Unbeknownst to some, cold weather does not act as a preventative for a car overheating.
It’s important to ensure your vehicle’s cooling system is kept in good condition all year round so that when the time comes, your car is winter ready and you’re worry-free. But if your vehicle does happen to overheat during the winter, how will you know, and what can you do to fix it?
Signs your car is overheating
Knowing the tell-tale signs of an overheating engine is your first step towards being able to prevent one. If left to worsen, the chances of lasting damage and costly repairs will increase.
There are a few obvious indicators that your vehicle may be getting a bit too hot. Here are some things to watch out for:
- A rise in your temperature indicator (located on the dashboard), or the temperature warning light coming on
- Smoke emerging from the hood of your vehicle
- A ‘hot’ burning smell
- Reduced engine power
At the first sign of any of these things, pull over and switch your engine off. You will need to take your car to a certified mechanic who can identify the cause, and hopefully repair your vehicle.
7 reasons why your car is overheating in the winter
Confirming that your car is overheating is all well and good, but next comes figuring out what’s causing it. There are many reasons your car might be overheating, even in cold weather, and here we will take a look at some of the most common—and easily identifiable—causes.
1. Low coolant levels
Coolant is a fluid that helps to regulate the temperature of your vehicle. It draws heat away from the engine to prevent overheating. If your coolant levels are too low, this heat will build up within the engine, causing potentially permanent damage. Always keep your coolant reservoir topped up.
2. A water pump failure
A water pump is the component that circulates the coolant through the engine. If this gets broken or clogged by dirty coolant or other debris, the water pump will not work efficiently. This will result in an overheating vehicle.
3. Coolant leak
If you’re usually pretty good at keeping your coolant clean and topped up, but it still seems to be disappearing fast, you may have a coolant leak. This can be identified by a puddle of coloured liquid—usually blue, green, or orange— pooling underneath your car. Coolant has a sweet smell, making it easy to differentiate from other fluid leaks.
4. The thermostat is faulty
Responsible for regulating the flow of coolant throughout your engine, a thermostat is a very important vehicle component. The thermostat opens and closes depending on your engine’s temperature, allowing coolant to pass through towards the radiator. If it fails, your coolant will be trapped, causing the engine to overheat.
5. An issue with the radiator
Cold weather can affect your radiator and cooling system in a couple of ways. The first being that in extreme cold temperatures, the coolant within the system can freeze and expand, causing cracks. In turn, this may result in a coolant leak.
Low temperatures may also cause the metal of your radiator to contract. Hoses and clamps might end up loose, again resulting in a coolant leak, and thus an overheating engine.
6. Low oil level
You may think of engine oil as just a lubricant, but it can do much more than that. One additional benefit of engine oil is its ability to control temperatures within the vehicle. Low levels of oil may result in an increase of engine temperatures. Always keep your oil at the correct level.
7. Issues with the belts and hoses
A snapped belt or leaky hose can result in the loss of function to your water pump. As this is what circulates the coolant, the result will be an overheating engine. This is more common in the warmer months, as the heat can accelerate the deterioration of these components. However, it should not be ruled out as a possible cause in the winter, too.
What to do if your car is overheating
If you’ve spotted any of the signs outlined above, there are a few steps you can take to avoid further damage to your car, and ensure yours and your passengers’ safety.
- Pull over. Do not continue to drive a vehicle that is presenting signs of overheating. Find somewhere safe to stop, and if you have to drive further to find somewhere appropriate, crank up the heating. This will draw heat away from the engine.
- Switch off the engine and wait. Do not open the hood of your car. If you do, you risk being greeted by a spray of boiling liquid or steam. Until your temperature gauge is back to normal, leave everything as it is.
- Call for assistance. The best thing to do with an overheated vehicle is not to drive it. You will need to get it towed to the nearest garage for repair.
- Add coolant. Once your engine has cooled, topping up your coolant may fix the problem. Your vehicle could be safe to drive, but it’s best to get it checked by a mechanic anyway. If you do decide to drive it away, be cautious of your temperature gauge, and pull over at the first sign of an increase.
How to prevent your car from overheating in the winter
If that all sounds pretty daunting, take comfort in the fact that an overheating engine is preventable. There are just a few precautions you should take.
- Always ensure your coolant level is topped up, and keep a bottle in your car in case you need it.
- Check your oil level regularly, and keep it topped up.
- Limit the use of your air conditioning. Aircon can put extra pressure on your engine, causing it to heat up faster than usual.
- Take your car in for a regular yearly service to ensure all components of your car’s cooling system are running efficiently.
Ultimately, if your vehicle is going to overheat, nothing is guaranteed to stop it. These best practice maintenance methods will only help to prevent and prolong the life of your engine.
Stay extra cautious in the colder months with our handy tips on how to prepare your car for winter.
Stop your engine overheating with K-Seal
Protect your cooling system with K-Seal, the perfect solution to pesky leaks and worn seals. Simply follow our step-by-step instructions to ensure the smooth operation of your head gasket, block, radiator, and water pump.