What are the consequences of driving a car with an empty radiator until it stalls?
2 Answers
Driving a car with an empty radiator until it stalls will cause the car's temperature to rise rapidly, accelerating piston wear and leading to uneven temperature changes, which can affect the car's power. In severe cases, it may even cause permanent damage to the engine. Precautions for adding water to the car radiator: The car radiator should be filled with specialized radiator water or qualified antifreeze. When choosing radiator water or antifreeze, it is best to opt for high-quality diluted radiator water or antifreeze. In case of accidental water shortage, tap water can be added to prevent unnecessary losses due to lack of water. The radiator should not be filled too full. If water is added and too much or even full, it will cause a large amount of overflow due to "thermal expansion," leaving many water marks and scale on the surface. Additionally, adding water can create scale in the cooling system, clogging pipes, affecting heat dissipation, and damaging the engine. Generally, the optimal working temperature range for a car engine is between 75-90 degrees Celsius. Temperatures higher or lower than this range are not conducive to engine performance. The liquid level in the radiator should be maintained between the minimum and maximum marks. If it is below the minimum, it needs to be topped up, and the same brand and specification of coolant must be added; otherwise, it should be completely replaced. The choice of coolant is mainly based on the local minimum temperature, and it is usually all-season when leaving the factory. If the radiator does not leak, it may not need water added all year, but regular checks are necessary. As long as there are no leaks, it is fine. The water in the car radiator is antifreeze, which has functions of anti-freeze, anti-rust, and anti-boil.
Last week, I drove to the countryside for fun and didn’t pay attention to refilling the radiator. While driving, the engine temperature warning light came on, but I kept going until the car suddenly stalled by the roadside. I had to call a tow truck to take it back to the city. The mechanic said the engine overheated and warped, and even the cylinder head was burnt out—replacing it with a used one cost me several thousand. Looking back now, I regret not stopping to check the coolant or topping up the radiator fluid during regular car washes. Everyone should always keep an eye on the temperature gauge—never wait until smoke appears to take action, especially since stalling on the highway is even more dangerous and can lead to accidents. In short, car maintenance should never be neglected—regularly checking the radiator can save you a lot of money.
