An overheated engine due to radiator and cooling system issues put the brakes on summer fun, whether driving to a festival, concert, or another warm weather event. Pull over and turn your vehicle off the minute you notice a bright-red temperature warning light, a steaming hood, or your temperature gauge needle on high to prevent severe engine damage. Driving with an overheated engine can damage internal parts and deform cylinder heads, resulting in expensive vehicle maintenance bills.

Help yourself avoid vehicle cooling problems this summer by knowing what to look for:

• Low Coolant Level: Continuously low vehicle coolant levels signal radiator or radiator hose leaks. A low coolant level may also be because you forgot to top it off. Regardless, your engine will overheat if coolant is not kept at a reasonable level.

• Clogged Fans: Engine cooling fans and radiator cooling fins contribute to optimal coolant temperatures and help prevent engine overheating. Fans may stop working after a while or become clogged with dust and debris, resulting in an engine that gets too hot too quickly.

• Stuck or Clogged Thermostat: Sometimes the thermostat responsible for coolant circulation gets stuck in one position or becomes bogged down by dirt and debris. Either way, it affects your engine’s temperature and can cause overheating problems.

• Cooling Capacity Over-Taxation: Towing an excessively heavy trailer that exceeds your vehicle’s hauling ability equals an overly taxed cooling system and leads to an overheated engine.

• Bad Radiator Cap: Your vehicle’s radiator cap eventually loses its ability to maintain sufficient cooling system pressure, causing the coolant to boil over and significantly increase the temperature of your engine. Most vehicle engines typically stay between 210 and 220 ° Fahrenheit.

Maintain a cool vehicle in the face of summer heat by working with Reffitt’s Garage & Towing Service, Auto Body Repair. The 24-hour towing service and vehicle maintenance shop proudly provides Hamilton, OH, and the surrounding area with the assistance they need to get back on the road. Call (513) 863-3008 when you need towing help, or visit their website to learn about vehicle maintenance services. Like the company on Facebook for the latest updates.