Chevy Cruze Overheating – (Causes, Diagnosis & Fixes)

Chevy Cruze is a popular choice that most people consider when choosing an automobile. However, as with any other automobile, overheating is a common issue in Chevy Cruze, which can directly affect the vehicle’s performance.

If your Chevy Cruze is overheating, it is vital to pay attention to certain areas of the vehicle. In this blog post, we will be discussing all those areas in detail. So, you will know all the causes behind this issue plus applicable solutions to get rid of excessive heat.

How does the Cooling System in Your Chevy Cruze Work?

Basically, you have to use a coolant, which is a lubricant that can absorb the heat generated by the vehicle. It has the ability to cool the engine. Literally, coolant will absorb the heat of your engine and then pass it to the radiator.

After that, the coolant pump will create a coolant flow. The coolant that enters through the top of the radiator will come out from the bottom.

Meanwhile, the thermostat of the vehicle does not let the coolant evaporate too much. Also, the electric fan prevents the coolant from overheating.

There is a temperature sensor that manipulates the entire cooling system. It is linked to the central computer of your vehicle.

When the above-mentioned parts of the cooling system start to malfunction, or there is a problem with the coolant, the vehicle can overheat.

What Causes Chevy Cruze Overheating?

The following factors can cause your Chevy Cruze to overheat unnecessarily. Go through them and check with your vehicle.

1. Coolant Leak – this one is the major reason for your Chevy Cruze to overheat. If there is a coolant leak, it will make a puddle underneath your vehicle. Moreover, you will smell the coolant apart from the overheating issue.
2. Faulty Thermostat – The thermostat is responsible for controlling the coolant flow. Thus, it helps to regulate the temperature of the system, too. When the vehicle is cold, the thermostat is not working. As a result, the vehicle can be hot quickly. Then, the thermostat becomes active, so coolant will flow into the system. When the thermostat malfunctions, the car will overheat due to the lack of coolant flowing. It can be either stuck opened or stuck closed.
3. Leaking Water Pump – the coolant is circulated by the water pump. If it has worn out, this job will not be fulfilled. Moreover, the belt should be in good condition because the pump is linked to it.
4. Radiator – When the coolant flows, the radiator makes it cool by passing the air outside using its fins. When there is a leak in your radiator, the car can overheat.
5. Cooling Fans – Cooling fans help to pass the air whenever your vehicle is not running. When the fan goes bad, it will not pass the air through the radiator. Mostly, the fan will make a loud noise, too.

How to Fix Chevy Cruze Overheating?

These actions are recommended to take in order to fix the overheating problem in your Chevy Cruze.

• In case there is a coolant leak, you will have to get it fixed by a professional immediately. First, they will find the exact place of leakage. Sometimes, it can be repaired. Or else a replacement will be needed for the part that has a leak.
• When there is an unresponsive thermostat or a water pump, a mechanic will fix it using particular tools. If it has worn out or damaged, you will have to go for a replacement.
• Cooling fans and radiators can malfunction due dirt and debris. Brush all the dirt well and check whether the problem is solved.

What Do you Do When your Chevy Cruze is Overheating?

In case you have to face this incident while you are driving, you need to follow these steps.

First of all, the vehicle should be stopped in a safe place. You should not turn off the vehicle because it is recommended to keep the refrigeration system running. Make sure to keep the engine at a very low speed and let the temperature drop down.

If you can see that the temperature reduces, you can start to drive slowly. However, check the temperature indicator from time to time. If the temperature goes high again, follow the same steps.

You are advised to get the car diagnosed as soon as you can before the temperature rises again while you are driving.

What Kind of Coolant Should I Use in My Chevy Cruze?

The best practice is to follow the instructions in your user manual when choosing the coolant. If you are in a rush, it can be recommended to use a glycol coolant.

It is okay to use either pink or green variety in glycol coolant. There are different types of brands in the market, so it is advisable to pick a high-quality one in order to avoid any future issues.

As you already know, the coolant plays a significant role in cooling the vehicle; thus, make sure to always choose the right one.

How Do I Prevent My Chevy Cruze from Overheating?

Remember to follow these tips and tricks in order to protect the good condition of your Chevy Cruze.

1. High-quality Coolants – choose a high-quality coolant for your vehicle. If you do not have an idea about this subject, you can get help from an expert. Also, it is vital to change the coolant at regular intervals. Normally, you should change it after you drive the vehicle for 30,000 miles.
2. Avoid Water – you should not mix the coolant with any other liquids, including water. If you do so, the essential qualities of the coolant can be removed. So you will not be able to achieve the desired results.
3. Check the Coolant Level – another tip is to check your coolant level in the coolant reservoir. You can check this every 12 to 15 days.
4. Clean the Radiator – If the radiator is clogged by dirt and debris, it cannot help to cool the system. Thus, you should clean your radiator fins using a brush regularly. You can do this whenever you check the coolant level.

Watch this one,

Video Credits – Jabo The Mechanic