There are many reasons why a car might be overheating, from a damaged radiator to improperly circulating coolant. Experts at Top Line Performance, an auto repair shop in Huntington Beach CA say that whatever the reason, an overheating car is a serious problem that must be addressed as soon as possible.
When your car starts overheating, you should see this reflected in the temperature gauge. Newer cars may even have a flashing button and alarm to let you know to pull over. Driving with an overheated engine may not cause your car to explode, but it can cause irrevocable damage to your vehicle. If you notice that there’s a problem, then you should safely pull to the side of the road as soon as possible and turn off the engine in order to prevent any further damage. Local auto repair shops can help you get to the root of the problem and have your car running smoothly in no time.
One of the most common reasons for an overheating car has to do with a malfunctioning air conditioner. This can happen to people very often in the summer. You may have improperly circulating coolant in your car which can cause the engine to get too hot. Coolant, a mixture of water and antifreeze, allows your engine to stay cool during hot days and prevents it from freezing on cold days. You should always have your coolant levels and circulation checked when you receive auto repair. Coolant will evaporate over time, which means that you might need to add a little water if your tank starts getting low.
Another reason why your car might overheat is from a leak in the cooling system. This will cause perpetually low coolant levels, which makes the engine overheat faster. The best way to find out if you have a leak in your cooling system is to take your car to an auto repair shop in Huntington Beach CA like Top Line Performace and have their certified technicians check it out. They will identify the problem, give you an affordable estimate for the solution, and have your repair done efficiently and effectively.
Auto repair experts also see cars overheating as a result of a coolant hose issue. Over time, hoses might become detached or blocked from the tank and prevent the coolant from circulating properly. This can be identified by a mechanic at an auto shop. If you take your car in for an inspection as a result of overheating, then you should expect this issue to be one of the first ruled out.
If there are no issues with coolant, then you may find that an overheating car has a serious problem with its engine. This could mean that there is a blocked radiator, debris in the coolant passages, or an internal coolant leak. Any of these problems can result in more expensive repairs down the line if they are not addressed speedily.
Now that you know some of the possible causes of an overheating engine, here is what you can do on the road if your car starts overheating:
- Turn off the A/C
- Turn on the heater (if possible)
- Put the car in neutral or park and rev the engine (to increase circulation)
- Pull over and open the hood (careful of hot steam)
If you are concerned about trying any of these techniques, then simply pull over, turn off your engine, and call for assistance. You should never try to remove the radiator cap while the engine is hot. This may cause hot coolant to spray out and burn your skin. Once you have the situation under control, you can have your car taken to auto repair experts to repair the problem in full.
