Car Is Overheating

Car Is Overheating

Car is Overheating 

An overheating car can occur for many reasons. However, whatever the underlying cause is, sorting it out should be given the highest priority. The amount of heat generated by an engine is immense, meaning that ignoring any problem brings the risk that the engine can reach the point of no return and become damaged beyond repair.

The following looks at some of the common causes of the problem and the reasons why you should get it fixed as soon as possible. 

Help, My car is Overheating!

  • Signs that your car is overheating
  • Common reasons why your car is overheating 

Signs that your car is overheating

An overheating engine is easy to spot if smoke starts pouring from beneath the hood. However, this is not a good situation to be in and, thankfully, there are likely to be other signs that allow you to address the issue before it becomes a serious problem.

  • A rising temperature gauge: This is a clear sign but many of us fail to keep an eye on it while driving. Try to make it a habit to check all the car’s gauges at regular intervals when sitting behind the wheel
  • A warning light: Many cars feature a warning light if the temperature rises too high.
  • A ticking sound: If you hear a ticking coming from the engine compartment it usually means that the oil is failing to circulate, therefore excessive heat will be building up
  • The hood is hot to touch: While normal circumstances mean that the hood will be warm, if it’s too hot for you to be able to comfortably leave your hand on for at least 10 seconds, then it means too much engine heat is being generated
  • Loss of power: Losing engine power can be a sign of overheating. It will normally be in conjunction with one or more of the other signs mentioned
  • You notice a “hot” smell: As heat builds, it can begin to melt certain elements beneath the hood, such as plastic valves and rubber seals
  • Loud thumping noises: This can be caused by a stuck thermostat valve in the engine that controls the coolant flow. When cold coolant mixes with heated coolant, it makes an audible thump.

Common reasons why your car is overheating

The following are 6 common reasons that cause an engine to overheat: 

  1. A cooling system failure
  2. Faulty hoses or belts
  3. Lack of engine oil
  4. A failing water pump
  5. A poorly functioning thermostat
  6. A problem with the radiator 

What to do if your Car is Overheating 

  • Immediate action if your car is overheating
  • And then do this… 

Immediate action if your car is overheating

If you notice that your car is overheating while driving, then you should take the following action:

  • Turn on the heater as this will help draw some of the heat away from the engine
  • Pull over when possible and open the hood to allow the heat to escape
  • Check for any visible leaks
  • Do NOT open the coolant cap. This will be under pressure and boiling steam will erupt that can cause serious burns
  • Call for help
  • If there is smoke coming from beneath the hood, step away from the car 

And then do this… 

While the above are emergency measures to take in the case of a serious engine overheating, if you notice any signs that there may be an issue then you need to seek professional mechanical assistance. Your vehicle may cool enough to allow you to drive it to a garage. Be sure to keep a close eye on the temperature gauge if this is the case. If this isn’t possible, you or the garage will need to arrange to have the car transported to the location for diagnostics and repair.

By far the best way to reduce the risk of overheating problems is regular car maintenance. This should include professional servicing and oil changes, as well as regular weekly home checks of the oil, water, coolant, and other fluid levels. 

Prevent Your Car Overheating with Regular Servicing at Autobahn of Boca 

The key takeaway from this article is that regular servicing is vital for a vehicle to perform at an optimal level. Failing to get a car serviced as per the manufacturer’s recommendation increases the risk of issues, such as overheating, and all the problems (and expense) this can bring.

At Autobahn, we make regular servicing easy for our customers. From our friendly reminders to exemplary customer service—and, of course, the expertise of our marque-trained technicians—these key elements help ensure our customers benefit from truly happy motoring.