Why is My Car Overheating?

It's never fun to deal with an automotive issue when you're on the road, especially if your car is overheating. When your vehicle overheats, you've learned that you shouldn't start it or continue to drive since this can lead to a severe problem with costly repairs. However, to figure out what's wrong, you need to learn why your car is overheating. 

At St. Charles Nissan, our certified technicians are here to give our drivers in the St. Charles, St. Louis, and Saint Peters area the scoop on the most common causes to your overheating car. You'll also learn what you should do if the problem occurs. If you've ever had to ask yourself why is my car overheating?, we encourage you to look below for the possible answer.

What Are the Common Causes of an Overheating Car?

• Blockage in Your Cooling System. This is one of the most common problems that are behind an overheating car. When there's a blockage in your cooling system, your coolant can't circulate inside the engine and prevent it from getting hotter. It's most likely a foreign object, a broken thermostat, or even a mineral deposit that's preventing coolant circulation.
• Leaks in Your Cooling System. If there's a leak in your cooling system, your engine can overheat due to the air that's getting sucked into the circulation. When enough air gets in, it creates a bubble that can't be easily pushed out. This reduces circulation and eventually causes your engine to overheat.
• Water Pump Issues. Your vehicle's water pump is responsible for controlling the coolant circulation in the engine. It can be subjected to a variety of issues, most notably a broken bearing or impeller can halt the flow of coolant and result in your engine heating up.
• Lack of Oil. Putting off your oil change is never a wise idea. Oil helps keep your engine running smoothly by lubricating the moving metal parts and keeping them cool. Older oil is less effective at keeping the parts cool, and without a replacement of fresh oil, your engine parts will begin to generate heat.

What Should I Do If My Car is Overheating?

If you see the dashboard light blinking, and it's telling you that your vehicle is overheating, you should immediately pull over to safety and turn off your engine and let it cool before attempting to do anything else. The engine may need more coolant to help keep it at a reasonable temperature until you can make it to your dealership for the right diagnosis. After you've let the engine cool, and you've put more coolant in, you can continue to drive, but prepare to stop again if the temperature rises. 

Where Do I Go for Service?

If your vehicle overheats while you're making your way around the St. Charles, St. Louis, or Saint Peters area, you can always call us at St. Charles Nissan for assistance and service. Our technicians can help you, so when you ask, why is my car overheating?, they'll have the answer you're looking for. Using the latest diagnostic technology, our technicians can determine the root of the problem that's causing your engine to overheat and correct it so you can continue to drive your vehicle without any problems.

At St. Charles Nissan, we're always happy to help our drivers fix any automotive issues that are preventing them from getting to their destination.