Why Is My Car Overheating?

There are various reasons why a car might overheat. It could be anything from a leak in the cooling system to an issue with the radiator. Everyone’s vehicle has a temperature gauge that shows the relative temperature of the car, typically blue on one side and red on the other. All cars have a “normal” place for their temperature gauge to sit that is somewhere in the middle. If you start your car and notice the temperature gauge is farther into the red portion than usual, **do not** drive the car. Driving an overheating car is dangerous, and it can snowball to large issues in the future. Take a detailed look at what causes a car to overheat with Straub Nissan below, and contact us if you have any questions.

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An overheated car is an obvious sign that there is a bigger issue at hand. The following are common reasons why your vehicle may overheat:

• Leak in the cooling system – More than likely, a leak in the cooling system is the culprit causing your car to overheat. The head gasket, radiator, water pump, hoses and thermostat housing are all components of the cooling system, and can be susceptible to leaks.
• Problem with your coolant – The wrong coolant can cause your engine to overheat. You want to make sure that the correct coolant type and amount is in your engine to avoid overheating.
  Blockage in the coolant hose – Debris from Wheeling can get into your cooling system and cause a barricade in the cooling hose. This blockage keeps the coolant from doing its job and maintaining the temperature of the engine.
• Radiator issue – These issues can range from a leak to a blockage to an issue with the radiator fan. All of these things can cause the car to overheat.
• Car’s water pump is broken – The water pump sends engine coolant throughout the cooling system. Yours may be suffering from a leak or a shifted pump shaft, both of which often cause overheating.

Many times, your car starts to overheat once you’ve gotten on the road. This is unfortunate, but common. There are several things you can do when your car starts to overheat on the road while in Moundsville. Even if it’s hot, make sure the air conditioning is turned off and run the heat at maximum capacity. If you can safely pull over, exit the car and open the hood by hand and let it cool off for at least 30 minutes. Try to call a towing service to pick up your car and bring it to a service center near Steubenville and resolve the issue.

If your car overheats, you can trust the experienced technicians at the Straub Nissan [service department](/service) to get you back on the road in no time. Routine maintenance checks are an easy way to avoid overheating issues in Triadelphia. Call us to schedule your next service appointment and visit our website for service coupons.