What do the C and H on the car's temperature gauge mean?
2 Answers
The C on the car's dashboard is the abbreviation of COOL in English, meaning cold, while H is the abbreviation of HOT, meaning heat. C and H are used to display the car's water temperature, known as the temperature gauge on the dashboard, reflecting the temperature of the coolant inside the car's engine. The temperature of the car engine's coolant should be maintained within the normal range. The red H on the temperature gauge indicates the water temperature is too high, the blue C indicates the water temperature is too low, and if the temperature gauge light is off, it means the water temperature is normal. When the car's engine is working, fuel combustion generates a large amount of heat. Some of this heat is expelled outside the car through the exhaust pipe, while some remains within the car's engine. Excessive heat can cause the engine temperature to rise too high, leading to engine expansion and damage. Therefore, coolant is needed to maintain the engine's normal temperature. Hazards of excessively high car water temperature: It can damage the vehicle's cooling system fan, cause the engine thermostat to fail, and damage the engine cylinder gasket. Engine oil may deteriorate prematurely, losing its lubricating function. When the vehicle's water temperature is too high, the vehicle should be turned off, and the antifreeze usage should be checked. Excessively high water temperature in motor vehicles can lead to malfunctions, and in severe cases, render the vehicle unusable. If the driver notices the vehicle's water temperature gradually rising during operation, the vehicle should be stopped immediately, and the engine cooling system should be inspected. After identifying the problem, appropriate repairs should be made, and the vehicle should only continue driving after confirming there are no issues. Effects of excessively low car water temperature: Increased fuel consumption. Low water temperature can impair gasoline atomization, leading to incomplete combustion, reduced power, increased fuel consumption, and more carbon deposits. Impact on engine performance: The normal operating temperature of a car engine is generally around 90 degrees. Low water temperature can affect engine performance. Firstly, it affects the clearance between moving parts. Low water temperature causes less expansion of parts, resulting in excessive clearance and reduced power. The engine oil temperature also decreases, increasing viscosity and raising engine operating resistance, which affects power output.
Having driven for so many years, I've always taken the coolant temperature gauge seriously. The C and H on it stand for Cold and Hot respectively. When the engine starts, the needle usually points to the C end, indicating the coolant temperature is low and the engine hasn't warmed up yet. Don't rush to speed at this time because a cold engine experiences more wear. After driving some distance, the needle gradually moves to the middle zone, which is the optimal temperature range, approximately between 60-90°C. If unfortunately the needle approaches the H end, it's bad news - it means there's a cooling system issue, possibly due to a clogged radiator or insufficient coolant, which could lead to engine overheating, breakdown, or even severe damage. Last time I encountered this situation when the needle was almost touching H, I immediately stopped to check and found a leaking radiator. Adding coolant in time saved me from major repairs. Remember to regularly check the temperature gauge during daily driving to ensure it stays stable in the middle zone. Never neglect maintenance, such as checking coolant levels and radiator condition every six months. This is crucial for engine protection and can save you a lot on repair costs.