Car Overheating in Lagos Traffic? 7 Causes and What to Do article content
One of the lies we tell ourselves when the car is overheating in Lagos traffic is that the car will cool down when traffic starts moving. I hate to break it to you, but it doesn't work like that.
Lagos traffic is nerve-wracking, and if your car overheats in the middle of it, that's another problem entirely.
Car overheating in traffic is a sign that your vehicle’s cooling system has developed a fault. To understand your vehicle better, we’ll dive into the causes, signs to look out for, and what you should do if your car starts overheating.
Causes of Car Overheating in Lagos Traffic
When your car is overheating in Lagos traffic, these are the seven possible causes:
1. Faulty Cooling Fan
When your car is moving, air naturally passes through the radiator. When you're sitting in traffic, your cooling fan has to help move that air. If the fan isn't working properly, your engine can start getting hotter while you're barely moving.
2. Low Coolant
A running engine need a coolant to manage the heat production when working. If the coolant level is low, there could be a leak somewhere in the system. Topping it up without finding out where the coolant is going isn't a fix.
3. Blocked Radiator
A blocked or restricted radiator cannot get rid of heat properly. This becomes more obvious in Lagos traffic because your car isn't getting the natural airflow needed to function when you're driving at speed.
4. Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat controls the flow of coolant through the engine. If it gets stuck or stops working properly, the coolant cannot circulate when it should, causing the engine temperature to rise, and lead to overheating.
5. Weak Water Pump
The water pump keeps coolant moving around the cooling system. When it becomes weak or fails, the coolant cannot circulate properly and your engine begins overheating.
6. AC Not Working Properly
If your car is overheating whenever you're stuck in traffic with the AC running, the fault cannot completely be on the AC. A faulty AC could be exposing an existing cooling-system problem in your vehicle. Your AC puts additional weight on your vehicle’s system, so a cooling problem that wasn't obvious while driving may become very obvious when you're sitting in traffic, leading to car overheating.
7. Your Car Needs Servicing
Sometimes, overheating may not be the only warning. You may have noticed strange noises, fluid leaks, unusual smells, warning lights, difficulty starting the car, or a change in how the car drives, and this indicates your car needs to visit a workshop for servicing.
Signs Your Car May Be Overheating
Car overheating does not always start with a smoke leaving the bonnet, however, you will notice:
1. The temperature gauge moving towards the red region.
2. Steam escaping from under the bonnet when it is opened.
3. A sweet smell around the engine.
4. The engine starts losing power.
5. The AC suddenly stops blowing cold air.
6. Unusual knocking, ticking, or other engine sounds.
7. Coolant or another fluid leaking under the car.
8. A Temperature warning light flashes on.
Mistakes To Avoid When Your Car is Overheating
1. Do not keep driving. Pull over somewhere safe as soon as you can.
2. Reduce extra load by turning off the AC.
3. Do not open the radiator cap while the engine is hot.
4. Do not pour cold water into a hot engine until it cools.
5. Do not top up coolant without finding the problem.
6. Do not overlook other warning signs like strange noises, fluid leaks, unusual smells, warning lights, or difficulty starting the car.
The Bottom Line
Need help with an overheating car? Whipcare connects you with automotive support by simply downloading the app and booking a mechanic for roadside assistance, repair, diagnosis, or servicing, and we can't wait to have you.
