Can the car be driven when the water temperature gauge shows 0 upon startup?
3 Answers
Can the car be driven when the water temperature gauge shows 0 upon startup? However, it is recommended to warm up the engine for a few minutes. The specific explanation is as follows: If the car's water temperature gauge shows too low, it indicates that the vehicle's water temperature is too low, and the engine should be warmed up before starting the vehicle. Starting the vehicle with too low water temperature can lead to poor engine operation, damage to engine-related components, and increased wear on parts. The following are the hazards of an engine being too cold: The temperature of the mixed gas (or air) entering the cylinder is too low, the quality of the combustible mixed gas is poor, making ignition difficult or combustion slow, resulting in reduced engine power and increased fuel consumption. Water vapor in the combustion products is prone to condense into water and form acids with acidic gases, aggravating the erosion of the engine body and parts.
It's normal for the temperature gauge to read 0 right after starting the engine since it's still cold. However, if it stays at 0 even after driving for half an hour, that's a serious issue. I've personally experienced this due to a stuck thermostat, causing the coolant to circulate wildly between the engine and the radiator without heating up. Driving under such conditions is extremely harmful to the engine—the oil remains thick and doesn't lubricate properly, leading to direct friction between the piston rings and cylinder walls, which can result in oil burning within a month. Additionally, if the engine temperature doesn't rise, the ECU will continuously increase fuel injection, causing fuel consumption to spike by up to 30%. I usually recommend driving slowly for about two kilometers first to see if the temperature gauge moves at all. If it doesn't budge, head straight to a repair shop to check the thermostat or temperature sensor—never push through a long drive under these conditions.
It's quite common for the temperature gauge to read 0°C at startup since the coolant hasn't warmed up yet. However, if the needle remains at the lowest position after driving 5-6 kilometers, you should be alert - there's a 90% chance there's an issue with the cooling system. The most common problem is a faulty thermostat valve that won't close properly, causing the coolant to circulate in full loop continuously, leaving the engine as if soaked in ice water. Another possibility is the temperature sensor being clogged with scale, sending false signals to the dashboard. The most frustrating aspect of this situation is that the catalytic converter doesn't reach proper temperature, leading to both excessive emissions and rapid carbon buildup. I've seen someone drive like this for three months - they ended up spending over 8,000 yuan on major engine repairs. The safe approach is: short-distance moving is acceptable, but for anything over 3 kilometers, it's better to call a tow truck. The money saved on towing fees won't cover engine repairs anyway.
