3 Typical Reasons Why Cars Overheat
While some car problems are minor and can wait until you're free to visit a mechanic, others require an immediate trip to the mechanic shop. One such example of car problems is an overheating engine.
Engine overheating occurs when your vehicle engine's operating temperature exceeds the optimal range. If the problem is left unaddressed, it can cause major damage to the engine, resulting in expensive engine repair. In worst-case scenarios, your engine could suffer permanent damage, forcing you to get a new engine or scrap your car before it has reached the end of its expected life.
Knowing the common causes of engine overheating is not only useful for car troubleshooting purposes but can also help you take better care of your car. With that said, here's a look at the usual culprits behind auto engine overheating.
Hot weather
Your auto engine already runs at high temperatures and hot weather only puts extra strain on it. Like many other drivers, you like to turn on the air conditioning system when the summer season sets in. While this makes for added in-car comfort, it increases the strain on your engine as it has to work extra hard to deliver cool air throughout your car's interior environment.
One way to prevent car overheating while driving in the summer heat is to rely on your car windows for ventilation rather than keep the AC system turned on.
Engine coolant leaks
In cars, engine coolant is the fluid used to transfer heat generated by the engine to the outside environment. In other words, it is your engine's primary heat transfer medium. Engine coolant also acts as a lubricating agent as it lubricates any moving parts it comes into contact with. This helps to further prevent heat generation due to moving parts rubbing against each other.
Like other motor fluids, engine coolant can escape if there are cracks and/or holes within your engine. When this happens, your engine can easily overheat. Before you can replenish the coolant level in your engine, it's important to locate the source of the leaks and seal them properly.
Radiator failure
A radiator is that part of your vehicle engine's cooling system that passes hot coolant through metals fins so that the heat can be dissipated outside. It usually has a fan that blows over it to allow a faster and more efficient heat transfer process.
If the radiator component itself or its fan breaks down, your engine will struggle to stay cool since it won't have a way of transferring the heat produced by the engine to the outside environment.
Car overheating problems are almost invariably caused by a problematic engine cooling system. Auto engines generate a lot of heat while running so they rely on a dedicated cooling system to keep them cool and working properly. If you've noticed the signs that your car's engine is overheating, don't hesitate to take the vehicle to a car mechanic nearest to you. A mechanic can provide further information.
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