Troubleshooting Your Rental Car: The Ford Focus Engine Overheating Mystery

One day, while driving a rental car, a Ford Focus, I encountered an alarming situation. The engine started shaking violently as we left the rental lot, and the dashboard displayed the ominous message, “engine overheating stop safely.” In this article, we will explore the possible causes and solutions to such issues, and provide guidance on how to prevent them from happening in the future.

Possibility One: Insufficient Fluids

The first potential cause of this issue is that the engine may have been critically low on oil or coolant, leading to an overheating situation. Given that the car was only driven one mile, it is highly probable that the issue was related to the engine fluids. Many rental agencies do not perform a comprehensive check of the car’s condition before renting it out, including checking the fluids under the hood.

Possibility Two: Unreliable PowerShift Transmission

Another possibility is that the car had a PowerShift transmission, which has been known for its unreliability and frequent malfunctions. Ford, recognizing the poor reception of these transmissions, has reportedly sold off many unsold units to rental companies. These transmissions often result in several warning lights and issues with proper shifting.

Personal Experience with the Ford Fiesta

Previously, I experienced a similar issue with my 2015 Ford Fiesta, a smaller version of the Focus. My battery had been going down, and it eventually stopped working. Believing it was a simple battery replacement, I installed a new battery myself. However, after the installation, numerous dashboard lights began to malfunction, and the transmission would not shift properly. I was also receiving multiple warnings from the electronic control unit, indicating that the transmission was failing. The warnings were so frequent that they advised me to stop immediately. Fortunately, I was only two blocks from home, and I drove directly into my mechanic’s lot. The mechanic informed me that unhooking the battery had cleared major computer issues, and after resetting the computer, the car was fine – and all at no cost.

More Possible Causes and Prevention

While the engine failing in only one mile is unlikely, there are several other potential causes to consider:

The car could have been driven by someone who performed extreme driving, such as burnouts or off-road activities, causing damage to the coolant lines. If the car was returned at night, the cleaners might not have noticed the damage and only drove it a short distance before renting it out again. The rental car might have been vandalized before you got it. It would be relatively simple for someone to cut a coolant hose without opening the hood. Anything can happen with rental cars, as people may engage in reckless driving behavior, such as driving over curbs or abandoning the car after committing a crime. Even minor incidents like hitting a curb can cause serious damage, leading to engine overheating.

To prevent such issues, it is essential to check the rental car thoroughly before driving it away. Pay particular attention to the fluids under the hood, including the oil and coolant. If in doubt, seek professional assistance to ensure the car is in top condition.

In conclusion, a Ford Focus rental car experiencing engine overheating after driving only one mile is likely due to either insufficient fluids or a problematic PowerShift transmission. It is crucial to follow these tips to identify and address potential issues before a renting a car, ensuring a safe and incident-free driving experience.