1) Steam from the Hood
A small amount of steam rising from under the hood is nothing to worry about in the first few moments of driving, especially in wet weather or soon after washing your vehicle. Even a perfectly healthy engine will get warm enough to steam off any water lingering in its compartment.
But if there are more than a few wisps of steam, and if they appear some distance into a journey, then overheating is the most likely culprit.
2) Thick, White Exhaust Smoke
Any thick smoke coming from the tailpipes is a cause for concern. But if the smoke is white rather than dark, it’s usually a sign that coolant is leaking into the engine’s combustion chamber, eventually draining the cooling system completely.
3) Smell of Antifreeze
If you can smell antifreeze in the passenger cabin while driving, particularly if the smell gets stronger as the engine warms up, you likely have a leak in one of the softer external parts of the cooling system such as a hose or radiator connection. These problems are usually easy and inexpensive to fix, while ignoring the odour could easily lead to more serious issues if the temperature gets out of hand.
4) Leaky Spots Under the Vehicle
Any drips or spots on your driveway or garage floor should be investigated. The cause could be as simple as moisture built up by the air conditioning system dripping while the vehicle is stationary. But if the spots are from a leaky cooling system, overheating won’t be far down the road. Even worse, leaking brake or transmission fluid will create real driving dangers, so arrange an inspection to be on the safe side. Pooling coolant also poses a hazard for pets and other animals who might mistake it for something safe to drink.
5) Poor Fuel Economy
Engines are carefully designed to work efficiently within a certain temperature range. If the engine runs too hot, fuel economy will be noticeably reduced. If you seem to be making more trips to the filling station than before, a failing cooling system could be the underlying cause.
6) Squealing or Rattling Noises
A cooling system contains many moving parts and connections, and as they wear, various squealing or rattling noises can start to come from under the hood. In most cases, a simple belt or hose replacement will solve the problem, and also prevent further damage.
7) Warning Lights and High Gauge Readings
The last and most urgent sign of potential overheating is when the temperature warning light illuminates on the dash. If this happens while the temperature gauge is showing an unusually high reading, it’s important to pull over as soon as you can and turn off the engine.
It’s possible that the warning sensor is overly sensitive and has lit up too early, but overheating can permanently damage an engine in a very short time. If you have a roadside assistance plan, now’s a good time to call out a mechanic to check that the cooling system is still working correctly.
Book a Service to Avoid Overheating
The best way to avoid overheating is to ensure all parts of the cooling system are working well enough to last the summer. Book a service appointment by clicking on the button below, and our expertly qualified technicians will give your vehicle a thorough inspection to put your mind at ease, no matter how hot the coming summer turns.
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