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

[Erick]

You should not continue driving when the car's water temperature is too high. Here is some information about the car's water temperature: 1. Under normal circumstances, the engine's optimal operating temperature is around 90 degrees Celsius, which ensures good power performance and fuel efficiency while reducing wear and extending service life. 2. If the engine temperature is too high or too low, it can lead to increased wear, reduced power, and other issues. Particularly, prolonged operation at excessively high temperatures can easily damage the engine, and in severe cases, even cause the engine to be irreparably damaged. If you encounter high water temperature or a warning light, you can perform a simple check and assessment yourself: 1. Immediately pull over to the side of the road, turn on the hazard lights, and place a warning triangle to alert other drivers (especially on highways). 2. Do not turn off the engine immediately. Instead, turn the heater to the maximum setting to help dissipate heat from the engine, as the coolant pump is driven by the engine. If you turn off the engine, the pump will stop, preventing the coolant from circulating and making it harder for the engine to cool down. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge—if the temperature does not drop, then turn off the engine. 3. Open the hood and inspect the engine and radiator for any signs of coolant leakage.