Why Is My Car Overheating?

What does it mean when your car overheats? What causes a car to overheat? If you’re like many Arlington drivers, then you might not be sure of the specific causes of your car overheating. That’s because there are a lot of different things to consider when determining why your car is overheating. Luckily, the service team at Wolfchase Nissan covers what to do when a car overheats as well as the different reasons a car can overheat.

Take a look at our guide to determine why your car might be overheating, and schedule a service appointment with our team to get your vehicle back on the road in perfect condition!

What Does It Mean When Your Car Overheats?

So, why is your car overheating? An overheated car is a clear signal to you that there’s a bigger issue to take care of. Here are the most common reasons overheating might happen:

• Cooling System Leak: Most often, a leak in the cooling system is what’s causing your car to overheat. The radiator, hoses, water pump, head gasket, and thermostat housing are all components of the cooling system, and all can be susceptible to leaks.
• Radiator Malfunction: Radiator issues are another common reason a car would overheat. There could be a blockage, a leak, or something wrong with the radiator fan, and all could cause a car to overheat.
• Broken Water Pump: 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.
• Coolant Issue: If the wrong coolant was put in your car or if you have an improper coolant-to-water ratio (50/50 is proper), your engine may be prone to overheating.
• Coolant Hose Blockage: The next possible culprit is the coolant hose. There are plenty of opportunities for dirt and debris to get in your cooling system on the Memphis roads. Unfortunately, this can cause blockages in the coolant hose.

These are some common things that cause a car to overheat, but there can also be other underlying issues. To determine why your car is overheating, visit our service center ASAP!

What to Do When a Car Overheats

Unfortunately, your car may not overheat until you’ve already hit the road in Bartlett. If you’re running the air conditioning, turn it off and instead run your heat at full blast. It may be uncomfortable, but it’ll help pull heat off your engine. When you’re able to pull over to safety, you shouldn’t attempt to pop the hood by hand for at least 30 minutes. The best way to maintain your safety and that of nearby drivers is to call a towing service to pick your car up and bring it to your mechanic of choice.

In the meantime, schedule service with our team at Wolfchase Nissan. We can determine what’s causing your car to overheat as well as how to fix it! For other helpful service and parts tips, don’t forget to visit our website.

Schedule Service in Bartlett!

What does it mean when your car overheats? If you find that your engine is getting too hot when you drive or start up your car, contact Wolfchase Nissan. We know what to do when a car overheats, and we can get your vehicle taken care of immediately! We also have plenty of service specials to help you save on your next visit to our service center.