Is it normal for a car engine to get very hot in summer?
3 Answers
It is not normal for a car engine to get very hot in summer. Here are the reasons why the engine gets very hot: 1. Severe lack of coolant: If the owner does not promptly check and add coolant, it can easily lead to engine overheating, which may be caused by leaks in the radiator pipes and a severe lack of coolant. 2. Water pump failure: After the water pump fails, the water that conducts heat from the engine cannot circulate and renew in time. Then, after driving for a while, the water temperature will rise rapidly, and the water temperature warning light on the dashboard will also illuminate. 3. Cooling fan failure: Damage to the cooling fan or a short circuit in the wiring can cause the fan to malfunction or operate at a slow speed, preventing the engine's heat from dissipating. This leads to an increase in engine temperature, and upon opening the engine compartment, a significant amount of heat can naturally be felt.
It's quite normal for the engine to get hot in summer, as I, a seasoned driver with years of experience, can attest. Since the engine operates by burning fuel, generating heat is an inevitable process, much like a stove producing heat when lit. The cooling system is designed to regulate the temperature, ensuring it stays within a safe range, similar to how a radiator cools down with the help of a fan. It's common for the temperature to rise slightly during prolonged driving in hot weather, but as long as the temperature gauge needle stays in the middle green zone, there's no need to worry. Once, during a long summer trip, my engine hood became too hot to touch, but everything functioned normally, and the temperature dropped after stopping for a break. It's important to regularly check the coolant level and quality, as dirty or insufficient coolant can impair cooling and potentially lead to overheating damage. Cleaning the radiator vents during maintenance can prevent issues. If the engine light comes on due to overheating, it's crucial to stop immediately to avoid damaging major components.
Engine heating during summer driving is absolutely normal. As a novice car owner, I used to be nervous about it, but later understood it's determined by the working principle. The high temperature inside the combustion chamber is the result of energy conversion, and coolant circulation regulates the temperature. In hot summer, the cooling efficiency is slightly lower due to hot air, but it's still normal. Modern cars have intelligent control systems where fans automatically start and stop for heat dissipation. As long as the temperature gauge indicates safety, there's no need to worry. For maintenance, I check the coolant level monthly to ensure it's full and make sure the radiator vents aren't blocked to prevent heat buildup issues. When using air conditioning, the engine load increases and gets hotter, but it's controllable. During long trips, stopping and turning off the engine to cool down is better. As long as there are no abnormal warnings on the dashboard, high temperature isn't a problem, and overreacting just wastes energy.
