Cooling system problems may be brewing for quite a while before you notice there is anything wrong. To catch these before they cause some serious damage, check out this useful information.

Does Your Car Have a Cooling System Issue?

If you're not big on cars, it can be hard to know when your car is telling you it has an issue. To prevent your car's little signs of cooling system trouble from turning into full blown damage, use these tips to identify an issue before it has a chance to grow.

Coolant Light Comes On

One of the most obvious signs of an issue in your cooling system is when your car's coolant dashboard light comes on. Generally speaking, your coolant light will turn on when your car is running low on this fluid. When your car is low on coolant, this can cause your engine to overheat because the cooling system doesn't have enough of this essential fluid to perform its job properly. Instead of ignoring your dashboard light and hoping it'll take care of itself, pull over and check your radiator.

Temperatures Under the Hood Get Higher Than Normal

When your car has issues under the hood that cause it to overheat, your car's temperature gauge will let you know that temperatures are getting higher than normal. Although your car does its best to alert you, you also have to know where to get this information. Luckily, your car should have a temperature gauge in the dashboard that measures how hot things are getting. When you start your car, the needle will be all the way on the left, letting you know that things are cool under the hood. As you drive, the needle should move to the center, letting you know that you've reached your car's ideal operating temperature. If things get too hot, the needle will leave this safe area and move closer and closer to the left side. If you notice this happening, pull over before you overheat.

It's always a good idea to check on your car's fluids just to be sure they're still in good condition. One of the fluids you should always keep an eye on is your motor oil. If your car is ready for an oil change, be sure to make it a synthetic oil change in Idaho Falls, ID. To find the ideal oil for your car, contact Schell Distributing Inc. They can recommend products like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil which can help keep your car in better shape. To learn more, give them a call at (208)524-0322 or visit their online store.

Leaking Coolant

If you've spotted a leak, you've got an issue no matter what fluid it is that's leaking. If it's your coolant, your cooling system will soon start to show other signs of trouble. So, how do you know if it's your coolant that's leaking? Coolant is pretty easy to spot because whether it's just a few drops or a puddle, the bright green color will be hard to miss. If you spot this fluid under your car, check how much you still have left in the reservoir just to be sure you're not running too low. If you are running low, top it off and make your way to a mechanic to get the leak fixed.

Steam Escaping from Under the Hood

If you're driving along and notice smoke or steam coming out from under your hood, you've definitely got a cooling system issue that needs to get looked at. At this point, your engine may be overheating, so pull over and turn off your engine as soon as you can. Once you've safely pulled over, open the hood of your car to let the steam out faster and allow your car to cool down completely. Once things under the hood are cool to the touch, check on your coolant. Chances are you're running low, leading to your overheating problems. If you have extra coolant in your trunk, fill up your reservoir and make your way to a mechanic. If you don't have any extra fluids in your car, you'll have to call for roadside assistance because it's not safe to move your car in this condition.

It's Time for a Synthetic Oil Change in Idaho Falls, ID

Keep your engine running at its best with the help of a synthetic oil change in Idaho Falls, ID. Contact Schell Distributing Inc at (208)524-0322 for the personalized service you need to keep your car in top shape.