Temperature is Rising: Car Overheating in Winter

Overheating does not only happen in the summertime. The cold temperatures of winter offer
no barriers from or protection from the rising temperature of the engine. Many people are
surprised to learn that cars can overheat in the winter as well. Unfortunately, some of these
people learn this lesson from being stranded on the side of the road. They assume that since
the weather is near zero, the cold air temperature should be enough to keep the engine cool,
but this is very far from the truth. Your car can overheat even in below-zero weather if you
do not maintain your car or pay attention to the warning signs. You should know what to do
to keep this from happening to your car.

Before the Blowout

If your car is overheating in the winter, consider what is occurring right before the car gets
too hot. If you notice that your car overheats soon after you turn it on, you could have a very
low coolant level, a malfunctioning thermostat, a broken fan, or a leak in the cooling
system. These same problems can produce overheating after driving for long periods, but
instead of a faulty thermostat, your ignition timing could have the wrong settings, or the
engine could have other mechanical problems. Take your car to ASE master technicians to
determine the cause of the overheating and remedy the problem.

Antifreeze and Fluid Checks Are Essential

Check your antifreeze or coolant level to make sure you have the proper amount in the
reservoir. Coolants are very important to the engine because it transfers heat from the center
of the engine out to the outside air. The cooling system is closed, which means that it is not
designed for the car owner to have access for refilling. If there is a hole anywhere in this
closed system, your coolant level will be too low and your car will overheat. Check the
radiator for any rust and corrosion, which can cause holes and other damaging things. The
thermostat and radiator pressure cap need to be checked to make sure they are securely
seated in place to provide an adequate seal. Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine
is still hot. The boiling coolant inside the radiator has created a pressurized environment and
opening the cap can cause an explosion. Make sure your thermostat and engine fan are
working properly.

Overheat No More

Make an effort to be proactive when it comes to general car maintenance. Be sure to adhere
to the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer. Use the information you
learn about your car during these sessions to keep track of the health of your car. If you pay
close attention and heed the warning signs of potential overheating, you can make the
changes you need to make to keep your car in good running condition. If you have a
mechanic to perform these tasks, make sure that you understand everything that they relay
to you concerning your car. They can take the information from the inspections and make
recommendations on how to improve the health of your car. Keeping a log of all repairs,
maintenance dates, and performance notations will work together to help you keep a cool
car.

Avoiding Winter Car Repairs with General Car Maintenance

Now that the summer is over, it is time to start thinking about preparing your car for the winter months. The winter can be brutal to a car, and if you are not prepared, your car may die on you. Tuning up your car, checking fluid levels, and replacing the battery are just the beginning. You should perform a complete winter safety check that you can combine with your general car maintenance routine. This will ensure that you can have a trouble-free winter. 

What to Do Under the Hood

Several major systems reside under the hood of your car. One of the first things that some people think about is fluid checks. You should make sure you have the recommended levels of engine oil, coolants, transmission, brake, and windshield washer fluids. Check your car manual to find out what levels you should be maintaining and develop a regular schedule for changing them. Make sure that you are using the right grade of oil for the area of the country in which you live. Colder climates need lighter oil so that it remains thin enough to lubricate the engine when it is cold but will not get too thick that it will not flow effortlessly and cause engine damage. When you change the oil, be sure to change the oil and air filters. Check your coolant level and top off if it is low. Check the radiator for any leaks and have them repaired if needed. Tune up your car, clean the battery, and replace damaged or worn spark plugs. Inspecting wires will reveal any damage that should be replaced. 

What to Do Under the Car

Check your tire pressure and make sure you have adequate treads on them so your car can grip the slick roads. If you have snow tires, you should install them, but make sure that you replace all four tires with snow tires for the best traction and safety. Check your tire alignment and adjust them if needed. You should also check your steering and suspension systems. These systems are responsible for giving you control of your car and providing a safe, comfortable ride. If your suspension is not up to par, you should have it repaired to prevent damage to your wheels, tires, and undercarriage when driving over potholes and other road imperfections. Make sure your steering is proper so that you can maintain control of your car, especially on slippery surfaces. Make sure your exhaust system is working properly and inspect your brakes and brake pads. Replace any worn or damaged parts as soon as possible. 

What to do Around and Inside the Car

Clean and inspect your headlights. Make sure that they provide a clean and bright light and that the assembly is seated evenly and firmly in place. If your headlights are old or you cannot remove the haze from the surface, you should have them replaced. Make sure that your taillights are working and they illuminate adequately. If you notice any problems that that you are unable to repair on your own, you can take your car to your mechanic and they can perform these services for you. They can inspect your car and help keep you safe while traveling in the snow and ice. 

What is the Overheating Telling You?

The wintertime is the time for freezing temperatures, snowballs, and hot cocoa. It is also the time to make sure your car is in good condition to make it through those months. Contrary to popular belief, a car can experience overheating in the winter. What makes a car overheat in the winter? If your car is running hot, the best time to assess the problem is before your car becomes immobile. There are several things you can check to determine the cause of the excessive heat and if you know what to do about them, you will not have to worry about being stranded on the side of the road.

Check Your Coolants

The first thing you should do is check your coolant levels. If your levels are low, then this may be the cause of the overheating. The radiator is not an easy piece of equipment in which to check fluid levels, but you will be able to see, with some stretching, how much coolant you have. Do not just depend on the amount you see in the overflow reservoir. Make sure that the car is completely cold before you check this part of the car. If the level is low, try adding more coolant. You can add a mixture of one part coolant to one part water, or you can buy the pre-made coolant that can be poured straight from the container. If you have to keep adding fluid, or you notice bright green or bright red liquid on the ground underneath your car, then you may have a leak. Take your car to ASE master mechanics to have the cooling system tested for leaks. 

An Idling Problem

If you notice that the car is overheating while you are idling, then you may have a problem with the cooling fan. The cooling fan is part of the cooling system and it provides air circulation across the radiator when the car is traveling at low speeds and when it is idling. Sensors that regulate the engine temperatures control the fan. It can adjust the needs of the engine if there is an addition of weight in the vehicle. When it senses that the engine is working harder to pull extra weight, it provides additional ventilation for the increased heat given off by the engine. You can check the fan by turning on the air conditioning. The fan for the air conditioner and the cooling fan are powered by the same source.  

The Need for Speed and Feeling the Heat

If you are overheating while you are traveling at high speeds, you have a different set of problems. You should make sure that you are getting proper airflow and coolant circulation. Make sure that there are no kinks, holes, or twists in the hoses. If you find any of those things, have the offending pieces replaced. Check for any holes or clogs in the radiator. You can have your mechanic take care of this for you, as cleaning out a clogged radiator is tedious work. You would have to remove the radiator and completely disassemble it before you clean it. You should also check for a stuck thermostat. If the thermostat is stuck in the closed position, it can block air from getting to the engine. If the top of the radiator hose does not feel hot when engine warms up, then the thermostat is stuck closed. If you suspect that it could be multiple things that are causing your car to overheat, you should take it in for a winter safety inspection by an ASE master mechanic.

Fast Ways to Improve Fuel Efficiency in Your Car

With the winter months approaching, people are looking for ways to save money and cut their energy usage. Winterizing your home can help you save money on heating bills, and it is a wise investment in your home. You can have the same relationship with your car. There are some fast and quick things you can do to help you save money at the pump and to increase fuel efficiency in your car. Minor changes to the outside and inside of your car as well as your driving habits can make a difference on your car and your wallet. You will not only save money on fuel costs, you will also save money on car repair costs.

Outside of the Car

A common item of the car overlooked by many people is the tires. Make sure that you have the right tire pressure for your car and tires. You will usually find a sticker on the inner doorjamb of the car that has the tire size and inflation size recommended by the manufacturer. Do not overinflate the tires because it could make the car more difficult to handle from the excessive vibrations. Over-inflation could also cause the tires to burst. You should make sure that all tires have the same tread pattern and if you replace the tires, replace all of them at the same time. Make sure that the tires have proper alignment so that your steering will be more precise. You should also check your suspension system and make sure that your shock absorbers, springs, and struts are in good condition. Check your brakes and make sure you have good brake pads installed. Replace any worn pads and check for any leaks or weak spots in the brake lines. Check your headlights and make sure they provide good lighting for driving at night and during inclement weather.

Inside of the Car

Under the hood, check the air, oil, and fuel filters. Make sure that they are clean and in good condition. A dirty air filter can increase the acceleration time of a car. Any increase in acceleration means an increase in fuel needed for the increase in speed. The air and oil filters should be changed each time you change the oil. A dirty fuel filter will allow dirt and debris to clog the fuel injectors. It is a good idea to make sure that your gas tank is over half-full at all times during the winter. If the tank is full, it will keep sediment from clogging up the fuel lines. 

Think Light and Go Slow

Driving at a slower speed not only saves fuel, it can also prevent an accident. Limit your idling time as much as possible and do not let your car warm up. Newer model cars do not need any warming up and older cars only need a warm-up of no longer than a few minutes. Letting a car idle and warm up is wasting fuel and it is not necessary. Try to keep your loads light. A heavy load, such as heavy furniture or towing a small watercraft, makes the engine work harder and uses more fuel. The only items that should remain in your car are the things that are in your winter safety kits, such as a few blankets, first aid kit, and flashlights. The small tasks you can implement right away will have savings in your wallet and a good running car in your garage.

Why Checking and Topping off Fluids is a Good Idea

Your car needs certain fluids in order to operate properly. Fluid checks are very important to the longevity of your vehicle. Checks should be completed at least every time that the vehicle is brought in for general car maintenance. When completed during these times, the ASE master technicians will be able to top off all of the fluids to the proper levels. Doing so will assure that the vehicle will operate properly at all times. There are certain checks you can do on your own so that you will be able to assure the proper working condition of your vehicle. Here are a few suggestions of what you can do to keep the fluids at the right levels.

Checking Oil in Between Oil Changes

The oil in your vehicle is vitally important many of the moving parts in the engine. It provides lubrication to moving parts so that they will not seize up or create a lot of friction that heats up the engine. To check the engine oil, you need to locate the dipstick in your engine. This is normally a loop you can put your finger in to remove the dipstick. Pull the stick out and wipe it clean with a paper towel or oil towel. Replace the dipstick to get the oil on the end. Remove it again to check the oil level. There are three lines which includes the low line, normal line and max line. Maintaining the oil levels can keep the engine running smoothly.

Checking Levels for Coolants

Coolants are highly important to make sure that the engine is running smoothly. The coolants help to keep the engine from overheating. Checking the coolant is easy once you have learned to find the reservoir. Reservoirs often have a dipstick which is attached to the lid of the reservoir. Some of the reservoirs allow you to see the level of the coolant on the side of the reservoir. If the coolant is low, it could mean that there is a problem with the engine. Remember that this also serves as the antifreeze so that you can keep your engine from freezing in the winter. Never use water because it will freeze fast and burn off easily which can cause major engine problems.

Checking Windshield Wiper Fluid

Cleaning the windshields is easy to do with the right amount of windshield wiper fluid. The fluid allows you to remove the dirt and grime from the windshield because of the cleaning solution combined with the windshield wiper blade. The reservoir for the fluid is found close to the windshield and holds a blue liquid inside. This only needs to be filled relative to how often you use it to clean the windshield with. The windshield wiper fluid is not very expensive to purchase, but can help you to see the road easier. Simply poor the fluid into the reservoir until it is filled. You can use the fluid as often as you want to so that it is easy to see where you are going. This is especially important whenever you are on a long trip so you will be able to see where you are going.