Car Overheating in Winter

It seems counterintuitive, but cars can overheat in winter just as easily as summer if the cooling system has a problem.

A car overheating in winter has the same root causes as summer overheating — the cooling system isn't working properly. Low coolant from a leak, a failed water pump, a stuck-closed thermostat, a clogged radiator, or a dead cooling fan will overheat an engine regardless of outside temperature. The cold air helps mask the problem at highway speeds, but at idle or in traffic, there isn't enough airflow to compensate for the broken cooling system.

One winter-specific cause is a frozen coolant system. If the coolant mix has too much water and not enough antifreeze, it can freeze and block circulation. This is more relevant up north, but even Jacksonville can see freezing temps on cold nights. Also, people sometimes neglect cooling system maintenance in winter thinking cold weather protects the engine — it doesn't if the system has a leak or a bad component.

Overheating damages engines fast regardless of the season. If your temperature gauge climbs into the red, pull over and shut the engine off. Ez Mobile Mechanic is a mobile mechanic in Jacksonville who diagnoses and repairs cooling system problems at your location. No need to drive an overheating car to a shop or call a tow truck. Call (904) 788-7272.