Why Is My Car Overheating?

If you’re making your way around Minneapolis and Maple Grove and notice your Kia isn’t functioning as normal, then it may be overheating. But what causes a car to overheat? Well, this can be caused by a number of factors, including a leak in the cooling system to issues with the radiator. Most vehicles will need their temperature gauge to sit between 195 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit in order to operate correctly, but if the gauge is higher than normal, do notdrive the car, as this may put you in danger and cause more maintenance issues down the line. Learn about the reasons a car would overheat and how to fix it with the experts at Cornerstone Kia.
 

What Does It Mean When Your Car Overheats?

Overheating is a common occurrence in vehicles, and is a result of a variety of minor issues. If you notice any of the following happening to your vehicle, then it may be causing your engine temperature to rise:

• There’s a leak in the cooling system – 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.

• There’s a problem with your coolant – If the wrong coolant was put in your car, or you have an improper coolant-to-water ratio (50/50 is proper), your engine may be prone to overheating.

• There’s a blockage in the coolant hose – The next possible culprit is the coolant hose. There are plenty of opportunities for dirt and debris to get in your cooling system on Minneapolis roads. Unfortunately, this can cause blockages in the coolant hose.

• There’s an issue with the radiator – 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.

• Your car’s water pump is broken – 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.

What to Do When a Car Overheats

In some instances, you may not know there’s a problem until you get behind the wheel, so you should know what to do when a car overheats if you’re already on Anoka streets. First, if you have the air conditioning on, turn it off and put the heat on full blast. While you may find yourself a little warmer than you’d like, this can direct some of the heat being put on the engine elsewhere. When you stop your vehicle in a safe environment, don’t open the hood for at least 30 minutes, and call a towing service to have a professional local mechanic safety look at your vehicle and bring it in to get fixed.

Find Quality Kia Service at Cornerstone Kia

Now that you know more about what causes a car to overheat and what to do when a car overheats, you can count on the Cornerstone Kia service team to learn more about Kia maintenance tips and tricks. Take a look and save even more with our service and parts specials, finding great deals on your next Kia service visit. Contact us today to schedule an appointment near Rogers and Andover! Also be sure to read up on spark plug intervals and TPMS with our team today.

We’d also be glad to help you learn about car buying by teaching you about trading in a financed car.