It has happened to many drivers in the past, and it may happen to you one day. You’re driving along, minding your own business, when your car’s temperature gauge acts up, and your vehicle suddenly de-accelerates. You have to pull over and, when you do, your car suddenly releases a belch of steam, and you smell something funny. This is what happens when a car overheats, which is more common than you might think. Overheating occurs when something goes wrong in the engine’s cooling systems so that it has a hard time expelling any heat build-up in the engine case. To avoid overheating, preventative maintenance is critical. One way to thoroughly protect your car and extend the engine’s longevity is by using a car cover. Here are four signs that your car is overheating and what you should do, in the moment and in general, to deal with it.
1. Temperature Gauge Quickly Rises
Your temperature gauge can vary as you drive; this is normal. But if your temperature gauge immediately jumps up to H or High and stays there, you may have an overheating issue. You usually find the temperature gauge on your car’s control panel. On some more modern, automated vehicles, an engine light or temperature light will pop on.
2. Engine Issues Steam
If you start to see smoke or steam issuing from your engine, you need to pull over immediately. This cloud isn’t smoke—although it looks like it; it’s vaporized coolant escaping your engine. Since your engine uses this material to keep its temperature levels even as it runs, losing a lot of coolant at once may prove disastrous and cause your vehicle to overheat. Conversely, if you notice a large puddle underneath your parked car, this may also be an indication of overheating. You should see a mechanic as soon as possible to address the cause of the leak.
3. Car Emits Odor
You may find that your car is issuing some strange smells along with the steam. Sometimes vaporized coolants smell sweet, whereas burnt oil can smell acrid. Noting the odor is a great way to detect what may be wrong with your car.
4. You Can’t Accelerate
If your car is overheating, you will have a terrible time accelerating or maintaining a level speed as you drive. If your vehicle feels sluggish or is giving you trouble, watch for some of the other symptoms of overheating. You’ll notice this especially at higher speeds, as on the freeway.
Causes of Overheating
Before you can fix your overheating car, you have to know what’s causing the issue. Here are some of the scenarios in which your vehicle will overheat.
Problems with the Fan
Not every vehicle has a fan belt, but, if it does and something’s wrong with it, there’s a good chance that your car will overheat. Fortunately, fan belt issues are generally easy and inexpensive to fix. If you have an electrical fan, the scenario looks different. When it’s working, your electric fan pulls heat from your engine and emits it through the radiator vents a little at a time. If you notice the temperature gauge creeping up when you’re idling in traffic or traveling at low speeds, it could be due to a faulty radiator fan or radiator fan switch.
Thermostat Errors
When you’re traveling at higher speeds, your car’s engine has to work harder to keep up the pace, which means that it is creating more heat. Usually, your vehicle uses coolants to maintain an even temperature, but, if the thermostat isn’t working correctly, it may be unable to get the coolant it needs.
Low Coolant Levels
The steam escaping from your engine is vaporized coolant. Without it, your car will overheat in a very short time. If you ever see steam or what looks like smoke issuing from your vehicle, pull over immediately. There are a couple of reasons your car may be leaking coolant and overheating; these include excessive coolant burn-off, a leaky coolant reservoir, a faulty radiator cap, or a problem with the radiator hose.
- Coolant burn-off – When your coolant levels run too low, you may smell a burning odor as the car burns off the remnants of the coolant in the engine. Add more coolant immediately.
- Leaky reservoir – To check yourself, after your engine has cooled, assess the coolant reservoir—usually made of plastic—for any visible cracks or punctures.
- Faulty radiator cap – If you have a malfunctioning radiator cap, the engine won’t be able to hold the proper pressure to retain coolant in its system and prevent overheating.
- Radiator hose issue – These hoses take a lot of damage, as they often hold pressurized coolant on their way to your engine. Eventually, these hoses wear out and must be replaced to avoid overheating.
Temporary Fixes
If you see steam, notice odors, or experience a loss of acceleration, your car may be overheating. Here are the steps you should take if you think you may have an overheating situation on your hands: crank the heat, pull over, turn off the engine, and call a professional. If you have spare coolant in the trunk, you can add some while you’re waiting for the tow truck, but wait until the engine has cooled off before you add any. The metal parts of the car will be scalding hot and may burn any exposed skin.
Preventative Measures
One of the best ways to maintain your car and protect the engine from weather and damage is to use a car cover designed for your car model when you’re not driving it. UV rays can contribute to overheating and extreme fluctuations in temperature can prematurely wear down fan belts, hoses, and radiator caps; a car cover will extend the longevity of your vehicle’s exterior while simultaneously protecting the engine. Always make sure, especially before long drives, that you have the requisite amounts of coolant fluids in the engine before you head out on the open road. Carrying some coolant with you is also a wise idea, so you can avoid overheating at all points on your journey. Don’t let any weird smells or clouds of steam go unchecked, however. If you’re lucky enough to get home, you should call a professional immediately to have your vehicle looked at, as prolonged exposure to heat can be permanently damaging.
Check Your Coolant to Keep Your Car Performing Optimally
An overheated vehicle is no laughing matter. If you see steam, smell something strange, can’t accelerate, or observe fluctuations in the temperature gauge, you may have a situation on hand. In the immediate situation, pull over to a safe spot and turn off your engine to let it cool; for long-term protection, invest in a quality car cover and bring plenty of coolant.
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