Can You Drive If the Car Fan Isn't Working?
2 Answers
You cannot drive if the car fan isn't working, as it will cause the engine to overheat. Continuing to drive with an overheated engine can lead to cylinder scoring. The car engine relies on coolant for heat dissipation, which has two circulation paths inside the engine: a major cycle and a minor cycle. The car fan, also known as the car radiator, consists of three parts: the inlet chamber, the outlet chamber, and the radiator core. The coolant flows inside the radiator core, while air passes outside the radiator. The hot coolant cools down by dissipating heat to the air, and the cold air warms up by absorbing the heat from the coolant.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and a non-functioning fan is definitely not a minor issue. The fan primarily cools the engine, and if it stops working, heat accumulates, which can easily lead to overheating or even engine seizure. Once, my fan stopped working, and I stubbornly drove for half an hour to a repair shop. As a result, the engine temperature skyrocketed, and the repair cost me over 5,000 yuan. Short-distance, low-speed movements might be manageable, like a five-minute drive from home to a nearby repair shop, but it's absolutely not advisable at high speeds. Possible causes include a blown fuse, a faulty fan motor, or wiring issues, which can be identified with a simple check. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge while driving; if it rises above normal, turn off the engine and pull over. Safety first—the cost of engine damage is far higher than towing fees, so don't take the risk. Also, a non-functioning fan can sometimes be due to a faulty temperature sensor or relay issues, so getting it repaired as soon as possible is the right approach.
