If you are driving down the road and you notice your temperature gauge moving up over the middle mark close and into the red, then your car is overheating. In a case like this, pull over immediately and turn your car off before the engine is damaged. Below are four reasons why this may be happening to your car so you can take steps to get it repaired.

Problems with the Radiator

The job of the radiator is to keep your engine cool. When you are driving, a lot of heat and friction is produced, and the radiator uses a coolant to keep the engine running at the right temperature. Three things that could be wrong with the radiator include:

• Fan: The fan may not be able to spin freely. It may have broken fan blades, or it may have become loose.
• Leak: The radiator could be leaking. If it is, you will notice a puddle of coolant under your parked car.
• Lines: The radiator lines could be broken or clogged up.

Problems with the Thermostat

The thermostat is a valve that opens and closes in accordance to the temperature of the engine.  When the engine starts becoming too hot, the valve opens and provides the engine with coolant. It will then close when the temperature is at the right level. If the thermostat does not open, the flow of the coolant is blocked and the engine will overheat.

Problems with Water Pump

The water pump circulates the coolant between the radiator and the engine. This prevents the engine from overheating. Inside the pump is a plastic or metal impeller that has blades. This pushes water through the pump. The water pump can also fail if there is a leak in the shaft seal. The impeller inside the water pump could break, become loose, or the blades may wear down.

Problems with Type or Concentration of Coolant

It is important that you use the coolant that is recommended by your car's manufacturer. If you use the wrong type or mix the coolant and distilled water incorrectly, it will not be able to keep your engine cool. If this is the case, you will have to flush the coolant from the car and refill it with the correct type and mixture. 

If you are not comfortable inspecting your car yourself or if you want more information, talk to a professional by clicking here.