Why Is My Car Overheating?

 

You may be asking yourself, “why is my car overheating”? Something as simple as a cooling system leakage or faulty radiator could be one of the many reasons a car would overheat. Each and every vehicle has a standard temperature range it should be at when running, which is typically somewhere around 195 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if one day you start your vehicle and the temperature gauge is reaching above where it should be at, it is best to turn the car back off and keep from driving it. Whether you have a car, truck, SUV, or any other class of vehicle, driving with an overheated engine is dangerous and could lead to an accident, or at the very least, harm your vehicle’s lifespan.

Let the Schaumburg auto body shop at Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Schaumburg walk you through what to do when a car overheats and how you can prevent it near Arlington Heights.

What Does It Mean When Your Car Overheats?

The reasons a car would overheat tend to mean there is a huge problem with your vehicle. Below you can find the most common reasons that answer the question “why is my car overheating?”:

  • The cooling system is leaking: In most cases of overheating, the cooling system has simply sprung a leak. Whether it’s the radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat, or head gasket, each of these parts in the cooling system can have leaks, and lead to an overheated car.
  • It’s a coolant issue: Perhaps you somehow managed to use the wrong coolant in your car, or the mixture of coolant-to-water is off. Either way, these issues could lead to an overheated car.
  • Coolant hose has blockage:You may find that your coolant hose has been blocked up due to dirt or debris picked up while driving on the Palatine or Hoffman Estates streets.
  • Problem with the radiator: Whether it’s a leak, blockage, or issue with its fan, the radiator could be faulty, leading a car to overheat.
  • Broken water pump:Water pumps are designed to transfer engine coolant through your vehicle’s cooling system, so if it is leaking or broken, this could lead to overheating.
SUV overheated on the side of a road

What to Do When a Car Overheats

You may not realize your car is overheating until you’ve started your commute through Elgin. In the case that you’ve been using your air conditioning, turn that off and turn your vehicle’s heat up all the way. This will pull heat off of your engine, even though it may make you extremely uncomfortable. Once you can pull over, do not try to inspect what’s going on under the hood for a minimum of 30 minutes. Be sure to call a towing service as soon as you can so you can get you and your car off the road.

Count on the Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Schaumburg Service Department

Now that you know what causes a car to overheat, you can help prevent it from ever happening to you by either inspecting the vehicle yourself or bringing it to the service department at Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Schaumburg. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will get your car running at full-speed as quick as possible. Contact us for more information, and schedule your service appointment easily today.

Coolant for engine

 

More Service Tips From Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Schaumburg

  • Jeep® Service Tasks for Off-Road Vehicles

    At Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep® RAM, we love heading off the beaten path as much as you do. Before you explore our natural wonders here in the Midwest, though, don’t forget to catch up on Jeep service! These tasks will get you ready for everything off-roading has to throw at you.

  • What to Do When a Dodge Recall Is Issued

    Don’t panic when you get a Dodge recall notice. Any maintenance as a result of a recall is totally covered, so there’s no reason to put off visiting our Dodge service center at Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep® RAM. Here’s what you need to know when you get a recall notice.

  • Three Signs It’s Time to Visit Our Jeep® Service Center

    Major automotive maintenance is always frustrating, but if you can catch the signs early enough, you can often prevent larger repairs. If you notice any of these signs of a deeper automotive issue, make an appointment with the Jeep® service team at Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM.

Saved Vehicles

You don't have any saved vehicles!

Look for this Save icon

Once you've saved some vehicles, you can view them here at any time.

Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Schaumburg 42.0497894, -88.0848272.