Back to all

In the Red (Why a Vehicle Overheats)

October 12, 2025

Heat is one thing that can damage a vehicle, especially if a problem isn’t taken care of soon.  Be on the lookout for signs that it’s getting too hot in some parts of your vehicle, starting with the most obvious one: the heat gauge/warning light on your instrument panel.

When you see that heat gauge heading into the H zone or the warning light comes on, it’s often because your engine’s coolant is contaminated or running low.  It’s important to let a pro look at it soon before serious damage is done,

The radiator is another trouble spot that can cause overheating.  It has a fan that needs to run properly, and it needs to be free of debris and dirt. Another radiator trouble spot is the core.  When it gets clogged and coolant isn’t circulating as it should, an overheated engine can be the result. Have your cooling system checked regularly, including its thermostat.

Your water pump is another part of the cooling system that can wear out, and when it’s not working right, your engine can get hot quickly.  It should also be on the list of regularly checked engine components.

Finally, your vehicle has several rubber belts and hoses that play vital roles in making sure the coolant is getting where it needs to be.  It’s important to have those inspected by a technician before they fail and heat starts to build up.

Your vehicle’s cooling system is complex and critical to its operation. Plus, it must be maintained so it does what a vehicle’s engineers designed it to do.  When it comes to your vehicle, cool is cool, hot is not.  

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Aurora
3190 N. Aurora Rd.
Aurora, Illinois 60502
630-898-6688

More articles from Tuffy Aurora

Automotive Tips from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Aurora: Alignment Inspection

January 11, 2026

Uneven tire wear, the car pulling to one side or a steering wheel that is off-center are signs for Aurora drivers that their wheels may be out of alignment.When doing an alignment inspection, the service advisor at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Aurora will inspect your tires for uneven wear as well a... More

If the Shoe Fits (Brake Shoe Replacement [Rear])

January 4, 2026

When it comes to brakes on your vehicle, we all know how important it is to keep them working well because they are vital safety equipment. After all, if you cant slow down and stop, you cant drive safely. While many vehicles use what are called disc brakes, theres another type of brakes that ... More

Braking Good (Brake Drum Replacement)

December 28, 2025

Maybe your vehicle feels like Breaking Bad. In other words, when you brake, things are bad. You may find it takes you a longer distance to stop, you feel a vibration, or its pulsating when you depress the brake pedal, or perhaps your vehicle pulls to one side. Those can be symptoms of failing b... More