Owning a car makes it supremely easy to travel from one place to another without having to rely on public transport, but maintenance is key to prolonging the shelf life of your car's engine. Failure to maintain your engine suitably can result in overheating over time. This guide is designed to help you understand specific ways you can cause your engine to overheat. If you notice your engine overheating or smoke releasing from it, be sure to head to a car service immediately to get your problem solved before it becomes a disaster.

You Fail To Add Antifreeze Or Coolant When Needed

If you ignore this aspect and fail to add antifreeze or coolant to your engine, then you should know that low fluid levels are bound to cause engine overheating. Coolant runs through the engine parts to keep them cool, while ensuring that the system runs at normal temperatures. Your car owner manual will typically recommend how often you need to change the coolant, depending on your particular model, so pay close attention to it. Refilling the coolant based on the recommended timeline will prevent engine overheating in the future. Keep in mind that checking coolant levels on your own may be slightly dangerous if you're a novice. It's best to leave it to a professional car service for a safe and efficient refill job.

You Drive Repeatedly With A Faulty Thermostat

A faulty thermostat can easily cause engine overheating because it fools the engine into thinking that the temperature is right when it is too hot inside. Driving with these false readings will prevent the release of coolant into the engine. After you drive repeatedly with a false thermostat, you may notice the car getting hotter and eventually releasing smoke from the engine. In some instances, the engine may cease completely. You will need to get the thermostat checked and fixed. Ideally, you should get your thermostat checked during a regular car service. Failure to do so can result in it failing prematurely –– causing your engine to overheat.

You Don't Add Engine Oil For A Long Time

A car with low engine oil is bound to overheat because of the friction caused by unoiled engine parts from rubbing together. Engine oil lubricates these parts to prevent overheating and premature wear. While some experts recommend changing engine oil every 5000 km, this will depend entirely on the recommendations put forth in your owner's manual. Failure to change your oil based on manufacturer recommendations will enhance engine wear and will cause overheating, so don't ignore the need for engine oil refills.

If you neglect your car's engine needs, then you could cause it to overheat in time. If you're unaware of how to maintain your engine on your own, be sure to visit a car service every few months for optimal engine performance.