What causes a car to overheat?
An engine produces a large amount of heat while running. The cooling system is designed to remove that heat and keep the engine within its normal operating temperature.
When the cooling system cannot control engine temperature, the temperature rises and the vehicle may overheat.
- Low engine coolant
- Coolant leaks
- A faulty radiator fan
- A damaged thermostat
- A weak or faulty water pump
- A blocked radiator
- A damaged radiator cap
- Cooling-system air pockets
What should you do when the temperature rises?
If your temperature gauge moves into the hot zone or an overheating warning appears, stop treating the problem as something to ignore.
Safely pull over and allow the engine to cool. Do not immediately open a hot radiator or coolant reservoir because pressurized coolant can cause serious burns.
Why overheating should not be ignored
Continued driving while an engine is overheating can lead to head-gasket failure, cylinder-head damage, warped components, or severe engine damage.
The correct solution is to diagnose the cause rather than simply adding coolant and continuing to drive.