It’s important for drivers to recognize when they need to have their vehicles serviced. Car overheating, without a doubt, warrants a trip to the auto repair shop, or you risk damaging your vehicle to the point of no return. If a vehicle’s radiator goes bad, then it could have an impact on the entire car, for if an engine isn’t able to stay cool, it can lead to other problems, including transmission failure. Read on for more information about what to do if your car is:
- Overheating
- How to identify a radiator leak
- Getting a radiator repair
Car Overheating Can’t Be Taken Lightly
If you’re driving along and notice your temperature gauge moving toward the red, your car isn’t going to immediately explode or anything like that; however, driving with an overheating engine can cause serious damage to your car. It’s best to pull over and deal with car overheating right away rather than risking very expensive auto repairs later. If your car is overheating, turn off the A/C, as running the air conditioning puts strain on your engine, and turn on the heater. This blows some excess heat from the engine into your car. While it’s not ideal on a hot day, it does help cool the engine down. You can also put your car in park and rev the engine. This makes the radiator fan and water pump work faster, which pulls more air and water through your car’s radiator. Keep in mind, these are only temporary fixes until you get to an auto repair shop.
More on Radiator Leaks & Radiator Repair
One of the most common reasons car overheating occurs is a radiator leak caused by a crack. If you find green liquid under your vehicle, then you need to have your radiator inspected to identify the area where the radiator leak is present. Take your car to an auto repair shop, and a mechanic can perform a pressure test to determine the source of the leak, and—if the radiator leak isn’t too big—it’s possible to do a radiator repair and patch or replace the broken part. A radiator hose can also be the source of a radiator leak. To keep your radiator (and your car) running smoothly, it is important to replace radiator hoses on a regular basis.
Where to Get Your Car Serviced for Overheating Problems
If you notice your car is overheating, turn the heat on in your car, as this will help move hot air away from your engine, and bring it to a mechanic right away. Procrastination is not an option when it comes to car overheating—you could cause your engine system to fail, which can mean thousands of dollars in auto repairs. Tend to that radiator leak now, get the radiator repair you need, and thank yourself later.