Why Is My Car Overheating?

What does it mean when car overheats, and what should you do about it? There are several reasons a car overheats, and the service team at Metro Ford Sales Inc explains them below. Pull over immediately if you’re driving around Schenectady and see the temperature gauge is higher than usual. Driving an overheating car can be dangerous and cause damage to your engine. Learn what causes a car to overheat and what to do about it below. 

What Does It Mean When Your Car Overheats?

Why is my car overheating? An overheated vehicle means the engine is running too hot, and it is a symptom of a more significant issue. These are the most common reasons why a car overheats on Colonie roads:

• There’s an issue with the radiator – Radiator issues are one of the most common reasons why a car overheats. There may be a leak, blockage, or problem with the radiator fan.
• A leak in the cooling system – A leak in the cooling system may cause a vehicle to overheat. The radiator hose, head gasket, water pump, and thermostat housing are all parts of your cooling system and can get leaks.
• An issue with your coolant – If you put the wrong coolant in your new Ford Ranger or the coolant-to-water ratio (50/50 is proper) isn’t right, your engine might overheat. 
• A coolant hose blockage – If dirt and debris enter your cooling system, it could cause it to overheat on Albany streets. 
• Broken water pump – Your water pump distributes engine coolant throughout your cooling system, and if there is a leak or a shifted pump shaft, it can cause your engine to overheat.

What to Do When a Car Overheats

Knowing what to do when a car overheats on your Latham travels is essential. If you’re running the air conditioning, turn it off right away and turn your heat on full blast, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Turning on the heat helps pull heat from your engine. 

You should pull over as soon as you can safely do so. Never pop the hood until it’s cool to the touch, or you could get burned! When your car overheats, the best thing to do is to contact a towing service and bring your vehicle to your local service center.

Count on the Metro Ford Sales Inc Service Center For All Your Repair Needs!

Now that you know what causes a car to overheat, Feel free to explore our other parts and service tips. Keeping up with your routine maintenance schedule will help catch an issue before it causes severe damage, so schedule your service appointment with us online! You can also call us at (518) 382-1012.