August 20, 2021
Know How You Can Prevent Overheating
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You don’t get it. Only a few minutes after turning on your car’s air conditioner, you notice your dashboard, seats, and engine getting unusually hotter. And now, you’re left trying to figure out what could be wrong.
There’s nothing more agonizing than driving on a scorching summer day and your car suddenly overheats. While it may not be something serious, it’s still important to fix the issue to avoid costly expenses in the future.
With that in mind, Veteran Car Donations presents the four possible reasons why your car runs hot when the A/C is on:
- Increased engine load
A failing A/C compressor can put a lot of extra load on your car’s engine. The compressor adds rotational load to the engine, and once it wears out and becomes harder to turn on, the engine tends to overheat.
- Inefficient cooling system
Another possible reason why your car overheats when the A/C is on is due to a defective cooling system. The cooling system is responsible for keeping the condenser cool, which heats up after the air conditioner is turned on. The overheating could stem from a broken condenser fan, a defective water pump, or clogged condenser fins.
It’s also possible that the coolant system has caught the corrosion from the radiator tubes, stopping the coolant from flowing properly.
- Fan malfunction
If your car overheats at slow speeds or a stop, a faulty fan is most likely the reason behind it. This usually happens when there’s not enough airflow through the condenser and radiator as a result of a damaged fan or clogged radiator. You might also want to check the fan switch for any issues.
- Faulty temperature sensor
Although this only happens in rare instances, it’s still worth considering if your car runs hot with the A/C on. You can tell a sensor is broken if it shows a “hot” reading even if the air conditioning system is off. If that’s the case, you need to buy a new temperature sensor or take it to your local mechanic.
Tips to Prevent Your Car from Overheating
Nobody likes the thought of their vehicle overheating. So, what should you do to ensure that it won’t happen to your car? Here are some preventive measures to take:
- Clean the radiator regularly. Check its airflow by installing an air pressure gauge at one of its ends.
- Since overheating can be the result of trapped air in the coolant system, make sure to flush the coolant to release extra air and get it back to its normal state.
- Add water to the radiator if it’s already dry.
- Replace your antifreeze every two years.
- Examine your A/C compressor by checking wires, listening for noises, and using a multimeter to see if the proper voltage is getting to it.
- Have a mechanic check the compatibility of your air conditioner to your vehicle type or model.
Looking for the Best Way to Dispose of Your Clunker?
One of the fastest and easiest ways to get rid of an old and barely functioning car is by donating it to us here at Veteran Car Donations. It’s also one of the simplest ways to give back to our nation’s heroes. We’re referring to our former troops, many of whom are impoverished, homeless, unemployed, disabled, and suffering from illnesses, including mental health disorders.
By donating your unwanted vehicle to us, you’ll help improve the living conditions of those suffering veterans residing in your community.
We’ll put your vehicle up for auction, with the proceeds going to our veteran-focused nonprofit partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations use the funding that we provide them to deliver free quality health care, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, psychotherapy services, and many other benefits to deserving veterans and their families.
You will also benefit from your charitable contribution since you’ll get to enjoy our free towing service, which is available in all 50 states. You’ll also find satisfaction from our quick and convenient donation process where you don’t have to do any paperwork. Moreover, you’ll have the privilege of receiving the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season.
Above all, you’ll have the ultimate pleasure and satisfaction of doing something extraordinary that can help uplift the lives of our nation’s heroes.
We accept almost all vehicle types, including those that are no longer working properly.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call us through our toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822 or you may send us a message here. Check out our FAQs page for more information on our donation program.
Turn Your Jalopy into a Life-changer Today!
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That old car that’s causing you a lot of headaches can do wonders in the lives of the struggling veterans in your community. Turn it over to us at Veteran Car Donations and we’ll use it to help them turn their lives around. Call us at 877-594-5822 or fill out our online donation form now!
Last Updated: March 8th, 2023