The Summer Breakdown You Can Prevent

Simple checks can catch trouble before the temp gauge climbs to one of summer’s most common breakdowns

#CommunityPartner 6:00 a.m. July 6, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

It does not take long for a good day to turn into a shoulder-of-the-road kind of day.

You are sitting in traffic. The air conditioner is working hard. Heat is coming off the pavement in waves. Then the temperature gauge starts climbing. A warning light comes on. Steam slips from under the hood, and suddenly the trip is over.

That is how many summer breakdowns begin.

Summer Finds the Weak Spot

Overheating is one of the most common warm-weather vehicle problems, and it usually does not come out of nowhere. Hot days, long drives, heavy traffic, steep grades, towing, and constant air-conditioner use all put extra strain on the engine. If the cooling system is low on coolant, leaking, clogged, or wearing out, summer heat has a way of finding out.

The cooling system’s job is simple but essential. Coolant moves through the engine, carries heat to the radiator, releases that heat, and then cycles back through to do it again. When the system works, the engine stays protected. When it does not, the damage can happen fast.

Start With the Coolant

Most vehicles have a coolant reservoir under the hood with minimum and maximum markings on the side. Check the level when the engine is cool, and make sure it is where it should be. Never remove a radiator cap from a hot engine. The system is under pressure, and scalding coolant or steam can cause serious burns.

Leaks deserve attention, too. After your vehicle has been parked, look underneath for puddles or drips near the front of the engine bay. Coolant may be green, orange, pink, or yellow, depending on the type your vehicle uses. A sweet smell near the front of the vehicle can also be a sign that coolant is leaking or burning off somewhere it should not be.

Give the Radiator Room to Work

The radiator also needs air to do its job. Bugs, leaves, dirt, and road debris can block airflow and make it harder for the system to release heat. Look for obvious buildup, corrosion, bent fins, or visible damage. If the temperature gauge keeps running hotter than normal, do not ignore it. The radiator may need professional attention before it leaves you stranded.

Summer heat is tough on rubber, especially older rubber. Cooling-system hoses should not be cracked, brittle, swollen, mushy, or loose around the clamps. A weak hose can fail quickly on a hot day, dumping coolant and leaving the engine unprotected.

Pay Attention to Warning Signs

Your dashboard may be your first warning. A rising temperature gauge, warning light, unusual smell, or steam from under the hood should never be brushed off. If your vehicle begins to overheat, turn off the air conditioning, turn on the heater to help pull heat away from the engine, and get to a safe place as soon as possible.

Then stop. Let the engine cool.

Do not keep driving an overheating vehicle because you are close to home, almost to work, or only a few miles from the next exit. Those few miles can turn a simple repair into major engine damage.

Check It Before the Gauge Climbs

Summer asks plenty from a vehicle. A few minutes under the hood can make a real difference before the next road trip, ballgame, grocery run, or long afternoon in traffic.

Check the coolant. Look over the radiator. Squeeze the hoses.

It is much easier to catch trouble in the driveway than wait for it on the side of the road.

McGees Automotive is located at 555 Flippo Road in Lynchburg. To schedule a check before your next trip, call Austen McGee and the team at (931) 307-9430.