Why is my vehicle overheating?

Vehicle Overheating

Before we can begin to determine why your vehicle is overheating, there are a few questions we must ask. Does it only overheat when you are stopped, idle or in heavy traffic? Is there enough antifreeze/coolant present? Does it only happen on the highway or when traveling at high speeds?

If your vehicle overheats while you are idle, it could be the cooling fan. The cooling fan helps increase the flow of air moving across your radiator while you driving at low speeds or are stopped. If this fan fails, it could cause your engine to become to hot and thus over heat.

Check your anti-freeze level, most vehicles will hold about 1 and 1/2 to 2 gallons of fluid. When your car is cool, remove the radiator cap and check the level. You should be able to see how much coolant/water mixture is in there. If none is visible, there may be a leak in your radiator, a hose or the cooling system. It is very important to NEVER remove the radiator cap while your vehicle is still hot. Although it may not do any damage to your engine per say, it can cause horrible steam burns to your hands, face and anything else in the area.

If the problem only occurs on the highway, it could be a circulation problem. The water pump should be inspected, as well as the thermostat and possible kinks in the radiator hose.

If you are still uncertain of the problem or need your radiator inspected, call any one of Napleton’s over 60 service departments. Our staff is well trained and will assist you in answering any questions you may have. If your vehicle does require service, our technicians will accommodate your needs and schedule an appointment for a time which is convenient for you.