Can a Van Still Be Driven When Overheated?
2 Answers
When a vehicle's high-temperature warning light comes on, it is necessary to stop immediately, add water to the radiator, and wait for the temperature to drop before driving again. The following are solutions for vehicle overheating: 1. Stop driving: If the transmission shows a high-temperature warning, stop driving immediately and let the vehicle idle for 10 minutes. 2. Enhance cooling: If the vehicle's cooling capacity is insufficient, appropriate modifications can be made, such as installing a larger radiator, adding cooling fans, or switching to higher-grade transmission oil. 3. Regular inspection: Regularly clean the transmission radiator, especially after driving on muddy roads, to ensure its cooling efficiency remains good.
I've been driving a van for over ten years, often making long-distance deliveries. Once, the temperature gauge suddenly shot up while I was on the road. I tried to keep driving for a few more minutes, and the engine ended up completely ruined, costing me thousands to repair. You really can't push a van when it's overheating because it could be caused by coolant leakage, a non-functioning fan, or a faulty water pump. If you don't stop to check, the least that could happen is engine damage, and at worst, it could catch fire and lead to a catastrophic accident. I learned my lesson and now always keep a bottle of coolant and a toolkit in the van. Whenever the temperature warning light comes on, I immediately pull over, turn off the engine, and wait half an hour before checking or calling a tow truck. Prevention is actually more important—regularly changing the coolant and cleaning the radiator can help avoid breakdowns on the road. Most van drivers are on business trips, so safety should always come first—don’t risk it just to save time.
