Does your car or truck start overheating once you hit a certain number of miles? If so, there are some things you need to know, not just for the sake of your ride and your budget, but more importantly, also for your safety. Continue reading to learn what you need to do if your vehicle overheats every time that you drive it a relatively long distance.

24 Hour Roadside Emergency Service Indianapolis 317-247-8484

What Causes an Overheating Car Engine?

An overheating car engine is a common automotive problem, and fortunately, an easy one to resolve within a short amount of time; in most cases, that is. There are many reasons why car engines overheat. The top causes of engine overheating are low coolant levels or oil levels, but it can also be caused by broken cap seals or engine heat transfer and distribution malfunctions. Although you can address most of these issues with a quick, temporary fix, or simply letting the car cool down for a while, a car engine will not cease to overheat until you have the underlying automotive problem repaired.

Low Coolant Levels

If your car continues to overheat every time you drive it a certain distance, it is time to take a closer look so that you can find a resolution that fits. First, check your coolant levels. Car radiator fluid is known as coolant or antifreeze. If you do not know how to check your coolant levels in your vehicle, refer to the owners’ manual. You will find instructions on how to check your coolant levels and how to refill your coolant. If you are out or low on coolant, give yourself a refill and see if your overheating engine problem persists.

Low Oil Levels

Just like coolant, your car engine will overheat if it is not properly lubricated. There are many internal moving parts within your car engine, and these parts require lubrication to prevent excess grinding, friction, and heat generation. Also refer to the owners’ manual for instructions on how to check your oil levels and refill your motor oil. Be sure to use quality motor oil that is compatible with your make and model vehicle.

Broken Cap Seal

If your car engine continues to overheat every time that you drive it a long distance, but you have already inspected and addressed your fluid levels, your issue could be caused by broken cap seal. In this case, it is recommended that you do not drive your vehicle until this has been repaired. Contact local Indianapolis towing company for quick drop off at your local auto repair shop.

Heat Transfer Malfunctions

Often times, a car engine will continue to overheat because the engine itself has a problem transferring and distributing the heat that it is generating. Although motor oil plays a large part in preventing this from happening, there are other issues that can arise that can cause heat transfer and heat management malfunctions in the engine. You do not want to drive your car any further with having this problem because it can cause further damage to other auto parts. Instead, contact a local 24 hour towing service in Indianapolis to have your car transferred to a local mechanic for repair.

Has your car overheated for the last time and now you are broken down on the side of the road? Contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. We serve all of Central Indiana with fluid refills, jump starts, car lockout service, flat tire service, fuel delivery, towing, and more!

❶ No Coolant

This is the number one cause for an engine that has begun to overheat. Always be sure to keep a spare bottle of coolant, also known as radiator fluid, in your trunk. If your vehicle gets low on a particularly long road trip or hot day, you can top off your radiator with more coolant. If more coolant works at first, but later the engine overheats again, you could have a coolant leak. Although more fluid solves the immediate problem, it is a sign that your vehicle probably needs some other types of fluid refills and flushes, including brake fluid, motor oil, windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid, and more.

❷ Defective Coolant Fan

Sometimes you have enough coolant, but the fan is not working properly. When the coolant fan is not running, it will not cool down the coolant running through the radiator and engine like it is designed to do. This is generally caused by a faulty fan motor, but can also be caused by a bad radiator switch. If your car engine begins to overheat, you can lift your hood and take a look at your coolant fan to see if it is running or not. They are usually located right on or near the radiator.

❸ Broken Fan Belt

Like your coolant fan, your engine’s fan belt plays a major role in controlling temperature. It is one of the most common causes of a reoccurring overheating engine. The worst part about a broken fan belt is that it is often a first indication of other engine malfunctions and needed engine repairs. Most people can tell they have a broken fan belt by simply looking at their engine from under the hood.

Monitor Your Driving

To better figure out what’s causing the overheating, think about the type of driving you are doing when it occurs. Is your car engine overheating at stoplights or on the highways at high speeds? This information can give you clues as to why your car overheats. If the vehicle is overheating during an idle or stopped position, this could point to the electric cooling fan motor. This component is located near the radiator. To check for faultiness, run the vehicle’s air conditioner and listen for the fan to start. If the fan doesn’t turn on, it may be from a faulty sensor or the fan in general. If your car is overheating at high speeds, it could be anything from a kinked radiator hose to a defective thermostat.

Stranded Due to Car Engine Problems in Indianapolis?

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for friendly 24 hour towing and roadside assistance in Central Indiana. We open a family-owned and operated business for 90 years, so you can trust us for prompt and professional service. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, so our certified tow truck operators can be there for you anytime, any day! Request free estimates, anytime.

Zore’s Towing Blog of Indiana

Tag Archives: why is my car overheating

What to Do if Your Car Overheats Every Time You Drive it a Long Distance