Is it harmful to drive 10 kilometers with high water temperature?

[DeKaden]

Yes, it is harmful. It is not recommended to continue driving when the coolant temperature is too high. At this time, the engine is "running a high fever," and continuing to drive may lead to increased mechanical wear of the engine, overheating and aging of wiring, or even smoke and spontaneous combustion in the engine compartment. If there is a fault in the cooling system, it may cause the radiator to boil, and excessive internal pressure can result in radiator rupture or pipe bursts. Reasons for high radiator temperature: 1. Insufficient coolant: Daily driving should include checking fluid levels. The coolant level should be between max and min. Do not open the radiator cap to check fluid levels when the temperature is high, as boiling coolant may splash and cause injury. 2. Coolant contaminated or deteriorated: The recommended replacement interval for coolant is every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. Exceeding this interval may cause the coolant to deteriorate, reducing the engine's cooling performance. 3. Issues with the cooling system radiator: For example, the radiator surface may be dirty or clogged, or the cooling fan may be stuck. In such cases, the radiator and cooling fan should be cleaned or inspected. How to handle high radiator temperature: When the water temperature warning light turns red, pull over as soon as possible and check the vehicle's condition. Inspect whether the cooling fan is operating and look for signs of clogging or damage to the radiator. If the coolant level is low, you can add new coolant or distilled water as an emergency measure.

[McCooper]

With twenty years of car repair experience, the question I dread most from car owners is this. Driving 10 kilometers with an overheating engine is like committing slow-motion murder—cylinder head warping and head gasket failure are inevitable. Last year, a BMW owner ignored the temperature warning and drove 8 kilometers, ending up with a 20,000-yuan engine overhaul. High temperatures thin the oil to water-like consistency, causing direct dry friction between piston rings and cylinder walls. Not to mention the risk of bent connecting rods. Consequences? At best, white smoke; at worst, a totaled engine. The right move? Pull over immediately, shut off the engine, and pop the hood to cool it down.

[SanAnnie]

I specialize in racing modifications, but high coolant temperature is equally dangerous for both civilian and racing vehicles. The engine is designed to operate around 90°C, and once it exceeds 100°C, aluminum components begin to expand and deform. Just driving 10 kilometers can cause tiny cracks in the cylinder block, especially older cars which are even less resilient. I've personally seen a Passat continue running with high coolant temperature, leading to the cylinder head gasket melting and allowing coolant to mix with the engine oil. My advice is not to hesitate on towing fees—stopping now is far better than spending tens of thousands on major repairs later. Remember to use your phone to locate the nearest repair shop; some brands even offer roadside assistance.

[BriannaFitz]

My dad owns an auto repair shop, and since childhood, I've seen too many cases of engines being ruined by driving with overheating issues. Just 10 kilometers is enough to accumulate metal fatigue. Do you know what it means when the temperature gauge hits the red zone? The piston rings and cylinder liner gaps become completely abnormal, and continuing to drive could lead to cylinder scoring. Once, I was in a friend's car when this happened, and I immediately told him to turn off the AC and turn on the heater to dissipate heat, barely making it to a repair shop 3 kilometers away. My advice is to turn on your hazard lights, pull over, and carefully use the onboard tools to open the radiator cap (when the engine is cold) to check the coolant level.