With blazing temperatures reaching into the 90s and to more than 100 degrees in many parts of the country, it’s important to pay attention to your car and look for signs that the engine may be overheating. This can be your car’s quick route to the junkyard--if you don’t act fast.
An overheated engine can occur at any time; hot days and stop-and-go traffic are an especially tough combo. Be aware of the temperature gauge in the dashboard creeping up into the red zone or a warning light screaming “TEMP.” Or worse yet, steam billowing from under the hood. Lots of things can cause an engine to overheat, such as a loss of coolant due to a leaking hose or radiator, a worn or broken fan belt, a bad water pump or thermostat, or an electrical problem. It can even overheat on a cold day if the coolant is too diluted with water to keep it from freezing.
If your car has a temperature gauge, get to know where the needle is normally. If it’s higher, that could be your first sign of trouble. Get hoses and belts checked periodically. Replacing these or a thermostat often costs less than $100 to $200; larger repairs will be pricier. But that’s still far less expensive than repairing or replacing an engine.
Here are some steps to take if you notice your car starting to overheat.
For more tips and advice on car maintenance, see our guide.
Build & Buy Car Buying Service
Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience.
Get Ratings on the go and compare
while you shop