Overheating is a common issue that can leave you stranded and cause serious damage to your vehicle. Understanding the reasons behind it can help you prevent costly repairs. Here are the top 5 causes of overheating in cars and what you can do about them.
If you car is overheating, give us a call.
Top 5 Causes of Overheating in Cars
1. Low Coolant Levels
Coolant (or antifreeze) is essential for regulating your engine's temperature. When coolant levels drop too low, your engine can quickly overheat.
Leaks in the radiator, hoses, or water pump are common culprits.
Regularly checking and maintaining the coolant level can prevent this issue. If there’s a concern here, we can schedule a coolant flush.
Low coolant levels is one of the biggest causes of overheating in cars.
2. Clogged or Damaged Radiator
Your radiator is responsible for cooling the engine by transferring heat from the coolant to the air.
If the radiator is clogged with debris, dirt, or rust, or if it’s damaged, it won’t be able to dissipate heat efficiently.
This can cause your engine to overheat. Cleaning your radiator regularly and checking for damage can help avoid this problem.
A blocked radiator could cause your car to overheat.
3. Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat controls the flow of coolant through the engine.
When it malfunctions, it may stay closed, blocking coolant flow and causing the engine to overheat.
A broken thermostat is a simple fix, but if ignored, it can lead to severe engine damage.
To understand more about the role of the thermostat, read this article on vehicle air conditioning system repairs.
4. Blown Head Gasket
A blown head gasket is one of the most serious causes of engine overheating. It can allow coolant to leak into the engine cylinders, leading to a loss of coolant and an overheated engine.
This issue often requires professional repair, as it involves disassembling part of the engine.
A car tune up service should begin with a number of performance checks to test or confirm your engine's overall condition, including head gaskets.
Regular maintenance will reduce the potential causes of overheating in cars
5. Overloading the Vehicle
Cars are designed to carry a certain amount of weight. Exceeding this load can put extra strain on the engine, causing it to work harder and generate more heat.
This is especially true for older vehicles or those with smaller engines. Ensure you’re not overloading your car by checking the manufacturer’s weight recommendations, usually found in the owner’s manual.
For tips on avoiding vehicle overloading, check out this resource from the Government of Ontario.
So, as we’ve seen, preventing your car from overheating involves regular maintenance and understanding the limits of your vehicle.
By staying on top of these common issues, you can keep your engine cool and avoid unexpected breakdowns.
If you suspect your car might be overheating, don’t hesitate to bring it into our professional auto shop for a thorough inspection.
Car Overheating? Let’s check why
If you live in the Region of Waterloo region and you’re looking for a reliable, skilled, and trustworthy mechanic, you can trust the professionals at Hansma Automotive.
We’ll expertly repair and service your vehicle, and only perform the services you need.
We've built a solid reputation with our customers in Waterloo over the years for honesty and high quality workmanship.
Find out for yourself why we are Kitchener-Waterloo's first choice for auto service.
Contact us today to book an appointment.
“I have been going to Hansma Automotive for regular maintenance for a couple of years. Much better than going to the dealership.
I recently had an accident where my rear rim took the impact and my steering wheel was crooked and the wheel bent. Adrian did the assessment and explained to me that he is prepared to only replace the necessary parts rather than replacing all the parts that would be done by an auto body shop through insurance.
Adrian replaced 2 different parts and fixed my car back to 100%. I’m so thankful that I took the car to Hansma, I highly recommend them and their honesty and not upselling and doing more work than was required.”