Why Your Cooling System Matters

Your car’s cooling system is the unsung hero that prevents your engine from overheating. The system regulates engine temperature, dissipates heat, and even provides warmth for your heater in cooler months.

However, in Arizona’s hot summertime temperatures, the cooling system works overtime to combat heat and friction, which can wreak havoc if not properly maintained. Overheating is one of the leading causes of engine failure, costing drivers thousands in repairs. Let’s explore how to avoid this with proactive care.

Watch and listen to this podcast to learn more:

Preventative Maintenance That Can Keep Your Car from Overheating

1. Check Coolant Levels Safely

One of the simplest yet most critical steps is ensuring your coolant levels are adequate. However, it’s important to remember that you should never open the radiator cap or reservoir when the engine is hot. Doing so can result in severe burns from pressurized, scalding coolant. Instead, check your coolant first thing in the morning when the engine is cold. Look at the reservoir (often a plastic tank near the radiator) and ensure the fluid is between the “min” and “max” lines.

If the reservoir is low, don’t just top it off with any coolant. Using the wrong coolant can cause corrosion, damage seals, and harm plastic components. Always use the manufacturer-recommended coolant for your vehicle—whether it’s a 5-year or 10-year formula. If you’re unsure, bring your car to Good Works Auto Repair, where we stock the exact fluids your vehicle needs.

2. Inspect Hoses and Radiator for Blockages

Airflow is the lifeblood of your cooling system. Debris like bugs, dirt, or road grime can clog your radiator, reducing its ability to cool the engine. After a drive to Tucson or Casa Grande, take a moment to inspect the front of your radiator for obstructions. Gently clean it with a soft brush or low-pressure water, but consult with a professional to avoid damaging sensitive components.

Additionally, check your radiator hoses for signs of pressure or damage. A bulging hose indicates excessive pressure. In contrast, a soft, squeezable hose when the engine is cool suggests it’s safe to inspect further. If you notice cracks or leaks, schedule an appointment at our Tempe auto repair shop for a thorough inspection to prevent small issues from becoming major problems.

3. Pay Attention to Warning Signs

Modern vehicles are equipped with temperature gauges or warning lights to alert you to overheating. If your temperature gauge creeps past the halfway mark or a warning light appears, act immediately. Pull over to a safe spot, turn on your heater to divert heat from the engine (yes, even in summer!), and let the car cool down. Avoid driving further, as even driving a short distance can turn a minor issue into a costly engine repair.

For European cars without visible gauges, watch for warning lights or message center alerts. Ignoring these signals is a common mistake that can lead to catastrophic damage. Stay vigilant and treat any temperature warning as an emergency.

4. Schedule Regular Cooling System Maintenance

We recommend servicing your cooling system every 2-3 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. This involves flushing the old coolant, inspecting components like the thermostat and water pump, and refilling with the correct coolant. Regular maintenance prevents sediment buildup, which can clog radiators and cause overheating. At Good Works Auto Repair, our certified technicians use advanced diagnostics to ensure your cooling system is ready for Arizona’s harsh summers.

5. Don’t Ignore Modifications or Repairs

Custom grills, aftermarket parts, or minor accidents can disrupt airflow to your radiator. For instance, removing an air dam or misaligning components during a repair can reduce cooling efficiency. If you’ve modified your vehicle or recently had bodywork done on it, have your cooling system checked to ensure proper airflow and alignment.

Keep Your Car from Overheating This Summer with Preventative Maintenance at Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe, AZ

At our Tempe auto repair shop, we’re committed to keeping your vehicle safe and reliable. Our team offers honest, high-quality service to prevent your vehicle from overheating and extend your engine’s life.

Don’t let the summer heat catch you off guard—schedule a cooling system inspection today to ensure your car stays cool and ready for the road.

The post Keep Your Cool: How to Prevent Your Car from Overheating This Summer appeared first on Good Works Auto Repair Tempe.

What Does Your Cooling System Do?

Your cooling system keeps a certain standard temperature for the engine. It does so by circulating coolant (a.k.a. antifreeze) through your engine to your radiator, taking heat away from the engine while it works hard. Today’s engines are pretty tough, but when the temperatures go above normal, they can begin to fail. When failures start to happen, it could mean permanent damage to your engine, gaskets, hoses and even seals that are all part of the system that keeps your engine running.

Actions to Take If Your Engine Overheats

Maybe you notice the dashboard warning lights. Maybe it’s the strange smell coming from the engine. Or, maybe you see smoke coming from under the hood or your vehicle is not performing like usual. In any of these situations, follow these steps to stay safe and prevent major damage to your vehicle.

1. Pull over to a safe area and assess the situation calmly.
2. Turn off the vehicle. You won’t want to keep driving with an overheating engine as this could cause permanent damage.
3. Keep moving ONLY when necessary. Find a safe, clear place to come to a complete stop. If you can’t do this, keeping your car moving slowly may still allow a constant airflow around the motor to help with natural cooling. Leaving your car at rest or idling could actually worsen the problem and create more heat.
4. Turn on the heat. When the vehicle is still in motion, turning off the air conditioning and increasing the heat to high may help to pull additional heat away from the engine.
5. Open the windows. Your goal is to release as much heat as possible. Rolling down and opening as many windows as possible is another way to allow heat to flow out of the vehicle.
6. Call for help. You can call for roadside assistance from a local towing company, AAA, or another carrier.
7. Do not try to open the hood until the vehicle has cooled down plenty. To see if it has cooled down, monitor the temperature gauge in your vehicle as it moves from HOT to COOL. This may take upwards of 30 minutes. Remember not to start the engine – in this situation, only activate the ignition to the “on” position to read the temperature gauge.

Why Do Engines Overheat?

We get this question a lot at our Tempe auto repair shop. There are some common reasons which include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Too little or no coolant, causing a cooling system failure.
• Cooling system leaks
• A broken water pump
• Radiator problems or issues with their fans not removing heat
• Oil level too low so engine temperatures increase
• Thermostat failure
• Belt and hose issues
• A plugged heater core

Schedule an appointment to see one of our automotive technicians here at Good Works Auto Repair for routine services or inspections. Most importantly, if you are in this situation, remember to pull over in a safe place, turn off the vehicle and have your vehicle towed to us where we can work to get your vehicle performing once again.