have a lot of questions about how to care for your car.
Make sure you check out the rest of our website for helpful auto maintenance advice from experts.