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.

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.