Why Is My Car Overheating?

A man is very frustrated and sweaty while trying to evaluate his smoking car engine.

If your car is overheating, it’s important to take immediate action. Stop the car as soon as it’s safe to do so, and let the engine cool. If you don’t already know the answer to the question, “Why is my car overheating?” your first instinct may be to pop open the hood. An overheating car is usually the result of a blockage or leak in your cooling system, but since touching the hood right away could lead to serious burns, you should resist the temptation.

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What to Do When Your Car Overheats

Knowing what to do when a car overheats can save you from major damage or a total breakdown. First thing’s first: give your vehicle time to cool before you do anything. Waiting at least thirty minutes before taking any action should bring your vehicle’s temperature back down to a safe level.

Although you may be able to add more coolant and make it to the nearest service center in Annapolis or Edgewater, we strongly urge you not to put yourself (and other drivers) at risk by doing so. You’re better off calling a tow in nine cases out of ten. If you absolutely have to keep driving, turn the air conditioning off and put the heat on full blast. It may pull some of the excess heat off of your engine.

What Does It Mean When Your Car Overheats?

Cars don’t just overheat for no reason, so what causes a car to overheat? Since there are many reasons a car could overheat, pinpointing the issue isn’t always straightforward. Here’s what you can expect to find if you bring the vehicle to a service center near Crofton or Severna Park like ours:

  • You don’t have enough coolant. Whether you’ve sprung a leak or you’ve just gone too long without refilling, low coolant levels can lead to overheating.
  • If you’ve used the wrong coolant, or you’ve used a coolant-water mixture that’s too diluted, you might experience similar problems.
  • There’s a leak or blockage in your coolant hose. Even if the reservoir is stable, your coolant won’t be able to do much good unless it’s able to reach the radiator.
  • There’s a problem with your water pump. This related component distributes coolant throughout your vehicle’s power system.
  • There’s a problem with your radiator. A radiator can be expensive to fix or replace, so this is pretty much your worst-case scenario. Blockages and leaks are not unheard of, and rust will also cause damage.

Although it isn’t likely to cause overheating on its own, failing to replace your engine air filter can prevent fresh air from reaching your engine, potentially exacerbating the problem.

Our Service Experts Can Fix Your Overheating Car

So, what does it mean when a car overheats? It means that it’s time to make your way to Jaguar Annapolis Authorized Service! Schedule service online, and take advantage of our parts specials to save on everything from coolant to radiator replacement.

Jaguar Annapolis Authorized Service 39.0177406, -76.4824321.