Why is my car overheating?
Overheating means the cooling system can't remove heat fast enough.
Most likely causes
- Low coolant or a leak. Look for puddles or a sweet smell.
- Stuck thermostat. Blocks coolant from reaching the radiator.
- Failed cooling fan. Overheats mostly in traffic or at idle.
- Bad water pump. Often leaks or whines.
Simple things to check
- Check coolant level only when the engine is cold
- See if the fan runs when hot
- Look under the car for leaks
When to stop driving
Pull over and shut the engine off if the gauge hits red. Never open a hot radiator cap.
Not sure which one it is?
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