Why Is My Car Overheating?

While there are drivers in Turnersville, Mount Laurel, and Cherry Hill whose vehicles have overheated, why does this occur?

This is one of the most common questions we get at Prestige Subaru, yet the answer isn’t so simple. Fortunately, we can help you understand why your car is overheating with our in-depth guide. Check it out below.

Why Is My Car Overheating?

Your vehicle starts to overheat when the engine’s temperature rises dangerously. This is caused by many factors. Here are a few of the most common causes to an overheating vehicle that you should keep in mind.

Coolant Level Is Too Low

Lack of coolant is the biggest contributor to an overheating engine. The fluid keeps the internal parts cool and should always be at a sufficient level. However, with leaks, wear and tear, and missed maintenance appointments, vehicles tend to suffer from a low coolant level more than they should, thus leading to an overheating engine.

Wrong Coolant Concentration

It’s important to understand that coolant isn’t a one size fits all type of fluid. Your vehicle needs to be filled with one that has a specific concentration. Adding fluid with the wrong concentration decreases its effectiveness and won’t cool your engine properly.

Always make sure that your car is filled with the right coolant. If it isn’t, stop by Prestige Subaru to have the fluid inside flushed and refilled with the one that’s best for your vehicle.

Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat in your vehicle doesn’t read the temperature; it’s actually a valve that reacts to the engine’s temperature. When it gets too hot, it will open to let coolant flow through the radiator. If the engine is too cold, the valve will close to help the car warm up faster. In some instances, the thermostat gets stuck in a closed position, preventing coolant from going through the radiator. As a result, your vehicle will quickly overheat, leading to severe damage.

What to Do When My Car Overheats

Seeing the temperature gauge in your vehicle rise causes stress for any driver, but it’s important to follow these steps when your vehicle starts overheating:

1. Allow your vehicle to cool down. Driving with an overheated engine not only damages the vehicle but can also increase the chances of a dangerous engine fire. So once you notice that your vehicle is overheating, pull over and cut the engine so it can cool down.

2. Contact emergency services. Once you’ve stopped, contact emergency services for immediate assistance. In some cases, they can provide coolant and can tow your vehicle to Prestige Subaru for further inspection and repair.

Prevent Overheating at Prestige Subaru

There are ways to prevent your car from overheating. A few include not riding your brakes and adjusting the HVAC system to better cool the engine.

However, the best thing you can do to prevent your vehicle from overheating is to ensure that the engine is properly maintained. This means taking your car to Prestige Subaru in Turnersville, NJ, to get the fluid and services it needs to stay cool for the road ahead.

So don’t let your car overheat the next time that you’re traveling through Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel. Contact our service department and schedule your engine service appointment today!