Can the car continue to drive with a damaged radiator?

[RiverRose]

If the car's radiator is damaged, it is not advisable to continue driving. Below is an introduction to abnormal conditions related to the car radiator: 1. If the car radiator is damaged, it is best to use a tow truck for movement. The radiator plays a crucial role in cooling and dissipating heat in the car. During the continuously high temperatures of summer, the car radiator is particularly prone to minor malfunctions. Insufficient water level, radiator corrosion, or leaks can directly cause the radiator temperature to reach the boiling point. In such cases, the engine's heat dissipation is poor, and the temperature becomes excessively high. The expansion of components will reduce the clearance between parts, and the high temperature will also decrease the viscosity of the engine oil. Under these conditions, the wear and tear on components intensify. If appropriate measures are not taken immediately, the engine may overheat, leading to severe mechanical damage. 2. While driving, if white steam suddenly emerges from under the engine hood, or if the temperature gauge needle rapidly rises to the high-temperature "H" mark, it indicates that the engine temperature is too high. This is usually caused by insufficient water in the radiator, leaks, or the radiator fan not operating. In such a situation, immediately find a safe place to stop the car, but do not turn off the engine right away. Let the engine idle to continue dissipating heat, and open the engine hood to increase the heat dissipation speed.

[Douglas]

Having driven trucks for over a decade, I've learned that radiator leaks are absolutely not something to tough out. That time on the highway when my radiator suddenly sprang a leak, I tried to push my luck and make it to the next service station. But within three kilometers, the temperature gauge needle shot into the red zone, scaring me into pulling over immediately. The engine block overheated and warped, costing me over 8,000 yuan in major repairs. When the radiator fails and coolant leaks out, the engine runs dry and can seize up in minutes. I've wised up now - whenever I see white smoke from the front or a dashboard warning light, I pull over and shut off the engine to wait for a tow truck. Better to spend 200 yuan on towing than risk engine repairs - it's just not worth it.

[EmilioLynn]

Last time my wife was driving, the engine temperature warning light suddenly came on. She pulled over and popped the hood to find coolant leaking everywhere. I told her to shut off the engine immediately and called our insurance company for a free tow truck. You see, an engine operates at nearly 100 degrees Celsius—without coolant protection, metal components can warp from thermal expansion in just ten seconds. There's this guy Old Wang in our neighborhood who ignored a slightly cracked radiator and drove another 20 kilometers, only to have the pistons fuse to the cylinders, requiring a complete engine rebuild. Now I've made it a habit to check the radiator and hose connections monthly. If I see the coolant level dip below the MIN line, I head straight to the auto repair shop for a top-up.

[ArianaLee]

As an auto mechanic, I've seen it all too often. When a car with a broken radiator comes in and we take it apart, nine out of ten times the engine is already ruined. The metal friction during engine operation generates extreme heat, which is cooled by the circulation of antifreeze. Running without coolant is like forcing someone with a 40-degree fever to run a marathon. Last week, a young guy drove into the shop with a leaking car, ignoring the water temperature warning light, and ended up with a seized crankshaft requiring major repairs. We always advise customers to stop the car immediately upon discovering a coolant leak and never attempt to refill with water and keep driving.