Can You Continue Driving When the Car's Water Temperature Is Too High?

[Carrie]

You should not continue driving when the car's water temperature is too high. It is important to stop and inspect the vehicle promptly. If you continue driving with an overheated engine, the high temperature can cause the engine's cylinder head gasket to fail, leading to cylinder scoring. Prolonged driving under such conditions can result in deformation of the cylinder head and engine block, causing the engine to stall, piston seizure, or even crankshaft lock-up, necessitating a major engine overhaul. In severe cases, the engine may be irreparably damaged. The correct approach when the car's water temperature is too high is to let the engine idle for a few minutes, turn on the heater and air conditioning, and open the hood to facilitate cooling as quickly as possible. Once the temperature has dropped, check the coolant level. If the coolant is below the minimum (min) line, it should be topped up immediately.