Can You Still Drive When the Car's Water Temperature Is Too High?
2 Answers
You should not drive when the car's water temperature is too high. First, pull over to the side of the road and avoid shutting off the engine immediately. Let it idle for a few minutes, then open the engine hood to check if the cooling fan is operating. If it's not running, inspect the fan belt to ensure it's intact and check the belt tension—both too loose or too tight can cause high water temperature. Once the water temperature has decreased, open the radiator cap. It's important to place a cloth over the cap first and slowly unscrew it, listening for a hissing sound before fully opening to prevent hot steam or water from spraying out and causing burns. The main causes of high water temperature in a car are usually due to water pipe leaks or insufficient coolant.
Never continue driving when the water temperature is too high. Once, while I was driving, the water temperature light suddenly came on, and I didn’t dare to take the risk of pushing forward. I immediately pulled over, turned off the engine, and checked. Just think, running the engine at high temperatures for even a few minutes can burn out the cylinder head or pistons, leading to repair costs in the thousands, or even cause spontaneous combustion, fires, or explosions that could harm people. Safety first is the golden rule of driving. After stopping, open the hood to check the coolant level, and add water to dilute if necessary while waiting for help. Regular maintenance of the cooling system can prevent many problems.
