No one ever expects their car to overheat while they’re driving. It’s a situation that can catch you completely off-guard, and if you’re not prepared, it can be very dangerous. In this article, we’ll discuss the different causes of a car overheating and stalling in the middle of the road. We’ll also talk about what you can do when it happens, and give some tips on how to prevent your car from overheating in the future.
Signs That Your Car Is Overheating
There are a few telltale signs that your car is overheating. One of the most obvious is that the temperature gauge on your dashboard will start to creep up into the red zone. If you see this, pull over and turn off the car as soon as possible.
Another sign that your car is overheating is if the engine starts to sound louder than usual. Another more obvious one is if you see steam coming out from under the hood. If you notice any of these symptoms, pull over and get help immediately.
What Can Cause The Car To Overheat?
A car that is stalled on the road with steam coming off of it is a telltale sign that it is already overheating. Sometimes, it can come to the driver as a shock to see it. However, there may already be obvious reasons why it happened. Here are some of the most common causes of car overheating and things you can do to prevent or remedy it:
Not Enough Coolant
One of the most common reasons why a car overheats is because there’s not enough coolant in the system. If the coolant level gets too low, it can’t do its job of cooling the engine, which can cause it to overheat.
If you see that your coolant level is low, top it off right away. You can also add a bottle of water if necessary. However, be aware that if you do this, you should take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible to have the system checked out.
Fan Belt Is Broken
Another common reason for a car to overheat is if the fan belt has broken. The fan belt drives the cooling fan, which helps to keep the engine cool. If it’s broken, the engine can overheat quickly.
If you think that your fan belt may be broken, have it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can try to drive slowly and keep the air conditioning on to help cool the car down.
Thermostat Is Malfunctioning
A thermostat is a device in the car that helps to regulate the temperature. If it malfunctions, it can cause the engine to overheat.
If you think that your thermostat may be malfunctioning, take your car to a mechanic to have it checked out.
Clogged Radiator
One of the most common reasons that a car’s radiator can become clogged is because of a build-up of rust and debris. If this happens, the coolant will not be able to circulate properly, and the car can overheat.
If you think that your radiator may be clogged, take your car to a mechanic to have it checked out. In the meantime, you can try to flush it out by using a garden hose.
Plugged Oil Filter
An oil filter can become plugged for a number of reasons. One of the most common is because the car is low on oil. When this happens, the oil can’t flow properly, and it can cause the filter to become clogged.
Another common reason for a filter to become plugged is because of a build-up of dirt and debris. If this happens, the filter can’t do its job of trapping the dirt and debris, and it can end up getting into the engine.
A plugged oil filter is another common reason why a car engine can overheat.
Bad Water Pump
The water pump is responsible for circulating the coolant throughout the system. If it fails, the coolant will not be able to circulate properly, and the car can overheat.
How To Prevent Your Car From Overheating?
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your car from overheating:
1. Keep the fluids in your car topped off, including the coolant and oil levels.
2. Make sure that your fan belt is in good condition and that the fan is working properly.
3. Have your thermostat checked regularly to make sure it’s functioning properly.
4. Keep the radiator clean by flushing it out occasionally.
5. Change your oil filter regularly to prevent it from becoming clogged.
6. Drive slowly and keep the air conditioning on when possible to help cool the car down.
If you follow these tips, you can help reduce the chances of your car overheating and stalling in the middle of the road. However, there are some things that you can’t control, such as a broken fan belt or a malfunctioning thermostat, so it’s always best to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. In such cases, all you can do is call for help from a reputable towing and roadside assistance service provider.
An overheated car can be stressful especially if it happens in the middle of the night. When you need roadside assistance at any time of day in Charlotte, call Top Dogz Towing Company. With the 24-hour roadside assistance, you can expect that they’ll come to your rescue at any time you need them…
