Can You Drive After Stopping for a While When the Car's Water Temperature Is Too High?
2 Answers
Can You Drive After Stopping for a While When the Car's Water Temperature Is Too High? When the water temperature is too high, you should slow down, pull over, turn off the engine, and check it. Wait for a while until the water temperature drops before driving again. During driving, closely monitor the water temperature changes. If the water temperature rises again, stop immediately. Overheating can cause deformation or even damage to the cylinder head and cylinder block, dilute the engine oil, and degrade the performance of car components. Reasons for high water temperature include: 1. Coolant leakage or insufficient coolant; 2. Faulty water pump slowing down coolant circulation; 3. Thermostat malfunction.
Just saw the temperature gauge shoot up to the red line, and my heart skipped a beat. I immediately pulled over and turned off the engine. After waiting for over 10 minutes, the needle dropped a bit, and I thought it should be okay to drive. But shortly after getting back on the road, smoke started coming out. Later, the mechanic said the cooling system was leaking and couldn't hold pressure, causing the engine head gasket to burn out—costing over 3,000 yuan to fix. High engine temperature while driving should never be ignored. Possible causes include insufficient coolant, a stuck radiator fan, or blocked pipes. These seemingly minor issues might seem temporarily fixed by stopping for a while, but the underlying problem remains. Especially during long summer trips, it's crucial to check the coolant and cooling system regularly. Developing a habit of routine maintenance can save a lot on repair costs. I remember a friend last year had a similar issue—forcing a start-up ended up destroying the engine, posing serious safety risks. When the temperature warning light comes on, it's best not to take chances—call a tow truck or have someone check the problem immediately.
