How long can you drive with high water temperature before engine seizure occurs?
2 Answers
Driving just 1-2 kilometers with high water temperature may cause engine seizure. Generally, if the actual water temperature exceeds the vehicle's permissible range and continues to operate, the car may stall or experience engine seizure within 1-2 kilometers. In severe cases, the engine may be completely damaged. Vehicle owners should avoid attempting to continue driving when engine seizure occurs. Engine seizure refers to the appearance of obvious longitudinal mechanical scratches and scoring on the cylinder wall within the piston ring's movement range. In severe cases, adhesive wear may occur, causing difficulties in engine starting or spontaneous stalling. When engine seizure occurs, it is necessary to stop the vehicle immediately for inspection and timely treatment to avoid more serious automotive failures.
Once when I was driving my old car, the coolant temperature suddenly spiked, and the needle almost reached the red line. At the time, I thought I could make it home without calling a tow truck, but after just over ten minutes of driving, the engine started making a loud rattling noise. Later, when we took it apart, we found the connecting rods had seized. The lesson here is that if the temperature gets too high, you must stop immediately—otherwise, metal components can expand and fuse, leading to cylinder damage. How long it takes to cause damage depends on the engine's age, how hot the weather is, and the speed/load. For example, driving at high speed in summer might cause failure in less than five minutes, while in winter at low speeds, you might get ten minutes—but never gamble on it. My advice is, if you see the temperature gauge rising abnormally, shut off the engine right away without hesitation. Find a safe place to park, turn on the hazard lights, and call a mechanic for inspection—it saves both money and hassle. Regularly changing the coolant and checking the radiator fan system can prevent major issues down the line.
