One of the most common car issues that vehicle owners encounter during the summer months is their car overheating. An overheating vehicle can be extremely problematic and can lead to extensive and costly car repairs being needed. As such, it is important to learn more about why cars overheat, the signs that your car is overheating, and what you should do if your car is overheating. Here are a few frequently asked questions about overheating and automobiles along with the answers.
Why Do Cars Overheat?
When a car is overheating, it is because the engine has gotten too hot. There are a number of reasons why this may happen. The most common reasons include radiator problems, issues related to the car’s cooling system, a broken water pump, a clogged coolant hose, low oil levels, a bad thermostat or problems with the heater core. An auto repair shop can inspect a vehicle that is overheating and determine the exact reason why your car may be getting too hot.
How Do You Know If Your Car is Overheating?
The easiest way to tell if your car is overheating is to keep an eye on your temperature gauge. The temperature gauge has a "C" at the bottom for cool and an "H" at the top for hot. When you first turn your car on, it will likely stay around the "C" or bottom of the gauge until the car warms up. Once the car is warm, the indicator or arrow should be around the middle of the gauge. If the arrow starts to hit the upper 75 percent of the gauge or higher, your car is getting too warm and is starting to overheat. If you continue to drive your car when it is overheating, you may notice steam coming from the front of your car. This is an indication that the car has overheated.
What Should You Do If Your Car is Overheating?
If your car is starting to get too warm, you should immediately turn off the air conditioning system. Roll down your windows and turn on your heater to full blast, allowing the hot air to escape your engine area. If the car does not start to cool down or only gets hotter, you will need to pull over when it is safe to do so and shut your car off. You should not drive your car until you get the problem repaired.
You should not drive a car that is overheating. You can cause major problems to the engine if you do so, and unfortunately, engine repairs can be pricey. If your car is overheating, you should tow your vehicle to a car repair shop to get it assessed and repaired. At Morgan Auto Repair, with locations in Tracy, Manteca, and Stockton and a Sacramento location coming soon, we can assist with all of your car-related problems, including an automobile that is overheating. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment to bring your car in for repairs.