Top Three Reasons Your Car Is Overheating

Summer is here and that means that it is time for summer fun, summer weather, and summer heat. Summer also means that you will be pushing your car hard on road trips and weekend getaways through all the heat and humidity that comes with the season. If you haven’t taken care of your car, or if you are experiencing any unexpected car trouble, you could find yourself stuck on the side of the road with an overheating car. There are a wide variety of reasons why your car could be overheating, and if you are noticing your engine heating up more than usual, you need to take a quick stop by your local auto shop. Come into your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today to keep your car running strong through everything that the summer can throw at you. 

Radiator Malfunctions

Radiator problems cause the iconic cloud of smoke and steam coming from your car’s hood that we traditionally associate with car trouble. Your radiator is a crucial component to your car’s cooling system, working as a heat exchanger that takes excess heat away from your engine. Your radiator contains a series of narrow tightly coiled pipes that are filled with coolant. These pipes sit at the front of your car’s grill and the air that passes over them as you drive works to lower the temperature of the coolant inside.

Your radiator can malfunction in a number of different ways. Although it’s not a part of your radiator itself, one of the most common reasons your radiator isn’t working properly is due to the thermostat failing. The thermostat is a valve that controls how much coolant can flow through your radiator at any given time. You could also have leaky radiator hoses or even a leak in your radiator causing the overheating issues. It is extremely important to keep an eye on your temperature gauge to make sure you catch an overheating issue before it boils over.

Water Pump

Your car’s water pump is the heart of your entire cooling system. Driven by your engine’s drive belt, your water pump functions to pump the coolant from your radiator all throughout your engine to keep your car running cool. There are a few telltale signs that your water pump is malfunctioning.

• Coolant leaking from the front of your car
• Rust buildup and corrosion on the water pump itself
• A high pitch whine coming from your engine

If you experience any of these symptoms or are noticing any steam coming from your car, it may be time to replace or repair your car’s water pump.

Coolant Issues

Any blockage or breakdown of your coolant, pipes, or hoses can cause your engine to overheat and can even cause serious and lasting damage to your engine. Leaks in your hoses and pipes will be easily visible on your engine or on the ground underneath your car. You also need to change your coolant at regular intervals, roughly every 30,000 miles depending on how often you drive and the model of your car. No matter what kind of auto maintenance you need, it is important to always bring your car to a reliable auto shop. For everything from radiator repairs to tire changes, trust the expert staff here at your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers.