How to Deal with High Engine Temperature at High Altitudes?
3 Answers
Here are specific solutions for high engine temperature in high-altitude areas: 1. Radiator Issues: When foreign objects invade, they can clog the radiator surface and also attract dust, significantly reducing the radiator's cooling capacity and causing the engine temperature to rise. Generally, adding a layer of mesh protective screen can help to some extent and make cleaning easier later. If the radiator surface is already clogged, pay attention to the cleaning method. To avoid damaging the radiator, some car owners prefer a conservative approach, using only compressed air to blow it clean. However, a water gun can also be used for cleaning. When using a water gun, note two things: first, adjust the spray to disperse the water and reduce pressure; second, spray as perpendicularly to the radiator as possible to avoid high water pressure damaging the radiator fins. 2. Coolant: Coolant should be understood as 'cooling liquid with antifreeze properties.' It has cooling and antifreeze functions. Compared to water, its freezing point is lower, so users in cold northern regions pay more attention to it to prevent the radiator from freezing. Additionally, the boiling point of coolant is higher, generally not less than 105°C. Under standard atmospheric pressure, water boils at 100°C, but at high altitudes, it boils below 100°C. Using water instead of coolant can easily cause the engine to overheat and boil. Another misconception about coolant is only topping it up without replacing it. Some users think that when the coolant level is low, simply adding more is sufficient, but in fact, coolant can expire and lose effectiveness. 3. Thermostat: The thermostat is a valve device between the engine and the radiator. It automatically adjusts the amount of water entering the radiator based on the water temperature, achieving what is commonly referred to as the 'large circulation' and 'small circulation' of the coolant to keep the engine operating within a certain temperature range. Most thermostats on the market are wax-type. If this thermostat fails and the valve cannot open, the coolant cannot enter the large circulation, leading to high engine temperature. Therefore, ensuring the thermostat works properly is an important point in preventing high engine temperature.
Last time I was driving on the plateau, I also encountered a sudden spike in the temperature gauge. I quickly pulled over, turned off the engine, and let it cool down. At this point, never add coolant directly—wait for the temperature to drop before checking. The thin air at high altitudes reduces cooling efficiency, so it's best to switch to antifreeze with a higher boiling point. I usually also clean the bug debris in front of the radiator, as those little things blocking the cooling fins can be deadly. When climbing, avoid flooring the throttle in low gears—high engine load is most likely to cause overheating. On long downhill sections, be extra cautious, as continuous braking can lead to heat buildup. If the temperature remains consistently high, consider switching to manual mode to limit the gears. Remember, when driving in plateau areas, pay attention to the temperature gauge at least half an hour earlier than usual.
During that self-driving trip to Qinghai Lake, my friend's car suddenly had a coolant temperature warning. We parked the car, opened the hood to let it cool down, and only checked the fluid level after the cooling system pressure was released. We found the overflow tank was almost empty, so we quickly added bottled water as an emergency measure. Later, we learned that there are three key points to pay special attention to when driving on plateaus: the coolant must be rated for at least -45 degrees Celsius, the air intake in the bumper must not be blocked, and the cooling fan must be highly responsive. My current practice is to replace the antifreeze before every trip to Tibet and thoroughly clean the radiator fins. When climbing mountains, I keep an eye on the tachometer to maintain around 2000 RPM, and immediately ease off the throttle if it exceeds 3000 RPM. If it's a continuous uphill drive, I stop every half hour to let the engine cool down for five minutes.
