While you sit inside your car this summer, the air conditioning system will prevent you from feeling the searing sun. However, your vehicle’s engine will immediately feel the hot temperatures and harsh UV rays. Sometimes, these seasonal conditions can cause the engine to overheat, a problem that typically requires auto repairs. To learn about what might put your car at risk, consider the following list.

What Are the Most Common Auto Repair Issues Behind an Overheated Engine?

1. Coolant

Your engine relies on a fluid called coolant to prevent it from overheating. However, if the channels that deliver this fluid are clogged with sediment or rust, an adequate amount of coolant might not be able to reach the engine. There could also be a leak in one of these hoses, allowing coolant to drip onto the street below. Finally, the improper dilution of your coolant supply may prevent it from cooling the engine on long drives or especially hot days.

2. Belt

Another essential component is the belt, which rotates the water pump that controls the release of coolant fluid. If this flexible belt has been overworked or used for too long, it may become loose, failing to provide the same rotational power. It might even snap, preventing the water pump from turning at all. Luckily, an auto repair professional can easily tighten or replace this part.

3. Thermostat

Similar to the way your thermostat at home signals your air conditioner to turn on or off, the thermostat inside your vehicle tells the coolant system when to lower the temperature of your engine. However, with this thermostat, it’s nearly impossible for the average driver to tell when there’s an issue. If your engine starts smoking or your car breaks down, a mechanic can test the thermostat’s responsiveness and decide whether or not it should be replaced.

If your engine overheats this summer, stop by Mike Smith's Automotive Collision Center in Dothan, AL. Their team of I-CAR-certified technicians can get to the bottom of your vehicle’s issues, providing everything from belt repair to thermostat replacement. To learn more about this auto body shop’s high-tech equipment, visit the website. To schedule auto repairs today, call (334) 792-0446.