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Overheated car (In winter)? Is it possible? How you can prevent it?

You will be amazed at the fact that a car might go overheated in the winter too. But, how is it possible despite the freezing cold outside?
An overheated car is a reality when it does not have an intact cooling system. Look at these points to understand the reasons behind an overheated car.

What makes a car go overheated in winter?

An engine cannot operate without the mutual interaction of a number of car parts. Therefore, friction is quite common when metals interact with each other. Besides, the combustion also produces heat.

However, a malfunctioning cooling system may be the reason behind the rise in temperature in a vehicle. Even though it is freezing outside, the cooling system needs to work, albeit at a low intensity.

A cooling system consists of a number of components, and there is enough probability of them going bad. Usually, a low level of coolant might be the primary reason among a failed thermostat, a defective compressor, etc.
Let’s go through these legitimate reasons for your car overheating.

1. Low level coolant hurts your cooling system capacity and allows engine overheating

Usually, engines allow coolant to flow through the passage and take up the heat. Later, the coolant travels to the radiator, where heat is absorbed by the cool air that is flown through it.

However, a proper level of coolant can perform the task of cooling even in the winter. However, it might be wasted if there are leaks, and there wouldn't be as much coolant to combat engine heat. Instead, air flows through, preventing the heat generated by the engine from being transferred to the radiator. As a result, the engine builds up heat and eventually overheats.

A sweet burning smell usually highlights coolant leakage. Besides, it could be your car’s rising temperature gauge.
However, a low level of coolant just needs topping off, but it is wise to verify for leakage to properly investigate the cause. Besides, it is necessary to be mindful while topping up the cooling level because there are varieties of coolant available for specific vehicle requirements, such as inorganic acid formula (IAT), organic acid technology (OAT), hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT), etc. But, choose wisely or consult with a professional at Service My Car.

3. Your car’s problematic radiator is the primary culprit

A radiator usually has a very important role to play in dissipating heat from coolant. But what happens if this does not happen? The radiator hoses are damaged and leaks coolant, or if there is any type of congestion? Sometimes, the radiator might get filled up with leaves, dust, or other foreign objects, leaving less space for cool air to pass through or messing up the vents.

What should you do if you encounter a car that is overheating?

Since unfortunate events happen, if you experience a car engine overheating, you should take the safer side of the road to stop the vehicle. Next, turn off the engine. By doing this, you are saving your vehicle from being damaged because, at some point, the engine's metal will also lose its resistance to the heat.

This might result into hurting the engine that does not settle with a complete engine replacement.
Just be cautious when opening the hood because there might be something dangerous inside. Avoid opening the hood for a moment, or use safety. Additionally, you can use the heater to disperse the heat because it utilizes the engine's heat to warm up the cabin.

Be wise and cautious, as the hood can become very hot even in freezing temperatures. Above all, avoid attempting to remove the radiator cap.

Besides, call Service My Car for a quick car recovery. However, you can book a car service or order a car repair quote at our website or app online.

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