Why Is My Car Overheating? | Service Tips

Ever found yourself asking, “Why is my car overheating?” Understanding what causes a car to overheat and knowing what to do when a car overheats can help you troubleshoot a potentially frightening situation on the Columbia roads. The most important thing is that you should not continue to drive your car if you notice that the temperature gauge reads higher than normal. Not only would this be dangerous, but it will cause costlier, more extensive mechanical issues for you to handle. In any case, learn more about reasons a car would overheat and how to manage an overheated vehicle from the service professionals at Jim Hudson Ford.

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What Does It Mean When Your Car Overheats?

What does it mean when your car overheats? Essentially it is a signal that you have a serious mechanical problem at hand. Below are some of the most common reasons a car would overheat as you drive around Irmo.

Cooling System Leak: There are many components involved in the cooling system, including the radiator, hoses, water pump, head gasket, and thermostat housing. Each of these is susceptible to a leak, which is often what causes a car to overheat.

Coolant Issue: Using the proper coolant, or the proper coolant-to-water ratio of 50-50, is crucial for your vehicle’s overall health. If the wrong coolant is used or the coolant-to-water ratio is off, your engine may be prone to overheating.

Coolant Hose Blockage: Dirt and debris may enter your cooling system as you drive around Chapin, which unfortunately can cause a coolant hose blockage and may result in a car overheating.

Radiator Trouble: Another culprit of an overheating car is a problem within the radiator, whether that is a blockage, a leak, or a broken radiator fan.
Broken Water Pump: The water pump works to deliver engine coolant throughout the cooling system, and a leak or shifted pump shaft may be what causes a car to overheat.

What to Do When a Car Overheats

Now that you have a sense of some reasons a car would overheat, it’s time to figure out what to do when a car overheats. Unfortunately, you may not realize that your car is overheating until you are already on the Columbia roads. Here is some advice on what to do when a car overheats:

Switch from air conditioning to full-blast heat, even if it is uncomfortable, to pull heat off the engine.
Pull over to a safe location when you are able, and allow your vehicle to sit for at least 30 minutes before you attempt to pop the hood.
Call a towing service to retrieve your vehicle and bring it to your local service center to address mechanical issues.

Schedule Service at Jim Hudson Ford

Jim Hudson Ford is here to help you answer the question, “Why is my car overheating?” If you experience any trouble, please schedule service with us, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. We want to ensure you can get around Irmo safely! Keep in mind that we can also provide other service-related advice, including how to remove a car battery.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license fees. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.