Why is My Car Overheating?

You’re stranded on the side of the road somewhere in Springfield with your hood up and steam pouring out from your engine. Your car has overheated. But why is your car overheating? It’s easy to assume the worst, but there are a range of reasons your car overheats — and when you let our service team fix them, they tend to be pretty affordable.

What Causes a Car to Overheat?

It takes a qualified mechanic to properly diagnose why your car is overheating, like the experienced technicians at Leman's Chevrolet City Llc, near Decatur. They know what it means when your car is overheating. Still, it’s good to understand what causes a car to overheat, so you can make informed choices about repairing your vehicle.

6 Reasons a Car Would Overheat

• The radiator is leaking or has a blockage
• A faulty water pump
• A leaky hose
• A hose with a blockage
• A seal or gasket that is cracked
• The coolant is not mixed properly with water

What You Should Do When Your Car Overheats

Figuring out why your car is overheating is not the first thing you should do when you notice the needle hit “H.” This is what you should do when your car overheats:

• Turn off the A/C, and turn on the heat
• Pull over right away to a safe spot
• Turn the car off
• Wait until the engine has cooled before opening the hood
• Briefly touch the radiator cap. If it is still warm DO NOT open it!
• Get your car towed someplace where it can be repaired

Schedule Service at Leman's Chevrolet City Llc

Now that you’ve learned what it means when your car overheats, take a look at our other service tips and tricks. Of course, there’s no need to try to figure out why your car is overheating on your own. Schedule service at Leman's Chevrolet City Llc today. Don’t forget to check out our service specials. We’re conveniently located near Normal, so drop by today with any questions or to compare our models like the Chevy Colorado vs. Silverado!