You may not be thinking of your car overheating as the weather begins to cool but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. Taking steps to understand what can cause it and what to do about it can prevent a real hassle just when you need it least.
Most people think thermostat first when they hear overheated engine. And that can be the cause but not always.
Other causes of overheating:
- Leaky head gasket
- Cooling system leaks
- Faulty fan
- Leaky water pump
- Slipping belt
- Lower radiator collapse
- Plugged or dirty radiator
- Dragging brakes
- Overworking the engine
What to do if your car does overheat:
- If you’re stuck in traffic turn your heater up full blast to help move heat away from your engine.
- Find a safe place to park on the side of the road.
- Turn off the engine.
- Open the hood.
- If you can approach the engine check the coolant level at the reservoir. Do not open the radiator cap, it’s under pressure and could result in serious burns.
- Add coolant if necessary and safe.
- If the coolant level is ok you probably have a more serious problem.
- Call for a two truck or wait for the engine to cool down and try to drive to a garage.
You can prevent overheating by always using the correct mixture of radiator fluid to water so do what your owner’s manual advises. Get regular maintenance to look over the various parts of your car that could contribute to overheating. Sallas Auto Repair can look over your car from stem to stern to keep it in good working order to prevent expensive repairs further on down the road.