What to do if your car overheating?
So, the summers are finally. The heat does not even spare gadgets and automobiles. As the temperature rises, it can lead to car overheating.
What does this mean for everyone?
Rise in temperature can lead to a lot of discomfort for everyone.
When your car starts overheating then it is not a good sign and there is a need to inspect your car along with some major repairs.
If the issue is not taken seriously today, then it can lead to serious complications in the future and can turn out to be an expensive affair.
There are various reasons for the overheating of the car. Today, we bring to you some of the causes that can lead to overheating and what to do in such cases.
Table of Contents
Common reasons for car overheats:
Thought there are multiple reasons for the overheating of your car engine but there is something present inside the cooling system of the car that is leading to the overheating.
Any kind of disruption in the cooling system can lead to prevention of absorption which in turn would not allow transportation of the heat.
Let us quickly have a look at some of the reasons for the overheating of the car engine.
Issues with the coolant:
The coolant in the car would be having certain troubles even when there is no leakage in the system.
The engine would have troubles staying cool if you have installed the wrong coolant in your car system. Also when the water to coolant ratio is not as per the desired level then it can lead to troubles.
In such cases, you can try to flush the system and then add as per the recommended mix. You can refer to the Owner’s manual for the exact ratio.
Water Pump Breakage:
The water pump is known to help the pump and at the same time also propel the engine coolant through the entire cooling system.
If there are any kind of issues linked with the water pump, then it can cause overheating of the engine.
Few of the common water pump includes, impeller vanes being eroded or the pump shaft has been shifted.
Cooling System Leakage:
A leakage in the cooling system is mostly associated with the overheating of the car engine.
When you notice that the engine is not able to cool properly then there can be a leakage in the water pump, head gasket, radiator, thermostat housing or the hoses.
Try to inspect any of these areas and you would be able to get the leakage fixed.
Most of the times, you can get it sealed all by yourself but it would also help to get a professional person to have a look at it and fix the issue to avoid any further damage.
Problems with the radiator:
A problem with the radiator is also said to be one of the common problem for the overheating of the car engine.
Any kind of clogs or leakages that are associated with the radiator fan would mean that the heat present in the system is not able to escape from the vehicle and is getting trapped inside.
This can lead to a rise in the temperature inside.
If such is the case, then probably you would need to call in a professional.
A mechanic would inspect the radiator properly and diagnose what is wrong with it and also provide solutions for the same.
Blockage in the hoses:
If you have checked the cooling system properly and found out that there is no issue with it then you need to check if the right coolant has been installed.
If the coolant also has been installed properly then the next step is to inspect the coolant hose.
At times, dirt particles and sediment have the tendency to enter the coolant department and cause blockage in the fluid flow through the hose.
If such is the case, then you try to flush the system and again get the coolant tank refilled.
What needs to be done when you notice that the car has started overheating?
When you find out that the car has started overheating then it means something is not right in the cooling system components.
As mentioned above, there are multiple reasons why the car would start overheating and it is your task to identify the exact reason for the same.
However, in the meantime there are certain steps that needs to be carried out for tracking the root cause of the issue.
- First and foremost, find a safe place and then pull over your car. Driving the car while it has started overheating can lead to serious consequences. If ignored, then it can lead to permanent damage of the car engine that is beyond repair. Hence, the best you can do is stop driving at the earliest and pull over far from the traffic. The next step is to turn off the car engine.
- It is advisable to not open the hood until the car has cooled completely. You can check the temperature gauge, which should have moved from hot to cold. Once the gauge has moved to cold then slowly open the hood and allow the excess heat to escape. Stay away and allow things to settle down or allow it to cool. Do not touch the engine with your bare hands else you may accidently burn your hands.
- Now it is time to identify the cooling system. This is not a difficult task; you can quickly have a look at the Owner’s Manual which would provide the exact location of where the cooling system is placed. Once you identify the system then have a look at the hose and the radiator for any leakages.
- If there are no leakages, then probably the car may be low on coolant. Quickly browse through the Owner’s Manual for the placement of the Coolant reservoir tank.
- Check the coolant level. Remove the cap of radiator once the engine has cooled off. Gently twist the cap with the support of a towel. Beware of the hot steam that would be passing off when you open the cap. The coolant should be reaching at the top of the radiator. If it is not reaching at the top, then fill it to the top and then place the cap back on the radiator.
- Most of the car make use of 50/50 ratio which is a mix of antifreeze and water. But for the temporary fix, you can add in room temperature water.
- Ensure that there are no blockages or disconnection between any of the heater hoses.
- It is time to restart the engine and monitor the temperature gauge. The gauge should be at a safe range. If you find out that there is leakage in the coolant or if the coolant is full till the top, then this is a complex issue and you would need professional help.
It is always safe to be prepared for such situations since not always you would get professional help around. If you are stuck in a remote location with no garage or help, then following the above steps would get the issue fixed temporarily.
Preventing the car from overheats:
Your car may not love the hot summers since the temperature is on the rise.
Too hot engine can cause permanent damage to the vehicle and also the individuals who are in the car. Below we present few tips that can be used as preventive measures.
Make use of window shades:
It is always advisable to have the window shades in the car.
There is no guarantee that wherever you travel, you may find a shaded region for parking the car.
These window shades are special UV heat shields which ensures that the interiors of the car do not get hot. In addition, it also protects the interiors from any kind of damage.
If the standard size is not a proper fit for your car, you can also get a customized one specially for your car window. These shields prevent the harmful rays from entering inside the car.
Tinting the windows:
The window tinting work can get easily carried out at any car dealer shop. The tinting maintains the cool temperature in the car and at the same time it also provides protection from the harmful UV rays.
Engine coolant:
A coolant is a must especially during the summer seasons. Just locate the coolant reservoir and check its level.
There are indicator lines present on the radiator which would help in finding out the coolant level.
If the coolant level is too low, then just add the required amount and place the cap back.
You can also go in for a concentrated coolant available in the market and then get it mixed. Ensure that while adding the coolant, the engine is turned off and is not hot.
Make a note of temperature gauge:
The temperature gauge can be seen on the dashboard itself. This particular device has a needle which should always be pointing at the center.
If the needle moves towards HOT then it is time to take quick action and carry out the steps mentioned above. Allow your car to cool down.
Car parking:
When you park your car in shade then it would maintain the cool temperature and this in turn boosts the life of your car. You can make use of sunshade for reducing the heat if there are no shady region.