Why is my car heated, yet not to the point of overheating?

It might be really frustrating if your vehicle's temperature gauge continues to increase while you're driving. We know how you're feeling. It's not humorous in the least. This symbol indicates that your vehicle's engine temperature is increasing, which is a problem.

Drivers who are unclear of what to do become more frustrated. Don't worry, today we'll show you how to diagnose why your car is hot but not overheating, as well as how to get to that appointment or event on time even if you're in this situation.

Just to let you know, it's far better to discover this problem early on so it doesn't turn into something else, or worse, something that requires a large repair expense. Until the engine check light appears, most drivers overlook their vehicle's temperature gauge.

Complete an online MOT history checker to discover the expiry date and get any faults addressed before the MOT test, since this might result in a failure.

The temperature gauge is a device that monitors and controls the temperature of the engine in your car. This gauge should display the average temperature of the engine, which should be neither too hot nor too cold. When the temperature gauge suddenly increases, it means the temperature of your vehicle's engine has increased significantly, perhaps causing the engine to knock.

The presence of a rising temperature gauge does not always signal that the engine is overheating. It's also possible that a faulty temperature gauge is at blame.

We recommend going over your MOT certificate thoroughly to confirm your vehicle's MOT status and make any necessary repairs before your next MOT testing service is due.

What are the causes of a hot car that doesn't overheat?

It is not a good idea to drive your car with a hot engine. You may observe white smoke rising from your engine if it becomes too hot. If you find yourself in this predicament, you must first figure out what caused it before looking for a solution, since there are a number of reasons that might cause your car to run hot but not overheat.

If the overheating issue was a reason for a MOT test failure in the past, it will be determined by your previous MOT history records. If this is the case, review your repair invoices to determine what repairs have been made. If you don’t have all the previous MOT certificates, you can go online, and search  check my MOT history under the government website.

When driving, it's vital to understand how most of your car's systems function. We'll look at the most common causes of this problem:

1.      Temperature Gauge Fault - The temperature gauge is made from parts that can potentially damage overtime. However, after considering all other possibilities, this problem should be regarded as one of the last. The needle component of a temperature gauge, for example, can readily be damaged when trapped in a hot section. A number of gears in your vehicle's temperature gauge might affect the performance of this needle. If the temperature gauge does not give a steady reading, this is an indication that something is wrong. To save time and money, search online for MOT Reading and book your vehicle in with a garage that does MOT testing and vehicle repairs.

2.      Damaged Head Gasket - A faulty head gasket is one of the causes of the temperature gauge rising but the car not overheating. If you see any signs of a blown head gasket, it means the seal between the cylinder head and the engine block is being formed by the head gasket. As a result, the seal that the engine oil passes through, as well as the combustion chamber and coolant, are exposed. A cracked head gasket might cause coolant leakage.

3.      Failure of the Water Pump - The water pump is a critical component of your vehicle's cooling system. If your cooling system isn't working properly, it won't be able to convey the coolant via the passages or hoses. It may cause your vehicle's general cooling system to malfunction, leading it to overheat. The water pump may be influenced by leaks or floods, causing the temperature increase in your vehicle's engine.

4.      Low Coolant Level - If the coolant level in the coolant reservoir is low, your car will overheat. Because there isn't enough coolant in your vehicle's reservoir, the system won't work properly, causing the engine to overheat. A low coolant level might cause your vehicle's entire cooling system to fail. This is why it's vital to regularly check the coolant level in your vehicle's reservoir and keep your reservoir tank full.

5.      Radiator Fan Fault - The radiator fan in your vehicle absorbs heat from the engine to help reduce the coolant temperature. The engine system may overheat if the fan fails to fulfil its function owing to a failure. The temperature of your vehicle's engine may rise and fall as a result of changes in the radiator fan's operation. One of the reasons for a sudden shift in the temperature gauge's value is this.

6.      Faulty Thermostat - The thermostat is a vital component of your vehicle's cooling system, ensuring that hot coolant is sent to the radiator when it is required. The thermostat will not be able to direct the flow of hot coolant to the radiator if it is destroyed, resulting in a significant increase in engine temperature.

7.      Hoses that have broken - Hoses are the conduits via which coolant is carried. If it cracks due to heat exposure, it might stop the flow of coolant. A leaking hose will not be able to adequately transfer coolant since it will allow coolant to escape. As a result, reducing the coolant volume is insufficient. This is one of the things to look at if you notice a spike in the temperature of your vehicle's engine. The line that allows coolant to flow from the reservoir to the radiator is most likely burst when your car overheats owing to a full coolant reservoir. Coolant leakage and a large drop in the amount of coolant in the radiator will ensue as a result of this.

8.      Faulty Temperature Sensor - Your vehicle's engine temperature is determined by the temperature sensor. An erroneous temperature gauge reading is caused by a faulty temperature sensor. As a result, if this is the case with your vehicle, the temperature gauge may display a misleading warning that the engine is overheating. This issue might be causing your car's temperature gauge to fluctuate while you're driving.

9.      Using the Wrong Coolant - Always use the coolant that your car recommends. If you use the wrong coolant or a mix of water and coolant, you risk damaging your vehicle's cooling system and overheating the engine. Your car's coolant corrodes with time, potentially causing the cooling system to fail. This is why regular vehicle maintenance is necessary to maintain your car's cooling system safe.