Your BMW is one of the most exciting and sporty vehicles you can have on the road today. However, one of the common problems attributed to BMW vehicles is overheating, as this tends to be an Achilles heel to an otherwise robust and reliable powertrain it possesses. Understanding how the cooling system in your car works and what you can do in the event your vehicle overheats can go a long way in avoiding unnecessary breakdowns and thousands of dollars in repair costs.
What Causes Overheating?
Your car engine operates at very high temperatures, so to avoid a meltdown and failure of engine components, a means of continuously removing the heat produced is necessary. The engine’s cooling system maintains the designed operating temperature by circulating a specially formulated coolant through the engine to remove excessive heat. The cooling system comprises components such as a radiator, water pump, cooling fans, coolant hoses, and a thermostat.
Cooling system components are over a long time, subjected to high cyclic thermal stresses and fatigue. It can lead to the failure of these parts. A thermostat stuck closed, clogged radiator, failing cooling fans, failing water pump, or ruptured hose could lead to overheating. BMW cooling systems are sometimes notorious for this, as some critical components are plastic, which goes out as early as 100,000 miles in some cases. Allowing overheating to continue unattended could lead to catastrophic engine damage.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Overheating
Enjoying your BMW requires that you note and implement all maintenance and service activities stated in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. It is also true for your engine cooling system. Implementing a few quick tips can help to prevent overheating that may lead to permanent engine damage.
Always check your coolant level consistently, as stipulated in your owner’s manual. If you experience coolant shortage, store an extra bottle of antifreeze and a gallon of distilled water in your trunk, particularly when embarking on long road trips. Ensure you monitor your engine coolant temperature gauge, particularly during hot days (where you would require air-conditioning).
If you suspect overheating (when observing the temperature gauge), help the engine cool down by running the heat at full blast. Always refer to your owner’s manual to stay up to date on coolant serve flush intervals.
Any sign of overheating should be addressed immediately and taken to a professional service center for diagnosis and repair. At A1 Performance Auto Repair, we would ensure that this is done professionally by offering you world-class services. Give us a call and be assured of a trouble-free automotive experience.
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