Don't Panic! Here's How to Fix Your Overheating Car

Published at:

08-11-2023

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Knowing how to handle an overheating car can be valuable knowledge for car owners. Overheating occurs when the car engine reaches an excessively high temperature, and this condition is very dangerous as it can lead to serious engine damage. It needs to be addressed quickly and accurately.

It's important to understand that cars are equipped with a cooling system to maintain the engine's temperature stability. However, sometimes this cooling system can malfunction, leading to overheating.

When this problem occurs, the car typically shows several symptoms or signs. Some of these include the car suddenly stalling, the engine losing power, the air conditioning not cooling, and smoke emerging from under the car's hood. Additionally, when the engine overheats, the temperature indicator on the Multi-Information Display (MID) on the car's dashboard will show a high number.

To address this issue, there are several steps you can take. Here's more information on how to handle an overheating car. Let's find out!

How to Fix an Overheating Car

1. Turn off the car's air conditioning first

The first simple step you can take is to turn off the car's air conditioning. Car AC systems operate using a compressor that adds a load to the engine. Therefore, if you're experiencing overheating, the first thing you should do is turn off the car's AC. By doing so, the compressor will stop working, reducing the engine workload. This will help prevent the engine temperature from rising further.

2. Take a short break

The next step you can take to address an overheating car engine is to pull over and take a short break. When the engine overheats, the engine temperature will significantly increase. If you continue driving, the engine will keep working, and the temperature will continue to rise. Aside from being dangerous, this should be avoided as it can cause damage to engine components such as pistons, cylinders, and the engine block.

3. Open the car's hood

After pulling over to a safe location, you can open the car's hood and prop it open. By doing this, hot air won't be trapped, allowing the engine temperature to decrease more quickly to the normal level. It's important to note that when opening the hood, you should do it carefully, considering that the hood prop is usually located around the still-hot radiator.

4. Wait until the engine cools down

The next step in handling an overheating car is to wait until the engine cools down and is no longer hot. Generally, it is recommended to let the engine sit for at least 30 minutes to several hours for the engine temperature to return to a safe level.

5. Check the radiator

Once the engine has cooled down sufficiently, you can open the car's radiator cap to check the radiator water level. Avoid opening the radiator cap when the engine is still hot, as the hot fluid inside the radiator can be hazardous.

If the radiator water level is low, add coolant fluid that matches your car's specifications. This way, the engine can cool down faster and operate normally.

6. Check for coolant system leaks

Coolant system leaks can be one of the reasons why the engine reaches high temperatures. If you are facing this issue, the way to handle an overheating car is to take it to a repair shop to get the necessary fixes.

Reasons Why Cars Overheat

After learning how to fix an overheating car, let's explain some reasons why this issue occurs. Here are a few of them:

1. Depleted radiator coolant

Running out of radiator water is the most common cause of car overheating. It's essential to understand that radiator water functions to absorb heat. When this fluid is low or runs out, the cooling system can't maintain a stable engine temperature. As a result, the engine can experience a sudden and significant temperature increase.

2. Leaking radiator

The radiator is responsible for cooling the radiator water that carries heat away from the engine. When the radiator is leaking, the coolant will be drained. As a result, the car's cooling system can't efficiently lower the engine temperature. This situation can lead to overheating in the car.

3. Faulty cooling fan

The next cause of overheating is due to a faulty cooling fan. This component plays a vital role in the car's cooling system by circulating air from the outside through the radiator fins to cool it down. If the cooling fan is damaged, the cooling system will work harder to maintain the engine's ideal temperature, potentially triggering overheating.

4. Faulty thermostat

The thermostat is a component that controls the flow of radiator water into the engine. When the engine temperature reaches a certain point, the thermostat opens its valve, allowing the radiator water to flow into the engine to absorb heat. If the thermostat is faulty, radiator water can't flow into the engine, leading to engine overheating.

This concludes our explanation about the causes of and solutions to overheating issues. It's important to understand that overheating is a common problem in cars and can lead to more severe engine damage if not promptly addressed. Therefore, regular maintenance of your car is crucial to prevent this problem from occurring.

For those who lack the time or prefer to avoid the hassle of regular maintenance, you can take advantage of our car rental services at MPMRent. We are a car rental company in Jakarta Indonesia offering a variety of car options.

Moreover, all the cars we provide undergo regular maintenance by professional technicians. This means you don't have to worry about overheating issues or other engine problems.

We offer flexible car rental services, including daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly options. We can also provide professional drivers to assist you with the rented car.

Make your reservation online now to enjoy the best car rental services from MPMRent. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. MPMRent offers 24/7 customer service to assist and serve you. Contact us now!

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