There is nothing cool about driving a vehicle and having it overheat. Not only could it become a dangerous situation, but it also is quite a hassle when you are trying to get somewhere. Overheating could be caused by anything that decreases the cooling systems ability to absorb, transport, and dissipate heat. For example, that might include a low coolant level due to a leak, poor heat conductivity inside the engine because of accumulated deposits in water jackets, a defective thermostat, poor airflow through the radiator, a slipping fan clutch, an inoperative electric cooling fan, a collapsed lower radiator hose, an eroded or loose water pump impeller, or even a defective radiator cap. Here at our Tempe auto repair shop, we can help you identify the problems and fix them as well. Keeping you safe is always a priority and should be at any auto repair shop .

If your car starts overheating, shut off your air conditioner and open your windows as doing so decreases the load on the engine and helps it cool off. If you continue to overheat, turn on the heater and blower. If you’re stopped in traffic and the temperature gauge is rising, shift into Neutral or Park and rev the engine a little: Doing so makes the water pump and the fan speed up, which draws more liquid and air through the radiator. The increased air and liquid circulation helps cool things off. Try not to ride your brakes: In stop-and-go traffic, crawl along slowly, on little more than an idle, rather than moving up and then braking repeatedly. If you think that your vehicle is about to boil over, drive to the right-hand side of the road, open the hood, and sit there until things cool off. Remember, don’t open the radiator cap under these circumstances, and if your engine has boiled over, don’t add water until the engine is quite cool again.

Overheating is not only a sign that something is wrong with your vehicle, but it can also cause additional damage such as increasing wear and tear, blowing a head gasket and blowing the radiator or radiator hose. It is important to prevent further engine damage after overheating. Be sure to have your car looked at should this happen to you at a trusted repair shop like us. We will be able to confirm any damage and identify problems related to your engine’s overheating issues. Preventative maintenance  is also important in keeping your vehicle working properly. Our trained technicians can help identify any visible problems before the issue occurs in many situations.