Engine Light

Does your car have aluminum cylinder heads? If you don't know it would be wise to find out, says the Car Care Council. Aluminum heads are more vulnerable to damage from overheating than the traditional cast iron type. Excessive heat can warp the temperature-sensitive heads, resulting in a major repair expense. And it can happen so fast you may not have been aware your car was in trouble.

The most common causes of overheating, according to the Council, is loss of coolant due to a leak. Another culprit is a sticking thermostat, which prevents coolant from circulating through the engine.

The Council recommends an annual inspection of cooling system components, including a pressure test to look for leaks.

Avoid the expense and inconvenience of a breakdown on the road, far from home. Overheating, a leading cause of mechanical breakdowns, is notorious for interrupting vacation travel.

For a free pamphlet on cooling system maintenance, send a stamped, self addressed envelope to Car Care Council, Dept. CS, One Grande Lake Drive, Port Clinton, OH 43452.