Why is My Car Overheating?

There are a few reasons a car would overheat. All vehicles have their own “normal” temperature range, usually somewhere between 195 and 200 degrees, but sometimes a car will exceed this normal range. If the reason for your car overheating is that your cooling system is leaking or that your radiator is having trouble, you absolutely should not drive your car. Driving an overheating car is likely to result in major, lasting damage to the vehicle, and could put you in danger.

We here at Hendrick Dodge Cary have put together this in-depth look at all the possible causes of an overheating car so that you can inform yourself before you schedule service at our Apex area service center.

What Causes a Car to Overheat?

“Why is my car overheating?” is a common question, but if your car is overheating, you’re definitely dealing with a big problem. An overheating car is an issue you want to have addressed before you go anywhere else in Carrboro. Here are the most common reasons a car would overheat:

• Leaking Cooling System – This is the single most common issue that leads to an overheating car. This system is composed of a radiator, several hoses, a water pump, a head gasket, and thermostat housing. All of these components can break and cause leaks.
• Coolant Hose Blockage – There may be no leak in your system, but as long as the coolant isn’t circulating you can experience overheating. This can also be caused by a block in your coolant hose. Dirt and debris, when trapped, might build up and prevent the system’s proper functioning.
• Improper Coolant Mixture – Another one of the reasons a car would overheat is not having the right coolant mixture. Most vehicles require a 50/50 water-to-coolant ratio. If your balance is off, or if you’ve used the wrong coolant for your vehicle, there’s a chance your vehicle could overheat.
• Radiator Issues – If your radiator has broken, or if it’s struggling with a blockage or a leak, you’ll start to see major problems right away. These problems can be expensive to fix, and they only get worse if they’re not dealt with right away.
• Broken Water Pump – A broken water pump isn’t as much of an issue as a broken radiator, but it could still cause your car to overheat! A leak or a shifted pump shaft would prevent your water pump from delivering coolant where it’s needed.

What You Shouldn’t Do When Your Car Overheats

The first thing you should do is take a moment to cool your head, and don’t panic. An overheating car is usually resolvable, and isn’t the end of the world. Then, don’t keep driving, pull over and find a safe spot to park. This is what you need to do next:

• Don’t drive. Driving your car when it’s overheating will likely lead to long-term damage, so stay put and call a towing service. It’s best to play it safe.
• Don’t touch your car’s hood. Leave your car alone to let it cool. It’s especially important you don’t open your hood. Engines are already pretty hot, if your car is overheating you can imagine what that means. The heat under the hood may actually injure you.
• If you have opened the hood, never attempt to remove the radiator cap, as this is one of the hottest parts. You may have gotten the hood open just fine, but the radiator can stay warm or hot for a while and could cause serious burns.
• If you let your vehicle cool down instead of having it towed, do not drive it far — and schedule service as soon as you can. Unfortunately cars can’t just heal on their own, so don’t keep driving hoping it will fix itself.

What to Do When a Car Overheats

You’ve asked “what does it mean when your car overheats?” and gained some important insight. So then, what’s the right thing to do if your car overheats? If your car is experiencing one of the issues we mentioned above, you might not realize it until you’re driving around Chapel Hill! This is part of why it’s so important to pay attention to any fluids you find leaking from your vehicle. If it’s coolant you’re leaking, you can deal with the problem before you’re stranded on the side of the road.

But, accidents happen. If you didn’t notice the problem until you were on the move, there are some things you can do do right away to help:

• Turn off the air conditioning and turn the heat to full blast. We know it may not be comfortable, so open the windows if you have to, but this does have an effect. The heat in your car actually functions by venting heat from your engine block. In other words, you’ll be cooling your engine.
• Pull over. The sooner you get to the side of the road and turn off your car the better. With the engine off, there’s no more heat being produced. You may be tempted to pop the hood, but like we said, don’t. It’s very hot, and you should wait at least 30 minutes to avoid burns.
• From this point, you’ll want to call a towing service or roadside assistance. They can get you to the nearest service center.

Count On Hendrick Dodge Cary’s Service Team for Support!

When you bring your vehicle to Hendrick Dodge Cary for service, we’ll be able to answer any and all questions about why your car is overheating. Our trained experts should be able to get you back on the road in Apex in no time. Check our service specials for a better deal, and know that you can count on us!