Tips For When Your Car Overheats

Usually, a car overheats during the summer months, primarily if you reside in a hot climate. If it’s going to happen, it will typically happen when the vehicle is in stop-and-go traffic, or there are steep grades the car must traverse. Although the late model automobiles don’t have overheating problems, it can still occur.

The best way to not have an overheated vehicle and the expenses that go along with it is to stop it from happening in the first place. This can be accomplished with regular maintenance. If you’re planning on going on a long trip, you will also need to make sure you’re ready if your car overheats.

Preventive Measures for Everyday Car Care
Replace coolant. It doesn’t matter how clear and healthy your coolant appears. It will need to be replaced based on the manufacturer recommendations. Usually, the advice is every two to five years.

Get routine maintenance. If you get regular maintenance on your vehicle, the shop must also take care of the coolant. This is part of the checklist, so be sure to adhere to your regular maintenance schedule to halt overheating.

Preventive Measures on a Trip
Sometimes even after a complete inspection of your vehicle, it can still overheat or have an issue. Broken radiators, defective devices, and random acts that harm an engine can produce overheating. Overheating is usually created due to:

Thermostat failure – The thermostat functions to cool the engine, keeping heat away from it. A thermostat malfunction can make the coolant to keep circulating and letting the engine temperature to keep increasing.

Blocked airflow – Air is consistently forced through a radiator, which helps to have it cool. If the airflow is obstructed, the engine could overheat.
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Leaky water pump – Coolant in a car can decline, creating buildup. This buildup will destroy the seals, creating leaky pumps.

The above reasons for a car overheating can be stopped with proper maintenance. When you want to take a long trip, have your radiator and thermostat properly inspected to stop overheating. It also helps you from getting stranded on the side of the road and having to call a tow truck.

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